The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 103

Author: Prowell, George Reeser, 1849-1928
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Richards
Number of Pages: 1220

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MATHIAS ASPDEN, in 1749, was one of the tax- ables in Haddonfield. He married the widow of Roger Hartley in 1756, and their son Mathias, as a shipping merchant in Philadelphia, accumulated a large estate. He was a Loyalist during the Revo- lution and in 1779 his property was confiscated. In 1786 the attaint of treason was removed and damage awarded to the estate. He died unmarried in London, August 9, 1824. His estate was settled in accordance with a will made in 1791, and was left to his heirs-at-law. The will was contested by the English and American claimants, and after twenty years of litigation it was decided in favor of the American claimants and six hundred thou- sand dollars was distributed among them. Mathias Aspden, Sr., purchased a part of the four acres, on which he built a fine mansion. He later moved to Philadelphia, where he died in 1764. He hought of Timothy Matlack the most of his estate west of the main street, from Doughty's store to the Redman property, and the same year the remainder of it.

HUGH CREIGHTON owned the tavern house which is now the American House, in Haddonfield. It was the place of meeting of the Legislature of New Jersey several times in the year 1777. The Council of Safety was created by act of Council and General Assembly of the State and was or- ganized in this tavern house on the 18th of March, 1777, and transacted business there, and next convened at Bordentown, March 26th ; re- turned to Haddonfield May 10th. Afterwards meetings were held at Morristown and Princeton,

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THE BOROUGH OF HADDONFIELD.

and on September 5th at Haddonfield, where it was continued until the 25th of the same month. Hugh Creighton lived in this tavern until 1790, and several years after in the town. He was the grandfather of Governor Stratton. A frequent visitor at his house was Mrs. Doratha Todd, later known as Dolly Madison. She was a daughter of John Payne and was born in North Carolina in 1772, when her parents were on a visit, they being residents of Hanover County, Va. Her father was a captain in the army during the Revolution- ary War and afterwards became a member of the Society of Friends and was among the first who had religious scruples about holding slaves. In 1786 he sold his estate in Virginia and removed with his negroes to Philadelphia, where they were all freed from bondage.

" Doratha was educated according to the opinion of Friends, and in 1791 married John Todd, a wealthy young lawyer of that city, being of the same faith. He died in 1793 of yellow fever, leaving her with two children. After the death of her husband she ahan- doned the religious faith of her parents, laid aside plainness of drese and entered fashionable society. Her presence in Haddonfield drew around her the country beaux, and more than one, even in their old age, confessed their inability to resist her charms. Their out-door parties in summer and quilting parties in winter alwaye found her a welcome guest, when she was the centre of attraction and admiration. Philadelphia was the metropolis and there resided those adminie- tering the government, whose wives and daughters made society gay and fashionable. Among the delegates to Congress from Virginia was James Madison, a young lawyer of talent and even then re- garded as one of the brightest intellects of the State. His strict at- tention to the duties of his office prevented his making many ac- quaintances, but on the occasion of hie introduction to the bright young widow, he fell desperately in love. This, on the part of ou e whose attainments were in advance of his years, led to considerable gossip among the ladies and made him the point of many jokes and other pleasantriee with the heads of government, even to President Washington, who appreciated hie worth and abilities. In 1794 Doratha Todd, generally known as Dolly Todd, became Dolly Madi- son, and the wife of a future President of the United States. In 1801 her hushand was appointed Secretary of State by Mr. Jefferson, and he removed to Washington, the new capital of the United States, then but a emall town. They remained there until 1817, at the close of the second term of Mr. Madison'e Presidency, and then went to Montpelier, Va., upon his paternal estate. . . In her exalted . position ehe never forgot her friende about Haddonfield, nor the many pleasant days she had spent among the people there.

Some of her old admirers sought honorable promotion at the hands of her husband during his administration, which claims were strengthened by her influence aud led to success. . . . She would always relate the pleasant reminiscences of her early life to those presented to her as residente of West New Jersey, making inquiry concerning the old families."

The lots adjoining the hotel property of Hugh Creighton on the south were purchased by John Clement, in 1836, and the brick houses now stand. ing were erected and given to his three daughters. The honses standing on the lots were small, one story and a half and hip-roofed. The one next the hotel was owned by Isaac Kay, the next by Thomas Denny and the third was moved to Ellis Street, where it now stands and is the residence of Mary

Allen. The lot on which this house stood was owned by Samuel Mickle, who built it. He married, in 1742, Letitia, a danghter of Timothy Matlack. He died a few years later and in 1750 his widow married Thomas Hinchman. In 1752 Elizabeth Estaugh bought the Mickle property and Sarah Hopkins, after the death of her hus- band, Ebenezer, in 1757, moved to Haddonfield and occupied the house and lot. On the site of the old house is now the residence of Mrs. Sarah Hopkins, the widow of Griffith M. Hopkins, a lineal descendant of Ebenezer and Sarah Hopkins.

WILLIAM GRISCOM, a saddler, came to Haddon- field about 1750 and lived in the house that now stands on Main Street, owned by Isaac A. Brad- dock. During the Revolution it was used as a guard-house ; a frame shop adjoining was set on fire by the British troops and destroyed, but no further damage was done. The building was the residence for many years of Captain James B. Cooper. It is now occupied as a millinery store.

BENJAMIN HARTLEY, October 25, 1764, pur- chased of John Kay, son of Isaac, a lot of land, now owned by Charles H. Hillman, on which his son James erected a tannery about 1770, which was continued until about 1825. The old house was removed in 1881.

Prior to the Revolution George Hanold erected a house on Main Street, above Potter, which now belongs to the heirs of Hannah Ann Clement. The house now owned by the Misses Kirby, oppo- site Tanner Street, was erected before the Revo- lution, and was the residence of Rev. Robert Blackwell from 1772 until 1777, when in charge of the mission in this section. This property passed to John Branson, whose executors, in 1805, sold it to Kendall Cole. He disposed of it to Evan Clement in 1813, who, January 22, 1816, conveyed it to Stephen Kirby, whose descendants now own it.

For sketches of Richard Snowden, Nathaniel Evans and Rev. Dr. Blackwood, see chapter on Authors and Scientists.

. LOCAL INCIDENTS OF THE REVOLUTION .- The brick house nearly at the north end of Main Street, and now owned by Isaac A. Braddock, was built before the Revolution by John Matlack, son of William. The house on the site of the present one of the late John Gill was also erected previous to the Revolution.

The last encampment of the Hessians, under Count Donop, before the battle of Red Bank, Oc- tober 22, 1777, was in Haddonfield. This body of troops was about twelve hundred strong, and were encamped across the street and in the field near

AUTOGRAPHS OF FIRST SETTLERS IN THE VICINITY OF HADDONFIELD, AND OF EARLY RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN.

Elina Estaugh

Danghter of John Haddon and wife of John Estaugh. She died 1761, childless. Had- donfield was named in honor of her.

Ju Errugh

A minister among Friends. Married Elizabeth, daughter of John Haddon. Died 1742.

John Gill

A first settler. Cousin of the Haddons, and their attorney. Died 1749, leaving one son, John.

Jacob Clement

Son of James, of Flushing, Long Island, the son of Gregory the regicide. Had sons Samuel, Thomas and Jacob.

famplement

Son of Jacob the first settler. He was a prac- tical surveyor of Haddonfield.

John Kay

A first settler. Died 1742. Had sons John, Isaac, Josiah, Benjamin and Joseph.

Chimi matlack francy Collins

Son of William the emigrant, and father of Col. Timothy of Revolutionary fame.

Early pioneer of Burlington and Newton. Died 1720, leaving sons Joseph, John, Francis and Samnel.

George Matlack

Son of William the emigrant, and brother of above Timothy.

Sinh Mallhows

Large proprietor in Haddon and Deptford townships. Died 1696, leaving one son, Thomas.

William Forjoy

A first settler. Purchased part of Matthews' survey in Had- donfield.

Joseph Calling

Eldest son of Francis the emigrant. Died 1741, leaving one son, Benjamin.

Tho mery 22008

One of the first tavern-keepers at Haddonfield

Flugh Creighton

Proprietor of the tavern in Haddonfield where the Legislature met in 1777.

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THE BOROUGH OF HADDONFIELD.

John Gill's house. During the night of October 21st the headquarters of Count Donop were in his house. The next day the battle was fought, and Count Donop was mortally wounded, and died three days later.

During the Revolutionary War the Hessians and American troops were often ranging through the town. After the battle of Red Bank, where the Hessian troops were defeated, they returned in detached bodies, and the old Friends' Meeting- house was used as a hospital, and later by both armies. A Scotch regiment was encamped during one winter just east of John Clem ent's residence. Their deportment made them many friends, espe- cially among the boys, who carried on a lively trade by exchanging game for powder. Many amus- ing incidents used to be related by the old people. Upon the abandonment of Philadelphia by the British army, in June, 1778, it passed through Had- donfield on the way to New York. The army was four days and nights passing through the town, by reason of the great amount of material and camp equipage to be transported. Many times during the war the people of Haddonfield and vicinity were harassed by troops from both armies, forag- ing for supplies. A secluded spot was selected, it being a low swampy piece of timber land, about two miles east of the village, between the Milford road and the north branch of Coopers Creek, fami- liarly known as Charleston, now owned by George C. Kay. At this place a tract of several acres was surrounded by a strong high fence; no roads led to it, and whenever necessary, cattle were driven there and confined until danger was over. Silver- ware and other valuables were buried. One farmer kept his pork and provisions in a hogshead, which was buried in the cellar. Lydia Bates, who lived in a small house on the site of the late residence of Samuel M. Reeves, kept a cow, which was often caught by the soldiers and milked. This proceed- ing did not meet with Lydia's approval, and on the approach of the soldiers she would drive the cow into her cellar, where she was safely kept until they were gone.

Upon the breaking out of the Revolutionary War the members of the Society of Friends in the colonies found themselves in a peculiar situation. The principles of non-resistance and passive obe- dience entered so largely into their faith and practice that it was not long after hostilities began that they were accused of sympathy with the loyal cause. In some instances this was true, but much the larger number were on the side of the people, and rendered such aid and comfort as could be done consistent with their profession.

It affected large bodies of influential and wealthy citizens in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and drew toward them the attention of the authorities. A notable instance of this was that of Thomas Redman, of Haddonfield, who was arrested and confined in the county jail at Woodbury from January 21 to March 18, 1777. The charge was that he, as clerk of the Preparative Meeting of Haddonfield, had read an epistle from the Meeting of Suffering of Philadelphia, before the Haddonfield Meeting, relating to the members of the society bearing arms.

Before the committing magistrates he admitted the fact, yet insisted that he could not avoid the discharge of his duty-neither had he violated the law.

Certain paragraphs in the epistle, it was claimed, were of "dangerous consequences" to the cause of the people, and he was required to give security for his good behavior in the future, or stand committed. This he could not conscien- tiously do, and was, therefore, sent to prison.

He remained there until the sitting of the court, when the case was heard and he was fined five shillings and the costs of prosecution. He in- formed the court, for the same reasons, that he 'could not comply with the sentence, and was about to be remanded when the sheriff announced that the same had been discharged, and Thomas Red- man was released. As he took his departure he disclaimed any knowledge of how or by whom the fine was paid, and never, perhaps, discovered who was the friend in disguise.

The journal kept by him while incarcerated- still preserved by the family-is an interesting manuscript. It shows how kind and attentive the officials were to him, and the frequent visits of friends, who carefully looked after his creature comforts. It is evident that the proceeding was contrary to the better judgment of all concerned, for the offence, being merely technical, carried with it no intentional harm.

HADDONFIELD IN 1825 .- On the west side of the street, from Coopers Creek, the first brick house was that of John Middleton, now owned by Isaac A. Braddock. It was built by John Matlack prior to the Revolution. The next below was the John Gill house, also brick, on the site of the present house still in possession of the family-an accountof Count Donop, in connection, is elsewhere given. Next below was the house now owned by Mrs. Joseph B. Tatem. From Grove Street, not then laid out, south, was a house built by Joseph Bates, about 1815, and for many years the resi- dence of Dr. Bowman Hendry, now owned by Col.

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HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Jesse E. Peyton. Next was the American house property, since owned by John Roberts. Below the tavern were the three low, hip-roofed houses, the first owned by Isaac Kay, next by Mrs. Denny and the third was the Estaugh Hopkins house, now on Ellis Street. Next were the shops kept by Zaccheus Logan, shoemaker ; Franklin Eggman, tailor; and John Whitehead, watchmaker. Below was a hip-roof house, formerly owned by Thomas Githens, a blacksmith, whose shop was at that time frouting the street. Next was the Thomas Red- man house, in which the third Thomas Redman was keeping a drug store; it is now the site of Mrs. Samuel C. Smith's residence. The Griscomb house was next, and the residence of Captain Jas. B. Cooper. Beyond the Ferry road was Samuel Kennard's brick house, now the property of W. H. Harrison. Samuel Kennard purchased the lot April 14, 1782, and built upon it the brick house. He was a justice of the peace many years. His grandson was a prominent Baptist minister in Philadelphia, and his great-grandson in Washing- ton.

Adjoining the Kennard house was also a brick house many years owned and occupied by Joseph Branson. Next below, Turner Risdon, a saddler, resided in a brick house built many years before. Next below was the brick house and store built by Richard Stafford, now the site of Willard's drug store. The site of the post-office was occupied by the tavern-stand, built in 1775 by Edward Gibbs, and now occupied by Samuel R. Stoy. On the corner of Tanner Street was the shop of Jeremiah Elfreth, a cabinet-maker ; below on the same street, were the old Estaugh tavern-house and, two or three small houses. On the north side of Tanner Street were three lots, with houses, owned by John Clement. Daniel Fortiner, about 1800, built a house on Main Street, the only one south of Tanner Street, on the west side of Main Street. He was a cabinet-maker, and the house is now the property of William H. Clement. On the east side of the street, south of the railroad, there was but one house, which was owned by Silas Willis, a mason ; it stood on the land now belonging to the heirs of Joseph Walton. A frame house, still standing, owned by Nathaniel Clement, is now owned by Nathaniel T. Clement, his grandson. The next house stood on the site of the Presbyterian Church, and was built by Jeremiah Elfreth, who lived there all his days. Above was the house occupied from 1772 to 1777 by Rev. Robert Blackwell, later owoed by Dr. Evan Clement, since the property of Stephen Kirby, and later owned and occupied by his daughters. On the site of Perrywebb's

blacksmith shop, about the year 1825, John Reeves built a store and kept it several years. It was later kept by Samuel M. Reeves, S. Stokes Hillman and Adrian C. Paul, and the site is now occupied by the store of Clement & Giffin. Next above was a house built by the Alexanders, on the site of Lydia Bates' frame house. It passed to Benjamin Cooper, and is now the property of Samuel M. Reeves' heirs. Next was a small frame house on the site of Dr. N. B. Jennings' residence. On the site of the residence of Mr. George Horter was a house owned by Abel Nicholson, previously by Munson Day. Above was a small house owncd by Samuel Champion, now by the Misses Stout. Next was the Mathias Aspden house, then owned by Samuel Champion, later by Dr. Benjamin Blackwood, whose heirs still reside there. Next was the Matlack house, which was a guard-house at the time of the Revolution.

Jacob Clement's house was next; it stood until John Clement built his present residence, about 1857. The next house, now standing, was owned by J. Stokes Coles, and built by John Clement, son of Jacob. The Sarah Norris house, in which she kept a store, later used as a tavern, was torn down in 1842-43, and the present brick resi- dence, now owned by Aaron C. Clement, was built by his father, John Clement. Above Potter Street, on Main Street, stood a house of George Hanold's. Next above was the house now owned by Charles H. Hillman, then in possession of the Hartley family. The Roberts house, still owned by the fam- ily, was built by John Roberts in 1816. The old Baptist Church and burying-ground were situated above. The church was built in 1818, torn down and rebuilt in 1852, which was in turn torn down in 1885. An old house stood between the Baptist Church and the creek, owned by Samuel Zane, where " Aunt Jenny" kept home-made beer, cakes and candy for the small boys of the vicinity.

Off the Main Street were the Grove School-house, built in 1809, and still standing ; the Friends' Meeting-house, which is now torn down, and the old Friends' School-house, built in 1787, and still standing. On Tanner Street was a tannery, from which the street took its name. It was built about 1800 by Samuel Brown, who kept it many years. In 1828 it passed to Samuel Allen, by whom it was operated many years, and abandoned about 1875. The property is now owned by Mary Anne Cle- ment, his daughter, and wife of A. W. Clement.

On Potter Street, John Thomson established a pottery in 1805, and about 1808 sold the business to Richard W. Snowdon, son of Richard, and then a young man, who continued the business until his

David Rap

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THE BOROUGH OF HADDONFIELD.

death, October 29, 1868, from which time it was continued until 1883, by his son Richard. It is still in operation. .

THE BUSINESS INTERESTS OF HADDONFIELD IN 1835 .- The first business places on the east side of Main Street, for the year named, was a store kept by Samuel M. Reeves, now the site of Clement & Giffin's store; above were shops of Isaac Albertson, wheelwright; Edward Raynolds, gunsmith; Daniel Fortiner, blacksmith; Turner Risdon, harness- maker; and Charles Lippincott, tailor; next was the engine-house; above was Franklin Eggman, tailor; and on the corner of Potter Street was a store kept by James M. Glover. On the west side of the street, from the south end, and on the corner of Tanner Street, Samuel H. Burroughs had a cabinet shop; above was the tavern of Enoch Clemens, and stores kept by Franklin Eggman and David Roe; the drug store of Thomas Redman; tailor shop of Isaac Middleton ; tavern and store of Thomas A. Pearce; and shoe shop of Spencer Kirby. On the site of the Methodist Church, Samuel Thackara had a blacksmith shop, and above was Daniel Garrett's shoe shop.

As Haddonfield increased in size, and the sur- rounding country became settled, the several mechanical industries were developed, which at- tracted the people of a large section of the sur- rounding country to the place, and made it the centre of considerable trade. Carriage-builders, wagon-makers, blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, tailors, cabinet-makers, shoemakers, tanners, and other branches were carried on here, and of these each generally had several apprentices and con- sumed a large amount of material in each branch. Apprentices were indentured to serve until twenty- one years of age, to be taught the "art and mystery " of the business, to serve their masters faithfully, to be allowed one week's "harvest " each year, and at the end of their term to receive a full suit of "freedoms," which was the name ap- plied to a new suit of clothes-from hat to shoes- received on such occasion. By the week's harvest, which each apprentice was allowed, he obtained his pocket-money for the coming year. He was careful, therefore, to fill each day in some farmer's grain-field, and for which he would receive the "going wages." Farmers looked to this source for their supply of harvest hands, and, when the grain began to ripen, would arrange among them- selves the days to cut the grain, and come into the village and notify the apprentices accord- ingly. When learning to reap the apprentice was known as a cub or half-hand, and the butt of the older boys in his awkwardness and waste of

grain. Soon, however, he would rank among the best, and stand ready to rally the next boy for his like inexperience. The system of apprenticeship, from various causes, gradually fell into disuse, and for many years past not a boy has been indentured in this region. The effect has been to leave the country bare of skilled workmen, and to necessitate the introduction of foreign labor to fill the place. This is felt iu every branch of mechanics, and will not be remedied except the old path be followed. Machinery has done much to simplify and expedite many kinds of work, but nothing is lost when a workman is employed whose early instruction has fitted him for the task set before him.

DAVID ROE, SR .- The Roe family, one of the oldest in Gloucester County, N. J., is of Scotch- Irish ancestry, and settled in the province of New Jersey as early as 1700. The first one of the fam- ily of whom anything definite is known was Abra- ham Roe, the father of Henry Roe, who was born in Blackwoodtown May 20, 1754. He (Henry Rue) married Miss Ann Jaggard, born October 4, 1760, whose father, James Jaggard, was a large owner of land in and around Blackwoodtown. In 1762 Mr. Jaggard deeded to his daughter Ann the farm now owned by Dr. Joseph B. Roe, which farm has since remained in the family. Henry Roe was a man of fine character, and, like his ancestors, a Presbyte- rian of the old school. He was an elder and lib- eral supporter of the Woodbury Presbyterian Church. He served through the war for independ- ence and held the rank of major. To Mr. and Mrs. Roe were born twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity. Of his sons, William and Rob- ert served in the War of 1812. Another son- Henry-was of a literary turn, and in his boyhood cared more for his Latin grammar than for farm implements. He became a professor in a college at Annapolis, Md. He died of cholera in 1829. David Roe, the youngest son, was born on the home farm February 4, 1800, and grew to manhood there. His education was acquired at the Wood- bury Academy, and was superior to that obtained by most farm sons of that time.

About the year 1821 he removed to Haddonfield, N. J., and commenced merchandising by opening a " country store," where everything was expected to be found for sale. By attention to business, anticipating the wants of the people and a careful system of accounts, his success was marked. In a few years after, he began the purchase of real es- tate and made some ventures in farming. Attracted to this line of employment, and finding it better for his health, he gradually increased his acres un- til he had sufficient land to require his whole at-

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HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

tention. He closed out his business as a merchant, and became one of the best and most systematic agriculturists in the neighborhood. His theory was that soil properly fertilized and cultivated made the best return, and the more liberally this theory was followed the more successful was the farmer. This idea was applied to his stock, his utensils and his workmen,-claiming that the best was always the most economical.

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The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 103

Author: Prowell, George Reeser, 1849-1928 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Richards Number of Pages: 1220

Author: Prowell, George Reeser, 1849-1928
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Richards
Number of Pages: 1220