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 4
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 4
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 4
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" L.n.tly, we do leave all other things concerning the setting forth and surveying the said purchases unto the chief proprietor, to order ne he sees fit,
" Signed, accordingly, 25th of the 4th mouth, lo;s.
"FENWICA.
" Edward Wade.
Hypolite Lefevre.
" Julın Siuith. Edward Champney. Richard Whitecar.
" Richard Noble.
"Samuel Nicholson. "John Adams.
William Walster. Robert Wude."
Richard Noble, one of the signers to the " general order," was the surveyor who laid out the town under the instructions of Fenwick.
The population of Salem gradually increased, until about 1682 it was a place of no little importance, with a growing foreign trade, and was a port of entry, and one shilling was charged for the entrance or clearance of all vessels under one hundred tons burden, and Two shillings for the entrance or clearance of all ver- sels of larger tonnage.
Notwithstanding Salem is the oldest town on the eastern shore of the Delaware, for many years it made very slow progress in the increase of its population. Most probably the main cause for its slow advance- ment in the first two or three generations was that John Fenwick and his immediate successor, Samuel Hedge, sold their lands only on the principal streets, viz .: Wharf (now Broadway), Bridge (now Market Street), and Fenwick (at present East Broadway). The said lots contained ten to sixteen acres, and in time a monopoly in the land was produced.
Thomas Sharpe, who was sent to America by his unele, Anthony Sharpe, to look after hi- large tracts of land that he had purchased of the Proprietors in East and West Jersey, stayed one winter (1680 -- 81) at Salem. The vessel by which he came was detained with a load of emigrants at the mouth of Falem Creek. Thomas Sharpe lett a record behind him stating the town of Salem improved very little within five years, because the principal owners of the town lots had purchased large quantities of land in the adjacent country, hence moved in the country for the purpose of bringing up their children to husbandry, doubtless thinking at some future time they themselves would return to Salem to end their days. But many of the large landholders remained in the country until they died, and their town lots fell to some of their heirs, or were sold out of their families.
But, despite numerous drawbacks and disadvantages, Salem grew surely, if slowly, and soon came to be known far and wide. It, local interests advanced, and its foreign trade flourished, and as a result set- tlement grew more and more rapid, and the class of comers was such that the town was peopled with eiti- zeus good in every sense of the word. Small maan. facturing interests were established, and these had
1:03-70, 15:3. Thomas, Glyun.
1581-82. John Lawson.
378
HISTORY OF SALEM COUNTY.
their effeet on the character and members of the pop- ulation. Churches were organized, schools were es- tablished. the town had a wisely-administered local government, and it flourished. A description of the place at the beginning of the last century would be interesting could such a one be given. From 1700 Salem grew in wealth, population, and importance.
At the close of the Revolutionary war Salem County seems to have accepted the situation as a permanent settlement of all troubles, national, local, and personal. , tion printed in connection with it :
Improvements began in the town commensurate with the means of the citizens. Religious interest devel- oped in the movement of those who believed it " was not all of life to live," and the Friends and Bap- tists soon had comfortable houses for worship and rude school-houses erected. Merchants made liberal pro- vision for trade, mechanics entered with a will into their several callings, hotels were opened to accom- modate strangers, and before the beginning of the present century Salem was advancing in material and permanent interest.
The year ISOn, therefore, found the town with a good class of citizens, alive to the best local and gen- cral interest. Public buildings (the court-house, jail, clerk's offices, and market-house) were all erected and occupied. The growth of the town was more rapid from 1800 onward, and during the next third of a century people of nearly every profession, occupa- tion, and trade located here. Gordon's Gazetteer of New Jersey, published in 1834, contains the following descriptive and statistical notice of Salem :
" Salem, t-hip and post town, and seat of justice of Salem County, si- wate 171 tolles N. E. of W. C., 65 %. of Trenton, and 24 S. F .. from l'hila- delphifa ; lat. 399 32'; long from W. C. 1º 35'. The t-ship Is of circular form, and Is nearly surrounded by water, having on the X. W. tho Salem Creck, on the N. E. and E. Fenwicke Creek, a tributary of that streatn, and on the W. another small tributary of the same streamn. The town is di-tant from the Delaware, by the creek. 312 miles. The t-ship is about 2 miles in diameter, and contains 1238 acres of well- improved land, of a rich sandy luam, divided into town lote and 12 farms. The town contains about 25 , dwellings : a fine court-house, about Go ly 40 feet, of brick, with brick fre-proof offers adjacent : 1 Epis- copalian, 1 Methodist, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, 1 African Methodist, and 2 Quaker tune being Orthodox and the other licksite) Churches ; 1 building of brick, of Gothte architecture, dealgued for a Masonir IFall, but which is how appropriateil to other purposes, the lodge being ex- tinet ; a bank with a capital fuld in of $15,0 ml; a stone jall with yard, surronoded by a high stone wall, both of small dimensiona; 1 market- house, 2 fire-engines, 2 public libraries, I academy, and 5 daily school. for tenhing the rudiments of na English cilucation : 5 sunday-schonle, 2 printing-offres, at each of which is printeda weekly newspaper, calledl. respectively, 'The Salem Messenger' and 'The American Statesman'; 21 stotes, 2 hot-18, 7 physicians, 5 lawyers, 3 Inter-yards, I steain-mill, which grinds much grain, 1 hors -- mill, 5 apothecaries' stores, 1 livery- stahie. A steamboat leaves the town daily for Delaware City and New Castle, to meet the morning steamboat from Philadelphia, nuother to Penn-grove, un tho Delaware, to meet the Wilmington steamboat for Philadelphia ; a two-hore- daily line to Bridgetown, ani a two.horse linu to Centreville, once a week. The creek at the town is 152 yards wide, over which fen wirdden bridge, resting on wooden plers, with a draw for the passage of vessels. Over Fenwicke Creek, a short distance abre ity junction with Salem Creek, Is another wooden bridge, n heat structure, roofed. Verweis if you may approach the town in safety, but the bar at the month of the greek prevents the entry of vessels drawing more than eight lect wat r. Large quantiting of wheat, rye, pats, and corn are ex- ported freen this place to the Eastern States. The streets of the town we wide, footway's paved and bordered with trees, the houses of frame
and brick : the former, painted white, are surrounded with gardens and praw lots and adorned with towers, Living to the place a cheerful and healthy appearance surpassed by few villages in the United States. The t-ship contained. io 1:30, 1570 inhalatants; in 1832, 267 householders whose mitibles dil not varced $30 In value, and 397 taxables, 2 t.in- Jords, I distillery; and it paid taxes for t-ship purposes, $124, conn'y use, $728 :5 ; and State use, $233,35."
The following reference 10 Salem is extracted fromt Barber & Howe's " Historical Collections." published in 18-14. The first few lines refer to a small illustra-
"On the right of the eugraving i- the jail, a [dain stuccoed builling. The brick edifice with the cupola is the court-house, nudl the small build- ing partially svon in the distance is the clerk's office. There $ houses for divine worship in the town, viz. : 2 Friends, 1 Episcopal, I l'resty- terian, 1 Baptist, I Metho list, and 2 Afrienn Methenlist. A large Gothic structure, formerly used as a Masonte Hall, stat.ds in the central part of the village. There are also in the town the SaleDi Bank, & market, 2 fire-engines, 2 public libraries, a lyceum, an academy, a newspaper printing-ofhice, 17 stores, 3 hotels, and about 230 dwellings. . . . Salem is well built, the houses neat, the streets beautified with trees, and its general appearance thriving and pleasant. Considerable business is done bere, and a daily counnunication lind by steamers and etages with Philadelphia "
The following table shows the census and extent of Salem in 1850:
Population : White, mal. s, 1297; females, 1549 ; total, 2546. Coleird, males, 50; frmiahs, 117; total, 206. Total population, 3052.
Born In New Jersey ... 2125 ' Over eighty years of age.
S
.. Pennsylvania ..
212
Irelaml ..
¢3
Maryland ..
England.
39
= New York ..
Sortland.
9
.. Convectieut.
Massachusetts ..
8 Portugal.
1
Virginia
G l'nkitown
Ohio .....
.. Mala
C Wilowim .
15
.. ludlaua
Illinois
WHlows.
123
Cannel ical or write ...
Employmente.
Mouse carpenters.
14
Allopathic physicians ...
Slip-carpenters
:3
Dentists ..
32 Cashier, Intuk ...
Binckemiths ...
Wheelwright«
Trliet. bank ..
Machinist
5 Livery-stable keepers
Engineer:
Watermeu.
Tanner- and corriere ...
Barhere.
4 Clergymen
3 Lawyers
19 Tin-wurkers.
S Potters.
Tol accunisis.
Printers.
6 Grain merchants
StockIng-wenvers
C Lumber merchants.
Rope-makers
8 Hardware merchant
1
$ Flour merchants ..
1
1
thick-mason ..
5 School-teachers ..
C'atriaz -- makers ..
Druggist ....
1
Millwright
C'alinct-maker
Broom-tikere.
1 Iron-store ..
Wharf-builder
l'lasteret .
Pitufinalier
Gardeners
Weavers
Carriage-trimmers.
Bakere .
5
1 Datenit fellve makerk
Bruch maker
2 Sash-t.tkura
lintters,
Carriage painter ....
Amount of capital investod in real estate by citizens of Salem (casa value) $2,133,!11.
Occupiel in the town on the let of June 592 hontes, Ly C15 famili. ..
-
1 T
1
Book stationere.
4 Oyster-cellar krejwe're
3
3
Fonniry, iron
9
J ailory and clothiers
Brick-lmirnors
5 Shop- and store-keepers ...
Tallow chandlers.
14 Juma merchant ......
1 Homeopathic physician.
11 President, Instik
1 1
1
2 Butchers ...
1
4 New -- carrier
4 Millers ..
CI
Watch-Jnakers.
3
1 House-Iminiers.
I
4
's ; Confection tiers ....
5 Of the population of the town there nic :
1 Married within the year. ......
Kentucky
South Carolina
1 Hirthe the last year ...
1
G
Clerk, bank
----
Deinware ... Germany
FIANCO ...
379
CITY OF SALEM.
In 1860 the population was 3805; in 1870, 4572;
advertised to keep a " night-school at $2 to $2.50 per and in 1880, 5059. The city is now growing rapidly, quarter." He limited the number of his day-scholars and will doubtless have a population of at least 6000 at the time of the next census enumeration. Much of that portion lying south of Broadway, and em- bracing Oak, Hedge, Carpenter, Thompson, Walnut, Church, Mechanic, Wesley, East Griffith, and other streets, has been built up during a comparatively recent period. to twenty-five. The school was in successful opera- tion until Mr. Stretch's death, when he was succeeded by Mr. William Steel, of Philadelphia, who continued it for some time longer. The Baptist Society also opened a seminary about 1824 or 1825. Rev. James Challis was the first teacher. John N. Cooper and others followed.
Educational History .- Education with the earlier After the days of the Salem Academy, Mrs. Sprogel, citizens of the county of Salem was almost exclu- i the Misses Bines, Miss Ann Maylin, and other ladies had select schools in the old building. There were several select schools in private houses, principally for young children.
sively confined to Salem. llere the Friends had in- Buence by numbers and pecuniary resources, and, as elsewhere where they were similarly situated, they introduced a system of education nearly allied to that Prior to the introduction of public schools through- later known as the common school system. The , ont the county, district schools being scarce, scholars school-house at the corner of East Broadway and from the surrounding country, especially from Upper and Lower Alloways Creek, Elsinboro, Lower Penn's Neck, and Mannington townships, helped greatly to fill and support the Salem schools during the fall. winter, and spring. Walnut Street, now in use as such by the Hicksite I'riends, was one of the earliest buildings erected in this section exclusively for school purposes. The principal teacher was a male, who in the primary department had female assistant -. Sometimes the latter were paid, and sometimes they gave their ser- vices from a sheer desire to aid the cause of educa- tion among their sect. 1
Jacob Wood was an early teacher. Hetty Lewis, also, as early as 1817 instructed small scholars in the alphabet and reading, and on Fourth Days, at eleven o'clock, marched her scholars to Fourth Day Meeting. Rhoda Denn and daughters, Charlotte Wistar, and others were voluntary teachers. In the same building, following in later years, Thomas Lippincott, Jesse Bond, Thomas Thompson, Joseph Brown, Joshna Stretch, William Steel, Aaron Ivins, and others followed up to about 1838, teaching read- ing, writing, arithmetic, and grammar.
Isaac English had a private school in 1818 and 1819 in an old brick building which then stood on the prem- ises now owned by A. H. Slape, at the corner of Mar- ket and Griffith Streets.
The Salem Academy was established about 1818 or 1819, and was under the control of a board of trus- ' tees, to whom the building occupied and the land on which it stood were given, with the understanding that "the building and premises should be kept in good repair, and used for educational purposes in the primary and higher branches." Rev. Joseph Shep- pard, in 1819 and for several years later, taught the more advanced English branches, and also Latin and Greek. He was followed by Mr. Gegan and other teachers of the dead language -. John Tabor, Wil- liam Shourds, I. Shute, John M. Sailer, and perhaps others taught the English branches. In 1827, by order of the trustees, Mr. Sailer introduced the Lan- ca-terian system of education, which was continued until the organization of public schools under the laws of the State. A seminary was opened by Joseph Stretch about 1622, on Wert Broadway, opposite the site of the First Baptist Church. Mir. Stretch also
These and similar schools afforded such educational advantages as Salem possessed prior to the organiza- tion of the public schools under the State law, Sept. 9, 1850. It was chiefly through the exertions of Sain- nel Copner, who had long persistently agitated the " common school question," that the idea became pop- . ular and was at that time adopted in Salem, and the public school became an established fact. It was at first very unpopular with the tax-payers, and upon the levying of an authorized tax of three thousand dollars for the purpose of building a school-house its collection was successfully resisted. These troubles gradually wore away, and in the the schools were well established and highly regarded, and Mr. Copner became so popular in consequence of his persistent advocacy of the system that he was successively elceted county surrogate and assemblyman.
The first school-house in use for public school pur- ¡ poses was the brick structure on Walnut Street, then only a story and a half high. In that building the first grammar school was organized, with Joseph Lawrence as teacher. Miss Fanny 1. Young way the first teacher of the primary school, which was opened in the basement of the Baptist Church. A school for colored children was established, and was placed in charge of Allen Bland. The secondary de- partment was organized in 1851, with Miss S. Jones as teacher. During that year the walls of the old Walnut Street school-house were raised so as to ren- der it a three-story building, and the rooms at the rear were added, when the schools were all estab- lished therein. The accommodations here proved in- sufficient in time, and in 1860 a primary school was opened in a building on Market Street belonging to T. T. Hilliard, and continued there until the erection of the Griffith Street school-house, which was first occupied in 1969. The rental of the premises on Walnut Street nearly opposite the brick school-house
.
350
HISTORY OF SALEM COUNTY.
was authorized in 1872, thus adding still more to the school accommodations of the city, and the academy building wa- leased in 1873. A school-house for col- ored children was built in 1879.
The number of teachers cuiployed in Isse is eighteen. named as follow -: Pauline Waddington, principal of the high school ; Amanda E. Eldridge, assistant ; Sarah E. Hill. principal of the grammar school; Annat B. Armstrong, assistant; Susam I .. Jones, Anna D. Kelly, Anna MI. Moore, Mary E. Morrison, teachers in the intermediate department ; Hannah Dilks, Anna F. Fogg, L. J. Sharp, Sarah P. Freas, Eliza E. Jaquett, teachers in the secondary school ; Sallie A. Smitb, Lizzie C. Snitcher, Mary J. Lawrence, Mary J. Hall, Ida Curby, and Angie Davis, teachers in the primary school.
The Salem Collegiate Institute was founded by Rev. George W. Smiley as an institute for young ladies. The first session was opened Sept. 9. 1867, in the large brick building on the corner of Broadway and Seventh Street, known as Ruinsey's Building. Thirty-two pupils were registered the first day. Though founded as a young ladies' school, it was very soon afterwards changed, and both sexes were admitted. The public school of Salem at that time were of a comparatively low grade. Mr. Smiley re- mained two years, and at the end of that time the institute numbered about ninety pupils. His assist- ants were Madame Blake, Mr. Flint, Miss Frances Dodge, and Miss Caroline Gibbon.
John H. Bechtel bought the institute of Mr. Smiley in the summer of 1869. Mr. Bechtel was educated at Miller-ville Normal School, Pennsylvania, and had taught in Smyrna, Del., previous to his taking charge of the institute. Though apparently a good teacher, and with many advantages in his favor, the school under his management was not financially a success, and at the end of three years he sold out to the pres- ent principal. During the three years Mr. Bechtel had the school there were me hundred and ninety pupils in attendance, one hundred and forty-six names being on the roll at-one time. His assistants were Mrs. J. HI. Bechtel, Morris H. Stratton, Caroline B. Rhinchart, Caroline Gibbon, Mary G. Gregory, Sallie Townsend, Mary E. Patterson. Ellen V. Pyle, John H. Moser, and Edward Van Laer.
The institute was purchased by Professor II. P. Davidson in the summer of 1872. It had just re- ceived a severe blow from the friends of free educa- tion, who, in their mi-taken zeal to carry out their own pet schemes, had supposed it necessary to de- stroy, if possible, all private institutions. The next year i: was destined to receive a still more fatal blow in the financial panic which swept over the country with such fury and long continuance. With a prin- cipal of less determination the institute would doubt- less have come to an untimely er.J. Mr. David-on was a native of New Hampshire. During his minor- ity he received but the scunt education of a back-
wools district school. Having become physically i! . jured soon after reaching his majority, he comment : fitting for college, without money and without friet ... able to assist. Hle entered Norwich University, V .:. mont, in 1833. While a sophomore his college con .... was unavoidably interrupted, but he continued !.. ply his studies, and in 1571 he received an honorary A. M. from Lafayette College. Through his untir- ing energy and the faithful support of hi- assistant- the collegiate institute weathered the storm, and if. it lost in numbers it made up in the increased standar.i of scholarship. Until it came into the hands of Pru. fe-sor Davidson there had been no graduation and no systematic curriculum of studies ; these were adopted and prescribed.
Two years were required to bring the students inty a classified condition preparatory to a graduation. Miss Kate G. Kirby, of Salem, was the first to com- plete the prescribed course of study, which she did in June, 1874. At the close of the next school year. 1875, the first commencement exercises were held, and the graduates were Annie E. Bradway, of Quin- fon, in the normal course; Carrie MI. Thompson, Somerville. in the academic ; Clarence D. Warner, of Granby, Mass., in the classical. From this time the institute began to acquire some reputation abroad, and students came from other States. Accommoda- tious for boarders, however, were limited, which oper- ated against any large influx of students from with- out the county.
:
While the institute has been noted more for the practicality of its work in the development of char- meter than for any intellectual eramining, the princi- pal has long considered industrial education to some extent feasible, and so far highly desirable. In the spring of 1881 be purchased a printing outfit, con- sisting of a half-mediuin press, about six hundred pounds of type, and all the necessary implements of a job-office. Students were permitted to work in the office out of se-sion hours, and were paid by the prin- cipal for the work done. With no instruction except what could be " picked" up or thought out, they com- menced the issue of the _llert, a monthly paper, de. voted to temperance and education. This paper las since been made a weekly, and has a fair patronage. Arrangements were also made to establish a book- bindery, but unavoidable obstacles have thus far de- layed the execution of that part of the plan. . 1 practical painter was also employed to give instruc- tion in sign.painting. Nearly five hundred pupil- have received instruction at the institute in the last cleven years.
:
Burial-Places .- Salem has uo incorporated ceme- tery association, and no publie burial.places in the common acceptation of the term. Early burials are said to have been made on the lands of families be- reaved. A little later those of similar religious or sectarian belief buried their dead in one common ground, thus opening and establishing the several
.
..
381
CITY OF SALEMI.
churchyards in the city. Of these that of the I'riends i- the oldest, The Episcopal, Baptist, and Methodist larial-grounds were later opened in the order named. The Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churchyards are of later date. The colore:I people have long bad their own burying-grounds in and near the city. In several of these burial-places are old monuments, the inscriptions on which, when decipherable, are of much interest to one who contemplates the carly history of the locality. In the Friends' burying-ground stands a gigantie oak, which is the wonder and admiration of every stranger visiting Salem. It is conjectured : to have stood there at least two hundred and fifty years, and by some its age is thought to be much greater.
The Salem Library .- It is possible that a move- ment looking to the establishment of a library in Salem may have taken definite form previous to 150-4, but no record is left of such an event. In the year mentioned a constitution was prepared and adopted, of the preamble to which the following is a copy :
"Wareras, a number of Inhabitants of the County of Salem, being desirous of promoting usrfal knowledge, anıl belles jug It will contribute thereto, have agreed to estaldi h a Library in the Town of Salein, and for the preservation of Order and Harmony amonat bald company in the use, application, and management of the Money. Il dis, and ofrets of sald company : The following agreement is offered inte, at n general ureting of th' inchibers of sapl library company, this Twenty-fourth Pay of March, One Thousand Eight Hundred and four."
In the minutes of the meeting of the company, fol- lowing the constitution, is the following entry :
"The foregoing constitution being read and unanimously agreed to by the members met, they proceeded to the choice of Officers, when the foiloring persons were chosen to serve until the first annual meeting June next: William Parret, president ; Thomas Jours, Jr., concretar); Afare Bersty, Ircamurer; Directora, John Wistar, William Purret, Clement Hail, Dr. Hedge Thompson, Jacuti Mulford, William F. Miller, David Spilthı."
At the first annual meeting of the sub-cribers to the Salem Library, June 14, 1801, the following per- sons were acknowledged as member-, baving paid Their subscriptions in cash or in books:
Jobr. Smith.
Jonathan WowJnutt.
Benjamin Acton.
Thomas Jonre, Jr.
Mowel Allen. Forman Mulford.
WilliaDa Perry.
Daniel Garrison, Jr.
Morris Hancock.
Janes Sherron.
Jeane W. Crane.
Thomas Murphy.
John Knight.
David Smith, Jr.
John G. Holin ?. 11-7.1 Ich biales.
Heler Smiths.
JedelIsh Allen, Jr.
3
Ionne Townsend.
William Grecum, Sr.
William F. 3liller
Samuel Det.
The mas Goodwin, Jr.
Jainca Brucky.
r
John Fhth.
William: Smith, Jr.
Samuel Stuart. Hannah Arton. James Kinney.
lant Randolph.
William Griscom, Jr.
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