USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > Newton in Gloucester County > Sketches of the first emigrant settlers in Newton Township, old Gloucester County, West New Jersey > Part 23
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15 Salem Records.
Ir Salem Records.
12 Files of Salem Wills.
13 Gloucester Files, 1718,
288
FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
As a starting point, however, his settlement here is material, and, if accepted as a basis, might lead to valuable developments in both directions. If the half be true that is said of the barrels of coin and square miles of land awaiting the lawful claimants, more persistent efforts may be made to secure their distribution among the patient, yet hopeful owners.
John Hugg, Jr., was one of the most active public men of his day. For six years from 1695, he was one of the judges of the several courts of Gloucester county, and, for ten years, was selected by the governor as one of his council, an evidence of his worth as a just and upright man. In 1703, he was appointed one of the commissioners to purchase land of the Indians, and to adopt a plan with that people to collect them together in certain localities in West Jersey,-a duty which required good judgment and much delicacy, so as to avoid the difficulties that generally attend such undertakings, and frequently led to the shedding of blood. The strong attach- ment of the Indian to the home of his childhood and the graves of his ancestors, has always been a marked feature in him, and the attempt to break in upon these feelings has seldom ended in peace. In the discharge of these duties, however, the commis- sioners accomplished everything, and, in after years, the last of this people took their departure for other and better hunting grounds, without a word of censure or reproach towards those who, very soon thereafter, occupied their abandoned possessions.
The last public position that he held, was perhaps that of sheriff, to which he was appointed in 1726, and in which he served for four years.14 Between 1696 and 1710, he made several locations of land between Great and Little Timber creeks, extending nearly to the head of the latter and across to the former, including what is now known as the Crispin farm, which, taken in connection with the surveys made by his father, brought all that territory within the one family, from whom the title can be traced. 15 He also made surveys on Mantua and Raccoon creeks in Gloucester county, and on Alloway's creek in Salem county.
14 Lib. AAA, 193.
15 Lib. A. 19 to ITO, O, S, G.
289
JOHN HUGG.
In 1703, he conveyed to the church wardens of the Swedish church at Raccoon, in Gloucester county, one lot of land " where the church was late erected," and also another tract on Raccoon creek.16 The church wardens were Wollo Dalbo, William Cobb, Wollo Peterson and Frederick Hoffman. This church is one of the connecting links of the present with the early history of the settlements of West New Jersey, the history of which deserves preservation.17 His wife, as the daughter of Francis Collins, had received from her father part of one of his surveys, which John Hugg and wife, in connection with parts of his own land, conveyed to John Hinchman in 1699.18 This grant extended to the north side of the south branch of Newton creek, including about one thousand acres of land ; the remain- der of his estate reached southwardly to Great Timber creek, showing his landed property to have been large and, even at that early day, very valuable. The residence of this man was probably near the last named stream; on that part now known as the Crispin estate, which he called " Plain Hope ;" where a great breadth of meadow land was secured, and the advantage of navigation enjoyed. He was noted for the great number of slaves in his possession, the descendants of whom now constitute a large part of the colored population among us.
John Hugg deceased in 1730, his death being noticed by Smith in his history of New Jersey, in which reference is made to his services as a public man and a trust-worthy public ser- vant.19 He was found on the ground near his house, speechless ; he died the same day, respected by all who knew him. His second wife (Elizabeth Newbie, whom he married in 1714), and the following named children, survived him: Mary, who mar- ried Thomas Lippincott ; Hannah, Sarah, Priscilla, Joseph, Gabriel, John, Elias and Jacob. John died under age, and Elias without children.
The old homestead fell to the share of Elias Hugg, who lived in the domicile occupied by his father, where he doubtless kept a store to supply watermen and lumber dealers with such provi- sions as they found necessary. The occupation and character
16 Lib. EF. 126.
17 Lib. A, 183.
18 Lib. G3, 279.
19 Smith's History of N. J., 424.
19
290
FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
of his customers made whiskey and tobacco large items in his sales, and his premises furnished the scene of many carousals among them when detained by wind or tide.
The land that Francis Collins conveyed to Margaret, the wife of Elias Hugg,20 they sold before the death of her father ; part of this was purchased by Simeon Ellis, being bounded on the south side by the north branch of Cooper's creek. It included the town of Ellisburg, and several surrounding farms. Other tracts they disposed of to various persons, and, at her death, none of her estate remained in their possession.21
Joseph Hugg settled at Gloucester Point, as known in 1722, and kept the ferry for several years after that time. The estab- lishment and maintenance of the ferry from Gloucester to Wick- aco can be traced through the records with much accuracy, showing that, although the distance was greater than ordinary, yet the demand for transportation was sufficient to make it remunerative. This, like others of its day, consisted of an open flat-boat, worked with long sweeps and small sails, but controlled very much by the movement of the tide. The first license for a ferry between the points above named, was granted by the county courts to William Royden, in 1688, one year before the town was laid out by Thomas Sharp.22 Wickaco had also been put in shape by the surveyor sent out by William Penn; and what had been the residence of a few Swedes and. Finns, was now the embryo city of Philadelphia, with straight and rectangular streets, meeting-houses and markets. In 1695, John Reading became the owner, and was licensed by the same authority.23 In 1707, John Spey (whose term of office as sheriff had just expired,) became the proprietor, and so continued until 1722, when Joseph Hugg succeeded him.24 He maintained it for eight years, and disposed of the same to Richard Wildon, who was followed by John Ladd in 1735. As roads were straightened and improved, bridges built and the country more thickly settled, Cooper's ferries had the preference among trav- elers, since the distance across the river was much shortened, with less risk and much greater speed. These advantages had
20 Lib. G3, 71.
21 Lib. S, No. 6, 338, O. S. G.
22 Gloucester Records.
23 Lib. AAA, 80.
24 Lib. AAA, 182.
291-292
JOHN HUGG.
their effect, which the public were prompt in discovering, and the Gloucester ferry, with varying fortunes, maintained but a secondary importance, until the introduction of steam and other various improvements on both shores of the river. It need hardly be said here that Gloucester was the county town for many years, where the courts were held and the records kept. In the progress of improvement, it gradually lost its central position and became less desirable for such purposes ; it was ultimately abandoned, and soon forgotten as the political and judicial nucleus of the old bailiwick. In the early days of the colony, the records were not considered of much value, and were kept in the dwelling of the clerk, in constant danger of loss by fire or miscarriage. An affidavit of John Reading, made in 1711, in which year he was clerk, has been entered among the books at Burlington, showing that his house was burned in that year, and that many deeds and other valuable papers were destroyed.23 This accounts for the absence of many title papers often inquired for, but never found, as well as for a break in the records of Old Gloucester, that has led to much trouble among land owners and claimants.
Joseph Hugg deceased in 1757, leaving but two children, Samuel and Joseph. 26 The family at this day is limited, and a continued decrease, for the next half century, may leave none of the name, where, for nearly one hundred years, it was as numerous as any other. The large landed estate once in possession of the second generation has long since passed away from the blood, only to be remembered among the blurred deeds and musty records of the past. Although the collateral branches of the family maintained through the female line, are numerous, yet a fatality seems to have attended the other sex and to have well nigh extirpated it from among us.
25 Lib. BBB, 93.
26 Lib. No. 9, 66.
SAMUEL SPICER.
S AMUEL SPICER was a son of Thomas and Michal Spicer, and was born in New England, prior to 1640. In 1685, he (Samuel) purchased of Samuel Cole, part of his tract of five hundred acres, situated on the north side of the mouth of Cooper's creek, and fronting on the Delaware river, in Water- ford, now Stockton township, Camden county.1 The deed of conveyance says that he then lived at Gravesend, on Long Island ; whence came himself, his wife Esther, and three chil- . dren, the next year, and settled thereon. Esther was a daughter of John and Mary Tilton of Gravesend ; but they were married at Oyster Bay, Long Island, the 21st of the third month, 1665.2
Gravesend is one of the towns or townships of King's county, New York ; it has an ancient historical record running back to 1640, about which time a few English Quakers came from Massa- chusetts and joined a number of others who were direct from England. It is situated in the southwestern part of the Island, fronting on the sea, where the " Narrows" open into the Atlantic ocean. Like many other towns of that date, it originated in the persecution of Friends, of whom some had previously settled in America, where intolerance was as vindictive and overbearing as at home ; and some had come to seek an asylum free from such evils, in which religious opinions could be developed and enjoyed. Among those who came from Massa-
I Lib A, 44. Lib. GI, III.
2 Friends' Records, Long Island.
294
FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
chusetts was the lady Deborah Moody, a woman of rank, education and wealth, who entertained opinions in common with the followers of George Fox, and who had become an object of disfavor and ill-treatment among the Puritans of the Bay State.
The patent for the town was obtained from Governor Kieft, in 1645, and among the patentees was the name of the female hereinbefore named, who appears to have been a person of decided opinions ; this ultimately led her into difficulty with the elders of the church, and caused her to be expelled there- from, after which she removed to Long Island. The immediate cause of her excommunication was her assertion that "infant baptism was no ordinance of God," which, together with her adherence to the doctrines of George Fox, made her obnox- ious to the rulers of the province of Massachusetts.
Thomas Spicer was one of this little colony, and was the head of a family, for, in 1656, among the freeholders of the town, may be found the names of Samuel Spicer, Jacob Spicer and Thomas Spicer, who were probably his sons, having then grown to manhood and there settled. That Samuel Spicer, the person who bought the land of Samuel Cole in 1685, was a member of this family, there can be no doubt; and, if the records of Friends made at that date were accessible, the family could be traced beyond the sea. 3-4-5
Tradition says that Samuel Spicer purchased his land one year before he came to settle on the same, from which it may be inferred that he had been in this region, examining the various localities, or perchance on a religious visit among the few who had taken up their residence here, and whose religious notions agreed with his own. Henry Wood, who had purchased a part of the same tract, was already a resident, around whom a few emigrants had made their homes, generally choosing the land fronting on Cooper's creek in preference to that upon the river ; which land had been, however, located and somewhat improved before his coming. As the land was occupied, and the inhabi- tants increased, facilities for travel became necessary, and various means were used to accommodate the public, the first of which
3 Lib. A, 44. 4 Lib. GI, III. 5 Lib. B1, 66.
295
SAMUEL SPICER.
appear to have been "ferries," across the smaller streams at various points, to avoid the necessity of fording at places near their source, which would have added much to the distance between certain towns and more thickly inhabited sections.
Burlington county, about the present city of Burlington, had filled up with people more rapidly than any other part of West Jersey ; and, as land travel had begun between these parts and the embryo city of Philadelphia, Samuel Spicer soon found that his plantation lay in the most direct route between the two points, and that a ferry over Cooper's creek was needed to maintain this line of travel. Such ferry he established, which was situ- ated near the site of the present bridge, and was always known as "Spicer's ferry ". It consisted simply of a flat-boat, suffi- ciently large, whereon to stand a few horses or cattle, moved by ropes on each shore, and only used when some one wished to go over, provided the ferrymen were in good humor and the pay large enough to compensate for their labor ; the demands of the public, or the wishes of travelers, being a secondary considera- tion.
This ferry was maintained until 1747, when a new straight road was laid from Burlington to Cooper's ferries, and a bridge was erected in its stead.6 This was a draw bridge, and proves that considerable trade was carried on along Cooper's creek by means of vessels transporting wood and lumber to Phila- delphia, which trade had its claims as well as those who traveled by land. The manner in which the funds were to be raised to build this bridge, as provided in the law, is worthy of notice, and shows that the purpose of the Legislature was to make such of the inhabitants pay for its erection as were most to be accom- modated therewith. In the act, the commissioners were directed to receive voluntary contributions for six months, and then to assess the remainder of the cost on the inhabitants of all the townships of the county of Burlington except the townships of Nottingham and Egg Harbor, and upon the inhabitants of that part of Waterford township in Gloucester county which extended from the river to the Salem road, and upon Cooper's ferries.7 This shows how sparse were the settlements in Burlington and
6 Lib. G1, 110.
7 Laws of 1747.
296
FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
Gloucester counties at that day, and what part of the territory was to be accommodated by a bridge in the place of a ferry.
Samuel Spicer took a leading part in the religious and political affairs of the colony, and his name may be found in many matters of public interest whereby the development of the country was to be advanced. In religious matters he was a consistent and faithful member of his profession. For a long time meetings of public worship were held at his house ; these were continued after his death by his widow, who was also an active member in the same denomination. In 1687, he was appointed one of the judges of the several courts of Gloucester county; he also filled other offices of minor importance. His will was executed in 1692, in which year he probably died.8
Esther Spicer, his widow, remained upon the homestead estate, entertaining many Friends, and extending her hospitality to the large circle of acquaintances that surrounded her. On the 24th day of the Seventh month, 1703, she was killed by light- ning in her own house, together with Esther Saxby, her servant, and Richard Thackara, son of Thomas, he being about eleven years of age. This event is still preserved among the traditions of the family. The sudden death of this person, at that season of the year, necessitated an early burial. The funeral occurred the night after her decease, the family and friends going in boats down Cooper's creek to the river, and by the river to Newton creek, and thence to the Newton graveyard, the place of inter- ment. Each boat being provided with torches, the scene upon the water must have been picturesque indeed. To the colonists it was a sad spectacle, when they saw one so much esteemed among them being borne to her last resting place. To the Indians, it was a grand and impressive sight. Arasapha, the king, and others of his people attended the solemn procession in their canoes, thus showing their respect for one, the cause of whose death struck them with awe and reverence. The deep, dark forest that stood close down to the shores of the streams almost rejected the light, as it came from the burning brands of pine carried in the boats ; and, as they passed under the thick foliage, a shadow was scarcely reflected from the water. The
8 Gloucester Files of 1692.
297
SAMUEL SPICER.
colonists in their plain and unassuming apparel, the aborigines clad in gaudy and significant robes, and the negro slaves (as oarsmen) with their almost nude bodies, must have presented, from the shore, a rare and striking picture. Here-all unde- signed-was the funeral of a Friend, in which ostentation and display are always avoided, made one of the grandest pageants that the fancy could imagine, a fertile subject for the pencil of the artist, and one well deserving an effort to portray its beauty.
She left a will and disposed of her estate, which together with that of her deceased husband, as retained by her, passed at that time to their children. The last will of each of them may be found on file in the office of secretary of state at Trenton ; these prove them to have been persons of education, and of consider- able property.9 Their children were born at Gravesend, where the names and ages of each may be found entered in the books of the Friends' Meeting of that place.10 They were as follows : Abraham, born 1666; Jacob, born 1668, who married Judith - ; Mary, born 1671, who married Jeremiah Bates ; Martha, born 1676, who married Joseph Brown and Thomas Chalkley ; Sarah, born 1677, who married Daniel Cooper ; Abigail, born 1683, who married Daniel Stanton ; Thomas, born -, who married Abigail Davenport ; and Samuel, born -, who married
The old graveyard, which is on the land settled by Henry Wood, where many of the Spicers were buried, is still in exist- ence, and some degree of care has been given to it by the descendants of the family. It is on the farm now owned by Lemuel Horner, near the site of the Camden city water works. As in many similar instances, the rule of Friends was observed, and no memorials were placed at the graves of the first settlers of the soil,-a source of unceasing regret with such as care to know the resting place of their ancestors. It is particularly unfortunate for those in search of old things, as much valuable information is often obtained from this source, which, but for this, would be entirely lost.
Samuel Spicer, in his will, gave his son Jacob one hundred and fifty acres attached to the homestead, bounded by the river
9 Gloucester Files, 1702.
10 Lib. G3, 257. Proceedings of N. J. His. Society, Vol. Ix, 02.
298
FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
Delaware and Cooper's creek; and to his other sons, Samuel and Thomas, one hundred and seventy-five acres each. Samuel died a minor, and his portion of land passed to his brother Jacob. Subsequently, in 1728, Jacob and Thomas made an exchange of land by which Jacob's amount of acres was increased to two hundred and sixty, and Thomas's, whose plantation fronted the creek, had somewhat less within its boundaries. Thomas remained on this property, and died in 1759, leaving a will.11 His children were as follows : Jacob, who married Mary Lippincott ; Thomas, who married Rebecca Day ; and Samuel, who married Abigail Willard and Sarah Potter. From this branch of the family, came those of the collateral issue, who retain the blood in these parts, although the name has disappeared for many years.
In the year 1711, Jacob and Thomas made a division of some other portion of their landed estate;12 and, in the same year, Jacob sold parts of his share of the paternal property to Samuel Burrough and other persons.13
Jacob removed to Cape May county, where he settled as early as 1691. He was a member of the Legislature from 1709 to 1723, and surrogate of that county from the last named year to 1741, and for many years one of the judges of the court. He was born in 1668, and deceased in 1741.14 The reading of the minutes of the proceedings of the legislature during the time in which he sat as a member, discloses many curious things. One of the troubles was the difficulty of keeping a quorum present to do business ; and the sergeant-at-arms was always busy in hunting for absentees. In 1716, this officer went to Gloucester, Salem and Cape May counties in search of delinquents. It was, at that day, a toilsome and difficult journey, even under more propitious circumstances. These representatives heard of his coming, and, suspecting the purpose of his visit, started for Bur- lington by another road than that usually traveled. Striking their trail, he pursued them with his warrant of arrest nearly to Gloucester, where, again to avoid him, they betook themselves to the water, and crossed the river into Pennsylvania. Here the sergeant-at-arms was completely at fault, and no remedy was
II Lib. No. 9, 306.
12 Lib. A, 45.
13 Lib. A, 235. 14 Lib. No. 4, 318.
299
SAMUEL SPICER.
left to him but to report to the speaker of assembly. Some of them appeared in a few days and were reprimanded ; but Jacob Spicer returned home, and writs were issued for a new election in Cape May county. This did not cure the difficulty, for Jacob was again elected, and still neglected to appear as the represent- ative from that county. Another warrant was issued, and the officer on this occasion, found him sick in bed. Not to be cheated, the sergeant required the honorable member to proceed to Burlington with him, and appear at the bar of the house, according to the requirements of authority in him vested. Jacob pleaded indisposition, and was released until he recovered ; at which time he explained his absence, and was allowed to take his seat as a member.
His son, Jacob Spicer, deserves a more particular notice. He was born in 1716, and became a member of the Legislature in 1744; which station he occupied for a period of twenty-one years, first in connection with Henry Young, and afterwards, until his death, with Aaron Leaming. He bore a prominent part in the proceedings and business of the house, and was appointed, in connection with Aaron Leaming, to revise the laws of the State ; and "Leaming and Spicer's" collection, the result of their labors, is well known at this day as a faithful exposition of the statutes. He was a man of exemplary habits, of strong and vigorous imagination, and strictly faithful in his business relations with his fellow men.
He married Judith, daughter of Humphrey Hughes, who died in 1747, and afterwards married Deborah Leaming, widow of Christopher Leaming, in 1752.15 The marriage agreement entered into with the last named female, shows much sound sense and discriminating judgment. In 1756, he purchased the interest of the West Jersey Society in the county of Cape May, constituting what has since been known as the 'Vacant Right.'16 In 1762, he made his will of thirty-nine pages, the most volumi- nous and elaborate testamentary document on record in this State.17 He died in 1765, and was interred in the family burial ground at Cold Spring,-a spot now overgrown with large forest timber. 18
15 Maurice Beasley's Memo.
16 Lib. A, 154.
17 Lib. X, 440 to 461. 18 Lib. B2, 549.
300
FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
He kept a diary for many years, in which he not only recorded remarkable events, but also entered in detail the cost of his household and the profits of his business. Strictly honest in all his dealings, plain and decided in all his opinions, prompt and exact in all his agreements, he had, as he deserved, the confi- dence and regard of his neighbors through all the years of his business life, and served his constituents faithfully as their repre- sentative until his death. Many extracts from his diary have been published by the Historical Society of New Jersey, which evince the peculiarities of the man, his views of duty toward himself, and toward those with whom he had intercourse.
-
THOMAS STOKES.
T HOMAS HOOTEN of the Parish of St. Ann, Black Friars, and John Stokes of Wentworth street, in the Parish of Stepney, both of which places are in London, in the county of Middlesex, England, became the owners, as tenants in common, of a certain amount of proprietory rights in West New Jersey. Thomas was a tallow chandler, and John a baker ; by these avocations they respectively maintained their families, and gained some extra means to make a venture in the enterprise so much talked of among Friends at that time. The deed con- veying this interest was made from William Penn and the other trustees of Edward Bylynge to Thomas Hooten in the year 1676, who immediately conveyed the undivided half-part thereof to John Stokes.1 It is possible that they were creditors of Edward Bylynge, whose failure in business a short time before involved so many of his creditors in loss, and led to much trouble concerning his estate.
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