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 26
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In the year 1677, John Wood of Attercliffe in the parish of Sheffield, Yorkshire, purchased of George Hutchinson a quan- tity of proprietary rights, to be used by him on his arrival in West New Jersey ; 3 and the ship book of the "Shield " has an entry which says, "that John Wood of Attercliffe, in the parish of Sheffield, Yorkshire, was a passenger in that vessel, and arrived in the Delaware in the tenth month, 1678."+ His family consisted of five children, who came with him, and whose names also appear on the said book.5 They were John, Joseph, Esther, Mary, who married Thomas Coleman, and Sarah.6 Thomas Wood, a brother of John, came in the same ship; he located a lot of land in Burlington and built a house
I Smith's History of New Jersey, 102,
2 Revel's Book, 12
3 Lib. B1, 98.
+ Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
5 Smith's History of New Jersey, 109. 6 Revel's Book, 79.
4
327
THE WOODS.
thereon." He married Mary Howle in 1685, but of his family nothing is known.8
This was the first English vessel that passed up the river as far as Burlington.9 It was moored to a tree, and the next morning the passengers went ashore on the ice. A "godlie companie" of Friends came in this boat, and doubtless were well received by those who had preceded them.
In 1682, John, Constantine and Jeremiah were residents of the town of Bury in Lancashire, and in that year they each bought of the trustees of Edward Byllynge proprietary rights in anticipation of their removal to America. 10 This town lies about forty miles northeast of Liverpool, and has, since their departure therefrom, become a place of considerable proportions.
It may be safely concluded that the first John herein named is not the John herein secondly mentioned ; but, when spoken of in other connections, the distinction does not appear so clear.
Jonathan Wood (husbandman), a resident of the parish of Maltby in Yorkshire, England, also became the owner of rights about the same time ; but he abandoned the idea of moving to the " Plantations in America," and sold his acres to Christopher Snowdon in 1684, who came over and settled in Burlington county about the time of his purchase.11
John, Constantine and Jeremiah Wood came to New Jersey the same year in which they made their purchases. On September 4th, 1682, Henry Wood bought of Samuel Cole a tract of land on the north side of Cooper's creek, bounded by the land which Samuel Cole subsequently sold to Samuel Spicer and extending to the river Delaware.12 This appears from maps of the Woods' and Spicers' lands in the office of the Surveyor-General at Burlington, N. J., as re-surveyed in 1723 and 1728. The deed says: "situate at Arwawmosse, in West Jersey, also the dwelling house or tenement which he, the said Samuel inhabiteth, with the folds, yards, &c., excepting one cow house, &c." This farm fronted on both streams, and was part of the survey returned to Samuel Cole a few months before this sale, upon which the improvements were all new. The
7 Revel's Book, 27.
8 Lib. B1, 123
9 Smith's History of New Jersey, 108.
ro Lib. Gr, 01, 03, 05. 1x Lib. B1, 248. 12 Lib. B1, 66.
328
FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
Indian name of this plantation does not appear to have been retained through many generations, as no mention of it is made in any of the papers after that time. 13
The Henry Wood last named was not of the family first noticed. He with his wife and children came from Newport, Rhode Island, as appears by the records of the Friends' Meeting of Newton ; but not until a year or so after the purchase, as his certificate of removal is dated twelfth month 5th, 1687. He was probably a son of William Wood, author of a much read Quaker pamphlet, called "New England's Prospect," published in 1634; he returned to England in 1635 with his brother John in the ship Hopewell, from which Henry named his homestead property.
John, Constantine and Jeremiah selected their land at the mouth of Woodbury creek, also in Gloucester county, where had already settled a few Swedes. In 1683, John Wood located three hundred acres at that place, within the bounds of which these persons erected their habitations.14 This hamlet is deserv- ing of more than a passing notice, for from it radiated all the settlements in that part of Gloucester county, as well in the unexplored forests as along the river shore. In John Wood's house a meeting was established after the order of Friends, to which place those in that section resorted for religious worship. 15 It was known among the people at that day as "The Shelter," although the name does not often occur, neither does it appear to have any significance. This meeting was so kept until 1696, in which year John Wood conveyed to Thomas Gardiner, William Warner and Joshua Lord, a lot of land for a grave- yard, and upon this a meeting house was erected the same year.16 No vestige of the old building remains, but the spot in which were laid the bodies of those hardy pioneers is still held sacred. So may it always be.
Those who were contemporary with John, Constantine and Jeremiah Wood in this little colony, and who joined in the meeting at John's house, were Joshua Lord, Henry Tredway, Thomas Gardner, Thomas Mathews, John Ladd, George Ward, William Warner and others. The several locations of these
13 Revel's Book, 63.
14 Revel's Book, 43.
15 The Friend, Vol. 4, 206. 16 Lib. G3, 214.
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THE WOODS.
persons extended along the river shore as far as Eagle Point, up the creek to about where Woodbury now stands, and also on Mathew's branch, a tributary of the last named stream. Previously to the settlement by the English, these localities were called " Long Harris's creek " and "Batchelor's bank ;" but these names were soon lost sight of after their coming.17 In what way they were derived does not appear.
There were a few Swedish families about the mouth of Wood- bury creek previously to the coming of these colonists. This may have been an inducement for stopping at that place.15 The Dalboos had land thereabout, and Walla Swanson of Wickaco was likewise an owner of two hundred acres.19 In his will dated in 1692, he gave these to his children, John, Peter, Swan, Mary, wife of William Warner, Lydia, wife of Josiah Harper, Bridget, Catharine, wife of James Laconey, and Judith.20 They divided the same in 1729.21
In 1715 John Swanson conveyed to John Ladd, Henry Wood and John Cooper, one acre of land on the west side of the creek and on the south side of the King's road, no doubt to be used for a burial place, and thereon to erect a meeting house. 22
1
John Wood sat as a member of the Legislature in the year 1685, was appointed one of the commissioners for dividing land in the same year, and, in 1687, one of the judges of the courts of Gloucester county. From 1695 to 1700, he was continuously appointed one of the coroners, and in 1701 made king's attor- ney. In 1687, he was, with William Warner, presented by the grand jury for assisting two "notorious criminals" to go out of the county. John Wood appeared at the bar of the court, made proper explanation of the matter and acknowledged his error; and the case was abandoned.23 It was, perhaps, through his influence that the courts were held at Red Bank for a few years ; but this was soon found to be an out-of-the-way, inconvenient place, and accordingly abandoned.
John Wood deceased in 1705, having a large landed estate,
17 Revel's Book, 63.
18 Lib. Z, 454
19 Lib. E, +23.
20 Lib. X 177.
21 Revel's Book, 61.
22 Lib. A, 145.
23 Minute Book of Gloucester County Courts, Woodbury.
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FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
which he disposed of by his will." The homestead property fronting on the creek and the river, he gave to his son John. In this devise he excepted the graveyard and meeting house property, doubtless to avoid any trouble after his death in regard to the boundaries and rights of the society to the same. His wife Sarah and the following named children survived him : John, Joseph, Esther, Constantine, who married Alice - and died in 1734. Mary, Henry, Sarah, who married Joshua Lord, and Alice.
It is probable that the daughter Sarah died before her father, as mention is made of her four children in his will. Portions of this estate remained in the name and family for many years after his decease.
Henry Wood remained on the premises which he purchased of Samuel Cole, and there died in 1691, having been a member and constant attendant of the Newton meeting. He was some- what of a public man, as he was a member of the Assembly in 1683 and 1684; but in the last year did not attend.23 In 1684, he was appointed one of the commissioners for laying out land and purchasing from the Indians; and, in 1685, he acted as a commissioner for opening highways and keeping the same in repair. He rendered service in many other minor positions, and was a useful man in his time. All his traveling was done by water, and the daughters as well as the sons were experts in managing a boat. No fishing excursion was defeated for want of a man to work the skiff, nor sailing party put off because the beaux were not there to manage .the helm. To be equal to every emergency in this means of locomotion, was part of an education not to be neglected ; and no little table talk origi- nated in the rivalry of those who prided themselves upon their nautical ability, and who were always ready to test their knowl- edge by a race on the water.
Newton creek (perchance, before the tide was checked by dam, or the stream narrowed by banks, ) has been the scene of many such trials. The merits of every new craft must needs be tested, and, with a good breeze, the temptation was too great not to know the strong and the weak points thereof. Some
24 Lib. No. 1, 173.
25 Leaming and Spicer's Laws.
331
THE WOODS.
public friend, upon his return from meeting, may have unwill- ingly found himself in the midst of one of these contests, and, while having fast hold of his hat, may have yielded for the moment to the excitement that surrounded him, forgetting that the force of example always strengthened precept. In our day, horse flesh supplies this means of travel, and the followers of George Fox have now as keen an eye for the good points of a roadster as our ancestors had for the sailing qualities of their water craft.
Early and constant training will control the bent of our nature, yet its latent propensities may occasionally crop out in a direction not consistent with our education, or with the examples that sometimes surround us. The line that separates a commendable purpose from that which leads to error, may, in our zeal, be overlooked, and, unless experience and ripe judgment be regarded, the dangers of a wrong direction are much increased.
In 1683, Henry Wood located three hundred and fifty acres of land on the north side of and fronting Cooper's creek; this he afterward sold to Matthew Burden in 1686, who probably settled on the same. 26 This grantee was a resident of Ports- mouth in Rhode Island at the time of the purchase, and in some way connected with the grantor.27 The name of Burden does not often occur among the early settlers hereabout. Richard, a son of Matthew Burden, conveyed this land to John Cox in 1711; much of it is now included in the Browning estate, and divided into various farms. He was the owner of much other land in West New Jersey, but he disposed of the greater part before his death.29
Henry Wood's will bears date April 2d, 1691, and was admitted to probate in June of the same year.29 Samuel Carpenter of Philadelphia and George Smith of West New Jersey were made trustees, and Walter Clark and Benjamin Newberry of Rhode Island were appointed executors. In this writing, he says that he was a resident of Hopewell, in Gloucester county, West New Jersey, which name has, how- ever, been lost to the estate for many years. Although much
26 Basse's Book, 150.
27 Lib. BB, 67.
28 Lib. BBB, F3. 29 Lib. No. 13, 518.
332
FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
real estate passed under this document, yet it does not · appear of record for more than half a century after its probate,-an occurrence that but seldom happens, and that remains uuexplained. The appointment of persons residing in Rhode Island as executors, is accounted for by his having left friends and, perhaps, relatives in that colony upon his removal hither. His children were Henry, James (a shipwright, who lived in Philadelphia and married Mary Pellor in 1715); Richard ; Judith, who married Thomas Willard in 1689; Abigail, who married Daniel Cooper in 1693; Hannah, who married Joseph Nicholson in 1695; Elizabeth, who married Stephen Newbie in 1703; and Benjamin, who married Mary Kay, daughter of John, in 1707.
His widow Hannah survived him several years. In 1754, the son Henry died a single man, and by his will disposed of the real estate given to him by his father among his brothers and sisters.30 Thomas and Judith Willard settled on a planta- tion near that of her father's. Thomas died there in . 1734, intestate, leaving three sons, James, Henry and Thomas.31
Abigail, the wife of Daniel Cooper,'died in a short time after her marriage, and without children. Joseph Nicholson, a son of Samuel, and the first of the name that settled in Gloucester county, became the owner of the homestead in 1699, by deed from James Nicholson, and with his wife made that his home. 32 Joseph deceased in 1702, intestate, leaving but two children, George, who married Alice Lord in 1717, and Samuel, who married Sarah Burrough in 1722, Rebecca Saint in 1744, and Jane Albertson, widow of William and daughter of John Engle, in 1749.33
Stephen and Elizabeth Newbie settled in Newton township on part of the land taken up by Mark, the father of Stephen. He died in 1706; his widow and two children survived him. Of these, Mark died single in 1735, and Hannah married Joseph Thackara.
After the decease of Joseph Nicholson, Benjamin Wood purchased the homestead estate, and thereon he resided until
30 Gloucester Files.
31 Lib. W, 386.
32 Lib. G3, 214. 33 Gloucester Files.
THE WOODS.
333-334
his death in 1738. Like his father, he called the old place Hopewell, the original Indian name of Arwawmosse, as men- tioned by Samuel Cole when he conveyed to Henry Wood, having been abandoned at an early date in their ownership. Benjamin Wood's plantation fronted on the river. His wife Mary survived him, and the following children : Mary, who married Joseph Cole and Richard Matlack; Elizabeth, who married Elias Toy; Hannah, who married Joseph Heulings ; Abigail, who married Robert Hunt; Benjamin, who married ., the latter dying in 1750; John, Judith and Jane.34 By his will, the real estate of which he died seized, passed to his children ; but in that generation much thereof was alienated, and, at this writing, no part of the soil is held in the name. 33
The graveyard commenced by the Woods and Spicers, which stands upon the original tract of land as surveyed to Samuel Cole, is still in existence. Some of those in whose veins flows the blood of the first English settlers, have with com- mendable care preserved its boundaries, and saved it from encroachment. In later years memorials have been raised to show where lie the remains of some of the younger branches of the families; but, of the first there interred, no tradition or record has been left to point out their particular resting place.
The majestic oaks that stood around, and upon whose bark had been rudely traced the names of many of the occupants, are gone. These marks, which, to the heedless axeman, were without meaning, bore in themselves a history, full of interest to the descendants of those whose memory they were designed to preserve. No trace of these old, living monuments is left, and with them passed away the only remembrance of the first settlers in that part of the colony. Where stood the primitive forests, as owned by Henry Wood one hundred and eighty years since, the soil is now divided into valuable farms, and, before another like lapse of time, will be included in the city of Camden and be covered with the dwellings of its inhabitants.
34 Lib. No. 7, 367.
35 Lib. No. 4, 135.
RICHARD MATHEWS.
"N 1699, Richard Mathews was a "factor," and resided in Stokenewington, in the county of Middlesex, England.1 He had previously resided in the city of London, but had prob- ably been driven from that place on account of the persecution of Friends. He was largely interested in the proprieties, and, through his agents in West New Jersey, made several surveys in Gloucester county. In 1683, a survey of five hundred acres was returned in his name as made in Newton township; upon which now stands the larger part of the village of Haddonfield.2 In 1691, he, through Elias Farr, his attorney, conveyed one hundred acres of the same to William Lovejoy, it being that part of the survey which lay east of the main street of the town, at that time nothing more than a bridle path or Indian trail.3.4 The remainder of the tract was by him sold to John Haddon, in whose family it was held for many years.5 The blacksmith shop, which is marked on a map of the same made in 1700, and is the only building thereon represented, was, in all probability, placed there by William Lovejoy, who attended to the wants of the small community around him in his particular line. It is supposable that his business included the duties of a tinker, a gunsmith and a clock maker also, and that he looked after all the hardware of the housekeepers near his place; kept all the fowling-pieces and muskets in good order ; and regulated
1 Lib. G3, 453.
2 Kevel's Book, 38
3 Basse's Book, 237. + Lib. G3, 93.
5 Lib. G1, 07.
336
FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
the clocks thereabout when the sun shone and his dial was properly adjusted.6
In 1684, Edward Byllynge appointed Thomas Mathews as his attorney, with the consent of George Hutchinson, to sell thirty · shares of propriety of West New Jersey. This shows that he had the confidence of the patroon.7 It would appear that Wil- liam Lovejoy was an apprentice to Thomas Mathews, for, in 1696, Thomas Gardiner, as administrator, conveyed to Lovejoy fifty acres of land for services rendered.8 These services were those of a blacksmith; but this calling he abandoned after a few years.
In 1686, a survey was made to Richard Mathews on a branch of Woodbury creek, called Mathew's run, containing four hun- dred and fifty acres, whereon his son Thomas and Thomas Gardiner, who married his daughter Hannah, settled. Another survey was made near Red Bank of three hundred and fifteen acres, which, together with all his other real estate, passed out of the name many years since. There is nothing to show that , Richard Mathews himself ever came to America; while but part of his family came, consisting of one son, Thomas, and a daughter, Hannah, who married Thomas Gardiner, Jr., in 16S4, at Friends meeting in Burlington.9 The probability is, however, that these were his only children, and that, like Elizabeth Estaugh, they came hither to look after the estate of the parent.
Thomas Mathews, the son, settled on the tract of land near Woodbury creek, and, if he was not a bachelor, he died without children, and intestate, as his entire landed property passed to his sister Hannah Gardiner, through whose blood at this time there remains no connection with this particular family in New Jersey.10 Richard Mathews died about 1696, and the son Thomas about 1702.
In the year 1683, Thomas Mathews made a proposition to the Legislature to exchange one thousand acres of land for a site to build a saw mill in the forks of Rancocas creek. The matter was referred to commissioners, and, perhaps, was con-
9 Lib. S, 455. 10 Basse's Book, 52, 123.
6 Lib. B, 129.
7 Lib. G1, 139.
8 Lib. G2, 176.
RICHARD MATHEWS. 337-338
summated ; but where the saw mill stood, and whether it has been maintained to the present time, do not appear.
In 1685, he was returned as one of the members of the Legislature from the fourth tenth; at which time he resided at Woodbury creek. In the same year, he represented Ben-' jamin Bartlett, Robert Squib and Robert Squib, Jr., as their proxy in the disposal of proprieties, and in voting for members of the council of proprietors ; this privilege, from some irregularity, the Legislature revoked, and passed a resolution to meet the trouble. The Legislature was jealous of the power and action of the council, and much diplomacy had to be used by the more conservative members of each body to prevent difficulty between them. The interest of many members of the Legislature in the soil, and their desire to encourage emigration and settlement, prevented the clashing of the two bodies, which, otherwise, would have led to disastrous results.
22
ROBERT TURNER.
T HIS person was never a resident of New Jersey. Being a man of large estate, he became interested in the various speculations going on in England, touching the settlements in America, and rendered much service to such as desired to remove, but had not the means wherewith to accomplish that end. He was an Irish Quaker, engaged in merchandise. He resided in the city of Dublin, where he much advanced the spread of the religious doctrines which he had espoused; and this brought upon him an equal measure of persecution from those who conceived their authority to be absolute.1 In 1662, he, with 'many others, was taken from a religious meeting of Friends, and confined in the Bridewell prison. Two years before he had been locked up in Newgate for a like offence. In 1665, he was imprisoned and despoiled of his goods, and, in 1669, had his property again taken for the reason that he had refused to pay tithes. His estate seems to have had an attrac- tion for such as, in those days, went about with religious zeal to punish those who differed with them in opinion.
Immediately upon the consummation of the grant of territory in America by the king to William Penn, he closed his business in Ireland, and removed to Philadelphia. He came in the ship "Lion " of Liverpool from Dublin, with the certifi- cate of the Men's Meeting of Friends from the last named place, and arrived in Philadelphia on the 14th of the eighth month, 1683. He brought with him his family and some twenty
I Lib. B1, 52.
340
FIRST EMIGRANT SETTLERS.
persons as servants. With William Penn he was on the most intimate terms, having been associated with him in his various religious difficulties; and he was frequently his companion in his travels in England. From among the extensive correspon- dence that occurred between them, it may not be uninteresting to copy a letter, in which an explanation is given of the way in which the appellation that his territory now bears, was fixed, showing how fearful he was that the same might appear egostis- tical. It runs as follows :
"TO ROBERT TURNER. 5 of Ist Mo, 1681.
Dear Friend : My true love in the Lord salutes thee, and dear friends that love the Lord's precious truth in those parts. Thine I have, and for my business here. Know that after many waitings, watchings, solicitings and disputes in Council, this day my country was confirmed to me under the great seal of England, with large powers and privileges by the name of Pennsylvania-a name the King would give it, in honour of my father. I chose New Wales, being as this is a pretty hilly country, but Penn being Welsh for a head, as Penaumoire in Wales, and Penrith in Cumberland, and Penn in Buckingham- shire, the highest land in England, he called this Pennsylvania, which is the high or head Woodland; for I proposed, when the secretary, a Welshman, refused to have it called New Wales, Sylvania, and they added Penn to it; and though I much opposed it and went to the King to have it struck out, and altered, he said it was past, and would take it upon him. Nor could twenty guineas move the under secretaries to vary the name, for I feared least it should be looked on as a vanity in me, and not as a respect in the King as it truly was to my father, whom he often mentions with praise. Thou mayst communicate my grant to friends, and expect shortly my proposals. It is a clear and just thing, and my God that has given it to me through many difficulties, will, I believe, bless and make it the seed of a nation. I shall have a tender care of the government, that it will be well laid at the first. No more now, but dear love in truth. Thy true friend,
WILLIAM PENN."
341
ROBERT TURNER.
In this letter are disclosed the real sentiments of the writer upon the subject in question, as well as the history of a matter now of much interest to all. In a money point of view, this grant discharged a debt which the creditor feared never would be paid, and about which there had been much controversy and dispute. The influence of William Penn with the king was a cause of jealousy among those who surrounded him, and who sought the same position that he undoubtedly held at court. This was the secret of all the opposition to the settlement of the claim, and the fact that hindered its consummation.
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