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 76
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 76
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 76
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694
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
same neighborhood, the better to carry out their he- lief and to keep the seventh day as the Sabbath. The establishment of a church of the Sabbatarian order at what was then called Cohansey Corners in 1737, but which name was soon changed to the more melodious one of Shiloh, made a nucleus about which the settlers of this faith gathered, and ever since has caused a slow but steady growth of the village. The history of the village is the history of the church, very few except the adherents of this faith residing within its limits. The surrounding country for a dis- tance of from one to one aud a half miles in all di- rections is filled with highly-cultivated farms, nearly all belonging to those of this faith. To one unaccus- tomed to the sight it seems out of place to find the people at work on their farms and in their shops and houses on the first day of the week, but if such a per- son will look in upon this community on the seventh day, and observe the serupulous regard they show for the Sabbath as they view it, he must feel that only a conscientious conviction of the truth of their belief can inspire them in upholding the banner of Sabba- tarianism in the midst of surroundings which ever tend to change their adherents, especially the younger portion of them, to advocates of the keeping of the first day as the Sabbath.
The first settlers of Shiloh were an intelligent peo- ple, and Shiloh became noted for its schools. In 1848 an academy was opened under the charge of Professor E. P. Larkin, A.M., who gave it its first impetus. In 1849 it was chartered as Union Acad- emy. In 1850 the oldl church edifice was given to them, and was fitted up for their purposes. In 1866 a new two-story hand-ome brick building, about fifty feet square, was erveted at an expense of ten thousand dollars, the first floor for recitation-rooms and labora- tory, and the second being a large and excellent ball. For many years it was very successful, and hundreds of the youth of this section of the State enjoyed its facilities under the principalship of Professor Larkin, Professor George S. M. Cottrell, and others. But it was allowed to go down, and after standing idle for some time the building was bought by the public school district during the last year, and it is now used for public school purposes.
This community is almost purely agricultural. A canning establishment, started a year ago, is prosper- ous. A post-office was established here July 24, 1841, Isaac D. Titsworth being the first incumbent; the present officer is Theodore F. Davis, appointed June 11, 1889.
Roadstown is likewise situated partly in Hope- well and partly in Stow Creek. divided by the road above mentioned. It is surrounded by a fertile re- gion, and it was carly settled by the descendants of the first settlers. Its former importance was much greater than at present. Ep to the Revolution it ranked next to Greenwich, New England Town, and Cohansey Bridge in importance, and would have
been the equal of the last but for the county building- located there. It was once called Kingstown, but that name was never generally used. During the Revolution and for some time previous and after- wards it was generally known as Sayre's Cross-Roads, from Ananias Sayre, the leading citizen of the place, who had been sheriff of the county two different terms. Since the beginning of this century it has been known by its present name. The post-office was established Jan. 1, 1803, with Thomas Harris as postmaster, and it is now held by Isaac H. Swing, ap- pointed March 21, 1873. It contains a Baptist and a Methodist Church. The population is about two hundred.
Bowentown is the cross-roads of the old road from Bridgeton to Roadstown and the road from Lower Hopewell northward towards Philadelphia. It has been ealled by that name ever since the settlement of the Bowens at this place about 1687. It is also a sta- tion on the New Jersey Southern Railroad. There are fifteen or twenty houses within a half-mile of the place, but only a half-dozen within one or two hun- dred yards.
Cohansey, formerly called New Boston, is the name of a post-office in the extreme northern portion of the township, established March 3, 1870, with Jonathan D. Evans as postmaster. The present in- cumbent, James D. Evans, was appointed March 3, 1877.
CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS OF HOPEWELL.
1:48. Joslah Parvin.
. 1788. Nathan Sheppard.
Obadia'ı Robins. John Golder.
1719. - 1783, Nathan Sheppard.
1:30-51. Jualah Parviu.
1700. Nathan Sheppard.
obadinh Hoblus. Jolın Burgin.
1;2-33. Josialı Parvin. 1791-93. John Burgin.
Isanc Mills. Kli Eliner.
1751. Of adinh Robins.
1791-95. Nathan Sheppard.
Samuel Fithian.
EH Elmer.
1:55. Abraham Reeves, Samnel FIthian.
1796. ---
Eli Elmer.
1737. Abraham Rerves. Enoch shepherd.
1798. Kll Eimer.
1758-59. Benjamin Holmes. Samuel Harris.
1799. David Potter.
1,00. Samuel Harris, Jonathan Bowen.
1.6 !. Obadiah Robins.
1800. James Sheppard. Seth Bowen.
1762-67. Benjamin Molford. Juin Miller.
1801-3. Jeremiah Brooks. Seth Bowen.
1768. Samuel Ulurris. Juseph Sheppard.
1709. Samuel Harris.
1770. Sumnel Harris.
1805. Furman Sheppard. Muses Platts.
1806. George Burgio.
Jeremiah Brooks.
1774-76. Job Butcher. Isane Malford.
1807, George Burgin. Duriel Hishop.
1777-79. Julin liceves. Thonms Brown.
1759-02. Thomas Brown. John Burgin.
1800-10. Timothy Elmer. George Burgin.
1811. Timothy Elmer. Ho-re J'latis.
1912. John Sibley.
Dr. Charles Clark.
- 1801. Jeremiah Brooks. Moses Platts.
1771. --
1772-73. Julin Reeves. Ephraim Mills.
1808. James Sheppard, Sr. Dr. Francis G. Brewster.
1783 -- Thomas Brown.
1791-87. John Bur;in. Thunias Brown.
1797. Nathan Sheppard. Eli Elmer.
David Putter.
695
TOWNSHIP OF HOPEWELL.
1813. Indic W. Crane.
1:37. Jeremiah Parvin.
Dr. Charles Clerk.
1 . 2. Paniel M. Woodrat.
1814. Dr. Chules Claik.
Archit all Much.
Timothy E.Inier.
1:39-40. Panlel M. Woodruff.
1$15. Dr. Charles Clark.
Levi B. Davis.
Daniel Johnsun. .
lail. Daniel MI. Woodrut.
1-IG. Dr. Charles Clark.
Jeremiah B. Davis.
Ilusta Surathen.
1×42. Henry 1 .. Smalley. Levi B. Davis.
1817. Dr. Charles Clark. David Lupton.
1843. Jevi B. Davis.
141-19. Dr. Charles Clark.
Daniel M. Woodruff.
Swith Bowen.
1-44. Joseph W. Woodruff. Jeremiah Parvin.
1820-21. John Silley. Dan Simkins.
1$15-18. Jeremiah Parrin.
1822. Dan Siviklus.
Henry 1. Smalley.
Abijalı Harris.
1817. Jeremiah Parvin. William Hiley.
1823. Jedediah Pavis.
Alijah Harris.
1848-56. Archibald Minch.
Jeremulah B. Davis.
1524. David Lution. Jolın Sibley.
1537-59. Archibald Mioch.
Richard Minchs.
1:5. William Sheppard. Dan Simkin4.
1800. Joseph HI. Ogden. William B. Glaspey.
182G. William sheppard. Smith Bowen.
1561-67. Joseph H. Ogden. Richard Minch.
1527. Levi B. Davis.
Abijah Harris.
1.68. Joseph II. Oplen.
1828. Levi B. Davis.
Henry W. Glaspey.
Dr. Isaac H. Hampton.
1869-72. Joseph H. Ogden.
1829. Levi B. Davis. David sheppard.
1573. Lewis M. llires. Joseph A. Minch.
1-30-31. Daniel Pierson. David Shejyuund.
1974-76. Hobert Ware.
1932-34. Levi B. D .: via.
Francis B. Much.
Daniel MI. Woodruff.
1647. Francis B. Minch.
1:35. Archibald Minch.
l'rank C. Probasco.
Lewis McBride.
1878. Francis B. Minch.
153G. "Archibald! Minch.
Michinel MI. Johnsou.
Daniel M. Woodruff.
1479-80. Frank B. Mich.
1837. Daniel M. Woodruff.
1.81-83. Joseph S Glaspey.
CHURCHTES.
First Cohansey Baptist Church at Roadstown. -- This is the oldest church in the county, antedating the Fairfield Presbyterian Church several years.
Rev. Robert Kelsay, pastor of this church from: 1756 to 1789, in a sketch of the church furnished Morgan Edwards, says that "about the year 1083 some Bap- tists from the county of Tipperary, in Ireland, settled in the neighborhood of Cohansey, particularly David Sheppard, Thomas Abbot, William Button, etc .; in 1635 arrived hither from Rhode Island government Obadiah Holmes and John Cornelius : in ICSS Kinner (Rinear) Vanbyst, John Child, and Thomas Lam- stone (Lambson) were baptized by Rev. Elias Keach, of Pennepek. About this time Rev. Thomas Killing- worth settled not far off, which increased the number of Baptists to nine souls, and probably to near as many more including the sisters; however, the above nine persons were formed into a church with the as- sistance of said Killingworth, whom they chose to be their minister. This was done in the spring of 1690." Researches show these nine were not all the Baptists here at that time. David Sheppard had brothers, John, Thomas, and James, settled near him in Back Neck. who were adherents of that faith, and probably mem- bers, as they are known to have been at a later tina, and in the neighborhood were also John Gilhnan, John Lacroy, and Alexander Smyth, all of whom
were adherents of the Baptist faith and probably members, and among those who formed this church. MIr. Kelsay, from the way he words his statement, evidently does not wish to be understood as naming all of them. Rev. Thomas Killingworth became their first pastor. His field extended not only throughout the lower part of this State, but into Chester County. Pa., where were Baptists under his charge. He was one of the presiding judges of Salem Court, and was one of the leading men in the community. At a court held at Salem, Dec. 24, 1706, of which he was the presiding judge, he signed the articles of the Toler- ation Aet, for exempting dissenters from the penalty of certain laws, and took the oath as the act directs. At a court held April 13, 1708, on the application of himself and Jeremiah Nick-on, they " obtained orders that the house of Jeremiah Nickson, in Penn's Neck, should be the place of Thomas Killingworth's ordi- nary preaching or religious worship." He lived in Salem, at the head of Broadway, on the property so long owned by the Keasbey family, where he died pastor of the church, in the spring of 1709, leaving a wife, I'rudence, who also died in a few months, but no children. During his pastorate the church built and occupied a log meeting-house in Back Neck, on the south side of the Cohansey. The Baptist Church in Ireland from which this one originated, called " Cleagh Keating," was in a flourishing condition in | 1767, and was still in existence in I838, but it is now extinci.
About 1657 a company of Welsh Baptists, part of Rev. John Miles' company, who came from Swansen, Wales, in 1663, and settled at Swansea, Mass., came from there to Cohansey and settled in the neighbor- hood of Bowentown, where they built a meeting- house and were a regularly-organized church, with Rev. Timothy Brooks as pastor. They differed re- garding predestination, singing of psalms, laying on of hands, and the like, and thus a separate organiza- tion was kept up by them for twenty-three years.
After Mr. Killingworth's death, through the efforts of Rev. Valentine Wightman, the two churches united on the principle of " bearance and forbearance," and Mr. Brooks became pastor of the united church. Each of the meeting-houses being inconvenient to the other part of the united church, a new site was selected in Lower Hopewell, about half-way between the two former houses and near the Cohansey, so that those residing on the south of the river could cross in boats, while those at Bowentown could go to meet them at the new location. Roger Manl gave them the land for their meeting-house and graveyard, by deed dated Dec. 28, 1713, where now is the old B.tp- tist graveyard, about a quarter of a mile east of Shep- pard's mill. This graveyard was afterwards enlarged by a gift of a piece of land from Nathan Sheppard. by derd of Feb. 6, 1779, and contain- in all about an acre and a quarter of land. Here they erected a church, probably in 1714, where their services were
Robert Ware.
696
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
afterwards held. The place of crossing the Cohansey by those residing on the south side was from what is called the " Red-House Farm," now owned by Thomas B. Husted, to a landing in the marsh, but near the upland on the north side, a little farther up the river, where the remains of an old landing are still to be seen. This landing was about a mile south of the church, and from its general use for this purpose it became known as " Baptist Landing," a name which has ever since remained, although now gradually fiding away with the disuse and disappearance of the old landing.
Rev. Timothy Brooks continued to minister to the church until 1716, when he passed away, in the fifty- fifth year of his age. According to Mr. Kelsay's letter to Morgan Edwards, Mr. Brooks " was not eminent for either parts or learning, yet he was a very useful preacher, meek in his carriage, of a sweet and loving temper, and always open to conviction, which gained him universal esteem, and made the Welsh ministers labor to instruct him in the ways of the Lord more perfectly."
llis wife was Hannah Bowen, by whom he had three sons and four daughters. He was the ancestor of those of that name in this vicinity.
During a vacaney of nearly five years the church was supplied once a month by Rev. Nathaniel Jeu- kins, pastor of the Cape May Church.
Rev. William Butcher, a young man from Chester County, Pa., seems to have been attracted to Cohan- . sey by a young lady whom he subsequently married. He was invited to preach for them. and gave great satisfaction. Having secured his services he was ordained pastor of the church in 1721, but his life of
During a vacancy of nearly six years the church was again supplied once a month by Rev. Nathaniel Jenkins, of Cape May, and at the end-of that time, in 1739, he became the pastor of the church. Mir. Jenkins was a man of talents, and while at Cape May was one of the members of the Assembly from that county for many years. While in the Assembly a bill was introduced "to punish such as denied the doctrine of Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and the inspiration of the Scriptures." Mr. Jenkins stood boldly forth as the champion of soul liberty, declaring that, although he believed those doctrines as firmly as the warmest advocate of the ill-designed bill, he would never consent to oppose those who rejected them with law or with any other weapon than argu- ment. As a result the bill was quashed, to the great di-appointment of those who would have the scenes of persecution which raged in New England repeated . in New Jersey. The church grew under his labors, and outposts at Pittsgrove, Alloways Creek, Dividing Creek, and Great Egg Harbor were established. Three young men, Abraham Garrison, Robert Kebay, and Job Sheppard, were licensed to preach, and iu 174]
a new meeting-house, thirty-six by thirty-two feet, was built on the lot where the old church stood. Mr. Jenkins died June 2, 1754.
Rev. Robert Kelsay, a licentiate of the church, who had been serving the branch at Pittsgrove, was in- mediately invited to become their pastor, but he de- elined. Having been at Pittsgrove about twelve year-, he was attached to the people there, and moreover thought that Rev. Job Sheppard was the proper suc- cessor of Mr. Jenkins. But a fire having burned his dwelling-house at Pittsgrove iu April, 1756, the call was renewed and accepted. May 18, 1756, he removed to Cohansey. The old records of the church having been burned in the loss of Mr. Kelsay's house, hic commenced a new pastoral register. It is a large folio. begun in 1757, and contains a list of the members, one hundred and six, at that time. April 27, 1757, a farm of one hundred and seven acres was bought as a parsonage, situated at Bowentown, and was retained by the church until Sept. 6, 1785, when it was sold to
David Bowen. It is the present execllent farm of John S. Holmes. During his pastorate a church was formed at Dividing Creek in 1761, Salem having been formed in 1755, just before he became pastor. His pastorate ended with his death, May 30, 1789, in the seventy- ninth year of his age.
Rev. William Rogers, a professor in the University of Pennsylvania, from which he received the honor- ary degree of D).D., supplied the church most of the time for the next year, during which twenty three persons were baptized.
Rev. Henry Smalley took charge of the church July 3, 1790. He was born Oct. 23, 1765, aud gradu- ated at Princeton in 1786 ; was licensed to preach soon usefulness was soon ended. He died Dec. 12, 1724, ; after, and Nov. 8, 1790, was ordained pastor of in the twenty-seventh year of his age.
this church. In 1798 a subscription was started toward building a new house of worship. In Decem- ber, 1799, a lot of three acres was purchased at Roads- town for one hundred and twenty dollars. Materials were gathered together, aud the house erected and dedicated in 1802. It was forty-five by sixty-three feet, with side and end galleries. He received a yearly salary of $333.33.
In 1812 steps were taken toward building a meeting- house at Bridgeton, which was finally accomplished by Jan. 1, 1817. In 1819 five were dismissed to form a church at Canton, Salem Co. In January, 1828, thirty-eight members were dismissed to form a church at Bridgeton, who had been occupying the house built by this church in 1812-16. Jan. 2, 1830, a Sunday-school was organized. Feb. 10, 1838, an assist- ant pastor, Rev. Peter Simonson, was elected, and he entered on his duties in October. March 31, 1838, a letter was read from the mother-church in Ireland asking an account of the rise and progress of this church, and Mr. Smalley was requested to reply. Accompanying the letter was a hymn-book, as a sort of love-tokeu from the mother to her far-distant daughter. After a service of only a little over two
697
TOWNSHIP OF HOPEWELL.
months the assistant pastor, Mr. Simonson, died, Jan. 9, 1839, and was followed, Feb. 11, 1839, by Mr. Smalley, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, having been pastor nearly forty-nine years, but six of which were without sonte bapti-ms, while the total number baptized by him was over five hundred.
Rev. Isaac Moore succeeded him in April, 1540, and closed his labors in March, 18-13, having bap- tized eighty-one members. Rev. Edward D. Fendall
The Seventh-Day Baptist Church of Shiloh .- In the year 1663 a large number of Welsh Baptist emigrants, known as the "Rev. John Miles' com- pany," settled in Massachusetts, and named their lo- cation Swansea, after their native place in Wales. Meeting with perseention, a large number of their children and grandchildren, with some Baptists from Scotland, moved to South Jersey in the year 1687, and settled at Barratt's Run, Bowentown, and Shiloh. This colony from New England was known as the " Rev. Timothy Brooks" or the Bowen company, and kept up a separate society until 1710, when they united with the Old Cohansey Baptist Church. From 1605 to 1700, and subsequently, Jonathan Davis, a Seventh-Day Baptist, of Miles' company, son of the Rev. Jonathan Davis, having married Elizabeth Bowen, one of the " Miles company," visited his Welsh cousins at Bowentown and vicinity, and gained many converts to his persuasion. Their numbers were also increased by additions from Rhode Island,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and from Tren- ton, Bonhamtown, and Piscataway, N. J. About the year 1700, Jonathan Davis moved from Long Island and settled at Trenton, with his brother, Elnathan Davis, a noted land surveyor, and from there made frequent visits to his brethren at Shiloh.
Jonathan Davis, son of Elnathan Davis, the sur- veyor, married Esther, daughter of Isaac Ayars, Sr., of Shiloh, and located near by, and became a promi- became pastor April 9, 1843. In 1844 a brick edifice ; nent preacher of the gospel. His uncle, Jonathan, was erected in Greenwich for a preaching station, of Trenton, however, was from the first recognized as the actual founder of the church. and it is now the house of worship of that church. lle closed his labors in September, 1846. Rev. On the 27th day of March, 1737, the Seventh-Day Baptist Church of Shiloh was organized with articles of faith and agreement. Jonathan G. Collum began his service Nov. 22. 1846, and ended July 28, 1850. Dec. 1, 1847, forty-nine ! members were dismissed to form a church at Green- The following were the constituent members : John Swinney, Dr. Elijah Bowen, John Jarman, Caleb Bar- ratt, Hugh Dunn, Jonathan Davis, Jr., Caleb Ayars, Jr., Joseph Swinney, Samuel Davis, Jaen Phillips, of Newton Square, Pa., Deborah Swinney, Deborah Bowen, Abigail Barratt, Amy Dunn, Esther Dann, Deborah Swinney, Jr., Aun Davis, Anna Swinney. wich. He was succeeded in October, 1850, by Rev. Joseph N. Folwell, who closed his pastorate in Feb- rnary, 1852, during which time the church edifice was remodeled. Rev. James M. Challis was the eleventh pastor, beginning in April, 1852, and re- maining until April 1, 1869, and he was succeeded May 1, 1800, by Rev. Thoma, G. Wright. In August, Some of the constituent members had burial lots in other societies and were not interred at Shiloh. Among this class was Deborah Swinney, who was buried in the Old Cohansey Baptist ground, about six miles south of Shiloh. On a marble tombstone, still standing. are carved these words: "In memory of Deborah Swinney, who departed this life the Ith day of April, 1760, in the 77th year of her age. She was the first white female child born in Cohansey." The name Cohansey then included the greater part of Cumberland County. 1861, a lot for a parsonage adjoining the church was presented to them by Benjamin Mulford, and they at once erected the present neat and commodious par- sonage upon it, which was first occupied in March, 1862. In 1864 the meeting-house was remodeled and enlarged and a baptistery put in. Mr. Wright ceased his pastorate in May, 1871; Rev. Thomas O. Lincoln, D.D., succeeded him Aug. 1, 1871, and re- mained until April. 1874. Rev. W. F. Basten, the present pastor, began his labors July 5, 1874. During the succeeding winter a great revival was had, re- At the constitution of the church Jonathan Davis, Jr., was chosen pastor; ruling elders and deacons were also elected officers of the church. About the year 1830 the office of ruling elder was discontinued. sulting in the baptism of sixty persons. In 1876 they erected a commodious chapel adjoining the church, at an expense of twelve hundred dollar-, which was dedicated Sept. 26, 1876. The present membership is two hundred and ninety-two.
On the 2.1th of March, 1738, Caleb Ayars, Sr., deeded to the church one acre of land near the vil- lage of Shiloh for a meeting-house lot and burying- ground, and a frame house for worship, thirty by forty feet, was erected the same year. The younger Jonathan Davis continued his labors till his death, Feb. 2, 1769, in the sixtieth year of his age.
His successor was Rev. Jonathan Davis, son of David Davis, of Welsh Tract, near Newark, Del. He married Margaret Bond, of Delaware, a descend- ant of the Sharpless family. Before settling in Shiloh he founded the Newark Academy, which has since grown into Delaware College. This Elder Davis was born July 7, 1754, ordained in Shiloh Church, Nov. 13, 1768, and continued his labors until bis death, July 23, 1785. It was this man, so cmi- nent for learning and piety, that gave to the village the name of Shiloh, in imitation "of the ark of God resting at Shiloh." Previous ta that time the place was called Cohansey Corners. In 1771, during his pastorate, a brick meeting-house, thirty-six and a half by forty fect, was erected, and in 1824 a large
693
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
gallery on three sides was added. Rev. Jonathan Jarman was hi- colleague for some years, and after Mr. Davis' death supplied the church until he moved to Cape May.
For about two years, Rev. Thomas Jones, a First- Day Baptist minister, supplied the church, and Dea- con Philip Ayars, a prominent member of the church, administered the ordinance of baptism in the absence of a pastor.
Nov. 13, 1786, Nathan Ayars was called by the church and ordained to the gospel ministry, and re- mained pastor till his death in 1810. John Davis; youngest son of Jonathan Davis, of Delaware, was ordained in 1807, and continued his labors with the church until 1842, when he resigned on account of old age. During his pastorate there were large revi- vals and many were added to the church.
Rev. Azor Estee was the next pastor, who remained nearly three years. In 18-14, Rev. Solomon Carpen- ter took the oversight of the church, but was soon transferred to the China mission. In 1845, Elder Samuel Davison took the pastoral charge, and was suc- ceeded in 1848 by Rev. Giles MI. Langworthy, whose sickness and premature death again lett them without a pastor. Rev. Euoch Barnes -upplied the pulpit during the summer of 1850. Elder George I. Wheeler, of Salem, supplied the church occasion- ally.
Rev. William MI. Jones was called to take charge in the fall of 1850. During his ministry the present brick meeting-house, forty by sixty feet in size, was completed and dedicated, the old building donated to Union Academy and fitted up especially for the wants of that in-titution, then so prosperous under the principalship of Professor E. P. Larkin. In 1853, Mr. Jones resigned his charge, and was suc- ceeded by liev. Walter B. Gillette. After a very successful pastorate of nearly twenty years, during which the present academic building was erected, he resigned the pastorate.
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