The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 111

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

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The school-house on the " Meeting-house Lot," in Haddonfield, was built in 1787. In 1794 a school-house was situated near Camden, on the Haddonfield road, near Marmaduke Cooper's house. A school-house was built near the Newton Meet- ing-house before 1807, as mention is made of it in that year.

On Hill's map of 1809, surveys for which were made from 1801 to 1807, three school-houses are indicated. One stood on the Ferry road, near what is now Collingswood, and was known as the Barton School; another was on the Salem road, a short distance east of the spot where that road crosses the south branch of Newton Creek ; another was represented as being on the road from Camden to Chews Landing, a short distance be- low the middle branch of Newton Creek, on the old Thomas Sharp survey. In 1809 the Grove School-house was built at Haddonfield.

652

HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

There are at present in Haddon township four school districts,-Champion, No. 10; Westmont, No. 11; Haddon, No. 12; and Mt. Ephraim, No. 13. The last-mentioned is largely in Centre town- ship, and the school-house is within its limits.

The population of Haddon township, exclusivo of the borough of Haddonfield, for 1885 was one thousand three hundred and twenty-one. The ac- count of the railroads that intersect the township will be found in the article on "Public Internal Improvements of the General History," in this work.

THE CAMDEN AND PHILADELPHIA RACE- COURSE .- In the year 1835 William R. Johnson, Andrew Beime, John D. Kirby, Otway P. Hare and William N. Friend, sporting gentlemen, ro- siding in the State of Virginia, purchased of Sam- uol C. Champion a farm in Newton township, about three miles from Camden, preparatory to es- tablishing a race-track on the same. Measures were at once taken to this end, and during the next year the whole work was finished. A large hotel, a grand stand, stables and other necessary buildings wore built. The track of que mile was carefully laid out, graded and graveled, and a high board fence put around the whole, It was known as the "Philadelphia and Camden Race- Course," and, being between Baltimore and Long Island, drow together the best horses in the country. The spring and fall meetings were great events among gentlemon of the turf, and stables mot there from Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, as well as from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

Thousands of people crossed the ferries from Philadelphia, and many were attracted there from all the country round. Colonels William R. John- son and Bailey Peyton, Doctor MeCleHan, Goneral Irvino, William Gibbons and the Van Marters, with many others of like reputation, were always present at the races, and their opinions of the merits of' a horse were eagerly sought after by bet- ting men. A hint from one of these, especially Colonel Johnson, as to the condition or merit of a horse, generally showed itself on the field or in the betting-rooms, and those interested were seldom doccived. Fashion, Peytona, Lady Clifton, At- lanta, Boston, Mingo, Blue Dick, Decatur, Bon- netts o' Blue and some others were among the first class, with any number of fillies and colts to fill the second and third classes.

The "four-mile" day idways filled the grand- stand, and covered the field with carriages and vehicles of every kind. Ladies were never source, and entered into the sport and botting with

as much zeal and spirit as their escorts. Occa- sionally some steady-going farmer of the neigh- borbood would lose his hond, bet his money on the race, and leave the ground a wiser man, think- ing that among the uncertain things of this world horse-flesh might be included.

The cups and ball man, or "the boy with the little joker " generally drew about him a wouder- ing crowd, and industriously pliod his calling "between the hents," fleeing the verdant ones who stood around and thought it was the easiest thing in the world to win. The player would oc- casionally lose a small amount to a confederate, only to outrap some unsuspecting one and defraud. him of his money.

Every appliance for gambling could be seen, attended by drunkenness and debauchery to the last degree. The argument that the improvement of the breed of horses was the object had no weight when morality and good government were considered.

Very soon the better einss of citizens took the necessary steps to abate it, and meetings were held to express public opinion on this subject. Poti- tions were largely sigued and offorts made to pro- cure a general law against horse-racing in the State. This met with a determined opposition, but was at last brought about, much to the relief of the people in this vicinity.

Being found unprofitable to the owners, evidence of decay was already seen in the buildings and grounds, and it gradually lost its popularity as a place of resort. The rowdy element at last pro- dominated, and lowered the standard of respecta- bility which at first surrounded the place. The original proprietors withdrew and rented the promises to others loss caroful of its reputation, which made it still more unpopular.

The sporting community of 1845 was greatly ox- cited at the meeting of two celebrated horses- Peytona and Fashion-at the Long Island race- course, and where Fashion, "the queen of the turf," was beaten. Within the next month the same animals were again brought together on the Chinden and Philadelphia track, when and where Fashion won back her laurels, so unexpectedly takon from her.

The grent contest of years ago betweon Eclipse and Sir Henry (the North against the South), at Long Island, created no more interest than this match, and the admirers of the " little mare " were glad of a chance for a second ruce. The event filled every available space with anxious specta- tors, and during the first heat the grand stand gave way, and many persons were injured.

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THE TOWNSHIP OF HADDON.

But little racing took place there after that time, and in January, 1847, William R. Johnson con- veyed the property to Samuel Bettle, who, during the next year, removed every building devoted to the previous uses, and restored the land again to agricultural purposes. The hotel stood fronting the Camden and White Horse turnpike, and near the site of the present residence of the Hon. Ed- ward Bettle, and was a large and imposing edifice. The track lay to the east of the hotel, with two circular and two straight "quarters," and ex- tended to the residence of William Bettle, Esq. The estate is now divided between and occupied by the two last-named gentlemen.

COLLINGSWOOD .- Collingswood is on the Rob- ert Turner tract, which some time later came to Jacob Stokes. The old Ferry road, or Camden and Haddonfield turnpike, passes through it. The houses standing on or near the site prior to its be- ginning were the old Barton house and the Barton school-house, and about one mile from it, on the Collings or Gloucester road, formerly stood a Bap- tist Church, which was built in 1843 and dedicated November 30th, Rev. J. E. Welch preaching the dedicatory sermon, and the congregation was served first by Rev. John Sisty, of Haddonfield. Rev. Charles Sexton was pastor for several years and was succeeded by Rev. Walter Potter, who was the last regular pastor. Services were aban- doned several years ago and the building is now used as a dwelling-house. About three-quarters of a mile away stand the Newton Mills, now owned by J. J. Schnitzius. The old Barton school- house was built before 1809 and was abandoned many years ago. The present school-house was built about five years ago.

Stonetown, a hamlet on the turnpike near by, is a collection of twenty dwellings, built by Isaiah Stone, who about 1850 purchased a small tract of land of the Cooper estate and built a few dwell- ings. A meeting-house was built at this place under the auspices of the Methodists, about 1858, by the Rev. Mr. Felty. It was used several years and then abandoned for regular service and is now the property of Edward C. Knight. A Sunday- school has been kept for several years by Richard T. Collings. The old Barton house, about 1860, was changed into a tavern and kept by Theodore Zimmerman, who, in 1861, enlisted in the army. The tavern was then kept for a time by a Mr. Woods and later by Malilon V. Van Voskirk for many years, and who is yet in possession of it. Collingswood was made a station in 1871 and a fine depot was built in the spring of 1885. A store building was erected in 1882 by J. Stokes Collings

and a store opened, which is still kept by him. In the fall of 1885 another was erected by Elmer E. McGill, in which he established business and soon after sold to H. R. Tatem and T. H. Ashton. A drug store has been recently opened. A tract of forty acres of land was recently purchased by Rich- ard T. Collings, Elmer E. McGill and others of William T. Tatem, lying south of the railroad and fronting on the Collings or Gloucester road, which has been laid out into streets and lots. Fifteen or twenty lots are now sold and a number of cottages will be erected the present season (1886). A post- office was established a few years ago, with J. Stokes Collings as postmaster.

WESTMONT .- The village of Westmont lies be- tween Collingswood and Haddonfield, and was formerly called Rowandtown, from the family of Rowands, that over a hundred years ago owned the farm on which it is situated. John Rowand was a blacksmith and had a shop at the place, and Jacob Rowand later opened a store, which after a few years was closed, and later opened by Dayton Deval. It was made a flag station on the Camden and Atlantic Railroad and named Glenwood, and later the name was changed to Westmont. Thomas Anderson kept a wheelwright shop at the place many years. A school-house is situated in the town. A religious society was organized in 1883 under the name of the Shiloh Baptist Church. Rev. T. W. Wilkinson was the first pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev. T. W. Bromley, the present pastor. Dr. J. N. Hobensack, son of Dr. J. B. Hobensack, is laying out lots in the town, which is growing quite rapidly and bids fair to be a thriving village.

A short distance from the town of Westmont James Flinn & Co., in 1872, established the Crys- tal Lake Paint and Color Works, for the manufac- ture of white lead, zinc, ready-mixed paints and all colored paints. The works are in operation, under the name of the Westmont Paint Works.

About twenty years since, David U. Morgan ventured in a new enterprise of manufacture, and established himself in Haddon township about one mile from Cuthbert's Station on the line of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad in the prepa- ration of the finer qualities of paper for use by photographers, which has developed into a success. He imports from France the quality of paper needed, and by a chemical preparation of albumen-known to himself-produces a material popular among that class of artists. His reputa- tion for this kind of goods is extensive, and he competes with the German producers. Previous to this he had, while residing in Philadelphia,

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HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

made a series of experiments which culminated in the business now pursued by him.

He has reclaimed the marsh land bounding on Coopers Creek, by banking, and secured many acres of valuable meadow, a thing seldom done in these days. He is a son of David B. and Hannah (French) Morgan, and was born at Chews Landing.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

J. OGDEN CUTHBERT .- The family of Cuthbert trace their origin from the county of Northumbria, in the north of England. The name is variously known as Cubbert, Colbert and Quivert in the Erse language. The bishop of Lindisfern, in the time of King Alfred, was of the family, and by reason of revolution about the time of the death of the bishop, the family and kindred were obliged to seek refuge in Inverness, Scotland, where they were under the patronage of King Alfred. For their services they were granted the freedom of being burgesses and the rights of the lands of Drakies in vassalage, which they still possess. This influence induced the Baron of Dacies to give the vassalage of the lands of Mackery, which also they hold. It was long after and about 950 that they obtained from the King, in recom- pense for their constant and distinguished ser- vices, the lands that comprise the barony of Castlehill, which they obtained as a royal holding, in fee with a fortified castle under the burden of a subject to military service.

Prior to the eleventh century the family was known simply by the name of George, such sur- names only being used in the Highlands. In the time of the invasion of Edward I. the family chose for an armorial bearing a "Quiver in pale azure, armed Gules in a field Or," as being the most expressive symbol of their wisdom.

After peace was declared, the family took for a crest a naked hand, holding an olive branch, and for a motto " Perit and Recte," and in the twelfth century the family were known as Quivert or Qui- bert, with, for the chief, the patronymic MacGeorge.

Upon the union of the Highland clans under the name of Scots, the Pict language became the lan- guage of the court, state and Parliament. The family then obtained the name of Cuthbert or Cudbert, from cuth, which signifies skill, and bert, illustrious, which name the bishop of Lin- disfern received in the Erse language as Quivert.

Part of the family went to England and France, and passed under the name of Colbert. One of the family came to Cork, from whom the family in this country descended. In the early part of the eighteenth century Thomas Cuthbert emi-

grated from Ireland and settled in Philadelphia; other members of the family, who emigrated about the same time, settled in the South and Canada, where their descendants are numerous. Thomas had a large family of children, one of whom, Anthony, was born in Philadelphia in 1750. He was educated in that city and married there. He joined the army in the Revolution and was lieu- tenant in Captain Moulder's Company of Artillery and received a captain's commission April 15, 1780, and was placed in command of the Smith Company of Artillery. While absent in the army his property in the city was destroyed by the British. He was one of the committee appointed to build the Market Street bridge. He received as his reward for faithful performance of this duty a silver pitcher and resolution of thanks. He was for many years a member of Select Coun- cil and chosen by the united action of both parties, so faithful was he to the interests in his charge.

He was one of the committee chosen to erect Fairmount water-works. He was twice married, and his last wife was Mary Ogden, daughter of Joseph Ogden. He died in 1832. Their children were J. Ogden, Allen, Samuel, George, Elizabeth Mary and Lydia. J. Ogden, now of Haddon township, is the only surviving brother. Elizabeth, married Algernon S. Roberts; Lydia became the wife of Joseph M. Thomas, both of whom resided in Philadelphia, and are deceased.

J. Ogden Cuthbert was born in Philadelphia, September 23, 1800. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to Joseph and Samuel Keen to learn the trade of currier. After serving his time his father purchased for him a farm in West Philadelphia, which he still owns. In 1850 he bought the farm on the Old Ferry road, Haddon township, Camden County, on which he now lives. He was married to Elizabeth S. Coles, daughter of Kendall Coles, April 3, 1823. Their children were Mary C., Anthony (deceased), Joseph Ogden, Jr., Allen and Henry C. The children are settled in the county and are all well- known and respected. J. Ogden Cuthbert has always been of a retiring disposition, preferring the quiet of home 'to the more stirring events of political life. He has followed farming since the close of his apprenticeship, and is now, at the age of eighty-six, hale and vigorous. A golden wed- ding was celebrated in 1873, and a few months after Mrs. Cuthbert died. He is in religion an Episco- palian, and has held the position of warden of Grace Church, Haddonfield, for over thirty years. His son, Henry C., was a member of 32d Regt., Pa. Vols, Starr's Battery, Co. " L," during the late war.

I. OgdenCuthbert

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERFORD.

CHAPTER XIII.

Topography-The Matlack Family-The Collins'-Organization- Glendale M. E. Church-Gibbsboro-Lucas Paint Works-Church of St. Jobn in the Wilderness-Berlin-"Long a-Coming-Busi- ness Beginnings-Societies-Library-Churches-Berlin Cemetery -Village cf Atco-Societies and Churches -Chesilhurst-Water- ford Village-Churches-"Shanes Castle," The Woos Brothers aud the Beginning of Catholicism.

WATERFORD is one of the original townships of the old county of Gloucester, dating its existence from 1695. Its bounds have been changed on a number of occasions, its present limits being as follows : On the north and east is Burlington County, the Atsion River being the boundary line in part; on the southeast, boundary of Atlantic County ; on the south the townships of Winslow and Gloucester, the boundary line being irregu- lar to include Berlin and also Coopers Creek, which is the southwestern line; on the west and north is the township of Delaware, which was included in its territory until 1844. Near the middle of the township is the divide, a pine- covered ridge about two hundred feet above tide- water, which is the source of the principal streams. Coopers Creek and its affluents flow into the Del- aware, while beyond the water-shed are the Great and Little Egg Harbor Rivers and the tributary streams connected therewith. Formerly they yielded water-power, which was used to operate saw-mills, nearly every stream being utilized. Much of the land adjoining these streams has been utilized to produce cranberry marshes. The surface is mainly level and was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, the pine and cedar predominating. The process of removing these forests was slow and laborious, and settle- ment, consequently, was much retarded, especially in the central and southern parts. In these local- ities the soil is sandy or sandy loam, and better

adapted for fruit culture than the cereals. The northwestern section is underlaid by a very rich deposit of green sand marl, whose use has made this one of the best agricultural sections in the State. Before the use of this valuable fertilizer many of the farms were poorly tilled and held to be of little value. The construction of a railroad through the township and the use of the fertiliz- ing agent nature has so freely provided have wrought wonderful changes in the appearance of the country, which has now well-tilled fields and very attractive farm improvements. The Camden and Atlantic Railroad traverses nearly the entire length of the township, and east of the central part the New Jersey Southern Railroad crosses the territory diagonally in its course to New York City. Easy communication is thus afforded with the great cities of the country, which has enhanced the value of real estate.

The first settlements were made in what is now the township of Delaware, the preference being given to localities near tide-water, which afforded the only means of communication at that early period. Later, after roads were cut out, locations were made in the interior.

Iu the lower part of the township, on Coopers Creek and near the Delaware township line, the Matlacks made early and important improvements. William Matlack, the head of the family in New Jersey, lived in Burlington County, but purchased large tracts of land in what is now Waterford township in the early part of the last century, upon which he settled his children. In 1701 he bought of Richard Heritage one thousand acres of land on both sides of the south branch of Coopers Creek, around and near Kirkwood, lying in what is now the townships of Gloucester and Waterford. In 1714 he gave his son George five hundred acres of the land in Waterford, upon

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656

HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

which George had settled some years previously. His house stood on the south side of the present Haddonfield and Berlin road, near Glendale. He built a saw-mill on Coopers Creek, which, in later years, was called "Hilliard's" mill, but which went to ruin many years ago. After the decease of George Matlack the land was divided and now constitutes several good farms. In 1717 William Matlack purchased two hundred acres of land of John Estaugh, attorney of John Haddon, lying in what is now Waterford and Delaware townships, near Glendale. Here his son Richard settled in 1721-the same year that he had married Rebecca Haines, of Burlington County. Upon this tract of land is the Matlack burial-ground, containing the graves of the older branches of the family, where Benjamin, a son of Richard, was the first person interred. Richard Matlack himself died in 1778, and was the second person there interred. The following year his farm was sold to William Todd, and later Richard M. Cooper became the owner of the land, which is now the farm of Alexander Cooper, who is in the maternal line a descendant of Richard Matlack. In 1714 William Matlack gave his son Timothy the remaining part of the Heritage lands, in Waterford township, upon which he built a house and settled. This house stood near Glendale, on the present Ephraim Tomlinson farm. In 1720 Timothy Matlack mar- ried Mary Haines and probably settled on his farm about that time. He lived there but a few years, as in 1726 he moved to Haddonfield, where he erected a house and kept a store. He was the father of Timothy Matlack, of Philadelphia, who was secretary of the Continental Congress for some time.

In 1732 the elder Timothy Matlack again lived in the township, but that year sold out his farm of three hundred and nineteen acres to his brother Richard, and took up his residence permanently at Haddonfield. John Matlack, another son of William and brother of the foregoing, purchased two hundred acres of land of Francis Collins, in 1705, upon which he settled three years later, when he was married to Hannab Horner. The house he built on this farm stood more than one hundred and fifty years, when it was taken down to make room for the fine mansion owned by the heirs of John Wilkins, the present proprietors of part of the tract. John Matlack removed to Haddon- field before the Revolution, where he built the house now owned by Isaac A. Braddock.

The Matlack lands in Waterford and Delaware at one time aggregated more than fifteen hundred acres, all of which has passed out of the name.

John Collins (the son of John), who was the grandson of Francis Collins, settled in Waterford township, near Glendale, building a large brick house. This no longer remains. He became the owner of considerable real estate in that region be- fore his decease, in 1768. His wife survived bim, and his child, Mary, became the wife of Samuel Hugg, of Gloucester. She dying without issue, the property, by the terms of her father's will, passed absolutely to John and Job Collins, sons of Francis Collins, Jr., who lived on the Waterford property some time. But the entire property has long since passed out of the name and family.

The names of other settlers appear in connection with the villages where they resided.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION .- On the 1st of June, 1695, the grand jury of Gloucester County made return to the court, in which it was declared that, " Whereas there was a law made by ye last assem- bly for dividing ye county into particular town- ships, therefore they (the jury) agree and order 'that from Pensaukin or Cropwell River to the lowermost branch of Coopers Creek shall be one constabulary or township,' which received the name of Waterford, it is supposed, from a resemblance of the lower part of the territory to a fishing town on the Barrow, in Ireland. Edward Burrough was appointed constable for the year in 'ye upper township.'"

Waterford, as erected at this time, extended from the Delaware River, southeastward, between the two creeks Pensaukin and Coopers, to an indefi- nite head-line of the county, which was not accu- rately determined until 1765, when Samuel Clement made a survey and established the same. The township was thus about thirty miles long, extending from the Delaware to the head-line just named, and following the windings of the Pensau- kin and Coopers Creeks, in some places scarcely two miles wide. It retained this form until 1844, when all that part below the Evesham road was set off to form Delaware township, which was sub- divided to form the township of Stockton. The area of Waterford is about seventy square miles.

The records prior to 1850 have not been pre- served, making the compilation of a complete list of the principal officers, from the organization of the township to the present time, an impossibility. Since the period named the following have been the

TOWNSHIP CLERKS.

1850-51 .- Wm. J. Rogers. 1852 .- John W. Thackara.

1853-54 .- Cornelius T. Peacock.

1855-56 .- Isaac S. Peacock.

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The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 111

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