The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 112

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

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1857-60 .- Gamaliel P. Marple. 1861-63 .- Wm. J. Rogers.

1864-65 .- George Watson.

1866 .- Thomas T. Smith.

1867-73 .- Eayre Sharp.

1874-76 .- Wm. H. Norcross.

1877 .- Robert Wills.

1878-86 .- Eayre Sharp.

657

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERFORD.

ASSESSORS.

1850-51 .- Joseph G. Shion.

1867-68 .- Joseph S. Read.

1852 .- Isaac L. Lowe.

1869-72 .- William Thorn.

1853. - Marmaduke Beckley.

1873 -William Davis.

1854-56 .- William Peoo,

1874-76 .- Robert F. Wood.

1857 .- Isaac S. Peacock.

1877-80 .- Wm. Thorn.

1858-CO .- Win. Peno.

1881-86 .- Thomas S. Thoro.

1861-66 .- Gamaliel B. Marple.

COLLECTORS.

1850-51 .- Jos. L. Thackara.

1864-70 .- Samuel S. Sickler.

1852-55 .- Joseph S. Read,

1871-76 .- Thomas S. Thoro.

1856-61 .- Brazillia W. Beonett.

1877-84 - J. Curtia Davia.

1862-63 .- Joshna P. Sharp. 1885-86 .- Wm. H. Norcroaa.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

1850 .- Joseph L. Thackara. 1868 .- Manley I. Peacock.

Washington Schlosser.

1869 .- Josiahı C. Engle.

1855 .- Joseph J. Rogers.

1874-79 .- B. W. Bennett.

1856 .- Richard Stafford.

1880 .- Salmon Giddinga.

1857 .- Brazillia W. Bennett.

1884 -B. W. Bennett.

1858 .- Jesse Peterson. 1885 .- Saloioo-Giddings.

1862-67 .- Brazillia W. Bennett. 1886 .- Samuel Layer.

For many years the annual elections were held at the public-houses at Berlin, but in 1873 the township purchased the old school building at this place and converted the same into a town hall, where these meetings have since been held. Being large and centrally located, it is well adapted for its use.

GLENDALE.

Glendale is a small hamlet two miles from Kirk- wood, consisting of a store, church and half a dozen dwellings. The business stand was erected in 1851, by Ephraim Tomlinson, who opened a store there, placing it in charge of Thomas Rogers, who had previously carried on his store at Laurel Mills. Tomlinson was also appointed postmaster, holding that position until the office was discontinued. David Middleton and Robert Wood were also store- keepers, the latter a long term of years. For a long time Glendale was an excellent trading-point, and a second store was opened by Josiah C. Engle, occupying the building on the corner opposite, which is now his residence. This store was dis- continued after a few years, but the old stand is still occupied by George Stafford, though the place has lost its former activity.

The only public-house in this locality was the Cross Keys Tavern, on the public road to Gibbs- boro', which was kept many years by Asa Van- sciver, Elwood Wolohon Joseph Bates, Britton Ayers, John Elwell and others. As long as the road was much traveled, before the railroad was built, the patronage of the house was good, but its usefulness departed many years ago. The building has been removed, and there is scarcely a reminder of the old hostelry.

The soil at Glendale appears to be specially adapted for the cultivation of small fruits, and

Glendale berries have become widely known. In 1882 Josiah C. Engle had in cultivation one-third of an acre of strawberries, which yielded him six hundred and twenty-five dollars, an amount so large that it attracted general attention. Among the principal growers of this fruit at Glendale are Josiah C. Engle, John Robbins, E. W. Coffin, Montgomery Stafford and a few others.

GLENDALE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH is a small frame building, on a stone basement, which is used for school purposes. It stands on a lot of ground donated by Alexander Cooper, who also gratuitously furnished the stone in the build- ing. The house was erected about 1855, by the neighbors, for the purpose of securing a building convenient for both church and school use. Among those interested in promoting these objects were Richard Stafford, Catherine Engle, Nixon Davis, Joseph C. Stafford, Jesse Peterson, Israel Riggins, Theodore Bishop and Montgomery Stafford. Most of these adhered to the Methodist Church, and also constituted the first members of the class or- ganized before the house was built. The appoint- ment was for many years supplied in connection with Greenland and other churches. While con- nected with Berlin, twenty-six years ago, the Rev. Thomas Hanlon, at that time a young man, was the preacher in charge, and, under his ministry, the church had the greatest accession of members. Removals have diminished the number, so that in 1886 but thirty belonged. At the same time the trustees were Montgomery Stafford, John Bates, Jehu Eogle, Jacob Acey and Charles Brown.

Ashland is a station on the Camden and At- lantic Railroad, on the Delaware township line. A post-office of the same name has been re- cently established, and Amos Ebert appointed postmaster. Aside from these, no other interests have been created.

GIBBSBORO'.

Gibbsboro' is a village of two hundred and fifty- five inhabitants, two miles from Kirkwood and nearly the same distance from Glendale, and near the site of a saw-mill built by Enoch Core as early as 1731. It is important on account of the loca- tion of the paint and color works of John Lucas & Co., the proprietors of the village site. Its pop- ulation is composed almost wholly of the em- ployees of the works, many of them, through the liberality of John Lucas, owning their own homes. Additions have been recently completed, and with the prospect of having a branch railway from the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, the future of the place has become correspondingly bright. Besides the works of John Lucas & Co. there is a fine

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HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Episcopal chapel, a number of beautiful residences, with attractive grounds, and several stores. At the older stand, Thomas Henderson was first in trade. In June, 1881, J. S. Clark began merchan- dising at the second stand, and since February 5, 1883, has served as postmaster of the Gibbs- boro' office, established at that time.

THE GIBBSBORO' WHITE LEAD, ZINC AND COLOR WORKS,-These extensive works, employ- ing a large number of men and creating prosperity in all the region round about them, were estab- lished by Mr. John Lucas, who commenced the paint business in Philadelphia in 1849. He was led to choose this locality on the head of Coopers Creek by the consideration that the water in the ponds or lakes here was of just the proper and necessary quality for the manufacture of certain specialties in paint, which, by experiment, he had discovered, or, it may not improperly be said, in- vented. He found the water free from lime and iron-salts-an absolute requisite for the production of unchangeable colors-and purchased a large estate, upon which was an old grist and saw-mill. Here he began manufacturing in a small way, making use of the old water-power, which, how- ever, was soon superseded by steam. The works were enlarged from time to time as the demands for the products of the factory rapidly increased, and to the list of the colors manufactured were added all those which he had formerly im- ported. Mr. Lucas has also gradually extended his land possessions, with a view to securing con- trol of the water supply and its surroundings, and thus maintaining its purity. While this has been the motive of successive land purchases, another ef- fect has resulted, which redounds to the advantage of the employees, for the proprietor has been ena- bled to sell such of them as wish to locate in the neighborhood, building lots, or larger tracts of land on a most liberal system of advances and easy pay. ments. Any employee can, in a few years, provide himself with a home, with many comforts and pleasant surroundings.

The products of the works, as the name implies, are white lead, zinc and all kinds of paints. A full line of varnishes is also manufactured. Some idea of the magnitude of the works is conveyed by the statement that the grinding and crushing machinery have a capacity of sixty thousand pounds per day. The best machinery known to the trade is in use in the several departments, and whatever is new, or whatever ingenuity can sug- gest in the way of improved processes, is readily adopted. There is an extensive laboratory in con- nection with the works, in which experiments are

constantly being made, and in which practical experience and theoretical knowledge are united to produce the best results attainable. This de- partment is under the supervision of Mr. Lucas' sons, Albert and Harry S. Lucas. Three other sons, John T., William E. and James F., also fill positions of responsibility in theso extensive works.

Mr. John Lucas has given his business close atten- tion and made many practical improvements in the manufacture of lead and paint, as the result of his study. In October, 1870, he took out letters-patent for a combination apparatus for the manufacture of painters' and paper stainers' colors, which effects a saving of fully fifty per cent. in labor alone; in 1872 ho procured a patent for preparing pure lin- seed-oil liquid paints, and in 1878 he patented an improved process for corroding and manufacturing white lead.

The house has offices and stores at 141-143 North Fourth Street and 322-330 Race Street, Philadelphia, and at 84 Maiden Lane, New York, in which city the first office was opened at 122 West Broadway, in 1869.

JOHN LUCAS,1 manufacturing chemist, was born at Stone, Staffordshire, England, November 25, 1823. He is the eldest son of Thomas Lucas, of the samo place, and a descendant of John Lucas, of Ashbourn, Derbyshire, the warm friend and companion of the celebrated Izaak Walton. He received a liberal education at Fieldplace Con- mercial Academy, near his nativo town, which having terminated, he entered the store and counting-room of his father, who was a grocer and ten dealer, where he remained for a short time. Finding, however, that mercantile pursuits were not to his taste, ho commenced the study of agri- cultural chemistry. His progress in this and its kindred branches was so marked that to it he owes his present attainments as a manufacturer. As he desired to see something of the world bofore selecting his futuro home, he left England, in 1844, for a visit to the United States und the Canadas. He was so well pleased with the former that on his return to England he made the neces- sary arrangements for immigrating and becoming an American citizen. It was in 1849 that he finally quitted the "old country," and it was to Philadelphia that he directed his steps. On his ar- rival, with the usual energy and activity which have ever marked his life, he entered at once into business, and for a while pursued the calling of a foreign commission and shipping merchant. He represented several large European manufacturing houses, selling good F. O. B. in Europe, or

1 From the Biographical Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania.

659

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERFORD.

importing to order. His first store was at No. 33 North Front Street, where he confined himself al- most exclusively to paints and colors, or materials used in the manufacture of the same; but finding it a difficult matter to ascertain-through the medium of the wholesale trade-the most desirable articles needed in the American market and by painters, he took a large store on Fourth Street, · north of Arch, the locale then, as now, of the paint and color trade, and himself served behind the counter, thus coming into direct contact with the practical painter, for the purpose of discover- iug what were his actual requirements. By this means he learned that a good green paint was needed to take the place of the Paris or arsenical green, so deficient in body and so injurious to those using the same. Now, his proficiency in chemistry was of immense service to him, and, after repeated experiments, he discovered a method of producing the required article, and has received letters- patent for valuable improvements in the ma- chinery requisite in manufacturing the same.

In 1852, for the purpose of extending his busi- ness, he associated himself with Joseph Foster, a relation of his, who was an old and experienced color manufacturer. They removed their estab- lishment to No. 130 Arch Street, and he purchased a tract of land in Camden County, N. J., on which there was a large sheet of remarkably pure water, entirely devoid of iron or lime (the head-waters of Coopers Creek). Thereon he erected the " Gibbs- boro' White-lead, Zinc and Color Works." The purity of the water enabled him to produce the beautiful permanent "Swiss " and "Imperial French Greens," now so favorably known and so extensively used throughout the United States and the Dominion. The perfection to which he has brought the white oxide of zinc, effected by continued and careful chemical experiments, may be understood when it is stated that the best judges of the article have pronounced it to be not only superior to any manufactured in this country, but fully equal to the world-renowned Vieulle Montaigne Company's production. The pulp steel and Chinese blue and primrose chrome yellows have superseded the French and English, and are now used by all the leading paper-hanging manufacturers in the United States. In 1857 Joseph Foster withdrew from the firm, when the senior partner was joined by his brother, William H. Lucas, who took charge of the salesroom and financial department, leaving the former at liberty to devote his sole attention to the manufacturing and chemical departments, a plan which has enabled the firm to attain that pre-eminence they

now hold in the trade. Having become an Ameri- can citizen by naturalization, he has ever since identified himself with every national movement. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, in 1861, he threw all his heart and energy into the Union cause, and took active part in organizing, drilling and equipping volunteers for the army. The location of his large interests in New Jersey has naturally caused him to feel a deep interest in the prosperity of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, of which he has been for some years a director, and of which he also served as president from 1876-77, and through it in the welfare of the town at its terminus on the sea-coast. His works, near " White-Horse Station," contribute revenue in no small degree to the road from the amount of freight shipped and received at that point. Per- sonally, he is genial and affable, combining the shrewd man of business with the polished gentle- man ; while among the mercantile community his name for honesty and integrity has no superior.

John Lucas was, upon September 6, 1854, united in marriage with Harriet Annie Bown (born May 27, 1836), only daughter of Abraham and Ellen Bown, of Philadelphia, both born in England. They have been the parents of fifteen children, twelve of whom are living-eight sons and four daughters, viz .: John Thomas, William Edward, James Foster, Albert, Harry Spencer, Joseph Wilson, Robert Suddard, S. Barton, Harriet Annie (now Mrs. Charles A. Potter), Ellen Bown, Eliza- beth Sanders and Frances Ethel. Mrs. Lucas was instrumental in building the Episcopal Church at Gibbsboro' -"St. John's in the Wilderness"-and a rectory is nearing completion as a result of her well-directed energy. In Philadelphia she is identified with the Chinese and Italian Missions and the Indian Rights Society and is a manager in several institutions, the last being the Hayes Mechanics' Home, on Belmont Avenue. She is also president of the Women's Silk Culture Asso- ciation of the United States.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. JOHN IN THE WILDERNESS.1-After a residence of several years in the village of Gibbsboro', during which time the increase of population had been consider- able, it became a matter of duty, as well as a work of love, to Mr. John Lucas and others of the color works, to provide a church for the regular oppor- tunities of service to God. It seemed proper, after years of prosperity, to thus acknowledge his bless- ings, and in this spirit work was begun and the cor- ner-stone of the church edifice laid October 1, 1882. Bishop John Scarborough officiated, and in

1 By Mrs. John Lucas.

660

HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

his address emphasized the duty manufacturers and other employers owe to their employees, and urged them to have a care for their spiritual as well as their bodily needs. On June 24, 1883, the church was consecrated and deeded to the diocese, as a free-will gift, in a state of full completion. It is a handsome frame structure in the Gothic style of architecture, with a slated roof, relieved by a neat belfry. The interior has a modern finish, the windows being stained glass and the furniture of unique design and rich construction. The out- side surroundings are also very pleasing, the grounds being well set with trees and shrubbery, causing the place to be one of the most attractive in the village. The entire cost of the property was more than eight thousand dollars, much the greater part of which was borne by John Lucas.

In the spring of 1886 Lucian Wooster donated a lot of ground to the trustees of the church upon which they will erect a rectory the coming sum- mer, and it is also proposed to erect a St. John's guild-house, the ensuing year, for literary meetings and entertainments, and to establish a reading- room in connection. It is believed that such a measure will contribute to a fund to extend the usefulness of the church and to awaken an interest in its work. A plat of ground will also be pre- pared as a God's acre, where may be placed the mortal remains of those who had their habitation here and who, in death, can repose in the shadow of the church where they worshipped.

On St. John's day of each year a confirmation class of from six to ten have been presented to the bishop, and the doctrines and teachings of the Protestant Episcopal Church have been eagerly accepted, especially by the young of the village. The church has a flourishing Sabbath-school of seventy scholars and there are also connected with it a sewing guild, an entertainment guild, and a beneficial association at the works for the benefit of the men of Gibbsboro' and vicinity, all proving valuable adjuncts.

The first rector of the church was the Rev. James W. Ashton, formerly of the Grace Protes- tant Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, but now rector of St. Stephen's, Olean, N. Y. He began his ministry here in the school-house December 1, 1882, and continued until March 3, 1883, when he left for his present parish. The Rev. Ezra Isaac became the next, rector conducting an earnest min- istry for a period of one year and nine months, until continued sickness caused him to resign and return to his home at Bordentown. The present rector, the Rev. John R. Moses, took charge of the church March 9, 1885, and here received his

degree as a minister. His labors have been earn- est and, having the co-operation of his members, St. John's in the Wilderness will become a potent factor among the religious influences of the town- ship.

BERLIN.

Berlin is the oldest village in the township and ranks as one of the oldest settlements in the upper part of the county. Its present name is of recent . adoption, the place being known for more than a hundred years as Long-a-Coming. There is a tra- dition that this term originated as follows : "In the latter part of the seventeenth century, while some sailors were toiling along the Indian trail from the coast, to Philadelphia, wearied by the hot summer's sun, fatigued and thirsty, they momentarily expected to find a stream where they had been told they might obtain pure water. But hour after hour they were doomed to disap- pointment, nothing but sand and pine forests ap- pearing on either hand. At last, when wearied to faintness and about yielding to despair, a beautiful stream came to view, shaded by pendant boughs and decked around with woodland flowers. Hastily throwing aside their packs they bounded to the brook, exclaiming, 'Here you are at last, though long-a-coming.' They told their com- panions about this stream and the circumstances connected with finding it, when the name Long-a- Coming was applied to the locality, by which it became known near and far."

The stream in question is the main branch of the Great Egg Harbor River, and, being near the source of the same and flowing through a cedar swamp, the waters were pure and fresh. It was but natural, then, that this place should be se- lected for settlement many years before the lands in the surrounding country were located, and that many miles intervened between this and other set- tlements for a long term of years. The lands here were located in 1714 by Peter Rich and Richard Moss, the place being at that time already called Long-a-Coming. A few rude cabins were built on the highest ground, where Samuel Scull afterwards lived and had a tavern, as early as 1760. This tavern was later continued by John Scull, and was, no doubt, a place of great accommodation to the travelers of that day. In 1770 John Rogers bought a piece of land of Scull, near the grave-yard, where he built a house and lived until his death. The farm was long known by the family name. George Marple lived in the same locality, having bought some land of Scull, which he improved. Other early settlers were Joseph Murrell, George Budd, John Thorne, Joel Bodine, Jacob Phifer, Andrew

661

THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERFORD.

Newman and Richard Bettle. Some of these lived a short distance from Long-a-Coming proper, but were a part of that settlement. Their improve- ments were meagre and for many years the farms were small, the principal occupation of the in- habitants being lumbering. The products were hauled to Chews Landing, whence they were taken by boats to Philadelphia. Joel Bodine be- · came a tavern-keeper at a later day, having his place in part of the present lower stand. The house has been enlarged and has had many keepers, Joseph S. Read and Joseph Shivers being among those who continued longest. Where is now the residence of B. W. Bennett, Thos. Wright had a public-house some years, but more than fifty years ago built part of what is now called the upper tavern. Later landlords at that place were Jacob Leach and Samuel S. Cake, whose tame was not confined to their own neighborhood ; but since the building of railroads the glory of both of these old taverns has departed.

Samuel Shreve was the first merchant of any prominence. About 1816 he engaged in trade at the present Smith stand, continning until 1835, when he removed to Burlington County. In the course of twenty years he returned to Berlin, set- tling on the present Ezra Stokes farm, where he died in 1868. He not only carried on a store, but had a tannery and manufactured most of his leather into harness and shoes, having shops near by, where these trades were carried on by him. He also had an interest in the Waterford Glass Works. Abont the same time Thos. Wright started his charcoal works, thus making the upper end of the village a busy place. The tannery was dis- continued before 1835, but the store was carried on by Joseph Shreve. Others in trade at this place were John Burrough, John P. Harker and Joseph S. Read. The latter removed the stock to the old Peter Ross'store, which was built in 1849, but which has been long used as a residence. At the Shreve stand Thos. T. Smith has been in trade and postmaster since 1865, following Samuel S. Cake. The office has four mails daily. At the lower end of the village Wm. Dill opened a store sixty years ago, and later merchants at that stand were Josiah Albertson, Marmaduke Beckley and the present Sam'l Sickler. Near the same time John Albertson began trading in the present Wm. Albertson store. continuing until 1847. A little earlier John Thackara opened a small store, and in the same neighborhood Joseph L. Thackara traded a short time, in recent years, where is now the store of William & Samuel Haines.

These business-places being widely separated,

the village was built in a straggling manner, a few houses being clustered around each store, all being on the old Blue Anchor road, for a mile or more. None of these lots were regularly plotted, but when the Camden and Atlantic Railroad lo- cated a station here, in 1856, the Land Improve- ment Company connected with that corporation laid out a number of acres into lots and sold the same at public auction. This induced settlement, and a number of fine houses were built in the new part, which has a healthy location, being one hundred and eighty-four feet above tide-water. In subsequent years the growth was slow, the en- tire population in 1886 not exceeding five hundred.

The first station agent was Joseph L. Thackara ; the present is H. C. Sharp. At Berlin the ship- ment of fruit forms a large share of the business done by the railroad. Among the principal growers aud shippers are. Ezra Stokes, John C. Clay, John P. Harker, John Bates, Job Albertson, Ward Robinson, George Robinson, Augustus Olt and L. Heath. Shipments of fruit have more than doubled in recent years, and the acreage around Berlin is constantly increasing. From 1854 to 1862 Ezra Stokes had a nursery near the village, whose business had grown to fine propor- tions, when the war caused him to discontinue it.

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The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 112

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