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 9
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 9
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 9
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Revs. R. A. Chalker, two years; C. E. Hill, two years ; C. K. Fleming. two years ; J. S. Heisler, three years; G. K. Morris, three years; W. I. Pearne, two years; C. W. Heisley, three years ; J. R. Westwood, three years; R. Thorne, Jr., the present pastor, is wow in the second year of his service.
The following have been the superintendent, of the Sunday-school since its organization :
T. V. F. Rusling, N. Dunn, E. W. Dunn, J. R. Lippincott, and B. Patters m, who now holds that office.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic .- The first C'atholie service in Saleur was conducted May 17, 1:48, by Rev. E. Q. S. Waldron, of Philadelphia, in a room of a private house. After this Salem was visited about once a month by different priests from Philadelphia, until near the close of the year 1851, though at times appointments were not kept and meeting= were : omte- what irregular.
Rev. John MeDermott remained three years and a half. His successors and their several terms of ser- vice have been as follows: Revs. Cornelius Cannon, fifteen years ; Secundinns Pattle, six years and a half; James MeKernan, three years and a half, leaving in November, 1870, and the present pastor, Rev. P. J. Dennis.
The corner-stone of the house of worship of thi- church was laid in the spring of 1852, and the build- ing, a beautiful and capacious stone structure, was completed and dedicated before the close of that year. It has a seating capacity of three hundred and fifty, and is valued at five thousand dollars. There is a graveyard in the rear. In 1853 the house adjoining the church was bought as a pastoral residence. Some time afterward an aljacent house was purchased, and the two were connected by converting the alley which formerly separated them into a hallway, opening into either. The parsonage is valued at fifteen hit :- dred dollars. The school-house was built in 1833. It is a frame building, standing within the church grounds, and is valued at eight hundred dollars. 1 day-school and a Enuday-school are taught. The pupils number eighty-five. The teachers are two Franciscan Sisters, belonging in Philadelphia. The pastor is always superintendent of the Sunday-school, the library of which contains three hundred volumes. The total membership of St. Mary's is about four hundred and fifty. A frame chapel was built in Woodstown by this parish, aided by local Catholics, in IS72. Prior to that time services had been held in a private house. The congregation there unmbers about one hundred and fifty.
Colored Churches .-- The large colored population of Salem early found means to organize a religious society of Methodistie faith, which came in time to be known as the United Societies. A meeting-house was built about 1802, but wa- never entirely finished, and was destroyed by fire. The society inter pur- chased the old Mill Hollow Baptist house, and moved it to a lot on East Broadway which. was given them by Robert G. Johnson. It is now used as a school- house for colored children, having been replaced by a brick structure.
Late in 1851, Rev. John MeDermott was sent by the bishop to be the first resident priest. The room formerly in use being now too small to accommodate the congregation, a hall over a black-mith-shop at the corner of Griffth and Ward Streets was used. Some of the early members were Patrick Sievart, Patrick In Half there was a division in the society, and a MeDonald, bennis Mahoney, Patrick MeCabe, Jerc- large number of the members with irew and organ.
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400
HISTORY OF SALEM COUNTI.
ized a new church, which has had a continuoa- ev. istener. Ils house of worship is in the township of Elinbora, just outside of the city limits.
LODGE AND SOCIETY HISTORY.
Salem Lodge, No. 19. F. and A. M., was probably the first secret society organized in Salem. It resigned its charter some time after 1526, in consequence of the adverse influence of Anti-Masonic sentiment during the few years following the mysterious di-appearance of William Morgan. Communications were held in the building now the store of William H. Lawson, on West Broadway, which was formerly known as " Masonie Hall."
Excelsior Lodge, No. 54, F. and A. M .- This lodge was instituted under a charter granted Jan. 19. 1868, to Joshua J. Bates, W. M. : Thomas V. F. Rus- ling, S. W .; George W. Robert-on, J. W. ; Oliver B. Stoughton, Treas. ; Sammel G. Cattell, See. ; William H. Jeffries, S. D. ; Isaac C. Petersou, J. D. ; T. Jones Yorke, M. C .; and Adami 1. Sickler, Tyler. Excelsior Lodge meets in the Garwood building, and is (Sep- tember, 1882) officered as follows: W. H. Lawson, W. M .; John HI. Kelty, S. W. ; Benjamin Wescott, : J. W .; Joseph Bassett, Treas .; Joseph D. Ferrell, sec .; John Lambert, C .; Ettles MeHleury, S. D .; - Clement Kelty, J. D .; John Perrine, Henry F. Bacon. and Jolin G. Garwood, M. S. of C .; John G. Garwood and J. J. Thompson, Stewards; George Morrison, Tyler; and William II. Lawson, George Hires, Jr., and Charles S. Lawson, Trustees.
Washington Lodge, No. £1. I. O. O. F., was organized July 21, and chartered Aug. 8, 1$49. The first officers were Isaiah Wood, N. G .; Thomas W. Mulford, V. G .; John Hambly. P. G .; William C. Mulford, Ecc. ; Charles W. Roberts, Treas. The ofli- cers serving in September, 1852, were John L. Haynes, N. G. ; James J. Tyler, V. G .; William Ough, Treas .; Charles F. Lippincott, Rec. Sec. Meetings weekly in Garwood's building.
Fenwick Lodge, No. 164, I. O. O. F .; was insti- tuted Dec. 18, 1371. The following were the charter members :
T. V. F. Rusline.
Coujaniin Acton.
William B. Robertson.
Juseph Pueselt.
Charles II. Chew.
Joseph Miller.
Samuel l'rior.
Saumel Scott.
Charles C. Clark.
Alfred L. Sparke.
Charles S. Lawson.
Saniuel W. Dunn. 1
John W. Long.
Charles W. Casper.
Maurice B. Elton.
Frank M. Acton.
John P. Bruns.
William M. Kiernann.
Juhu S. Arı:trong.
George I'. Ozdeu.
William R. Mutluack. William R. Hunt.
Active Lodge, No. 2101, G. U. O. of O. F. . Co !- ored . was organized April 10, ISSO; meets on ti ... first and third Mondays of each month in Garwool. building. The following were the charter methe ?. . T. II. Lee, G. H. Giles, D. D. Turner, M. S. Majs, R. E. Moore, W. G. Major, G. W. Craig. The fir -: officers were George II. Giles, N. G .; T. II. Lee, V. G .; D. D. Turner, Per. See .; W. G. Major. Trea -. The following are the names of the successive pre- siding officers : G. H. Giles, T. H. Lee, M. S. Major. R. E. Moore, J. P. Giles. The officers in September. 1850, were J. P. Giles, N. G. ; George Jackson, V. G .: D. D. Turner, Per. Sec .; W. G. Major, Treas.
Salem Encampment, No. 10, I. O. O. F., was or- ganized under : charter granted Dec. 26. 1844. Sub- sequently it ceased to work, and surrendered its char- ter in 1856. but resumed again upon the revival of it- charter, reorganizing Dee. 21, 1869. At this time the charter members were William P. Chattin, Robert Gwynne, T. V. F. Rusling, William Ough, John Lord, Charles L. Scott, John Miller, Patrick Rocap. and Charles H. Chew, all members of the encamp". ment under the former organization. The following were the officers in September, 1882: C. P., John W. Faster; S. W., William II. Crow; J. W., William Lanner; H. P .. William Ough ; Treas., F. M. Scton: Scribe, George A. Gitbens ; O. S., Alexander Hand : I. S., B. C. Carry: G., J. C. Hornblower.
Salem Degree Lodge, No. 8, I. O. O. F., was in- ! stituted March 22, 1872, with William B. Robertson. D. M. ; Joseph D. Ferrell, D. D. M .; William H. Kelty. Sec. ; and Charles W. Casper, Treas. Both o; these bodies meet in Garwood's building.
American Star Council, No. 21, 0. U. A. II .- This council of the order of United American Jie- chanies was chartered May 1, 1808, and meets in Washington Hall. The original members were:
Willlam Corgry.
Goldsmith P. Hall.
William H1. P. Ward.
Jaines E. Lodwick.
S. 1%. ElianJs.
R.njumin C. Currie.
Samuel F. Will.
Jolin L. Brown.
George ML. Foster.
Robert D. Swain.
Adam C. Kini;bl.
John Ridgway.
Samuel L. Beil.
Charles 1. Soulers.
Charles D. Acion.
Charles F. Nichol ..
Masou M. Dennett.
Charles l'. Miller.
William S. Dari».
Wilbur Chew.
Washington Wright.
Williams IL. Bennett. Richard M. Sin; Lius.
Benjauilo L. Cook. Jalını Q. Davis.
Elward G. Ward.
Ephraim Wright.
John Tracy. Jobn C. Colgan.
George W. J.s ..
William Whe-ler.
Cilarle, H. Williams.
Robert Yoanker.
Willian Carmelia.
Miller 1. Garrison. Burris Plummer.
The following were the first officers: Frank MI. Acton, N. G .; William MI. Kiernann, V. G .; John Andrew D. Jackson. John Carmeli's. J'enuni 3lills. W. Long, Sec. ; Charle, W. Ca-per, Treas. The offi- Samuel 11. sales. Thomas J. West. cers in September, 1282, were a- follows: A. C. Young, Josiah 11. Bowen. SamuoI haveal-irt. N. G .; J. II. Bacon, V. G .; George A. Githeus, Per. Francle J. Reinfried. Isac S. Mayhew. Sec. ; Charles W. Bell, Ree. See .; Frank M. Acton, The following officers were serving in September. Treas. This bulge meets every Tuesday evening in | 1852: C., T. J. West; V. C., W. M. T. Maffin ; P. S .. Garwood's building.
Ephraim Wright ; A. R. S., J. R. Davi -; F. S., George
Samuel U. Curtiss.
401
CITY OF SALEM.
1. Githens; Treas, Joseph Bassett; Ind., George DEilk«; Exam .. George Dunn : I. P., William G. Clark ; u. P' .. Charles Wolverton.
Forest Lodge, No. 7, K. of P .- Forest Lodge was instituted Feb. 27, 18Gs, with the following-named charter members :
Benyamin F. Wood. Henry F. Sickler. Sammel lulmore.
William Sur-hey.
Francis 1 .. Bennett.
Joseph S. Howher.
s'harles S. Mullica.
Jesse l'. Bad:ne.
Willian S. Burgess. spencer C. Challis. Prusberton lerce. Julin S. Mel'une.
Charles G. Bailey.
George Faren.
Charles H. Chew.
Istic N. Monton. Willianı Brerce. Samuel Butlerfonl.
John C. Coote.
Hlasthan Vanneman.
John S. Bacon.
Samuel Cule.
Robert 5. Bunting.
John J. Thompson. Samuel Hill
Lemuel Reynolds.
Nhholy R. Treen.
Charles M. Bisbing.
Richard I'. Hliles.
Heniy J. Treas.
David HI. Bogga.
John T. Harwood.
Juneich W. Allen. William Patsous.
Christian schaefer.
Julın G Ballinger. wilitun H. Pierce.
Willianı R. Jaulack. John M. Wright.
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Albert Steluer.
Staith B. Sickler.
Il.1 .. tin S. Packard.
Charles I'. Brown.
William C. Conusellor.
Williacı Michels-1.
Dillwyn H. Hat ch.
June B. Lawrence. Charies M. Bacon.
Willians P. Butinsyn.
I.Jward susalley.
George l'. Brown.
The first officers were as follows : Charles Hf. Chew, V. P .; Benjamin F. Wood, C. C .; William Smashcy, V. C .; Francis E. Bennett, M. at A .; Pemberton Pierce, K. of R. and S. ; John S. MeC'une, M. of F .; Spencer C. Challis, M. of E .; William S. Burgess, U. G .; Charles S. Mullica, I. G .: William R. Mat- lick, John G. Ballinger, John S. Bacon, Trustees. The officers serving in September, Jes2, wore William Launer, P. C .; A. B. Kirk. C. C .; John W. Stanley, V. C .; John P. Price, K. of R. and S. ; Joseph Mil- ler, M. of E .; J. Milion Townsend, P .; Wilbert Reeves, M. at A .; A. H. Stevenson, I. G .; Charles Opal, O. G. ; J. A. Davis, William JI. Lasher, R. D. Swain, Trustees. This lodge meets in Washington Hall.
Salem Conclave, No. 36, Independent Order of Heptasophs, was instituted Oct. 11, 188], with char- ter members as follows :
Jirufamin F. Wood. Stilen McHenry. Jeargh Baraett. William H. Lawson.
Charles s. Lawson.
Richard T. St .. rr.
J. C. Juinblower.
William H1. Thompson. B A. Waddington. William [I. Lasher.
Benjamin Petterson.
O. G. Abbott.
J, hn G. l'allinger. Joseph D. Ferrell.
Wilbur F. Springer. Charles T. Lipucott.
Walter W. Actou. Christiun Scharfer.
Joseph Miller. David Koppenhelm.
Samuel W. bunu.
D. Hanils Smith. Jotin T. Garwood.
William P. Hobinsop.
The following-named officers were serving in Sep- tember, 1882 : A., W. H. Lawson; P. A., C. S. Law. I 24;
son ; Prov., J. C. Ilornblower : Sec., J. D. Ferrell ; Fin., Charles F. Lippincott : Treas., W. W. Acton ; Prel., Christian Schafer : Ins .. W. P. Robinson; W., Stiles MeHenry ; S., D. Harris Smith ; Trustces, I. T. Starr, W. Il. Thompson, and J. C. Hornblower. The ronclave meets in Garwood's building.
Lafayette Post, No. 69. G. A. R .- Lafayette Post was organized by Cul. A. S. Noros, May 25, 1882, with the following-named officers, set serving (September, 1882) : P. C., Daniel Whitney ; S. V. C., Benjamin Dilmore; J. V. C., Robert J. Summerill ; Q. M., Ja- seph Bassett; C., Joseph Rich; Surg., William B. Willis; D. of the D., F. MI. Acton; O. of the G., Jolin S. Eva; Q. 31. S., Alfred B. Shute. Meetings are held in Reliance ITall.
Alloways Tribe, No. 7, I. O. of R. M., meets in Reliance Hall. It was instituted Sept. 26, 1853, with the following charter members: Charles Daniels, David R. Reed, Elnathan Vanneman, Joseph D. Biddle, Patrick C. Rocap, Thomas Lazalere, Calvin B. Camp, and Thomas Mason. The first officers in- stalled were David B. Reed, S. : Charles Danicl-, Sen. Sag. ; Elnathan Vanneman, Jun. Sag .; Joseph R. Biddle, Proph. ; Martin Miller, K. of W .; Patrick R. Racap, C. of R. In September, 1882, the officers were as follows : S., John Hopkins ; Sen. Sag., George Campbell; Jun. Sag., Samuel Rutherford ; Proph., Frederick Smith; C. of R., John C. Coote; Asst. C. of R., William Eckel ; K. of W., Clinton Kelty.
Evening Star Lodge, No. 15, Lady Masons, was instituted in vetober, Ist1, with the following-named charter members :
Mary Ann Rich.
Allgall lufter.
Mary Ann Ward. Emeline Biddle.
Sarah They"). I.ydia Dole.
Alice 11. Edwards. Sarah Snits hurr.
Sallie ] :. Mills. Delilah Calhoun.
Juchel Jones.
Maty A. Soudrts.
susan C. Edwarde.
Jruimma Kelty.
Rebecca W. Swain.
Maggie P'yutl.
Nun E James.
Meetings are held in Garwood's building.
Martha Washington Council, No. 3, Daughters of America, was instiinted under a charter granted June 16, 1809. The following were the charter members :
Mary Jane Janilson.
Lizzie Hill.
Lydia Smith.
Caroline R. Corliss.
Emeline Biddle.
Eliza Thinline.
Susan Paveoport.
Sarah Tussey.
Sallie Mills.
Martha Bennett.
Ha"hul Daniels.
Mary B. Stepler.
Annie Wright.
Amanda li!).
Magrie Aller-on.
Eineline Miller.
Sarah Fox.
Harriet Nichols.
Anna C. Ludwick.
Atlyja Hurley.
Rachet Maul.
Jihoda Davis.
This society meets in Washington Hall.
The United Firemen's Beneficial Association, of Salam, was instituted May 22, 1871, with the follow- ing constituent members :
1
George P. Oglen.
Samuel l :. Mostou. Julin 31. Iredell. Willian K. Shiwp.
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Juhu Hill.
Benjamin C. Gron.
William K. Robinson.
John K. Carpenter. Stephen Conusellor.
r. 1., pe
Rebecca W. Swuin.
Sally Stratton. Rosetta Slills.
Sıral I .. Finch.
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HISTORY OF SALEM COUNTY.
A. Stefuer.
H. 1., Baron.
J Hopkins.
J. J. Whihrr.
R. Leonard.
J. P. Dacon.
W. Il. Eckel.
BI. J. Hall.
G. M. hister.
A. B. Stephenson.
S. Il gate.
J. C. Susitlı.
J. Link.
W. D. Walters.
T. M Birchmill.
C. M. Parou.
T. J. West.
J. Wou Ille.
W. Stillin.
J. Peutou.
F. Sin *.
T. Kelly.
G. Campbell.
J. R. l'IT. DI19.
J. Conusellir.
S. Sperare.
J. D. Millin.
J. Il ]: zley.
C. F. Pluier.
A. Ohlson
L. Luniley.
31. Sharp.
W. S. Gilson.
J. M. Miller.
J. S. Pucca.
R. T. STATT.
J. Lanson.
J. W. Kanky.
P. S:epler.
1. 11. Baron.
J. Sher; ned.
.1 .. 7.4.
J. Hug !.. ..
J. C'affriy.
The following were the first officers clected : R. D. Swain, president ; N. J. Hall, vice-president; David Carney, recording secretary: A. B. Hall, financial secretary ; Albert Steiner, treasurer.
The Fenwick Club. - This is a social organization, and its membership is limited to twenty. It was formed Cet. 23, 1846, with the following members :
Th acas finnick404.
Samuel Harbert.
Join 31. sinticl &n.
Mason Van Meter.
Cul. John Sinnickoun.
Benjamin Actors.
Jacob W. Mal.r.l.
Andrew sın: : Kern.
George W. Guir.sen.
imtihan Inghanı. Samuel Prior.
1.01 14 5. Yorks. Charl & Horublower.
Richard P. Thetipson.
J' used . Hannah.
James Brown.
1.ªr. J ti. Thompson.
The officers elected were Jacob W. Mulford, presi- dent ; Jonathan Ingham, secretary ; Benjamin .leton, treasurer. The officers for 1852 were Mason Van Meter, presidem; John V. Craven, secretary; Frank M. Acton, treasurer. The room, of this club are in Mitchell's building.
The Jefferson Club was organized Nov. 17, 1SSI. This is a social elnb, composed of young men of the Democratic party, and is the head quarters of that party in this city. They oreupy the second floor of Sherron's building. The following were the first offi- cera : Joseph M. Bacon, president : Henry F. Bacon, Edward Calhoun, vice-presidents ; frank P'. Casper, secretary ; R. Gwynne, Jr., corresponding secretary ; James A. Riordan, financial -ceretary ; P. J. Driscoll, treasurer; William J. Freas, George M. Morris, J. Schwartz, Isaac Z. C. Gosling, Joseph H. Bell, execu- tive committee. The others in October, 1832, were as follows : Joseph M. Bacon, president; Henry F. Bacon and Elward Calhoun, vice-presidente; Frank P. Casper, secretary; R. Gwynne, Jr., corresponding secretary ; Edward Calhoun, financial secretary : Iva- dose Schwartz, treasurer ; Gerige M. Morris, William
J. Frvas, Isaac 7. C. Gosling, Joseph H. Bell, Ela : Il. Dare, executive committee.
The Saiem Social Club has rooms on East B .... way, next door to the Nelson House. It Was u !: ized March 15, 1877, with 1. O. Acton as presil ... . D. Harris Smith as secretary, and John C. Bobi .. Jr., as treasurer. The officers for 1882 were 1. 0 Acton, president; J. K. Chew, vice-president : 1: Gwynne, Jr., secretary and treasurer.
Salem Lecture Hall .- A small hall over tile .. . on the "Star Corner," another over the court-hit .!!. and Rumsey's Hall, on East Broadway, were for mma' years the best accommodations Salem arforded . amusement caterers and -eckers. The last is a con. modions hall, but was thought to be scarcely in herg ing with the enterprise and progress of the city. I. year« previous to ISSI the advisability of erecting .. new public hall was advocated, but it was not nr :. April of that year that any measures to that end ve: actually taken, when four citizens solicited subser;, tions to build a hall which it was intended shouk! . a credit to the city. April 13, ISSI, a stock cos pan. was formed under the laws of the State, to be kara as " The Salem Lecture Hall Company." Its laci bers wore :
Constant 31 L'akin.
Theman. Sunickson, Jr
Willinin Morris.
Jours h Bissett. Richard Woodnutt.
J. C. Jh Mden. Jr. Benjamin Actou.
Jonathan Inghn'.
Clayton Wistar.
J. Y. Ctnyeu.
George Hires.
F. H. Hacertt.
M. P. Grey.
George Mectin.
A. If Supe.
W. H. Thompson. Thomas B. Starr.
W .. Gralr.m Tyler. B. F. Word.
1. Bar. ia Spiltb.
F. M. Act .L.
J. 1 :. Lu pincull.
:. W. Imp. Filen Meentu.
Constant MI. Lakin was elected president : D. Har Smith, secretary ; F. M. Actou, treasurer ; and Co. . stant M. Eakin, B. F. Wood, Thomas Sinnick-on, Jr W. H. Thompson, and J. C. Belden, Jr., divertet . and all have so served continuously since. The ha' on Walnut Street, is a brick structure fifty feet 1: righty, elegant of exterior and interior, and is su- j.lied with the conveniences common to all first-cla- theatres throughout the country. It cost twelve i' .: sand dollars, and was opened Dec. 27, 1891. M .. 20, 1982, the interior was nearly destroyed in ar It was immediately repaired, atl was reopened August, 1882.
Hotels .- The Garwood House, on Market Sier is the oldest public-house in Salem. In 1soo it 1. kep! by James Sherron. It has since been kep 1 Thomas Parte, P. D. Parke, Calvin Camp, and Jot G. Garwood. The next in order of age is the Nel -. House. Its successive keepers have been Willia Conrow, Michael Hackett, David Nichols, Ward it" son, Isane Hackett, Benjamin T. Mulford, John f. ford, Joseph Davis, Peter Kean, Samuel Kean, W liam IT. Nelson, Richard Saflor, Samuel ilor.mu:
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1 :. T. Starı.
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Mobily. Johnson
403
CITY OF SALEM.
Jackson Bryant, and Charles C. Ford. Schaefer's Hotel was opened by Charles Schaefer. the present proprietor, in 1865. A hotel known as the Mansion House has been kopt by Isaac Hackett. B. Smith, William Walraven, Benjamin Lore, and Mrs. Lore. A public-house was kept on Market Street by Ward Wilson, in a building nov a dwelling. Thomas An- drews and John Collins successively kept a tavern in a house on Broadway opposite Front Street, re- cently torn down. Isaac Wilson kept the "Yellow House," on Broadway below Front Street.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
COL. ROBERT GIBBON JOHNSON.
Col. Robert Gibbon Johnson, the subject of this memoir, was born at Salem, N. J., July 23, 1771, and died at New Haven, Cono., Oct. 2, 1850. He was descended from a long line of English ancestry, the first of the name on American soil being his great- grandfather, Richard Johnson, who was among the earliest settlers in what, under the Proprietorship of Fenwick, was known as Salem Tenth. He emigrated from Surrey, England, in 1674, the year previous to the arrival of Fenwick, the great Proprietor, and became the purchaser of a large tract of land in that portion of West New Jersey which Lords Berkeley and Carteret had granted to Jobn Fenwick, the Chief Proprietor.
Richard Johnson must have been imbued with the spirit of adventure so rife in the seventeenth century, for he came hither the sole male representative of his family at the carly age of twenty-five years ; was pos- sessed of abundant means, and was the scion of an old and honorable family of landed gentry. A sutli- cient guarantee of this fact is the silver -cal, engraved with the "Johnson Coat of Arms," still preserved by his descendants. He represented the western division of New Jersey in the Provincial Assembly during the years 1707-8-9; was appointed judge of the courts of Salem County by Gen. Robert Hunter, and continued in that office until the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1719. He was also an influential member of the Salem Monthly Meeting of Friends, and took an active part in erecting the first brick meeting- house in their ancient graveyard in 1700, to which he subscribed £15. There he and his wife, Mary Grover Johnson, were afterwards buried. llis quaint old homestead, erected in the year 1690, is still stamling, and is owned and occupied by his descendants of the fifth generation.
Robert Johnson, the only grandson of the preceding Richard and father of Col. Johnson, was also a
of land purchased by the cinigrant John Pledger, ancestor of the above. Robert Johnson's attachment to the spot where his childhood and infancy had been spent was so great that, when he arrived at years of maturity, he purchased it from bis unele's heir-, and thenceforward made it his home, and dying bequeathed it to his descendants. It has only recently passed out of the family, having been in their possession for up- wards of two hundred years. He married for his second wife Miss Jane Gibbon, daughter of Nicholas and Ann Gibbon, of Salem.
Robert Johnson held the judgeship of Salem County for eighteen years. His first appointment, in 1763, came from under the hand and seal of William Franklin, the last colonial Governor under George I., and his final one, in 1776, from William Liv- ing-ton, the first Governor under the American in- dependent Constitution of New Jersey. HIe con- tinued to hold the otlice until 1787, and died a few years later in his seventieth year, leaving a widow and two children, viz. : a daughter, who afterwards became the wife of Capt. Andrew Sinnickson, and an only son, the subject of this memoir.
Col. Robert Gibbon Johnson was the only child of Robert Johnson and Jane Gibbon, his wife. He was born on the Netherland plantation, about one mile distant from Salem, July 23, 1771.
llis early school-days were passed in Pitt's Grove, under the care of the Rev. William Schenck, a Pres- byterian clergyman, who planted in the tender mind 'intrusted to his care those germs of Christian faith and Presbyterian polity which in his after-life led to the development of the Presbyterian element in his native town. He was afterwards placed under the care of Mr. William Thompson, of Newark, Del., and
remained with him uutil prepared to enter the fresh- man class in Princeton. The degree of A.B. was con- ferred upon him September, 1790, by the venerable Dr. John Witherspoon, then president of Princeton College. He graduated with the intention of prosc- euting the study of the law, but the whole tenor of hi- life was at this time providentially changed, and his parents being extensive land-owners, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which remained his chosen occupation for half a century.
In the twenty-third year of his age he was ap- pointed paymaster of the Second Regiment of the New Jersey brigade, commanded by Gen. Joseph Bloomfield (afterwards Governor of the State), to aid in suppressing the revolt in Western Pennsylvania, commonly called the Whiskey Insurrection.
In 1790 he was appointed one of the commissioners of the loan-office, a position involving great honor and trust; and in the same year received a commis- sion from Richard Howell, then Governor of the
prominent man of his generation, and was born in | State, as captain of a troop of horse; and two years the year 1727. His parents dying in his infancy, he later, from the same officer, a commission as major of envalry. His father having died about this time, he was brought up by his uncle, John Pledger, on the Netherland plantation, which was the original tract . removed with his mother into the town of Salem, and
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