The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 113

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

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WRIGHT'S CHARCOAL WORKS is the only man- ufacturing interest in the village aside from the ordinary mechanic pursuits. This business was begun about seventy years ago by Thomas Wright, the grandfather of the present proprietor, in the upper end of the village, near the public- house which he was at that time keeping. His mill was small, the grinding being done by a single horse. About 1839, Thomas B. Wright, his son, estab- lished the present works on a scale much greater than the old mill, which has been abandoned. After his death, in 1847, his son Charles took charge of the business and has since successfully carried on the same. About twenty years ago he began using steam-power, whereby he was enabled to greatly increase the capacity of the works. In 1886 there were seventeen retorts, capable of refining six hundred bushels of charcoal daily. The demands of trade require the preparation of the coal in various forms, the principal ones being pulverized and granulated. These works have been useful in converting the surplus timber sup- ply of this section into a commodity whose ship- ment is easily made and has furnished steady em- ployment to a number of men. In late years near- ly all the crude coal has been brought to the works from outside the county by the railroad, which has here a convenient side-track.

662

HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

The first practitioners of medicine in this part of the township, after the pioneers whose circuit extended over the entire county, lived at Tans- boro', some being in practice here a short time only. Among those best remembered, after 1840, were Drs. Stout, Parham, Barrows, Risley, Grigg, Ricord and Lee. The latter left the place to go to the Mexican War.

The veteran practitioner at Berlin is Dr. Daniel M. Stout, who has here been active in his profes- sion for nearly forty years, serving, also, about all the time as township physician. He has as con- temporaries in the same school of medicine, Dr. William Westcott since 1883, and Dr. William C. Raughley since 1884. As a homoeopathist, Dr. Robert H. Peacock has been in practice a few years, following Dr. Samuel H. Johnson. The latter had practiced about a dozen years, when he died at this place. Other homoeopathist physi- cians at Berlin were Dr. Joseph Shreve and Dr. Samuel G. Shivers, each for a few years.

LIPPARD CIRCLE, No. 14, B. U. H. F., was in- stituted in March, 1884, and has had a flourishing existence. In 1886 there were more than sixty members. The first principal officers were John H. Dill, Thomas E. Bradbury, Job Albertson, Henry Westcott, John Hampton and Howard C. Sharp.

BERLIN BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, No. 3, was chartered March 8, 1886, and is, as its name indicates, the third institution of the kind at this place. The first was organized in 1868 and closed up its business inside of the seventh year. The second series, placed on the market in 1874, matured in about the same period of time. Asso- ciation No. 2 was incorporated Jnly 8, 1872. In No. 3 the par value of a share is fixed at two hun- dred dollars and the number of shares restricted to six hundred. The following composed the board of directors: Thomas E. Bradbury, presi- dent; Samuel E. Layer, vice-president; John P. Harker, secretary ; Joshua Barton, treasurer; W. H. Bishop, H. Snyder, S. S. Stokes, H. McCulley and G. Crum.

These associations have been beneficial to the village, materially assisting in building up the place as well as proving profitable investments.

BERLIN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION was organized February 1, 1882, to establish and maintain a library and reading-room in the village. It owes its existence to the efforts of Mrs. R. H. Strong and Miss Lizzie Chew, two of the public school teachers, who were most active in this work. The association selected as its first officers : President, Joshua Barton ; Vice-President, Mrs. R. H Strong ;

Secretary, H. G. Smith; Treasurer, Miss S. E. Collins ; Librarian, Benjamin F. Read ; Executive Committee, J. L. Thackara, S. S. Stokes, H. C. Sharp. Soon after the library, with sixty volumes, was opened to the public, and has since been well patronized. In June, 1886, the members num- bered thirty-five, and there were two hundred and eighty books in the library, besides pamphlets and public documents. The funds for the support of the library are obtained by a yearly membership fee of one dollar, and the proceeds arising from lectures and entertainments given by the associa- tion. This body derives much of its active support from the public schools, which were graded in 1875. The aggregate attendance of the schools is one hundred and forty-two. The school building is spacious and has a beautiful location. It is the best public improvement in the village. About a mile from this Riley's Select School was located a few years before it was permanently established at Haddonfield. In a sketch of that village may be found a full account of the school.

BERLIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- Soon after the church at Blackwood had been built, the mis- sionaries who preached there visited Long-a-Com- ing statedly, and held meetings at this place. The services were held first at private houses, but about 1766 in the log building which had been erected in the grave-yard, and which was conveyed that year to a number of persons, in trust, most of them being also trustees of the Blackwood and Wood- bury Churches. John Brainerd, the Indian mis- sionary, preached here, and later Benjamin Chest- nut became the regular minister, so far as he could supply the wants of the congregation. But who composed this congregation, and just when it was organized, cannot now be determined. John Rog- ers was one of the members, and Northrop Mar- ple another; but it is probable that they were always few in number. Though deeded to Pres- byterian trustees, the log meeting-house was free to all denominations, and was occupied by travel- ing ministers belonging to the Friends, Episcopa- lians and, later, Baptists and Methodists. The Presbyterian congregation does not appear to have sustained an existence after the war, and soon after became wholly extinct. Mr. Safford said, in 1821: "I visited Long-a-Coming at the request of Dr. Janeway. It is fourteen miles from Philadelphia, and contains twelve or thirteen houses. Here was formerly a church under the care of Mr. John Brainerd. It is now extinct. There are, however, four persons residing in the place who belong to the Second Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. They greatly desire missionary labor. Their cry

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THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERFORD.

is, 'Come over and help us.'" But it was not until July 10, 1867, that another (the present) Presbyterian congregation was organized. Its con- stituent members were Ellen M. Hunt, Ellen M. Adams, Sarah W. Brace, Mrs. S. Read, Richard Brace, Mary S. Brace and George A. Brace. Richard Brace was elected the first ruling el- der, and was ordained July 28, 1867, and the Rev. John B. Edmundson became the first pas- tor. The first meetings were held in the old Methodist Church, but on the 8th of September, 1868, the corner-stone of a church edifice was laid, whichi was completed the following year at a cost of four thousand dollars. In 1870 the Rev. E. D. Newberry assumed pastoral relation to the church, which continued one year. In 1871 and 1872 the pulpit was supplied by students from Princeton. In July of the latter year Elder Brace and his fam- ily removed, since which time the congregation has had no ruling elder, and the interest in the affairs of the church have steadily declined. In 1886 the members numbered ten, and services were only occasionally held. The church building, a large frame, had become dilapidated, but was about being repaired by the few devoted members remaining, assisted by the citizens of the village.

CENTENARY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized at Berlin soon after 1830, having among its early members John C. Thackara and his wife, Elizabeth, and a few others. The first meetings were held in the upper room of the Thack- ara's store building and, after a time, in theschool- house on the cemetery lot. Soon after a plain frame meeting-house was built on the Main street of the village, which was used until the present edifice was occupied. This was built in 1866-the first cen- tenary of American Methodism-and on the 7th of December, that year, the church became an in- corporated body, with the above name. The trus- tees at that time were John P. Harker, James M. Peacock, James Duble, Joseph L. Thackara, Dan- iel M. Stout, Gamaliel B. Marple and John A. Cobb.

In February, 1867, the new church was conse- crated and the old building was soon thereafter conveyed to the Baptist Society of Berlin, by whom it has since been used as a place of worship. The Centenary Church is a very large frame build- ing, erected at a cost of eight thousand dollars. This amount was a heavy burden to the congrega- tion, from which it was not relieved until May, 1885, when about $2000 was raised and the church declared free from debt. Since that time a parsonage, standing on a lot adjoining the church property, has been purchased for eighteen hun-

dred dollars, and improvements made on the church itself. A small building, near the church, the gift of one of the members, T. T. Smith, is used as a chapel, in which business meetings are also held. In 1886 the trustees of the property were Dr. D. M. Stout, T. T. Smith, J. P. P. Browu, J. P. Harker, Dr. R. H. Peacock and Swain Thackara.

Since 1876 Berlin has sustained the relation of a station to the Conference with which it is connected, and the preachers in charge have been the Revs. W. C. Stockton, James F. Murrell, William Mar- gerum, W. E. Greenbank, John Joralemon, J. S. Parker, R. G. Ruckman and the present, T. S. Willson.

The church has ninety members and a Sunday- school having about the same membership, snper- intended by Harry G. Smith. This school was organized in 1839 by Joseph L. Thackara, and has been kept up since that period.

BERLIN BAPTIST CHURCH .- This church was organized June 7, 1874, with the following mem- bers : N. A. Haines and wife, Peter Brodie and wife, Levi Lippincott and wife, Chalkly Haines and wife, W. O. Talcott and wife, Mr. Treat and wife, Mr. Murray and wife, Joseph N. Gorton, Ruth A. Gorton, Thomas Y. England, A. H. Combs, George Haines and J. G. Rowand. The Rev. A. J. Hires presided as moderator. An elec- tion for officers resulted in the choice of Thomas Y. England, as clerk; Chalkley Haines, as deacon ; and W. O. Talcott, L. Lippincott, J. G. Rowand and the two foregoing, as trustees.

The old Methodist meeting-house was secured as a church and services were now regularly held, and on the 29th of July, 1875, the Rev. Thomas W. Wilkinson was ordained the first pastor, the meet- ing for this purpose being largely attended by vis- iting clergymen. He remained pastor of the church until 1880, and has occasionally preached since that time. Soon after his accession there was an encouraging increase of membership, the number in 1878 being in the neighborhood of a hundred. At this time I. N. Gorton, Peter Brodie and Wil- liam Haines were deacons, and Hillman F. Sharp, clerk. The removal of some members and other causes led to a decline of interest in church work, until at present (1886) the membership is very small. The pulpit is supplied irregularly and it is with difficulty that the church is kept up.

Joseph N. Ross, of Berlin, has in his possession a copy of a Bible which was published in 1599, and is supposed to be the oldest book of the kind in New Jersey. It is a small octavo volume, printed " at London by the Deputies of Christopher Barker, Printer, to the Queens most excellent Majestie

664

HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

1599 Cum privilegio."

Bound up with the Bible proper are hymns with tunes, the ritual of the Church of England, and the

" Booke of PSalmes, collected into English Meter by Thomas Sternhold, John Hopkins and others, 1633."

The book was bought in 1760 by William Gough, and brought to America by that family. Excepting the cover, the book is still in a good state of preservation.

THE BERLIN CEMETERY .- A little more than half a mile from the main part of the village is a cemetery whose history antedates the Revolution. Believing that his new home would become the centre of a large settlement, notwithstanding that it was so much isolated at that time, Samuel Scull set aside three acres of. land, which should be sacred to the dead; and to put this purpose in proper form, he conveyed the same, September 18, 1766, to Michael Fisher, David Roe, Peter Cheese- man, Northrop Marple and Henry Thorne, as trustees of a Presbyterian Church 1 which bad just been organized, and whose meetings were held in a log building which stood on this lot of ground. In making the transfer, he speaks of a " grave-yard thereon, near a place called Long-a- Coming, being near the head of the Great Egg Harbor River," so that, most likely, burials had here been made for some years. The old building continued to be used for school and church pur- poses, and after its decay was replaced by a better building, in which public schools were held. Thus the cemetery, being a public place, was kept up with reasonable good care until it passed under the management of the Berlin Cemetery Associa- tion, which has assured its future preservation. This association was formally incorporated Janu- ary 26, 1884, with a board of officers which has been continued to the present.

The cemetery contains a larger number of graves than any other rural burial-ground in the county. The resting-places of those first interred are indi- cated by plain, low sandstones, without inscrip- tions. Two rows of graves thus appear whose occupants are to the present generation unknowu. Many other graves have neat marble head-stones, from which the following facts have been gleaned :

Jacob Cain, died 1847, aged fifty-two years. 2 Sarah Cain, died 1848, aged seventy years. Jamas Cain, Sr., died 1854, aged eighty-seven years. Seth Caiu, died 1856, aged forty-five years.

1 See Presbyterian Church.

? The number of years are here expressed in round numbers only.

Jamea Bodine, Sr., died 1841, aged aixty-two years. Sarah Bodine, diad 1843, aged fifty-three years. Sarah Evans, died 1867, agad aeventy-three years. Isaac Jonea, died 1871, aged seventy-seven years. Heater Jonea, died 1882, aged eighty-two years. John Jonea, died 1854, aged fifty-nine years. William Powell, died 1881, aged aeventy-seven years. Richard Battle, died 1846, aged thirty six yeara. John McLain, died 1878, aged aeventy-seven years. Auna McLain, diad 1872, aged aixty-four years. John Rogers, died 1849, aged sixty years. Mary Rogera, died 1878, aged eighty-three years. John Johnaton, died 1849, aged aeventy-nine years. Sarah Johnston, diad 1849, aged sixty-seven years. James McLain, Sr., died 1843, agod aeventy-aevan years. Eve McLain, died 1809, aged fifty-two years. James McLain, Jr., died 1863, aged sixty-two years. John Rogers, Sr., died 1797, agad fifty-two years. Eve Rogers, died 1827, agad eighty-two yeara. John Pheifer, died 1812, aged forty-four years. Mary McLain, died 1849, aged seventy-aix years. Elizabeth Brown, died 1879, aged aeventy-five yeara. James Dill, died 1865, aged seventy-three years. Anna Dill, died 1871, aged seventy-five years. William Dill, died 1831, aged thirty-four years. Samnel Albertson, died 1839, aged aavanty-five years. Sarah Albertson, diad 1826.

Josiah S. Albertaon, died 1854, aged thirty-nine years. John Alhertaon, died 1845, aged forty-three years. Sarah Alhertsou, died 1875, aged seventy-two years. William Shough, died 1847, aged aeventy-aix yeara. Thomas Wright, died 1839, aged aixty-nina years. Rebecca Wright, died 1858, aged seventy-eight years. Thomas B. Wright, died 1847, aged forty-five yeara. Naomi Wright, diad 1854, aged fifty years. Mahlon Marple, died 1843, aged eighty-five years. Mary Marple, died 1846, aged eighty-five years. Catherine Watson, died 1871, aged eighty-four years. Peter Watsou, died 1850, aged sixty-nine years. Idilia Watson, died 1868, aged sixty-four years. Samuel Watsou, died 1851, aged seventy-five yeare. Sarah Cain, died 1879, aged eighty years. David Cohh, died 1834, aged thirty-five years. Jacob Leach, died 1853, aged fifty-eight years. Lavinia Leach, died 1875, aged seventy-five years. Friend R. J. Mapea, died 1871, aged aeventy-aix years. George Githena, died 1849, aged sixty years. William Peacock, died 1869, aged eighty years. William Cook, died 1864, aged sixty-four years. Marmaduke Garwood, died 1872, aged aixty-two yeara. Sehastian Burkhart, died 1862, aged aixty-two years, Elizabeth Thackara, died 1866, aged sevanty-six yeara. John C. Thackara, died 1840, aged fifty-two years. Joseph McCully, died 1867, aged sixty-three years. William Layer, died 1877, aged aeventy-seven years. Theodore Biahop, died 1883, aged sixty-four years. Joseph Rogera, died 1875, aged fifty-four years. William S. Dill, died 1879, aged sixty-two years. John I. Githena, died 1885, aged aavanty-three years. Levi C. Lippincott, died 1885, aged sixty-nine years. Daniel D. Barkley, died 1885, aged seventy-seven years. . Charlea C. Wiltse, died 1870, aged eighty-three years. John Hugg, died 1880, aged seventy-five years. Elizabeth Hugg, died 1874, aged sixty-oight years. Samuel M. Thorn, died 1863, aged aixty-five years. Tamar Thorn, died 1867, aged sixty-uine years. Henry Bate, died 1876, aged eighty-three years. Hanry Hoffman, died 1856, aged sixty-four years.

Mary Swain, died April 10, 1857, aged ous hundred and three yeara, four montha and twenty-four daya.

The cemetery association has converted the old

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THE TOWNSHIP OF WATERFORD.

school building, standing on the grounds, into a chapel, and made other necessary improvements, including neat iron fences along the road-sides, In all particulars the arrangements bear com- parison with town cemeteries. In June, 1886, the officers of the association were Thomas A. Thorne, president; James C. Bishop, treasurer ; Charles I. Wooster, secretary; John Bate, James H. Howard, Henry M. Cully and Marmaduke Beckley, direc- tors.

THE JACKSON GLASS WORKS were named in honor of the hero of New Orleans. They were es- tablished in the wilds of Waterford, by Thomas H. Richards, in 1827, but soon became the scene of a business activity, which continued for nearly half a century. After the death of Thomas H. Richards his sons, Samuel H. and Thomas, carried on the works until the exhausted timber supply made further operation unprofitable. They were destroyed by fire in May, 1877, one factory only of the three formerly at this place being in use by Thomas Richards, the last operator. The build- ings being abandoned soon went to decay, and but few evidences of this once busy place now re- main. The post-office was discontinued about 1873, and after the removal of the workmen all former interests were abandoned.

The Richards estate owned about three thou- sand acres of land in this section, extending from the Burlington County line beyond the Camden and Atlantic Railroad. Where the railroad from Williamstown forms a junction with that road and the New Jersey Southern Railroad, on part of this estate, nineteen miles from Philadelphia, George W. Hancock laid out the town of

ATCO 1

in 1866. The original plat embraced sixty acres, which was surveyed into large lots and twenty streets. The principal one of these was called Atco Avenue, which crosses the Camden Railroad at right angles. The avenues along the railroads were named Atlantic and Raritan, respectively. The town site being on high, dry lands, on the southern slope of the divide, near by, and having exceptionally good railroad facilities, its import- ance was soon recognized. A number of lots were at once sold, and for a time it was flourishing be- yond any of the villages in the county. Its subse- quent improvement was less rapid, and in 1886 the population did not exceed four hundred.

The first building in the place was put up in 1866 by James E. Alton, on the south side of the

railroad, and the second was by Ira Wakeley, in the same neighborhood. The same year the Rich- ards estate put up the hotel building opposite the railroad depot, which was opened as the " Atco House." Its name has since been changed, but it is still used for the entertainment of the public. In 1866 Wellington Baker opened the first store, oc- cupying a frame building on the site of the Wood- land Block. The latter is a three-story brick and frame building, erected to its present condi- tion, in 1885, by Charles H. Woodland. Since October, of the same year, Woodland has been the postmaster of the Atco office, Baker being the first postmaster and Salmon Giddings being the intermediate appointee. Under the latter's ad- ministration the office was kept at the store of A. J. Day, who has here been in trade since 1877. Other stores were kept by W. O. Talcott, E. Parker and W. C. Sloan, the latter being at present in trade in the old comb factory building.

In 1877 John T. Wilcox established the first manufacturing enterprise in the village-a horn- comb factory. Steam-power was employed, and a successful business was done for several years. In 1883 operations were suspended, the machinery sold and the engine removed to the plant of

THE ATCO GLASS WORKS. - These works have an eligible location, near the junction of the railroads, which have provided good track facilities. They were gotten in opera- tion in April, 1884, by the Atco Glass Manufactur- ing Company, under the management of J. T. Wilcox. There is an eight-pot furnace, with the latest improvements, arranged for the manufacture of window-glass of superior quality. Employment is given to fifty men, who were working in 1886 under the management of W. M. Flood.

The Atco railway station had, as its first agent, Wellington Baker; the present agent is F. F. L. Hintz. The principal shipment is fruit, and among the chief shippers are Henry Treat, Salmon Giddings, W. S. Walker, George Reeves, Monroe Githens, W. O. Talcott, Sarah Varnum, Albert Hall, E. E. Fry, Jacob Gehring, Joseph Varnum and James Grieb.

THE ATCO NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY .- On the 21st of January, 1868, a number of gentlemen at Atco founded the "Atco Library and Museum Association," selecting as their officers George W. Hancock, president ; Nelson Varnum, vice-presi- dent ; Wellington Baker, secretary; F. C. Scott, treasurer; George H. Perkins, L. W. Plant, A. B. Thatcher, A. Wakely, B. F. Marshall and H. G. Tyrrell, directors. One of the principal objects of the association was to awaken an interest in

1 Called after the Atco Swamp, an Indian term for a place of many deer.

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HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

horticulture and kindred matters. After working under the above name about ten years the present title was adopted January 13, 1879, which became fixed by articles of incorporation April 5, 1879. The scope of the new society "was to foster the study, and diffuse a knowledge of natural science, to make and preserve collections, illustrations of its various branches, and to form a library." To secure funds .in promotion of these purposes, the society held a fair at Atco, September 5-9, 1879, which, under the management of M. J. Skinner, was very successful, netting a sum which became the nuclens of a fund for the building of a "Science Hall." The society had received a lot in fee- simple, and in October, 1879, took action looking towards the erection of such a building on it at an early day. The hall was built the following year by a committee composed of Thomas Richards, H. A. Green and W. F. F. Murray. It is a very substantial stone building, valued at eight hundred dollars, and afforded excellent accommodations for the society, which was at this time at the zenith of its existence. In 1880 its directors of sections were as follows : Library, W. D. Siegfried ; Miner- alogy, Geology, Conchology and Kalonology, H. A. Green ; Zoology, N. Varnum : Botany, M. J. Skinner. Rare and valuable cabinets in the differ- ent departments of study were gathered, and under the general direction of Professor Green, Science Hall became one of the most attractive places in the village. The death of some of the members and the removal of others, who were most active in the work of promoting the interests of the so- ciety, so seriously affected its welfare that its meet- ings have been discontinued, and many of the cabinets have been removed. The organization of the society is nominally preserved and "Science Hall " is still owned by it. In 1886 the officers were A. J. Day, president; M. J. Skinner, vice- president ; Adamı R. Sloan, secretary ; and W. F. F. Murray, treasurer.

On the 1st of January, 1880, the society began the publication of the Science Advocate, a small quar- terly, edited by Henry A. Green. The paper was well received, but declined with the other interests of the society and was discontinued at the end of the second year.

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The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 113

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