USA > New Jersey > Camden County > Camden > The civil and political history of Camden County and Camden City > Part 5
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On March 5, 1850, the legislature passed the so-called "Dudley Charter" which greatly increased the powers of city council, especially as regarded the raising of taxes for municipal and school purposes.
* Line street was originally laid out as a "twenty foot alley," but in 1848 was made a street of 50 feet in width.
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Various other supplements were passed between 1850 and 1870 grant- ing certain specific authority, or correcting omissions in previous acts.
With the adoption of the charter of March 5, 1850, the number of office-holders was greatly augmented, each ward being entitled to its own set of subordinate officers and was directed to elect annually two councilmen, one assessor, one collector, a ward clerk, a judge of elections, three commissioners of appeals, a constable and an overseer of the poor. City council now consisted of the Mayor, six aldermen and six councilmen, of which the Mayor, or in his absence, one of the aldermen, should be the presiding officer. This provision amended by the act of February 21, 1851, by providing for the election of six councilmen from each of the three wards and the election of a "president of the city council" from among its members.
Almost the first step in connection with municipal finances after city councils was given authority to raise its own taxes was the creation of the "Lamp or Watch District" of the city of Camden. All of the territory outside this district was farm land, and it is, therefore, interesting to note the section of the city which was, in 1850, considered as separate and distinct from farm land. The boundaries of this watch district was as follows :
Beginning at the foot of Cooper street; thence along Cooper to Sixth, to Federal to Broadway, to Market street (Kaighn avenue) ; thence along Market street to Front, to Mechanic, to the Delaware river. All lands laid out into lots, or lands which have any improve- ments erected thereon, fronting or bounding on both sides of any of the aforesaid streets were included in the district.
This ordinance was passed on July 6, 1850, and at the same meet- ing council adopted its first ordinance fixing the amount of taxes that should be assessed and raised for the general expenditures of the city. In view of the present municipal budget, the sums specified for the several purposes are extremely interesting. The budget of 1850-51 was as follows :
To be collected from all persons residing within the city.
To maintain and support the common schools $2,000
To defray the contingent expenses. . 6,000
For supporting the fire engine department . 600
To be collected from all persons residing within the Lamp or Watch District
For supporting the police therein. 600
For supplying the city with water 400
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To be collected from those persons only residing within the Lamp or Watch District in the North Ward. For maintenance and improvement of streets. . 2,000
To be collected from those persons only residing within the Lamp or Watch District in the Middle Ward.
For maintenance and improvement of streets. 2,000
To be collected from those persons residing within the Lamp or Watch District in the South Ward.
For maintenance and improvement of streets. 2,000
By the supplement of 1857, the mayor and aldermen were eliminated as members of city council and the latter body was made to consist of six councilmen from each of the three wards, two being elected each year for terms of three years each. Council was given authority to survey and map out the city and to provide that all new streets should conform to this survey; to regulate the erection of buildings and prescribe their character. Up to this time there had been no authority to govern the laying out of streets and as a con- sequence houses had been built in swamps, or on hill tops, in a line, or at an angle to other adjacent structures and each sidewalk had a grade of its own.
Various amendments and changes in the powers, duties and man- ner of electing certain city officials were also made in 1860, 1861, 1864 and 1866.
The most radical change in the city charter was on February 14, 1871,* when the Legislature passed "An Act to revise and amend the charter of the City of Camden." This legislation together with the Act of March 7, 1871, besides enlarging the territorial area by extinguishing the ancient township of Newton, divided the city into eight wards, and gave city council authority to create new wards, provided that not more than two new wards were created in any five year period. Numerous changes as regards the election of city officials were also made.
The city limits now extended north and west of Newton creek and its North Branch, Mount Ephraim turnpike, the Stockton and New- ton turnpike road (Ferry avenue) and an extension of the same in a straight line to Cooper's creek.
The new city council was to consist of twenty-four members, to which number, on account of a deadlock, an additional member was chosen at a special election in April, 1872. The portions of the Acts
* Public Laws of N. J., 1871, p. 210.
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and Supplements of 1871, relating to the constitution of city council were amended by a general act of the Legislature in March, 1893, making two councilmen from each ward the legal number.
In 1878, the Legislature passed an act annexing to Haddon town- ship certain farm lands in the lower end of the Eighth Ward, which in a general way may be described as abutting on the North Branch of Newton creek east of Tenth street and south of Kaighn's Point avenue, provided that the owners thereof would pay within three months their pro rata share of the city debts, which had been incurred and remained unpaid subsequent to the annexation of Newton town- ship in 1871. The assessment not having been paid by the residents affected, the transfer became null and void.
Since the passage of the law of 1871, which specifically provided for eight wards, city council, has under authority conferred on it, created four additional wards, and the legislature two wards as fol- lows.
The Ninth Ward was set off from the Fourth Ward in 1888 and its boundaries changed in 1900; the Tenth Ward was formed in 1899 from that part of the old Second Ward east of Fourth street and north of Pearl street; the Thirteenth Ward was created from a portion of the Seventh Ward in 1913; the Fourteenth Ward was created in 1919, by taking the larger part of the section known as Yorkship Village, or Fairview,* from the Fifth voting precinct of the Eighth Ward. The town of Stockton was annexed to Camden under an act of the Legislature in 1899,; and divided into two wards known as the Eleventh and Twelfth Wards.
TOWNSHIP OF CAMDEN
Camden Township was created by the Legislature on November 29, 1831, at the request of the inhabitants of the city of Camden,
* During the late war the United States government, through the Emergency Fleet Cor- poration and the New York Shipbuilding Corporation (The Fairview Realty Co.), opened up a large tract of land lying on the westerly side of the Mount Ephraim road north of the Main Branch of Newton creek and east of the town limits of Gloucester and built thereon a number of houses for the convenience of the greatly increased working force at the shipyards. The tract was given the name of Yorkship Village. The city of Camden agreed, if Haddon township would cede the territory to Camden, to provide a water supply, erect a school house and build a bridge across Newton creek to connect the village with Camden by way of Morgan street, at a total expenditure of nearly $700,000. By ordinance adopted May 17, 1918, the new addition was added to the Fifth voting precinct of the Eighth Ward, where it remained until 1919, when the Fourteenth Ward was created.
# Public Laws of N. J., 1899. p. 355. Some time before this date the plan had been agitated but it met with a decided protest, as it was feared the consolidation would interfere with the local school, would increase taxation and would through the higher saloon license drive many of those who had established profitable business away. The annexation was pushed through the Legislature despite the protests of a majority of the residents, although it undoubtedly had the approval of a majority of the property owners.
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who objected to the interference in their local affairs by the township committee of Newton township.
The limits of the new township were the same as those specified in the act of February 13, 1828 (the original act incorporating the city of Camden).
The first annual meeting for the new township was to be held on the second Monday in March, 1832, and that for the township of Newton was held three days later. The act further provided that on the Monday after the annual meeting of the township of Newton, the newly elected committees of the two townships should meet at the house of Isaiah Toy, "inn-keeper," in the city of Camden, at ten o'clock in the forenoon and proceed to divide the property. Its report reveals in a remarkable manner the tremendous growth of Camden in less than one hundred years. The committee's report was as follows :
"In compliance with the 5th section of an act entitled, an act to establish a new township in the County of Gloucester to be called the township of Camden, we the subscribers, committee- men of the township of Newton and the township of Camden, convened at the house of Isaiah Toy in the city of Camden, March 19th, 1832; and there and then did proceed to allot and divide between the said townships all property and debts in pro- portion to the taxable property and ratables as taxed by the assessor at the last assessment within their respective limits."
"Amount of duplicate $3,117.00; amount of taxes assessed in Newton, $1,744.17; amount of taxes assessed in Camden, $1,327.83-$3,117.00. Joint debt $700.00. Newton's propor- tion $391.70. Camden's proportion $308.30."
"It is ordered and agreed that each township retain the public burial ground within their respective limits."
"Cash on hand, $62.75, Camden's proportion $26.75; New- ton's proportion, $35.12; township books, election box, etc., as- signed to the township of Newton by paying six dollars to the treasurer of the township of Camden."
SAMUEL NICHOLSON JOHN GILL, JR. J. M. HINCHMAN BENJ. W. MICKLE
J. K. COWPERTHWAIT RICHARD FETTERS
ISAAC VAN SCIVER
ISAAC COLE
JOHN LAWRENCE
The first meeting of the township committee for the new town- ship was held immediately following the joint meeting, and probably
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in the same room and in the presence of their old allies of Newton. The first business after the receipt of the joint committee's report was the appointment of a committee to purchase books for the use of the township of Camden.
So closely are the affairs of the city and township connected that it is difficult to always distinguish the actions of the town-meetings, which were sometimes called on township matters and at other times on city affairs. The annual township meetings which were held on the second Monday in March were generally held in the old Academy, or in the City Hall. We also find township meetings held "at the home of James Elwell, inn-keeper" and at other hotels. Aside from the election of township officers, the principal function of these as- semblages was the fixing of the amount of taxes to be raised for the city and township. Up to 1845, it required a vote of two-thirds of the inhabitants of the township, in town meeting assembled, to assess a city tax exceeding five hundred dollars. This was later changed to a majority of the legal voters present.
It is interesting to study the means employed by the township in the early days to raise money. In 1834, the principal items on which the tax assessments were levied were as follows:
Per $100 of valuation
Real Estate
25 cents
Personal property
40
Single Men
1.62
Horses and mules
40
eachı
Cattle
18
Jack wagons *
80
66
Common wagons and dearborns
40
66
Gigs and chaises
28
Sulkies
21
66
66
Tan vats
9
per vat
Turpentine stills
1.50
still
Lumber yards
1.00-4.00 each
While these rates appear adequate, the assessed valuations were so low that it is hard to conceive how the community made any progress with so little money to spend on public works. From an old account book kept by Richardson Andrews, we learn that the total State, county, township and city taxes levied on lots Nos. 81 and 82,
* Jack wagons were wagons with leather springs and were the forerunners of the present elliptical steel springs.
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situated at the northwest corner of Fourth and Market. streets, were as follows :
1819
78 cents
1829
3.78
1820
66
1830
1.85
1821
78
1831
1.15
1823
64
66
1832
- 5.36
1827 - 1.14
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The figures are missing for the years 1822, 1824 to 1826 and 1828. Further investigation shows that a frame house was built in 1832 on lot No. 81 which accounts for the extraordinary increase in the amount for the year.
The total amount of taxes collected in Newton township for the years 1822-1826 was as follows :
1822
844.84 §-1
1823
1025.93
§-2
1824
999.461/2 §-3
1825
1626.81
§-4
1826
2130.52
§-5
-
In connection with the tax rates above quoted it is equally in- teresting to compare the amount of money raised in the early days with that required by the same territory twenty years later and today. According to the Township Committee's report for the year 1846, there was received during that year $2324.35, while the expenditures amounted to $1985.91, including the $923.38 paid to the City Treas- urer of Camden and $300 to City Council. The annual Town Meet- ing cost the taxpayers $24.75, of which $16.75 was for refreshments of its officers, $6.00 for the clerk of the meeting and $2.00 for the moderator. At the close of the year there were tax warrants un- collected amounted to $3527.32. From substantially the same terri- tory today, there is collected about one million dollars in taxes.
The township books cannot now be found, but from newspapers, court records and city council minutes, the following list of the town- ship officers has been compiled :
1832-Township committee, Richard Fetters, Isaac Cole, John Lawrence, J. K. Cowperthwait, Isaac Vansciver.
§-(1) Herald & Farmer, 10-15-1823.
(2) Village Herald, 10-20-1824.
(3) Included $100 collected for school purposes.
(4) Included $450 collected for township purposes.
(5) Included $426.11 for township purposes and $100 for schools.
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1833-Township clerk, Josiah Harrison; Collector, Daniel S. Carter; Overseer of the poor, Benjamin Wiltse; Con- stable, John Gahan.
1834-Township clerk, Josiah Harrison; Assessor, Isaac H. Porter ; Collector, Caleb Roberts; Commissioners of ap- peals, Gideon V. Stivers, Nathan Davis, Isaac Vansciver ; Freeholders, J. K. Cowperthwait, Richard Fetters; Sur- veyors of highways, William J. Hatch, Joshua Bur- roughs ; Overseer of poor, Wm. M'Knight; Constable, John Gahan; Overseer of highways, Daniel L. Pine ; Poundkeeper, Wm. M'Knight; Judge of elections, Isaac Wilkins; Township committee, Gideon V. Stivers, Rich- ard Fetters, James W. Sloan, Ebenezer Toole, Isaac Van- sciver ; School committee, Gideon V. Stivers, Richard Fet- ters, James W. Sloan, J. K. Cowperthwait, Isaac Van- sciver.
1835-Township clerk, Samuel Miller; Assessor, Edward Bul- lock ; Collector, Josiah Shivers ; Commissioners of appeals, Gideon V. Stivers, Isaac Wilkins, Josiah Atkinson ; Free- holders, J. K. Cowperthwait, Richard Fetters; Surveyors of highways, Samuel Laning, Joab Scull; Overseer of poor, Benjamin Wiltse ; Constable, Chester Chattin ; Over- seer of highways, Daniel L. Pine; Poundkeeper, Abraham L. Hilderman ; Judge of elections, Samuel Laning ; Town- ship committee, J. K. Cowperthwait, Gideon V. Stivers, Richard Fetters, Isaac Vansciver, Charles S. Garrett ; Special school committee, J. K. Cowperthwait, Richard Fetters, Isaiah Toy, Rev. Samuel Starr, Rev. Wm. Gran- ville, Rev. T. C. Teasdale, Benjamin Allen, Charles Kaighn, William Ridgway, Joseph W. Cooper.
1836-Township clerk, Edward P. Andrews; Assessor, Isaac H. Porter ; Collector, Paul C. Laning ; Commissioners of ap- peals, Isaac Vansciver, Josiah Atkinson, Edmund Hamp- ton ; Freeholders, J. K. Cowperthwait, Gideon V. Stivers; Surveyors of highways, William Hugg, Jolin Thorn; Overseer of poor, Benjamin Wiltse; Constable, Chester Chattin; Overseer of highways, Daniel L. Pine; Pound- keeper, Stephen Goldsmith; Judge of elections, Isaac Wilkins; Township committee, Samuel Laning, Thos. Peak, Joab Scull, Elias Kaighn, Henry Brown; School committee, Samuel Laning, Thomas Peak, Joab Scull, Elias Kaighn, Henry Brown.
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1837-Assessor, Isaac H. Porter; Collector, Paul C. Laning, Commissioners of appeals, Josiah Atkinson, Isaac Van- sciver, James Hale; Freeholders, J. K. Cowperthwait, Richard Fetters; Surveyors of highways, Jos. G. Scull, John M. Johnson; Overseer of poor, Benjamin Wiltse ; Constable, William Hugg; Overseer of highways, Daniel L. Pine; Poundkeeper, Edwin B. Johnson; Judge of elec- tions, Isaac Wilkins; Township committee, Joab Scull, Elias Kaighn, Chas. S. Garrett, Richard Fetters, Isaac Wilkins; School committee, J. K. Cowperthwait, Richard Fetters, Isaac Vansciver.
1838-Assessor, Isaac H. Porter; Collector, Paul C. Laning ; Commissioners of appeals, Josiah Atkinson, Isaac Van- sciver, Jas. Gahan ; Freeholders, J. K. Cowperthwait, Isaac Wilkins; Surveyors of highways, Isaac Bullock, Joab Scull; Overseer of poor, Benjamin Wiltse; Constable, William Hugg; Overseer of highways, Seth Matlack; Poundkeeper, Edwin B. Johnson; Judge of elections, Isaac Wilkins; Township committee, Joab Scull, Elias Kaighn, Chas. S. Garrett, Amos A. Middleton, James Gahan ; School committee, J. K. Cowperthwait, Oliver Cox, Isaac Vansciver.
1839-Township clerk, Josiah Shivers; Assessor, Isaac H. Porter; Collector, Thomas Peak; Commissioners of ap- peals, Josiah Atkinson, Sr., Isaac Vansciver, Jas Gahan ; Freeholders, J. K. Cowperthwait, Isaac Wilkins; Sur- veyors of highways, Isaac Bullock, Joab Scull; Overseer of poor, Benjamin Wiltse; Constable, William Hugg; Overseer of Highways, Daniel L. Pine; Poundkeeper, Daniel L. Pine; Judge of elections, Samuel Scull, Ben- jamin Springer, Jas. Hale, Richard Fetters; School com- mittee, J. K. Cowperthwait, Richard Fetters, Isaac Van- sciver.
1840-Township clerk, Josiah Shivers, resigned April 23, suc- ceeded by Josiah R. Atkinson ; Assessor, Isaac H. Porter ; Collector, Daniel S. Carter; Commissioners of appeals, Josiah Atkinson, Sr., Isaac Vansciver, Jas. Gahan ; Free- holders, J. K. Cowperthwait, Isaac Wilkins; Surveyors of highways, Jas. Elwell, Chas. Carter; Overseer of poor, Andrew Sweeten; Constables, Josiah Shivers, Aaron Sparks; Overseer of highways, Daniel L. Pine; Pound- keeper, Daniel L. Pine; Judge of elections, Isaac Wilkins ; Township committee, Gideon V. Stivers, Joab Scull,
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Josiah R. Atkinson, John M. Johnson, Elias Kaighn; School committee, J. K. Cowperthwait, Isaac Vansciver, Gideon V. Stivers.
1841-Township clerk, Josiah R. Atkinson; Assessor, Wm. Gre- gory ; Collector, Daniel S. Carter ; Commissioners of ap- peals, Thos. Peak, James Gahan, Josiah Atkinson; Free- holders, J. K. Cowperthwait, Isaac Wilkins; Surveyors of highways, Joseph Weatherby, Thos. Peak; Overseer of poor, William Hugg; Constables, Josiah Shivers, Aaron Sparks; Overseer of highways, Daniel L. Pine; Pound- keeper, William Hugg; Judge of elections, Isaac Wilkins; Township committee, Richard Fetters, Gideon V. Stivers, Joab Scull, Isaac Cole, J. K. Cowperthwait, John W. Mickle ; School committee, Gideon V. Stivers, Isaac Cole, J. K. Cowperthwait.
1842-Township clerk, Samuel Scull; Assessor, William Gre- gory ; Collector, Daniel S. Carter ; Commissioners of ap- peals, Gideon V. Stivers, Thomas Githens, Thomas Peak ; Freeholders, J. K. Cowperthwait, Isaac Wilkins; Sur- veyors of highways, Jas. Gahan, Joseph Sharp; Overseer of poor, Benj. Toms; Constables, Edward Morgan, Ed- ward Gahan; Overseer of highways, John Subers ; Pound- keeper, Daniel L. Pine ; Judge of elections, Isaac Wilkins ; Township committee, Gideon V. Stivers, J. K. Cowperth- wait, Richard Fetters, Elias Kaighn, Isaac Cole; School committee, John L. Rhees, Isaac L. Mulford, J. K. Cow- perthwait.
1843-Township clerk, Samuel Scull; Assessor, William Gre- gory; Collector, Timothy Middleton; Commissioners of appeals, Amos A. Middleton, Thomas Githens, Thomas Peak ; Freeholders, John W. Mickle, J. K. Cowperthwait ; Surveyors of highways, Joseph Weatherby, James Gahan ; Overseer of poor, John Meyers; Constable, Edward Morgan (only one constable) ; Overseer of highways, none elected; Poundkeeper, Daniel L. Pine; Judge of elections, Josiah A. Atkinson; Township committee, Jesse Smith, Joseph Sharp, Daniel S. Carter, James Elwell, Isaac Wilkins ; School committee, Isaac S. Mulford, John L. Rhees, J. K. Cowperthwait.
1844-Township clerk, Josiah Shivers; Assessor, Charles Sloan ; Collector, Timothy Middleton ; Commissioners of appeals, Thomas Peak, Jesse Smith, Isaac Wilkins; Freeholders, John W. Mickle, J. K. Cowperthwait; Surveyors of high-
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ways, Jesse Smith, Daniel S. Carter ; Overseer of poor, William Hugg; Constable, James Gahan, Overseer of Highways, Daniel L. Pine; Poundkeeper, Theo. C. Humphreys; Judge of elections, Josiah R. Atkinson; Township committee, Richard Fetters, Isaac Cole, James Elwell, Jesse Smith, Thomas Peak; School committee, Richard Fetters, Isaac S. Mulford, Jos. G. De Lacour, B. A. Hammell, Isaac Cole, J. K. Cowperthwait, J. L. Rhees, Jesse Smith.
1845-Township clerk, Joseph Myers; Assessor, Josiah Shivers; Collector, Clayton Truax; Commissioners of appeals, Thomas B. Atkinson, Jas. L. Williams, Thomas Peak ; Chosen freeholders, Chas. Kaighn, John R. Thompson ; Surveyors of highways, William Sharp, Mark Burroughs ; Overseer of poor, Caleb Roberts; Constable, John Law- rence; Overseer of highways, Richard M Paul; Pound- keeper, Edward C. Jackson; Judge of elections, Samuel Scull; Township committee, Josiah Sawn, John B. Thomp- son, Joseph Sharp, Joseph J. Moore, William J. H. Hawk; School committee, Franklin Ferguson, Jos. C. De Lacour, Samuel H. Morton, Philander C. Brink, Jesse Smith, James W. Sloan, Enoch Shiver, Jr., David Brown, Joseph Taylor.
1846-Township clerk, Jas. M. Cassady; Assessor, J. R. Atkin- son ; Collector, J. P. Buyack; Commissioners of appeals, Andrew Jenkins, Jas. Elwell, Benj. A. Hammell; Chosen Freeholders, John W. Mickle, Chas. Sexton; Surveyors of highways, Samuel McLain, John A. Brown; Overseer of poor, William Hugg; Constable, Samuel Lummis; Overseer of highways, Daniel L. Pine; Poundkeeper, Daniel L. Pine; Judge of elections, Benj. A. Hammell; Township committee, James Elwell, Richard Fetters, Elias Kaighn, Joab Scull, Caleb Roberts; School committee, Isaac Mulford, Joseph C. De Lacour, Richard Fetters, Isaac Cole, Wm. Feuring, Isaac Mickle, Richard J. Ward, Elias Kaighn, J. W. Shorff.
1847-Township clerk, Josiah Shivers; Assessor, Josiah R. At- kinson ; Collector, Isaac Kelly ; Commissioners of appeals, James Gahan, Charles M. Thompson ; Chosen freeholders, John W. Mickle, Richard Fetters ; Surveyors of highways, Samuel McLain, Elijah Davis; Overseer of poor, William Hugg; Constable, Robert P. Smith; Overseer of high- ways, Daniel L. Pine; Poundkeeper, William Hugg;
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Judge of elections, Timothy Middleton; Township com- mittee, J. K. Cowperthwait, James Elwell, Elias Kaighn, Joab Scull, Chas. Sloan ; School Committee, Isaac S. Mul- ford, Jos. C. De Lacour, William Feuring, Ebenezer Nichols, Richard J. Ward, Daniel S. Carter, Henry Chap- man, Isaac Mickle, John Thorn.
After the adoption of the new State Constitution in 1844, numer- ous revisions of the general and special statutes were required to bring them into conformity with the new organic law. Among these acts which were revised were those affecting the township of Camden. In 1847, a diversity of opinion arose as to the proper day for holding the annual town-meeting, as a result of which two meetings were held, one on the second Monday in March and the other on the second Wednesday in the same month. At each of these meetings a full set of township officers was elected, causing much confusion and uncertainty. At the request, however, of Thomas H. Dudley, P. J. Gray and Aula McCalla, Abraham Browning, then the Attorney- General, rendered a decision that the proper date was the second Wednesday and in this decision P. D. Vroom, Stacy G. Potts and William L. Dayton also concurred.
With the approval of the Act of February 25, 1848, the town- ship of Camden was abolished and the territory divided into three wards of the city of Camden. All the property rights belonging to the "Inhabitants of the township of Camden in the county of Camden" were then vested in the "Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council" of the city of Camden.
While Camden had a fully organized city administration since 1828, its growth in population and industrial development was a slow one, and for many years it slept in its Quaker repose. The Camden of forty, or even twenty, years ago was very unlike the Camden of today. It has reached its present status by a growth that has been so stealthy and silent that even those in daily contact with passing events have hardly noticed it, except in the retrospect.
Prior to 1842, it was, indeed, a primitive village in all but name, and was best known as a ferry landing. In the latter year, as already noted, some of the larger land owners began to divide their farm lands into building lots and offer them to public sale. The growth of the neighboring city of Philadelphia caused a demand for near-by homes and the proximity of these lots to the business section of the city across the river attracted many new comers to Camden. During
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the ten years from 1840 to 1850 the population almost tripled in number. The improvements which were made, either by the municipality, or the individual, did not add much to the substantial upbuilding of the place. Its streets were unpaved and little better than ordinary country roads; it had no lighting system worthy of the name and its water supply was very limited and of a primitive character. The houses which were erected by the new-comers, were principally small frame structures. Looking back on the scene of the clusters of houses scattered here and there among the groves of trees, or among the farm clearings, forcibly brings to mind the wonderful changes which have taken place within the lifetime of many still living.
Other building "booms" took place in 1850-1855 and 1868-1872. That of the later period gained such a momentum that nothing could stop its onward and upward movement and the present splendid de- velopment can be directly traced to the activities begun about that period. Time has wrought many changes not only in the manners and customs of the people, but in the whole topography of the country. Where there were hollows and ponds, now stand some of our most substantial buildings, while the sites of the houses which formerly stood directly on the river bank are now many hundred feet inland.
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TOWNSHIPS OF OLD GLOUCESTER COUNTY-NOW CAMDEN, GLOUCESTER AND ATLANTIC
COMPILED BY DR. CARLOS E. GODFREY
IN PRESENT GLOUCESTER COUNTY :
Deptford Township, incorporated June 1, 1695.
Clayton Township, incorporated February 5, 1858; consolidated into Borough of Glassboro April 14, 1908.
East Greenwich Township, incorporated February 10, 1881.
Elk Township, incorporated April 17, 1891.
Franklin Township, incorporated January 27, 1820.
Glassboro Township, incorporated March 11, 1878; consolidated into Borough of Glassboro March 8, 1920.
Gloucester Town Township; consolidated into Union Township November 15, 1831 .*
Greenwich Township, incorporated March 1, 1694.
Harrison Township, incorporated April 1, 1845 ; formerly Spicer Township.
Logan Township, incorporated March 6, 1878; formerly West Woolwich Township.
Mantua Township, Incorporated February 23, 1853.
Monroe Township, incorporated March 3, 1859.
South Harrison Township, incorporated March 21, 1883.
Spicer Township, incorporated March 13, 1844; name changed to Harrison Township.
Union Township, incorporated November 15, 1831; consolidated into Gloucester City February 25, 1868.
Washington Township, incorporated February 17, 1836. West Deptford Township, incorporated March 1, 1871.
West Woolwich Township, incorporated March 7, 1877; name changed to Logan Township in 1878.
Woolwich Township, incorporated March 7, 1767.
# Gloucester Town was authorized in 1685 and created as a township in 1773.
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IN PRESENT CAMDEN COUNTY :
Berlin Township, incorporated April 11, 1910.
Camden Township, incorporated November 28, 1831; consol- idated with City of Camden February 25, 1848. Center Township, incorporated March 6, 1855.
Clementon Township, incorporated February 24, 1903. Delaware Township, incorporated February 28, 1844.
Gloucester Township, incorporated June 1, 1695.
Haddon Township, incorporated March 23, 1865.
Newton Township, incorporated June 1, 1695; part annexed to City of Camden March 1, 1871, balance annexed to Haddon Township March 7, 1871.
Pensauken Township, incorporated February 18, 1892.
Stockton Township, incorporated February 23, 1859; consol- idated into Town of Stockton, Referendum March 22, 1894. Union Township, incorporated November 15, 1831; annexed to Gloucester City February 25, 1868.
Voorhees Township, incorporated March 1, 1899. Waterford Township, incorporated June 1, 1695. Winslow Township, incorporated March 8, 1845.
IN PRESENT ATLANTIC COUNTY :
Buena Vista Township, incorporated March 5, 1867. Egg Harbor Township, incorporated June 1, 1695. Galloway Township, incorporated April 4, 1774. Hamilton Township, incorporated February 5, 1813. Mullica Township, incorporated February 21, 1838. Weymouth Township, incorporated February 12, 1798.
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