USA > New Jersey > Cape May County > Petersburg > The history of Petersburg, N.J. > Part 6
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*Service of Willianı Carter. İStryker. #Stevens.
103
THE CIVIL WAR
Morefield, February 22, 1865; Waynesboro, March 2; Dinwiddie Court House, March 31; Five Forks, April 1; capture of Petersburg, April 2; Deep Creek, April 3; Sailor's Creek, April 7; Appomattox Station, April 8; Appomattox Court House ( Lee's surrender), April 9; mustered out, August 1, 1865 .*
*Stevens.
THE HIGHWAYS
The Road Over the Toll Bridge*
"Notice of a petition to be presented to the Assembly for a law to enable the surveyors to lay a public high- way, two rods wide, free from toll, over the toll bridge and causeway at Fast Landing, on Cedar Swamp Creek, in the Upper Precinct of Cape May, and to locate con- venient roads therefrom, and for Joseph Corson, Isaac Baner, Jno. Mackey and James Willits and their associ- ates to give their whole expense incurred in making the said bridge and causeway to the said Precinct for the use of said bridge and causeway.
Tuckahoe and Beasleys Point Road
The road from Beasleys Point to Tuckahoe was laid out in 1820, The following description is taken from the Cape May County records:
Beginning at Seaside road near Joshua Garretson's; from thence; south, 66.30 west, 611 perches, through timber land of Jacob Willits, Uriah Young, Ezra Young, and by Stephen Young's house to stake; then south, 82 west, 32 perches to stake: then south 76.45 mest, 56 perches to white oak tree marked for corner; then north, 79 west, 61 perches to stake: then north, 75.15 west,
*Extract from New York Gazette and Weekly Post Boy, Sept 11, 1769.
104
105
THE HIGHWAYS
218 perches to stone; then north, 71 west, 27 perches to the old bridge that leads over Cedar Swamp Creek near Stephen Young. Esq.'s; then over bridge and crossway, south, 85 west, 105 perches to stake; then south, 81 west, 70 perclies to end of crossway; then north, 68.15 west 444 perches to stake, through land of Joseph Corson; then north, 28 west, 215 perches along the old road to a stake. then north. 19 west, 337 perches till it intersects the Dennis Creek road; and thence north, 18.20 east, 104 perches to the draw bridge over Tuckey hoo river.
Dated at the house of Thomas Beasley this 24th day of February, the year of our Lord 1820.
Part of the course of this road was changed in 1857, and again in 1909, when it was widened and made a State road.
Road From the Upper to the Lower Bridge*
On application of Joseph Corson, Peter Corson, Joseph Corson, Jr., Stephen Young, Jr., and others, the surveyors of the highways' met on November 17, 1818, at the house of Joseph Corson and having viewed the premises and heard what could be said for or against, adjudge the said road applied for necessary and laid out the road as follows: to be 40 feet wide and be- gin at a stake near the house of Joseph Corson, E.q., on the southwest side of the public road that leads from Great Egg Harbor to the Toll Bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek, and thence running south. 14.15 west, 259 perches to stake in line of Alexander Young and John Stites; thence south, 28.45 west, 111 perches to eas side of public road that leads from Amos Corson's over
County Records.
106
THE HISTORY OF PETERSBURG, N. J.
the New Bridge, at the turn of the road by the house of Stephen Young now occupied by John French, which said line of course marked in centre of said road now laid out which we have marked at proper dsstances on the line of same, and which said road runs over lands of Joseph Corson, Esq., Stephen Young, Ellis Corson, Alexander Young, John Stites and Thomas Beasley, and we do hereby fix the first day of August ensuing as the time when tbe overseers of the highways of the Upper Township shall open same for public use."
JACOB FOSTER, THOS. P. HUGHES,
SWAIN TOWNSEND, JAMES TOWNSEND.
*Road From Dennisville to Petersburg
Whereas, the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Cape May did in the term of May last appoint sur- veyors cf the highway to lay out a road from Dennis Creek to Littleworth, and agreeable to the aforesaid we the subscribers, met and proceeded accordingly, viz: Beginning in the road that leads from said Den- nises to Jonas Hofman's, at the angle between where Israel Stites lives and David Johnson's and thence north, 66 east, 400 perches; north, 70 east, 132 perches; north, 46 east, 45 perches to burnt causeway: north, 65 east: 43 perches: north 14 east. 275 perches to the Long Bridge road ;¿ north. 40 east,(202 perches; north 24 east, 142 perches; north 40 east, 101 perches; north 71 east, 67 perches to Riggs' Bridge; north, 72 east, 59 perches; north, 61 east, 232 perches; north, 74 east, 195 perches;
*County Records.
107
THE HIGHWAYS
north, 40.30 east, 216 perches to the road that leads from the toll bridge to Tuckahoe.
N. B. --- The aforesaid road is laid out two rods wide to the southeast side of said line and the same is to be opened and closed fit for publick use the first day of December next, as witness the hands this 21st day of June, 1798.
PHILIP CRESSE, ROBERT PARSONS, JACOB GODFREY, JESSE HAND, SPICER LEAMING. HUGH HATHORN.
Road From Seaville to Tuckahoe*
Whereas, the surveyors of the highways of Cape May by virtue of an order of the Court in May term, 1794, according to an act of the assembly at Trenton, Novem- ber 29, 1792, on petition of David Corson, James Town- send and more than ten other inhabitants of Upper Precinct, setting forth that a public road is necessary to be laid from the main road between the house of Par- menas Corson, Esq., and Mr. Job Young, accordinglv we begun in the line of said Corson and Young where it crosses the public highway , running thence north, 15d west, 34 perches; north, 9d west, 20 perches; north 10d east, 20 perches; north, 5d east, 36 perches; north, 14d west, 56 perches; north 31d west, 30 perches; north, 5d east, 22 perches, north 31d east, 40 perches; north, 22d east, 22 perches; north, 9d east, 36 perches; north, 1d east, 44 perches; north, 7d east, 30 perches; north, 20d west, 54 perches; north, 96 perches; north, 2d west, 72
*County Records.
108
THE HISTORY OF PETERSBURG, N. J.
perches; north, 3d west, 18 perches; north 28 perches; north. 18d west, 26 perches; north; 3d east, 75 perches to house of Enoch Young; north 52d west, 8 perches; north, 57d west, 48 perches, over the Cedar Swamp Creek: north, 47d west, 15 perches; Enorth, 70d west, 152 perches on a line between John VanGilder and Mickel; then north, 43d west, 972 perches to a black ork tree near Joseph Wheaton's house; then north 87d west, 96 perche -; then north, 12d west, over Willits' mill dam to the county line, which road is laid out 40 feet wide, and further direct and appoint that the said road be opened and ready for public use on or before the 1st day of December, 1801.
- - لنـ
MAIL SERVICE
The postoffice at Petersburg, according to data re- ceived from the Postoffice Department at Washington, D. C., was established on February 8, 1849. Previous to that time, Tuckahoe was the postoffice for this vicin- ity, and for the accommodation of the patrons here- abouts the Petersburg mail was forwarded to the store of Stephen Young, at the Lower Bridge, by the stage which ran from Cape May via Seaville, Lower Bridge, Tuckahoe and Mays Landing to Camden. After the establishing of the railroad from Camden to Cape May in 1863-4, the trains carried the Petersburg mail to Mount Pleasant station, from where they were carried by stage until in 1903 the Atlantic City Railroad secured the contract to carry the mails on its line.
Peter Corson was the first postmaster, appointed in 1849, at which time the name of the village was changed from Littleworth to Petersburg. He was followed in office in 1853 by Stephen Young, who held the office until 1856, when Peter Corson was again appointed. He was followed by Thaddeus VanGilder, who held the office until his death in 1881, when he was succeeded by his widow. Mrs. Hannah VanGilder. In 1882 William R. VanGilder was commissioned postmaster and held the office until 1885, when he was succeeded by Harri- son J. Corson, who in 1887 was succeeded by Lillian F. Young, who resigned in the fall of 1908. The office was in charge of James S. Smith, assistant postmaster. until the following spring, when Mrs. Eva S. VanGilder received the appointment as postmaster.
109
THE RAILROAD*
The original survey of the railroad ran straight from Middletown to the Cedar Swamp Creek. crossing the Dennisville road about where the Killdeer Hill road branches off. Through the intercession of some of our townspeople the survey was changed to its present loca- tion.
The work of construction was commenced by the Philadelphia & Seashore Railway Company, and in 1891 tracks were laid as far south as Corson's Inlet. The following year the road was completed to Sea Isle City.
In 1892 the road was sold to the West Jersey Rail- road Company, who operated it for about a year, when it was sold to the South Jersey Railroad Company, who, in 1889, sold the property to the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railroad Company.
In 1894 the Ocean City branch was constructed by Henry D. Moore. and in 1899 it was leased by the Phila- delphia & Reading Railroad Company, and has since been operated by the Atlantic City Railroad Company.
* Data given by Charles Caldwell and Cornelius Smith. 110
THE IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN
WVendagoes Tribe, No. 91, Imp'd Order of Red Men, was instituted the 12th Sun of the Plant Moon, G. S. D., 396 (April 12th, 1887). The first meeting was held in the house now owned by John Lee; later the wigwam was moved to the loft over VanGilder's store, where meetings were held until the following summer, when the hall was built.
After a few years, members of the Tribe living at Tuckahoe withdrew and instituted a Tribe at that place, which later disbanded; and several of the members re- united with Wendagoes Tribe.
Following is a list of the charter members, taken from the records of the Tribe:
Orlando Ward
Thomas Ross Ebenezer Brown
Frederick Williams
James Williams
James Brown
Enoch Williams
Washington VanGilder
William Ross
Leaming VanGilder
Levi Lippincott William R. VanGilder
Roland Corson David VanGilder
Frank Smith Edgar Voss
Angus Hoff Albert Corson
Richard Voss Peter Godfrey
Theophilus Corson
111
EXTRACT FROM ASSESSOR'S DUPLICATE, 1819
Name.
Impd. Land.
100 acres.
Value per
Unimp. Land.
100 acres.
Value per
to levy.
Total whereon
State Tax.
Joseph Corson, Esq.,.
420
$34
605
$4
$167.00
$4.31
Joseph Corson, Jr ..
.11
Allen Corson, .
.11
Peter Corson,.
143
32
143
4
50.48
1.21
Elias Corson, .
111
35
135
4
44.25
1.19
James Mickel, .
50
32
56
4
18.24
.68
Isaac VanGilder, .
118
32
116
4
42.40
1.56
John VanGilder. .
128
32
181
4
48.20
1.61
Ezekiel VanGilder, .
67
28
13
5
19.41
. 86
Ezekiel VanGilder, Jr, ;.
79
32
113
5
30.93
. 89
Stephen Young, .
215
32
483
4
86.12
2.39
.
·
·
.
State Tax levied 2 cents on the dollar value and certainties added.
County Tax agreeable to ratio of 2 to 1 of the State Tax. Poor Tax 1.86 of the County Tax. Road Tax equal to one-half of the Poor Tax STEPHEN YOUNG, Assessor.
PRICES OF MERCHANDISE IN 1822
Prices paid by citizens of Littleworth, as recorded in John Townsend's "Day Book:"
Molasses, per gal.,
$ .50
Raisins, per 1b. .12 1-2
Rum, per qt., .16
Sugar, per lb .. .14
Wine. per qt. ,37 1-2
Cigars, 50,
.12 1-2
Wheat flour, per bbl
8.00
Butter, per 1b.,
.20
Cord wood, oak, per cord, 2.00
Cord wood, pine, per cord 1.76
Nails: per 1b.,
.10
Chocolate, per lb.
.25
Tea, per lb.,
1.25
- 113
LANDMARKS
The Lower Bridge
In 1762 Joseph Corson, Isaac Baner, John Mackey, James Willits and "sundry other persons" had petition- ed for a toll bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek at Fast Landing and the Assembly passed a law for its building .*
The following were the rates of toll:t
Wagon or ox cart with team and driver, 6 pence Chaise or ox cart, passenger, horse, mare or gelding thereunto belonging, .... 4 pence
Every passenger with horse, mare or gelding,
2 pence
Foot, 1 pence
Cattle, led over, each; 1 pence
Sheep, led over,
1 Farthing
This was at first a draw bridge and was later rebuilt without a draw. Joseph Corson, who had a shipyard above the bridge, in order to get his vessels into the creek; tore away the bridge. After this had happened several times the bridge was so arranged that a middle section could be removed to admit of the passage up or down stream. In about 1845 the bridge was rebuilt without a draw.#
*Stevens' History of Cape May County. İBarber & Howe's Historical Collection of New Jersey. İH. P. Mickel.
114
115
LANDMARKS
The Upper Bridge
On November 21, 1788, an act was passed to build a bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek "from the lands of Job Young, on the southeast to the lands of John VanGil- der on the northwest."* This bridge, like the Lower Bridge was arranged so that a section could be removed to permit vessels to pass. f
The Old Landing+
Previous to the building of the meadow bank, the Cedar Swamp Creek had been open to navigation.
There was a wharf about a mile above the Upper Bridge where the schooners took on cedar "shooks;" for casks. This wharf is still standing in a sunken condition. It is located at the end of the "Old Landing road."
After taking on the shooks the schooners would run down the creek and around to Philadelphia, where they would load merchandise suitable for trade in the West Indies. When they arrived there they would ex- change their merchandise for molasses, sugar, and Jamaica rum, loading it in the casks made for the pur- pose from the shooks which were carried south in bundles.
The Meadow Bank
In 1816 an act of Legislature was passed authorizing the building of a bank across Cedar Swamp Creek and
*Archives of New Jersey. tRay Wynn. İWritten by Ray Wynn.
116
THE HISTORY OF PETERSBURG, N. J.
the meadows, and a company known as the "Cedar Swamp Creek Meadow Company," consisting of prop- erty owners above the bank, was organized and the bank was completed the following year.
The following were the original members of the Com- · pany:
ose ph Corson
Stephen Young
Ellis Corson
John Stites
Thomas Beasley
Joseph Faulkenburge
Cornelius Corson Aaron Shaw
John Godfrey
John VanGilder
James Micke!
Jeremiah Johnson
Elias Corson
Robert Mickel
Isaa~ VanGilder
Isaac VanGilder, Jr.
Ezekiel VanGilder
Nathan Baner
Mackey's Mill
The old saw mill on the Mackey Place is supposed to have been built by Col. John Mackey sometime between the years 1740 and 1757.
This was what was known as a tide mill. The prop- erty descended from Col. Mackey to his son, John Mackey, Jr., who sold it to Seth Hand, from whom it descended to Charles Hand, from whom it was purchas- ed in 1825 by Stephen Young, Esq In this mill Reu- ben Young met his death by being crushed by a falling log. The mill was operated as late as about 1850. but only the foundations now remain.
Smith's Mill
Smith's mill was first used as a wheelwright and paint shop by Roland Corson. In 1890 David VanGilder and
117
LANDMARKS
Frank Smith joinel with him and installed basket- making machinery and commercel the manufacture fo truck baskets. In the fall of that year the saw mil was added. James S. Smith purchased the property in 1892, and for about three years continuel the man ifacture of baskets, since which tinie ft has been used as a saw mill under the management of Joseph Camp, sawyer.
Creamer's Mill*
Benajah Toml.n, in 1800, purchased of James Willits 119 acres of land on Riggs' Branch, where he built the dam, and, it is supposed, erected the saw mill, as, when the tract was surveyed in 1802, it was known as the Mill Property.'' After adding to this tract, lie in 1820, sold to his son; Isaac, one half of the property, then as now containing 297 acres.
In 1821 Benajah and William Tomlin sold the remain- der of this tract to Joseph Falkinburge for $125, and in 1822 Isaac Tomlin sold his share to Falkinhurge, who at about that time rebuilt the mill and later sold it to Jacob Leaming, who in 1843 sold the property to Aaron Leaming.
In 1848 the property was purchased by Peter B. Hoff and Joseph Dorset. and in 1863 Mr. Hoff purchased of Dorset his share in the property.
The mill stood until 1874, when it was demolished and part of the timbers were used in building the barn on the Hoff place.
In this mill Jacob Creamer was sawyer for sixty years, and was followed in that capacity for a number of years by Ezekiel Stephenson.
*Data given by Mrs. Charles Caldwell and Charles Tomlin.
118
THE HISTORY OF PETERSBURG, N. J.
California Mills*
In 1846 Peter Hoff built for Thomas VanGilder a saw mill on California Branch of Cedar Swamp Creek, which was run by an overshot and flutter wheel. The following year he built a grist mill adjoining the saw inill, the power being transmitted from the saw mill by a pelt. Joseph Camp was first employed as sawyer at this mill and was followed in that capacity by Leaming Stephenson, and it is said the mills did a thriving busi- ness, as many as eighteen and twenty teams sometimes being seen waiting for their grist or lumber at one time.
About this time Mr. VanGilder erected three houses near the mills for the occupancy of those employed by him.
After the death of Thomas VanGilder, the property was purchasedaby Mrs. Hannah VanGilder and Mrs. Emeline Steelman, and the mills were operated by them for some time.
The mills and the remaining houses were burned by a forest fire in May, 1895.
VanGilder's Storet
VanGilder's store was established in about 1825 (the first record we have found is in the assessor's duplicate for 1827) by Thomas VanGilder, who commenced the business in a room of the old part of the house occu- pied by Mrs, Hannah VanGilder, which after the build- ing„of the present store building was used as a kitchen until the house was remodeled, when it was torn away.
*Data given by Mrs. Charles Caldwell and Mrs. Han- nah VanGilder. {Data given by Mrs. Hannalı Van- Gilder.
119
LANDMARKS
The present store building was built in about 1845, and as the demand for space increased, was added to. both front and rear, by Thaddeus VanGilder, who pur- chased the property about 1864, and continued the busi- ness until his death in 1881, when his widow, Mrs. Hannah VanGilder, succeeded him and remained in the business until 1905, with the exbeption of one year, in which her son, William R. VanGiider, was the pro- prietor. In 1906 the store was re-stocked by Wain- wright & Sloan, who remained but a short time. In 1907 the store was again opened by Mrs, Eva VanGil- der. Here from 1862 to 1885, and from 1909 to the present the postoffice was located.
The Philadelphia Store
Tee building known as the Philadelphia store was built by Thadeers VanGilder, and was first occupied as a millinery store by Mrs Priscilla Corson, and later as a grocery store by James Homan, James Brown, Cornel- ius Corson and Mrs. Elizabeth Hess, and has since been used for various purposes. In 1880 it was wrecked by a wind storm which blew down several other buildings, and was later rebuilt.
The Corner Store*
The Corner store was established by Peter Corson and Harrison Westcott The first record is found in the as- sessor's duplicate for 1834, when it was assessed as the property ot Peter Corson. The original store, now a part of the present building, was located where the Philadelphia store now stands, on ground which was
* Data given by Cornelius Smith.
120
THE HISTORY OF PETERSBURG, N. J.
leased of David Williams. Corson & Westcott sold the business to Rev. Thomas Christopher, who lived in the house adjoining, and he conducted the store until his death in 1850.
Peter Corsor then became the proprietor, and here the first postoffice was located. He moved the building to the opposite side of the street, and later sold the business to a man named DuBois, who came from up the State. He was succeeded in business by Francis Entrikin, who was followed by Cornelius Corson who kept the store for about a year, being succeeded by Somers Corson. The property was purchased by men- bers of the family of Elmer Smith, and the store stood idle for about fifteen years, when, in 1881, it was re-stocked by the present proprietor, James S. Smith, who later moved it to its present location and enlarged the building.
RESIDENCES *
The house owned and occupied by William Westcott was built by Levi VanGilder, who purchased the prop- erty of Peter Corson and burned the brick of which it was built on the place. The frame part was added later, it being partly an old house which belonged to Peter Corson, which stood in front of the present house, and which was moved back and raised.
Robert C. Smith's residence was formerly the M. E. church, which, when the new church was built, was purchased by Peter Corson, who remodeled it into a double house. Here, at one time, the postoffice was located while Peter Corson was postmaster. He later sold the property to Peter VanGilder, of whom the pres- ent owner purchased it.
Frank Gandy's residence was built by Richard T. Corson, after the death of whose widow it was purchased by Mr. Gandy.
The house owned by Thomas Matthews was origin- ally a part of the old brick house on the Westcott place, which was purchased by Seth Homan and moved to its present location. After the death of Mrs. Homan the property was purchased by James S. Smith, who later sold it to Mr. Matthews.
Mrs. Schurch's house was built in 1910.
The house owned by John Westney and occupied by Josiah Watson was built by Thaddeus VanGilder.
The residence of Fred S. Carter was built on the farm
*Data given by Mrs. Sarah Homan, H. P. Mickel and others.
121
122
THE HISTORY OF PETERSBURG, N. J.
of William Westcott, about half-way down the Kildeer Hill road, probably soon after 1771 by Samuel Town- send, who in that year purchased the property of Joseph Corson. The first record of the house which we have found is that Levi VanGilder and wife began house- keeping in it in 1837, and Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, now 91 years of age, remembers it as an old house when she was a girl. It was a one-story house, and in 1855 Peter Corson moved it to its present location and added another story to it to be used as a dwelling for his wheel- wright, William Hemsley, who lived in it for a time. James Homan purchased the house and ground on which it stands of Peter Corson and enlarged it by adding a room. In 1903 the present owner purchased the property and has since enlarged and improved the dwelling.
The house occupied by A. M. and H. G. Robbins was built on the site of a house which was built by George Blake of material which was taken from the old Seaside Baptist church, and which was burned. It is now the property of Mrs. Hannah VanGilder.
The house owned and occupied by John Lee was built by Peter Corson in about 1855 for a residence for his blacksmith, Lew,s Dunn, who conducted a shop at the rear of the house.
The house occupied by Mrs. Lizzie Blake was built where John Westney's house now stands, by David Williams, and was moved to its present location by its builder, at whose death it became the property of his daughter, Mrs. Peter Godfrey, who lived in it until her death, when it was inherited by her daughter. Mrs. Fleta Lafferty.
The house owned by Tony Gannone was originally a part of a house built by Isaac VanGilder, which stood on the property owned by Mrs. Mary Mason, and was
123
RESIDENCES
moved to its present location by William Hess who pur- chased the property.
The house owned and occupied by Benjamin Steel- man was built by Peter Hoff for Enoch T. Godfrey in about 1864, and later a store was built and the old house adjoining, belonging to John VanGilder was pur- chased and torn away. Mr. Godfrey conducted a gen- eral store for a time and sold the property to Charles Hess, who continued the store business for some time. The store was destroyed by fire in 1875. The present owner purchased the property of Charles Hess.
The house occupied by Walter Freestone was built by Milton and Francis Hess for their mother. It is now the property of Washington VanGilder.
The house owned by Fred Williams was built by Washington Young, who sold it to its present owner.
Mrs. Martha Brown's residence was built by Willis Young.
The house occupied by Clarence Sack was built by Isaac Williams. It was purchased by Manlief Steel- man, and is now owned by his daughter, Mrs. Mary Mason.
Alfred Sapp, George Hoff, Cornelius Smith, Wash- ington VanGilder, William Simpson and Leslie Corson each built the house in which they reside.
The house belonging to Winton Smith and occupied by Lewis Cossaboon was built by Washington VanGil- der, Sr., and after his death passed through the owner- ship of Leaming VanGilder to the present owner.
Harry Bates' house stands on the site of two other houses, the first being built by John VanGilder, Sr., the second by John VanGilder, Jr., and the present house by Clinton Palmer. The property was purchased by the Petersburg Development Company, of whom Mr. Bates purchased it.
121
THE HISTORY OF PETERSBURG, N. J.
Richard Voss built the house in which he lives, build- ing the part next to the school house first and later adding to it.
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