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Early History of Atlantic County 
New Jersey 



RECORD OF T[1L FIRST YEAR'S WORK OF 
ATLANTIC COUNTY'S HISTORICAL 
SOCIETY V 



PUBLISI lED AND COPYRIGHTED BY T! IE SCXTIETY 
1915 



LAURA L\\ IMA THOMAS \XILUS. ") 

■ EDITORS 
MRS. L. DOW BALUETT. - j 

MRS. M. R. M. FISH. ASST. EDITOR 



PRESS OF XnE KVTZTOWN PUBLISHING COMP.\NY 
KITZTOWN, PA. 






APR II 1916 






ILLrSTRATlOXS 



Page 

In th" Pays of Yore 7 

llf)\v the First Inhabitant Lived and What He Saw 22 

Tlie Mill at Hargalntown 60 

I >!inl< 1 liaker 70 

Klchard Somers — 'Hero of Tripoli 73 

rieasaiU Mills 77 

Mill Dam and Falls at May's landing 94 

Zit.n M. I''. <'hiirch, Hargalntown 101 

• >ld Churth at Head of the Hlver Tiiekahoe 104 

A<'tn:i Furnace. Tiickahoe Hlver 106 

'Ihe < lid Log Meeting House at Weymouth 109 

Stephen Colwell HO 

< "harles Hlehards Cohvell Ill 

lYleiulshlp Chunh. Near Landisx llle 115 

Catawba Church 126 

Catawba Graves 129 

Roman C;itholl<> Church at IMeasant Mills 142 

The < lid Uuttonwoods 158 



(3) 



INDEX 



Page 

Original I>and Crants of Xew Jersey 8 

Titles to Land ^ 

Letter from William Penn to Richard 'Hartshorne 12 

Proprietors' Instructions to James Wasse and Richard Hartshorne. 14 

Proprietors' Instructions to James Wasse and Richard Hartshorne. 19 

The Land System of West Jersey 23 

West Jersey Commissioners 23 

New Jersey Signers of Independence 23 

Newspapers of New Jersey During the Revolution 23 

Officers and Men of New Jersey in 'Revolutionary War 24 

War With France 52 

War With Tripoli 52 

Earl Moral Laws of New Jersey 53 

Indians 55 

Indian Burying Grounds 56 

Cranberry Indian Legend 57 

Slaves in New Jersey 58 

Slaves at Bargaintowin 59 

Some Old Wills 61 

Old Gloucester County 67 

Daniel Baker 69 

The Old Fort at Somers Point 72 

Carding Mill 74 

Clark's Old Log Meeting House at Pleasant Mills 76 

The Calling of the Militia for the 'War of 1812-1815 78 

Artillery Company, Third Regiment, Gloucester Brigade 79 

Company of Infantry, First Regiment, Gloucester Brigade 82 

Atlantic County 86 

The Naming of Atlantic County 91 

Origin of Town Names 91 

May's Landing 93 

Anecdotes of Place Names 95 

Naming Uncle Tom's 96 

Shore Road 97 

Presbyterians in New Jersey 98 

Blackman's Meeting House at Bargaintown 101 

Head of the River Church 103 

History of Tuckihoe Baptist Church 107 

Old Church at Weymouth IO9 

History of Friendship Church 114 

(4) 



INDEX — CONTINUED 5 

Page 

M. K. Church in Port HepiiMIc 124 

< 'atawba Church 126 

Ziun M. K. Churfh 130 

I'ramljes School House. Kollosvtd by Salem M. K. <'hurch 134 

Roman Catholics 141 

<.J Makers — Friends 149 

Extracts from Records Kriends Society of Oreat Kgif Harbour. 

•X. J 151 

1 1 Istorlcal Note- 156 

The < (Id liuttonwoodM 157 

riilaskl'.«» Ride 159 

Karly Ship Hulldln^,' 161 

An ( )ld Stage lAni- 162 

Stage Route from Absecon to Philadelphia 164 

i'iace N'.imes 167 

The Whipping PoHt 171 

i '.lack l.uce 172 

History of the Society 174 

Annual .Meet of Hlstorlann 178 



PREFACE 



In offering you this initial volume of Atlantic County's 
History, the Society reminds you this is the product of their 
first year's work and in no wise a finished history. Its endeavor 
has been to lay a firm foundation, upon which other books which 
are to follow can be erected. 

You will find within its pages the early history of the State 
taken from written histories which had their bearing upon Atlantic 
County. Also articles written by the descendants of those who 
helped to make the history of the county worth reading. The 
thread of events will be continued through separate volumes in 
the future until the history of the present day is recorded. There 
is found little history in this book later than 1825-1830. It was 
a somewhat difficult task to separate the history of Atlantic 
County from that of Gloucester, as they were one until the year 
of separation in 1837. If you enjoy reading this book as much 
as the Society has in its compiling, truly the work has not been 
in vain. 

The Society acknowledges its indebtedness to Mr. A. jNI. 
Hcston for illustration taken from his book, "Absequawon,'^ 
and to John Hall's "Daily I'nion History of Atlantic City, X. J." 

Atlantic Couxtv Historical Society. 



(6) 





MC 



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In ThI': Dav^ lu \ 



Early History of Atlantic County, N. J. 



ORIGINAL LAND GRANTS OF NEW JERSEY 

The orig-inal grant of New Jersey from King Charles II, 
when separated from the Nctherland. was East and West Jersey. 
They were united in 1673 and were known as Nova-Caesarea or 
New Jersey. This work, being llie history of Atlantic County, re- 
lates only to West Jersey. 

1671. The line of partition, long known in boundary disputes 
as the "Providence Line," extending from i^ittle Egg Harbor to 
40°, 41° north latitude to the Delaware River, north of a line 
drawn from IJarnegat Creek, "about the middle between Sandy 
Point and Cape May" — and adjoining to and below a certain 
creek in the Delaware River called Ran-ko-kus — Kill. 

In order to have a comprehensive understanding of West Jer- 
sey, of which Atlantic County is a part, it is necessary to go back 
to the grants of land and their distributions to later purchasers. 
Under the English system, newly acquired lands were the property 
of the king, who disposed of them by grants to private persons, or 
by charter to land companies. New Jersey thus came into the 
possession of two different individuals, each having one half the 
province. These two men were Sir George Carteret, former 
Governor of the Isle of Jersey and Lord Berkeley*. In June, 
1673, Lord Berkley sold his share to John Fenwick jn trust for 
Edward Byllings, for the sum of one thousand pounds and an 
annual royalty of forty beaver skins. Edward Byllings, the 
Quaker owner of West Jersey, failed. He placed his property, in 
1675, into the hands of William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, and Nich- 
olas Lucas, (the latter two were creditors.) and Byllings himself. 
thus creatinir fmir tni'^tees. 



* New Jersey ii..- i,..i,.< 1 m lioiior of Sir Cieorge Carteret's defense, in 1649, of his 
native Isle of Jersey, when attacked by the army and navy of the Parliaiuentarians. — 
Page 129, Vol. I, Lee's History. 

(8) 



KAkl.V HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. 9 

ir.jv The iSih (if March. It has hcen stated that Lord 
I'.crklc'v. one of the ori,i.,nnal proprietors of Xew Jersey. (Usposed 
of the whole of his r\^\n and interest in the province. The pur- 
chase was made hy John I'enwick. They {^ave the sum of »jne 
thousand p<>un<ls. These persons were niemhers of the Society 
.if (,)uakers. or I'Viends, a reHjj;ious i)eoi)le who had exi)erienccd 
nuich opposition and persecution, and there is reason to hcHevc 
that a principal ohject proposed hy Kenwick and l>ylHng:s in mak- 
inj.,^ their purcliase was to secure a place of retreat for themselves 
and tiieir relii^ious associates. 

1738. Ww jersey petitioned for a distinct administration, 
and Lvwis Morris was appointed Ciovcrnor. 

In i'iS2 West Jersey was i)urchascd hy William I'enn and 
ileven other (juakers. and settlements were made at I'urlinj^ton 
— "Yc falls of ye Delaware." or Trenton, and a flourishiniif whal- 
iiij.;' station estahlished at Cape May. not to mention Salem, al- 
ready a i^rowiu}.; town. { In U»82, Robert Barclay, a Sc«»tchman, 
was the lirst ('overnor under the new proprietors.) 

In 17(52. hy the mnnher of proprietors, the frecpunt sul)-divi- 

-ions and transfers of shares, and various difhculties in the way 

if ij^ood j^overnment, sunn involved the province in trouble, and 

the proprietors surrendered the rij^hts of i^overiuiient to the 

Crown. 

1703. l\ast and West Jersey were united and was then 
known as Xew Jersey. 

i()77 — i(kS7. The minutes and papers of the Conuiiissioners 
.ire missing. 

TlTI.KS TO Lanm). 

Titles to lantl in Xew Jersey are derived from the English 
Crown. It is a princijile of law. recognized by all the European 
governments, that an uninhabitated country, or a country inhab- 
ited onlv by savages, of which possession is taken under the 
authority of an existing government, becomes the property of the 
country taking possession. 

The Indian title to the lanil in .Vmcrica was to some extent 
recognized, but the government here, and in England, has always 
asserted the exclusive right to extinguish that title and to give a 
valid title to settlers bv its own grant of the soil. Individuals were 



lO KAKLV IlISTORV OF ATLANTIC COIXTV, \. J. 

forbidden to purcliase land from the Indians without the consent 
of the Kni^Hsh |)roi)rietor, at an early date, both in East and West 
Jersey, and alter the surrender of the government to the Crown, 
deeds from Indian claimants are held by some of the present 
owners in boUi divisions of the State, but unless patents or sur- 
veys were also obtained the legal titles to the premises rests upon 
possession and not u])on deeds. 

The general proprietors were careful to purcliase the land (n 
the Indians, and except in those cases in East Jersey where grants 
were made subject to an extinguishment of the Indian title, they 
refused to allow grants or surveys until this was done. Every 
foot of the soil claimed by the original inhabitant of this State has 
been ol^tained from them by a fair and voluntary purchase and 
transfer. 

After the di\'ision of East and West Jersey, East Jersey was 
conveyed to twenty-four ])roprietors and West Jersey was sold in 
hundredths. The original grants were considered by the pro- 
prietors as conveying a right of government as well as soil, and 
they instituted separate governments, but in 1702 joined in sur- 
rendering that right to the Crown. The title to the soil was not 
surrenderetl and continues to be derived through the original pro- 
prietors, by regular descent or purchase, to the present day. 
(1845.) 

There are two kinds of grants, one where a gift was made to 
actual settlers at tlie beginning of the history of the colony, where 
by the "grants and concessions" the amount of land donated 
to a settler depended upon the number of individuals in his family, 
with an additional amount for each servant brought with the 
family into the province ; these were called "head lands " ; the 
other kind of a grant was acquired by this process : A warrant, 
signed by the Governor and a majority of the council, was de- 
livered to the surveyor-general, who surveyed the lands, made his 
return in writing, showing his survey and giving a description of 
the property. Doth warrant and return were recorded by the 
register. If there were no objections to the warrant, it was then 
issued, signed by the Governor and his council, authenticated by 
the great seal of the province, and this warrant was then recorded 
and the title of land was perfected. This was the process in 
East Jersey. Xo patents were issued in West Jersey. — Jlic Judi- 
cial and Civil History of Xcw Jersey. 



I.AUI.Y rilSTOKY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. II 



I- 10 ).M SMITII'S IIIST()m' OF NEW JERSKV 

III June. \(>/i,, John Lord I'crkclcy sold his share to John 
Fcnwick in tru>t fur l-'dward UvUin^c for the sum of ojie th<iu- 
sand pounds and an annual royalty of forty beaver skins. Fen- 
wick, in i'i73. set sail frcjin London in a ship called the Griffith 
or (".riffin; landing at a pleasant spot near Delaware, he named 
it Salem. With him he brought his two dau.i;hters. who later 
married Sanuiel lled^e and John Adams, two servants: other 
l)assen^ers were b'dward Champncss, Richard Hancock. John 
Matlock. Sanmel Nichols, llipolite Lufever. Richard Noble, 
Richard C.ny. John I'ledi^er. Kdward Wade. Samuel Wade, and 
John Smith and wife. These and others witii them were masters 
of families. This was the first English ship that came to West 
Jersey. 

Gov. .\ndres, who saw in the cominjj of Fenwick an (tp])or- 
timity to exientl the intluencc of the Duke of York, issued an 
order that h'enwick be not receivetl as owner of lands on the 
Delaware; ;uid that no privilei^e or freedom <»f custom or tradinjj 
on the eastern shore of the bay or river be permitted. A warrant 
was issued for I'enwick's arre>t by the Duke of Vork'.s officers 
at New Castle. I\l. He was afterwards released on parole and 
returned to Salem, called by the Duke of York's followers 
"Swamptown" in deri^i'm, 

Alxnit this tini- learneil that lulward r.yllin.ije pro- 

cin"ed this conveyance i.'r i enwick to av()id his creditors; C(^n- 
serpiently this leil to an investij^ation in rei^ard to affairs and the 
final discovery of his intentional defraudinsj of Lis creditors. 
Byllint^e havin.ij admitted the truth, a settlement was made 
whorebv Fenwick reliiKiuishetl all but one-tenth of the errant. 
William Penn. Gawen Lawrie. and Nicholas Lucas, creditors, were 
placed in control of the balance as trustees of Byllinge. They 
soon sold a number of shares of their propriety to different pv.r- 
chasers, who thereupon became proprietors in common with 
them. It now became necessary that a scheme should be devised 
for a better distribution of ri£;;hts to land so as to promote set- 
tlement and ascertain a form of fjovernment. Consequently con- 
cessions were drawn, mutually at^reed on and sii^ned by some 
of the subscribers. It now became the duty of the orig^inal pro- 



12 KAKI.Y 1IIST(JRY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

prietors to procure a division of the province, after which they 
wrote the following letter as an expedient for the present well 
ordering matters. Of the twelve proprietors W'ni. Penn headed 
the list and wrote the following letter: 



Li;tti:k i-uo.M W'li.i.iA.M i'Kxx TO Richard IIartsiiorxe 

London, 26th of the r)th Month, 1676. 

"We have made use of thy name in a commission and in- 
-tructions. which we have sent by James W'asse, who is gone in 
Samuel Groome's ship for Maryland, a copy of which is here 
inclosed, and also a copy of a letter which we have sent to John 
Fenwick, to be read to him in presence of as many of the people 
that went with him as may be ; and because we both expect, and 
also entreat, and desire thy assistance in the same, we will shew 
things to thee, that thou mav inform not only thyself, but friends 
there, which in short is as follows: 

"1st. We have divided with George Cartaret, and hav^ 
sealed deeds of partition, each to the other; and we have all that, 
side on Delaware river from one end to the other. The line of 
partition is from the east side of little Egg Harbour, straight 
North, through the country, to the utmost branch of the Dela- 
ware river, with all powers, privileges, and immunities whatso- 
ever. Ours is called New West Jersey, his is called New East 
Jersey. 

"2. We have made concessions by ourselves, being such 
as friends here and there (we question not) will approve of, 
having sent a copy of them by James Wasse ; there we lay a 
founilation for after ages to understand their liberty as men 
christians, that they may not be brought in bondage, but by their 
own consent, for wc put the power in the peojilc. that is to say, 
they to meet and choose one honest man for each propriety, who 
hath subscribed to the concessions ; all these men to meet as an 
assembly there, to make and rej^cal laws, to choose a governor, 
or a commissioner, and twelve assistants, to execute the laws 
during their pleasure, so every man is capable to choose or be 
chosen. Xo man to be arrested, condemned, imprisoned, or mo- 
lested in his estate or liberty, but by twelve men of the neighbor- 
hood. Xo man to lie in ]irison for debt, but that his estate satisfy 



i;\kI.N' IIIST(JUY f)F ATLANTIC COUNTY. N. J. I3 

as far as it will j^u, and he set at liberty to \vi>rk. Xo person 
to he called in (juestion or molested for his conscience, or for 
worshippiii}^ according to his conscience, with many more things 
mentioned in the said conccssit)ns. 

"V We have been sent over ])y James Wassc, a commission 
under tmr hands and seals, wherein we imjwwcr thyself, James 
Wasse and Richard Guy, or any two of you, to act and do ac- 
cording to the instructions, of which here is a copy ; having also 
sent some gocjds. to huy and purchase some laiul of the natives. 

"4. We intend in the spring to send over some more 
commissioners, with the friends and people that Cometh there, 
because James Wasse is to return in Sanuiel Ci room's ship lor 
England : for Richard (luy, we judge him to be an honest man, 
yet we are afraid John Fenwick will hurt him and get him to 
condescend to things that may not be f<jr the good of the whole; 
so we hope thou wilt ballance him to what is just and fair ; that 
John i'enwick betray him not. that things may go on easy with- 
out hurt or jar; which is the desire of all friends; and we hope 
West Jersey will Ik- soon planteil ; it being in the minds of many 
friends to prepare for their going against the spring. 

"5. 1 laving thus far given thee a sketch of things, we come 
now to desire th\ assistance, and the assistance of other friends 
in vour parts; and we hope it will be at length an a<lvantage to 
you [\\vw. boih upon truth's account, and other ways; and in 
reganl many families more may come cner in the spring to Dela- 
ware side, to settle and plant, and will Ik* assigned by us to take 
possession of their particular lots; wc do contract ami desire that 
thou, knowiiig the country and how to deal with the natives; wc 
sav. that thee, and some other friends, would go over to Delaware 
side, as soon as this comes to your hands, or as soon as you can 
conveniently ; and James Wasse is to come to a place called New 
Castle, on the other side of the Delaware river, to stay for thee, 
and aiiv that will go with him ; and you all to advise together, and 
find out a fit jilace to take up for a town, and agree with the 
natives for a tract of land ; and then let it be surveyed and 
divided in one hundred jiarts ; for that is the method we have 
agreed to take, and we cannot alter it ; and if you set men to work 
to clear some of the ground we would be at the charges ; and we 
do intend to satisfy thee for anv charges thou art at. and for thy 



14 KAKLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

pains. This we would not have ne,2:lecte(l, for we know, and you 
that are here know, tliat if the land we had not taken up before 
the spring-; that many people come over there, the natives will 
insist on high demands, and so we will suffer by buying at dear 
rates, and our friends that comcth cn'er, be at great trouble and 
charges until a place be bought and divided ; for we do not like 
the tract of land John Fenwick hath bought, so as to make it our 
first settlement ; but we would have thee and friends there, to 
provide and take up a place on some creek or river, that may lie 
you, and such a place as you may like ; for may be it may come in 
your minds to come over to our side, when you see the hand of 
the Lord with us ; and so we can say no more, but leave the thing 
with you, believing that friends there will have a regard to friends 
settling, that it may be done in that way and method, that may be 
for the good of the whole ; rest thy friends, 

Gawkx Lawrie, 
William Penn, 
Nicholas Lucas, 
E. Byllinge, 
John EdridgE; 
En.Moxi) W'arxkr, 



Proprietors' Lxstructioxs to Ja.mks Wasse 
AND Richard Hartshorne 

"London, the i8th of ^th month. 1676. 

"W'c whose names are hereunder subscribed, do give full 
power, commission and authority, unto James Wasse. Richard 
Hartshorne and Richard Guy. or any two of them, to act and do 
for us according to the following instructions ; and we do engage 
to ratify and confirm whatsoever they shall do in prosecution of 
the same. 

"I. We desire you to get a meeting with John Fenwick. 
and the people that went with him. (but we would not have vou 
tell your business,) until you get them together; then show and 
read the deed of partition with George Cartaret ; also the trans- 
actions between William Penn, Nicholas Lucas, Gawen Lawrie, 



KAIU.V IIISTOKV OF ATLANTIC COL'NTY, X. J. I5 

jnliii Edrid^c and Edniond Warner, and tlicn read our letter to 
John Fenwick and tlie rest, and shew John renwick he hath im 
power to sell any land there, without the consent of John Edrid^c 

;m(| I'.dniond Warner. 

"2. Know of John I'enwick, if he will he wilHnjj peaccahly 
to let the land he hath taken up of the natives he divided into 
OIK' hundred parts, accordinj^j to our and his ajjrcemcnt in Enjj- 
land. castinj^j lots for the same, wc hein^ willinj^ that those who 
heiu}.,' settled and have cultivated j^round now with him, shall 
enjoy the same, without heinjj turned out, altIn>UL;h they fall into 
our lots : Always provided, that wc he reimV)ursed the like value 
and (|uantity in jj^oodness out of John Fenwick's lots. And we 
are also content to pay our ninetieth parts of what is paid to the 
natives for the same, aiid for what James Wasse hath purchased 
of John Fenwick. and he settinj^if out the same unt«i him, not hcing; 
in a place to he allotte*! for a town uf)on a river, hut at a distance, 
and the said John I'enwick allowing us the value in jjoodness 
in some other of his lots; we arc willinj^j he shall possess the same 
from any daiminji,' hy or under us; and for the town lots we are 
\\ iiliiii; lu- enjoy the same as freely as any jjurchaser huyinjj of us. 

"V Take information from some that knows the sound- 
ings of the river and creeks, and that is ac(|uainted in the coun- 
try, and when James Wasse is in Maryland, he may enquire 
for one Au_i;ustin. who as we hear did foimd most part of Dela- 
ware river and the creeks : lie is an ahle surveyor; see to ai^ree 
with him to ^o with you up the river as far as over aj^^inst Xew 
Castle, or further if ytui can. so far as a vessel of a hundred tun 
can y;o; for we intetid to have a way cut across the country to 
Sandy I look; so the further up the way. the shorter; and there, 
upon some creek oy hay in some healthy .u;round. find out a place 
ht to make a settlement for a town ; an<l then ^o to the Indians 
ami ai;ree with them for a tract of land ahout the said place, of 
twenty or thirty miles lonsj. more or less, as you see meet, and as 
hR\ad as you see meet. If it he to the middle, we care not; only 
enquire if George Carteret, have not purchased some there already, 
that so you may not huy it over again. 

"4. Then lay out four or five thousand acres for a town ; 
and if Augustin will undertake to do it reasonably, let him do it; 
for lie is the fittest man ; a'^d if he think he cannot survev so 



l6 KAKI.V HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. 

inucli. I)eiiis4' in tlic winter time, then let him lay out the less for a 
town at present, if it be hut two thousand acres, and let him 
divide it in a hundred parts ; and when it is done let John Fenwick, 
if he please, be there ; however, let him have notice. But however, 
let some of you be there, to sec the lots cast fairly by one person 
that is not concerned. The lots are from number one to a 
hundred, and put the same numbers of the lots on the partition 
trees for distinction. 

"5. If John Fenwick and those concerned w-ith him, be 
willing to join with you in those things as above, which is just 
and fair, then he, or any of them, may go along with you in your 
business ; and let them pay their proportion of what is paid to 
the natives, w-ith other charges. And so he and they may dispose 
of their lots with consent of John Edridge and Edmond Warner; 
which lots are 20, 21, 26, 27, 36, 47 50, 57, 63, y2. 

"6. If John Fenwick and his people, refuse to let the land 
they have taken up of the natives be idivided, and refuse to join 
with you, you may let the country know in what capacity John 
Fenwick stands, that he has no power over, the person or estates 
of any man or woman more than any other person. 

"7. What land you take of the natives, let it be taken, viz. : 
Ninety parts for the use of William Penn, Oawen Lawrie and 
Nicholas Lucas, and ten parts for John Edridge and Edmond 
Warner. 

"8. After you have taken the land as above, and divided 
for a town or settlement and cast lots for the same as above ; then 
if they have a mind to buy one or more properties, sell them at 
two hundred s])ecie ; they taking their lots as theirs do, paying to 
you in hand the value of fifty pounds in parts of a propriety, and 
the rest on sealing their conveyance in London ; and so they 
may presently settle. When any of the lots fall to us, that is to say, 
he that buyeth a propriety may settle on any one lot of ninety 
parts ; which said j^ersons that buys, and what lots falls to them, 
there they may settle, and acquaint us what numbers they are : 
and if they will take land to them and their heirs forever, for 
every acre taken up in a place laid out for a town, according to 
the concessions, they are not to have above what shall fall by lot 
to a propriety in a town. 

"9. What charges James Wasse it at, by taking up the 



I'AKI.V lllMi-KV OI" ATLANTIC COrXTV. N. J. 1 7 

l;m 1 of the natives, we do oblii^e to pay the same unto hiin ai^ain, 
with what profits is usual there upon Enj,''lish snoods; and he may 
piteh upon two lots, one in each town ; if they be taken up before 
he comes away, to his own proper use. for his trouble an<l pains 
.And we do alstj enj^aj^'e tt) allow aiul pay what charges any of 
our C(tmmissioners .^hail disburse in executinijf these n\\r instruc- 
tions to them or their assigns. 

"lo. Let us be advised by the first ship that comcl'i for 
I'.nj^lind, of all proceedings hereupon, and write to the friends at 
v^an(l\ I look, letting them know how things arc, and that we have 
divided with (leorge Cartaret. and that our '.'. '■- all along 

on Delaware Kiver; and that we have made i is by our- 

.^elves which we hope will satisfy friends there. If John Kenwick, 
or any of the people with him. ilesire a copy of the <lee(I of i>ar- 
tition. let them have it. 

"11. We desire that our *)riginal deeil be kept in your own 
custody, that it may be ready to shew unto the rest of the C(jm- 
missioners. which we intend to send over in the sprijig, with full 
IKiwer for settling things, and to lay out land, ami disiM).sc upon 
it, and for the settling some method of government according to 
the concessions. 

"12. If vou cannot get .\u.gu.>tin to go with you. or that he 
be unreasonable in his demamls ; then sentl a man to Thomas 
I'.ushroods, at Ksse.x Lodge, in York river, for William Elliot, 
who writes to ('lawen Lawrie this year, and otTcrcd liimself to be 
surveyor, and tell him you had t)rders from said Lawrie to send 
for him and take him with you. He will be willing to be there 
all winter, and will survey an.l do other things. He had a char- 
acter in \ irginia. but was not able to keep it; he is a fair con- 
ditioned sober man. Let him stay tl"*- •• -" winter, and order 
him something to live upi>n. 

'■ i,v If tlie said Elliot go with you. give him directions what 
to do. If you cannot stay till a place for a town be surveyed, 
vet we think you may stay until you have not only pitched upon 
a place for a town, but also upon a place for a second town and 
settlement, and have marked out a place round about there, and 
let William F.lliott divide both which no doubt but he may do 
before the sjiring. that we send over more commissioners and 
l^eople : and if lohn Fenwick be willing to go on jointly with you 



l8 KARLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUXTY, N. J. 

there, his surveyor may go alonj^ and lielp ours, and tlie charges 
shall be broui^ht in for botli proportionably on all. Mind this 
and speak to Richard Ouy. or Richard llartshorne, and leave 
orders with them to let William Elliot have provisions for himself 
till sprinj:^. and we shall order them satisfacton for the same ; and 
if there be no house near the place you may take up for the sur- 
ve^'ors to lodj^e in, then let there be a cottage built for them on 
the place and we wi'l allow the charges. 

"14. And whereas there is tackling there already, for fitting 
a sloop, as we jndge in the custody of Richard Guy: We also 
give you power, if you see meet, and that it be of necessary use 
and advantage for the whole concern, you may order these ship 
carpenters to build a sloop suitable for these materials, and 
appoint them some ])rovision for their food, and for the rest of 
their wage.> they shall either have it in a part of the sloop, or be 
otherwise satisfied in the'spring of the year: the said sloop to be 
ordered and disposed upon by you until more commissioners come 
over with further instructions. 

"15. With the goods we have sent over with James Wassc 
are to di.^posed upon for purchase land from the natives or 
otherwise as need is, giving us account thereof. 

William Pkxn, 
Nicholas Lucas, 
En.Moxi) Warxer, 
Gawex Lawrii^, 
E. Byllixgic. 



The instrument for dividing the province being agreed on 
by Sir George Cartaret on the one part and the said E. Byllinge, 
William I'enn, Gawen Lawrie. and Nicholas Lucas on the other, 
they together signed a Quintipartite deed after tJic first day of 
July, iC^jn. f. 

The line of division being thus far settled, each took their 
own measures for further pc()i)ling and improving their difi'erent 
shares. Su" George Cartaret liad greatly the advantage respect- 
ing improvement.5, his iiart being (as we have seen) already 
considerably peopled : The western i)roprietors soon iniblished a 
description of their moiety, on which manv removed thither: 



KAKl.N' INSToKV Ol" ATLANTIC COrXTV. N. J. I9 

I '.111 lot any slioiiM not sufficiently \veij4;li the importance of this 
iimlertakiii}^, an<I for other reasons, the three jjrincijjal proprietors 
puhlisheil the following cautionary epistle: 

I'KoI'KII-ToKS" I N'STUICTIONS To JaMKS W'aSSK 

\M) KiciiAUi) I Iaktsiiorm: 

Hear (riciids ami hrcthii'ii : 

I'.pistle. "In the pure love and precious fellow.^hip «»f our 
Lord jesus Christ, we very dearly salute ytni : Forasmuch as there 
was a paper printed several months since, entitled. The Descrip- 
tion of X ew-W'esl-Jersey, in the which our names were men- 
tioned as trustees for one unilivide<l moiety of the said province: 
\n 1 hecause it is allej^ed that some, partly on this account, and 
others appreheudin;^^ that the paper hy the manner of its expres- 
sion, came from the hody of friends, as a relij^ious society of peo- 
ple, and not from p.irticulars, have through these mistakes, weakly 
concluded that the third description in matter and form miifht he 
writ, printed and reconuncnded on purjjose tf) prompt and allure 
pco;)le. to dis-settle and transjjlant themselves, as it's also hy some 
allej^ed : And hecause that we are informed, that several have on 
that account, taken encouragement an 1 res«)luti«»n to transplant 
themselves and families to the said province; and le.^t any of 
them (as is feared hy some) should ijo out of a curir)us and un- 
settled mind, and others to shun the testimony of the hlessed cross 
of Jesus, of which several wcij^hty friends have a ijodly jealousy 
\\]^o\\ their spirits; lest an unwarrantahle forwardness should act 
or hurry any heside or heyoml the wisdom and coimscl of the 
Lord, or the freedom of his liglit and the spirit in their own 
hearts, and not upon a i^^ood and weiu^hty f^^roumls: It truly laid 
liard upon us. to let friends know how the matter stands; which 
we shall endeavor to do with all clearness and fidelity. 

"1. That there is such a province as Xcxc Jersey, is certain 

"2. That it is re]Kited of those who have lived and have 
travelled in that country, to he wholesome of air and fruitful of 
soil, and cajxihle of sea tra.le. is also certain ; and it is not rig^ht 
in any to des])ise or dispraise it. or dissuade those that find free- 
dom from the Lord, and necessity put them on goin.tif. 

"3. That the duke of Vi^rk sold it to those called lord Berke- 



20 EARLY HISTORY Ol- ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. 

ley, baron of Stratton, and sir George Cartaret. eqnally to be di- 
vided between them, is also certain. 

"4. One moiety or half part of the said province, being the 
right of the said lord Berkeley, was sold by him to John Fenwick, 
in trust for Edward IJyllinge, and his assigns. 

"S- Forasnnich as E. V>. (after William Penn had ended the 
difference ])et\veen the said Edward 1j\ Hinge and John Fenwick) 
was wilHng to i)rcsent his interest in the said province to his 
creditors, as all that he had left him. towards their satisfaction, 
he desired William Penn (though every way unconcerned) and 
Gawen Lawrie. and Nicholas Lucas, two of his creditors, to be 
trustees for performance of the same ; and because several of his 
crecHtors. particularly and very imporiunately, pressed William 
Penn to accept of the trust for their sakcs and security ; we did all 
of us comply with those and the like requests, and accepted of the 
trust. 

"6. Upon this we became trustees for one moiety of the said 
province yet undivided: And after no little labour, trouble and 
cost, a division was obtained between the said sir George Cartaret 
and us. as trustees : The country is situated and bounded as is 
expressed in the printed description. 

"7. This now divided moiety is to be cast into one hundred 
parts, lots, or properties ; ten of which upon the agreement made 
betwixt E. Byllinge and J. Fenwick, were settled and conveyed 
unto J. Fenwick, his executors and assigns, with a considerable 
sum of money, by way of satisfaction for what he became con- 
cerned in the purchase from the said lord Berkeley, and by him 
afterwards conveyed to John Edridge (or Eldridge) and Edmond 
Warner, their heirs and assigns. 

"8. Tiie ninety i)arts remaining are exposed for sale, on 
the behalf of the creditors of the said E. P. And forasmuch as 
several friends are concerned as creditors, as well as others, and 
the disposal of so great a part of this country being in our hands ; 
we did in real tenderness and regard to friends, and especially to 
the poor and necessitous, make friend.5 the first oflfer ; that if any 
of them, though i)articularly those that being low in the world, 
and under trials about a comfortable livelihood for themselves 
and families should be desirous of dealing for any jiart or parcel 
thereof, that they might have the refusal. 



i;ai<i,v iiisTctkv ok Atlantic county, x. j. 21 

"(;. This was tlif rc.'il :in<l iioiiest intent of our hearts. an<l 
not to proni])! or allure any out of their places, either hy the creilit 
our names niij^jht have with our i)eople throuj^hout t'.ie nation or 
hy representiii}^ the thinj^ otherwise than it is in itself. 

".\s for the ])rinte<l ])aper S(jnietinie .«ince set forth by the 
creditors, as a description of that province; we say as to two 
passai^es in it, they are not so clearly and safely worded as ouj^lit 
to have l»tcn ; particularly in seeming; to limit the wihlcr season 
to so short a time; wiieu on further informati<Mi. we Iiear it is 
sometimes lon}.;er and sometimes shorter than therein expressed: 
.uiil the last clause relatinj^ to lil)erty of conscience, wc would not 
have any to think that it is promised or intendeil to maintain the 
lihertv of the e.xerci -e of relij^ion by force and arms; tliouy:h we 
shall never consent to any the least violence on conscience ; yet 
it was never designed to encf>uraL:e any to e.xpect by force of arms 
to havr liberty of c«)nscience fenced aj^ainst invaders thereof. 

I' I Xnd be it known unto you all in the name and fear of 
\lmii;iity (lod, 'lis .tjiory and honour. ])ower and wisdom, truth 
and kini^dom, is dearer to us than all visible thitiy;s: and as our 
eye has been sinj^le and our heart sincere to the livint; (jod, in 
this as in other thin}.js; so we desire all whom it mav oncern. 
that all i^roundless jealousies may be judf^ed down and watched 
against, and that all extremes may be avoided on all hands by the 
power of the Lord; that nothinj^: which liurts or j4:rieves the holy 
lite of truth in any that ijoes or stays, may be adhere! to; nor 
any provocation.; qiven to break precious unity. 

"This am 1, William Penn. moved of the Lord, to write mito 
you. lest any briii,:^ a temjitation upon themselves or others; and 
in ofl'endiniL;" the Lord, slay their own peace: Blessed arc thcx 
that can see. ami hchohi their leader, their ordered, their con- 
ductor and f^reseri'cr, in stayini^ or i^oini^. Jl'hose is the earth 
and the fullness thereof, and the cattle itf>on a thousand hills. 
An.l a'< we formerly writ, we cannot but repeat our recpiest unto 
you. that in whoms(K-ver a desire is concerned in this intended 
plantation, such should weij^h the thing' and not headily or rashly 
conclude on any such remove; aiid that they do not ofYer violence 
to the tender love of their near kindred and relations : but soberly 
and conscientiously endeavor to obtain their j^otx/ li'ills. the unify 
of friends where they hre: that tv he I her they ^o or stay, it j)iay be 



KAKLY HISTORY ()!• ATLANTIC Cor.NTY, N. J. 23 

o{ ;^cH>d iavour before the Lord land i^ood people) from lehoni 
only eon all hcavenlx and earthly blessint^s come. Tliis we 
tliDU^'ht j^ckhI to write, for the preventiiij^ of all niisu!i<lerstan<l- 
iiii^s, and to declare the real truth nf the matter; ami sd we cmii- 
iiteiid vdu all to the Lord, who is the watchman <if his Israel. 
We are \(jur friends and hrethren. 

William I'i-nn. 

Gawen Lawk IK. 

Nicholas Licas." 

Tin: Land Systk.m oi- \Vi:st Jkksky. 
Vet, even in West Jersey it was nnavoidahle tliat there shonld 
1)1- some irre^^ularities and disputes. One cause of trouble was 
found in the operations of the headstronj^ I'enwick at Salcni. 
Ipon I'enwick's arrival in West Jersey he styleil himself s<jle 
piojirietor of the province, appointeil a rej^isier and a surveyor, 
and undertook to i;rant lands in a rather iihliscriniinate manner. 
In spite of the several effort, of conci'iation, he c ntinued to 
ignore the leijitimate proprietors, until U1S2. when an ai^reement 
was at length efTected with iiim, through the instrumentality of 
I'emi. Me was allowed 150.000 acres of land, that hein^ the 
amount had had already jjrantei! in Salem town an I vicinity. an<I 
his deeds to that amount were recoj^iized as valid. .\ll further 
claims I'enwick surrendered to I'enn. and as that distinguished 
pers( n had already ac(|uired the interest:", of l-'lhridi^e. or ICl Iridj^e. 
and W arner. he thus became the recopii^ed proprietor of the 
"Salem Tenth." — (Copied from "The Province of .Vftc Jersey," 
wiittcfi b\ r.dwin P. Tanner. ' 



The first W est Jersey commissioners were Tliomas Olive. 
Oanie! Wills. John Kinsey. John I'enford. Josepli Helmsley. 
Robert v^t.icy. licnjamin Scott. Richard Guy. and Thomas Foulke. 

Now Jersey Si.micrs of indeiJendcnce: Richard Stockton. 
John \\"itliers])oon, James Hopkinson. John Hart, and Abraham 
Clark. 

\ewspa])ers of New Jersey during- the Revolution: Xew 
Jersey Gazette, published in i'urlinijton December 3 1. 1777: Xew 
Jersey Journal, first published in Chatham in 177'): removed to 
I'.lizabethtown in I78(). 



24 I'.AKUV lllSTOUV 01' ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

FROM OFFICIAL REGISTER OF OFFICERS AXD MEN 
OF X1-: W JERSEY IX REX'OELTIOXARV WAR 

\\\ Wm. Stkvki:k. Adjutant Gknkkal 

\n the following- resolutions from the Journal of CongTess, 
October cjth. 1775. in the first call on Xew Jersey for Continental 
troops : 

Resolved — That it be recommended to the Convention of 
Xew Jersey; that they immediately raise at the expense of the 
Continent. Iwo haltalions: consisting- of Eight Companies each, 
and each company of sixty-eight privates officered with one cap- 
tain, one lieutenant, one ensign, four scrgca::ts, and four cor- 
porals. 

That the ])rivates "be enli ted frr one year, at the rate of Five 
dollars per Calendar month ; liable to be discharg'sd at any time 
on allowing' them one nionth pd.y extraordinary. 

That eac'n of the privates be allowed instead of bounty i felt 
hat, a pair of yarn stocking^s and a pair of sbnc-;, tbo meu to find 
their own arms. 

That the pay of the officers to be the same as the officers of 
the Continental army. 

That each Cai)tain and other Commissioned Officers, while in 
the recruitings service in this Continent, or on their march to join 
the armv, shall be allowed two and two-thirds dollars per week, 
for their subsistence, and that the men who enlist shall each of 
them, while in quarters, be allowed one dollar per week, and 
one and one-third dollars when on their march to join the army, 
for the same puri)ose. 

December. 1777, the cartonment of the arniy was proposed 
by General Washington, an 1 in this connection. Cong^res.^ called 
upon him Dec. i<)th for a report thereon and urged that measures 
be immediately agreed u]inn for the ])rotection of Xew Jersey. 

TKxT OI" Tlir: KKSOH'TION 

Rcsoli'ed — That General Washington lie informed that in the 
opinion of Cong-ress. the State of Xew Jerse\-. demands in a pecu- 



i;.\KI.\ lllSTnKV oK ATLANTIC COINTV. X. J. 25 

liar (le^^rcc, tlic protection of armies of I'liited States, so far as 
the same can possibly be extended, consistent uitli the safety 
of the army and the {general welfare, as that state lies «»pen to 
attacks from too many (piarters and the strugj^les which have 
been made by the brave and virtnous inhabitants of that state in 
defence of the common canse. cannot fail of txposinjL,^ them tt» the 
particular resentment of a merciless enemy. 



January loth. \JJ(>. 

Resolved — That another I'attalion be raised in New jersey, 

on the same terms as the otlur two raised, in the same Colony: — 

Province of New Jersey. 

In C<»n.i;ress. I''eb. ^»th. 177''. 

Whereas — liy a resolution of the lh)norable Continental 
Congress, a I'liini Hattalion is recommende«l. immediately to be 
raised in this Colony for the service, at the expense of the L'nite<l 
Colonies, cousistini; of tlie same as 1st and Jnd Uattalions — in 
officers and in numbers. 

Resolved — That aj^reeable to the recommendation of the said 
Honorable Continental Cong^ress. the recruitinj^ officer enlist none 
but healthy, sound and able botlied freemen, not under sixteen 
years of atje. 

And it is directeil. where any company shall be enlisted the 
Captain havini; warrants for raising the same, s'.iall a muster to be 
had thereof in the presence of 



They are hereby appointed \ 

muster master to review the I 

said companies, and atlminister •■ 
the oath to such Captains. 



[ AZARIAH Dl NMAM, 

! John Mkhklkm. 
I JosKiMi Ellis, 
Edmund Thomas. 



The Continental Ci^iu^ress assumed the right of appointing 
\cw Icrsev's ticUl otificers. This, the Colon v contended, should 



26 i:.\KLv iiisroKv ui' Atlantic coi'xtv. x. j. 

be reserved to itself. After much discussion tlie Provincial Con- 
gress, October 28. recommended the names of those fitted for 
field officers of the First or Eastern Hattalion. and the Second 
or Western Hattalion. This org;anization was known as the 
First Establishment of the Continental troops, "Jersey Line." 
Of the First Battalion Wm. Alexander, titular Lord Stirling, was 
Colonel while W'm. Maxwell was Colonel of the Second Bat- 
talion. 

Although it was willi difficulty that arms and clothing could 
be secured for the Second IJattalion, Congress, on the 10th of 
January, 1776. called upon Xew Jersey to furnish a third battalion 
of eight companies, each consisting of 78 privates. The Colonel 
of the Third Battalion First Establishment was Elias Dayton. 
On the 3rd of ]\Iay, the First and Third Battalions left Xew York 
City u])on the Canadian expedition, being later joined by the 
Second. After nearly a year's experience in Indian warfare at 
Johnstown German Flats, Fort Dayton, Fort Schuyler, Ticon- 
deroga, and Mount Independence, the Third Battalion returned 
to Xew Jersey and at Morri>town was discharged March 23rd. 
1777. 

The Second Establishment of Continental troops of New 
Jersey dates from September 16, 177'''. the men enlisted in the 
First Establishment being given preference in the matter of re- 
enlistments. Elias Dayton was again Colonel of the Third Bat- 
talion. The 1st, 2nd, 3r(l and 4th P.attalions were known as 
"^Maxwell's Brigade, which impeded and harassed Gen. Clinton's 
force in its retreat through the Jerseys, after the evacuation of 
Philadel])hia. The brigade also ]iarticipatc(l in the P.attle of 
Monmouth. 

The Third and last Establishment, which consisted of three 
regiments, was confirmed by the Xew Jersey Legislature, Sep- 
tember 26, 1781, Elias Dayton being Colonel of the Third. Each 
county was allotcd one battalion nf militia, exce])t Gloucester and 
Salem, which were united. < )n July 4th, 1780, the women of 
Xew Jersey organized a society for helping in tlie cause of 
American liberty ; the names of those from Gloucester County 
were Mrs. (Colonel) Clark. Mrs. (Colonel) Wescott, Mrs. (Col- 
onel) I\llis. Mrs. (Colonel) llugg, Mrs. P.loomfield. — Lcc. Vol 2. 



KAKI.N IIISTOKV (j|- ATLANTIC COINTV, X. J. 7J 



C( ).\s'riTrTi().\'— ACT OF i.i-.(;isi.\Tn>:i<: 

He it rcsohcd by tlu- Stiiatc and (iciaral Assembly of the 
Stale of Xew Jersey. That the (ioveriKir. the Treasurer ami 
C'()in|>troller, be aiithorizecl to cause to be published such niunber 
iif cftpies as the\ may <leem proper, of the record of soldiers of 
this State iu the Kevolutiou and that they jjrepare, if it can be 
ilone. a recttrd of like character of the s<ildiers of this State iu 
the War of iXij ;unl the Mexican War. That the Treasurer be 
directed to pay upou the warrant of the Comptroller the ex- 
penses incurred. 

( )ctol)er 4. ijKo — An act was passe<l to enable owner!? and 
possessors of the tide-marshes and meadows, livinj^ on Absecon 
(.'reek, iu Ciloucester County, to erect and maintain a bank, to 
prevent the tides from overllowini; the marshes and meadows. 

The Constitution framed in \'J'/(i just before the Declaration 
of Indepeiidence by the I'luted Colonies remained in force until 
1X44. in that year a convention of delei^ates from the several 
counties met in couveuiion at Trenton, umler authority from the 
IcjL^isIature. framed a new one. more in accordance with the 
altered condition of the Commonwealth an<l the spirit of fuller 
freedom which had been developed. 



28 EARLY iriSTORV Ul" ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. 

OFFICERS U\' Till". kI-:V0LUTl()XARY WAR 

GLOUCESTER COUNTY 

Ellis, Captain Josepli, Muster Master, 1780. 
Davis, Captain Jdhn, Recruiting Officer, 1781. 
Lucas, Simon, Captain. 
First Battalion: 

Shreve, Israel, C^Jlonel, also Colonel Continental Army. 

Taylor, Robert, Captain, Major, Colonel. 

Bodo, (Jtto, Colonel. 

Tonkin, Samuel, Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Shre\e, Samuel, Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Brown, Robert, C^aptain, Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Flanningham (or Flanagan), Samuel, Major, also Captain in 
Continental Army. 
Second Battalion: 

Ellis, Joseph, Colonel, also Brigadier-General. 

Clark, Elijah, Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Ellis, William. Major. 
Third Battalion: 

Somers, Richard, Colonel. 

Westcott. Richard, First Major. 

Payne, George, Captain, First Major. 

Smith, Jeremiah, Captain, Second Major. 

Smith, William, Adjutant. 

Little, John, Paymaster. 

Hendry, Thomas, Surgeon. 

Carpenter, Thomas, Payma.ster. 
liaker, John, Captain Third Battalion, Captain of State Troops. 
Barnes, Andrew, Captain, Prisoner of War in September, 1780. 
Browning, Jacob, Captain Second Battalion. September 22, 1777. 
Cheeseman, Richard, Captain First Battalion. 

Covenover, Joseph, Captain Third Battalion, September 12, 1777. 
Cozens, John, Captain First Battalion, Pri.soner of War; exchanged 
December 8, 1780; Captain State Troops. 
Davis, John, Captain First Battalion. 

Douglas--, , Captain. 

Elwell, Joseph, Captain Third Battalion. 

Elwell, Sawtel, Lieutenant Second ISattalion, September 3, 1776; 
Captain First Battalion. 

Estell, Joseph, Captain Third Battalion, Sep>^ember IS, 1777. 
Fisher, Felix, Captain. 

Hampton, John, Lieutenant Third Battalion, also Captain. 
Harrison, William, Captain Second Battalion. 

Highee, Richard, Second Lieutenant Captain Payne's Company, 
Third Battalion, Xovemlter 14, 1777; First Lieutenant, Captain. 

Holmes, James, Captain. (Gloucester; Captain Battalion, "Heard's 
Lrigade" June 16, 1776; also Captain in Continental Army. 
Inskii), John, Lieutenant Second ISattalion Captain. 
Lucas, Simon, Captain, Cxloucester; Captain Major Hayes' Bat- 
talion State Troops. 

Maffatt, Archibald, Captain First Battalion; resigned. 
Maffatt, William, Fir.st Lieutenant Captain Pierce's Company. 
First Battalion, June 2, 1777; Captain. 

Newkirk, Cornelius. Captain Second Battalion Salem; also Cap- 
tain First IJattalion, Gloucester. 



KAKI.Y HISTORY Ol- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 29 

Patten, Juhn, Captain Second Hattalion. 

I'aul, l>avitl. Lieutenant Third Battalion; Captain. 

Pierce, tJeorge. Captain First Hattalion, June 2, 1777. 

Price, William. Captain Third Hattalion, September IS, 17 77. 

Purvis. George, Captain Second Hattalion. 

Rape, Christopher. Captain Third Hattalion. September IS, 1777. 

Rice. William, Captain, Salem; Captain First Hattalion, Glou- 
cester. 

Shiite, Henry, Captain First Hattalion. 

.Smith, William, Adjutant Third Hattalion; Captain. 

Sncll, Robert, l-Mrst Lieutenant; ("aiitaln. 

Snell. Samuel. Captain Third Hatt.illon, September 18, 1777. 

Som«'rs, Jamts, First Lleutt-nant Captain Price's Company, Third 
Hattalion, September is, 1777; Captain Second Hattalion. 

Somers, John, Captain. 

Steelman. Zephanlah, Captain Third Hattalion, September 18. 1777. 

Stokes, John. Captain Second Hattalion. 

Stonebanks, Richard. Captain Firm Hattalion. October 5, 1778. 

Tallman. James, Cujitain Troop, LlKht-H or.se. May .'J. 1777. 

Thorne, Joseph, Ciptaln Second Hattalion. Auf^UHt 10. 1776. 

Watson, William, l-'irsi HIeutiMi.int l-'lrst Hattalion; Captain. 

Weatherby, Oavld. Captain Third Hattalion. 

Wood, John. Captain l-'irst Hattalion. Colonel Holmes' Regiment. 

WoikI. John, (^aptaln. 

Haker. David, Private. Lieutenant. 

Carter. John. Lieutenant. 

i'hatham. John. I..leutenant First Hattalion. 

Leeds. Knoch. Lieutenant. 

McCullough, Joseph, Lieutenant Third Hattalion. 

Parsons. John, Lieutenant; Prisoner of War September, 1780. 

Pelrce, Ward, Lieutenant. 

Weatherby, lienjaniiii. Lieutenant Third Hattalion. 

IngersoU. Joseph. First Lieutenant Captain Jeremiah Smith's 
Company. Third Hattalbm. November 14. 177 7. 

Ireland, Kdward. Flr.st Lieutenant Third Hattalion, November 
II. 1777. 

Leed.s, Jeremiah. I'irst Lieutenant In Captain Covenover'.s Com- 
l>any. Third Hattalion. September 18. 1777. 

Mitchell, Alexander. First Lieutenant, also Captain Continental 
Army. 

Morse, Xehemiah. l-'lrst Lieutenant Captain Payne's Company, 
Third Hattalion. November H. 1777. 

Springer. Samuel. First Lieutenant Captain Rape's Company, 
Third Hattalion, September IS, 1777. 

Westcott. Arthur. First l.,leutenant Captain E.s-tell's Company, 
Third Hattalion. September 18. 1777. 

Chew. Aaron, Second Lieutenant Second Battalion. 

Covenhoven. Peter, Second Lieutenant. November H. 1777. 

Endicott. Jacob. Seconal Lieutenant Captain Snell's Company. 
Third Hattalion. September IS. 1777. 

Finch. William. Second Lieutenant Captain Rape's Company, 
Third Hattalion. September IS. 1777. 

Liuca?, John, Second Lieutenant Captain Estell's Company, Third 
Battalion. September IS, 1777. 

McFarland. Samuel. Second Lieutenant First Battalion. 

Parsons (Passant), Abraham. Second Lieutenant Second Battalion. 

Risley, Jeremiah. Second Lieutenant Captain Covenover's Com- 
jiany. Third Battalion. September 18, 1777. 



30 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Roe, Henry, Second Lieutenant First Battalion. 

Scull, John, Second Lieutenant Captain Price's Company, Third 
P.attalion, September 18. 1777. 

Townsend, Elijah, Second Lieutenant Captain Jeremiah Smith's 
Company, Third Battalion, November 14, 1777. 

Adams, John, Ensign, Captain Payne's Company, Third Battalion, 
November 14, 1777. 

Avis, Joseph, Ensign, Third Battalion. 

Barrett, Elijah, Ensign, Captain Samuel Snell's Company, Third 
Battalion, September IS, 1777. 

Clark, Japhet, Ensign, Captain Price's Company, Third Battalion, 
September 18, 1777. 

Dilkes, John, Ensign, Captain Pierce's Company, First Battalion, 
June 2, 1777. 

Extell, Ebenezer, En.sign, Captain Estell's Company, Third Bat- 
talion. 

Frazer, Daniel, Ensign, Third Battalion, November 14, 1777. 

Hooper, Daniel, Ensign, Captain Taylor's Company, Third Bat- 
talion. 

Inskeep, Benjamin, Ensign, Captain Browning's Company, Second 
Battalion. 

McCollum, Cornelius, Ensign. 

Morrel, Joseph, Ensign, Captain Thome's Company, Second Bat- 
talion. 

Sipple, Nathaniel, Ensign, Captain Covenover's Company, Third 
Battalion. 

Stilhvell. David, Ensign, Captain Jeremiah Smith's Company, 
Third Battalion. 

Tilton, John, Private Third Battalion, Sergeant, Ensign, Novem- 
ber 14, 1777. 

Bennett, Abraham, Pri\ate, Sergeant. 

Campbell, William, Sergeant, Captain Davis' Company, First Bat- 
talion. 

McCollum, Patrick, Sergeant. 

Reed, John, Sergeant; also Private Continental Army. 
Sayres. Richard, Private, Sergeant. 
Spencer. Jacob, Sergeant. 
^Tomblin. James, Private, Corporal, Sergeant. 
/ Fisler, Leonard, Corporal. 
Dare, Philip, Wagoner. 



i. ^.w., I1IST(1UV OF ATLANTIC COl'NTV, X. J. 3I 

ui-i"k-i;ks \.\I) mi-:\ oi- Tin-: tiiiru xkw ji-:rsey 

l<l".r.i.Mi-:\T 



Col. — Kllas I»uyt(in. Jan.. 1776. to Jan. 1. 17S7. 
Lieut. Col. — Anthony W. White, Jan. 18. 1776. to Nov. 20. 1776. 
Lieut. Col. — Franc-l.s Marber. Nov. 28. 1778. to Jan. 1. 1781. 
Major— F'>an<ls Harlxr. Jan. 18. 1776. to Nov. 20. 1776. 
Major — JoHi'ph liloomllelU, Nov. 28. 1776. to Oct. 29. 177S. 
Major- — John Conway. Oft. 29. 1778. ta July .''., 1779. 
Miijor— John IloUln.shead. April 7. 1779, to Jan. 1, 1781. 

rUl\ATKS (IF <;L<trci:STKH CoTNTV 

Ablxitt, Jepthu, Third llattallon. 

Abel, John. Set-on.l Hattallon, also State Troops; also Continental 
Army. 

Ackley. Daniel, niouoeHter. 
A<'kb'y. IIi-/,i'ki.ih. Cilomc^tir. 
Afkb.s, .l.miis, ( ;iiiii. 1 st, r. 
A<klfy, John. (Jloiucstt-r. 
A<'kley. Silas. Oloucester. 
Ailalr. James. Third n.ittullnn. (Slouce.ster. 
Adams. Andrew, (ilout-ester. 
Adams. l>avld. ( tloure.>;ler. 
A<lams. Klljah. Cil.iui-..sti'r. 
Adams. Ji-rtnilah. Cil'>ii<-e.«ter. 
Ailams, Jesse. (Jloucester. 
Adamy. Jonas, (lloueester. 
Adams. .Fonathan. (iloiict'ster. 
Ailams. RIehard. Third Muttallon. Glouee.vter. 
Adams, Thomas. Third Hattalion. Gloucester. 
Adams. William, t Jloini-ster. 
Aim. Abram. Third li.iHallon. C.lno.i'stor. 
Alb« rtson. Abraham, (Jlciucesti-r. 
AIl><rtson. Albert. Gloucester. 
Albertson, Isaac, Glouce.-ter. 
Albertson. Jacob. Jr.. Gloucester. 
Albertson, Jacob, Sr., Gloucester. 
' Allen, <Teorgre, Third Hattallon, Gloucester, 
x^ Allen. Joseph. Third n.ittalion, tiloucester. 
Allen, William. Third Hattalinn. (Ibuicester. 
Allen. Tho.mas. Thir.l I'.attalion ( Allcor), Gloucester. 
Allset, Jacob, Third Huttalion, (Gloucester. 

Anderson. Henry. Second IJattalion. Gloucester, Continental Army. 
Applegate. Captain Chambers. Second Rattalion. 
Armstrong. Isaac, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 
Aschrott. Gibson. Third Haltalion. Gloucester. 
Ashcroft. James. Third Battalion. Gloucester. 
Atherton. Cormiter. Third Battalion. Gloucester. 
Ayors, Abiiah. Third Battalion. Gloucester. 
Ayers, James. Third Battalion. Gloucester. 
Ayer.s. Moses, Third Battalion. Gloucester. 

Bacon. Abel. Thir.l Battalion. Gloucester. 
Fachon, Benjamin. Third Battalion, Gloucester. 
Baker. Frederick. 



32 EAKLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Baley, James. 

Baley, John, Continental Army. 

Baley, Jonathan. 

Baley, Joseph. 

Balken, Benjamin, Third Battalion. 

Barden, Haned, Third Battalion. 

Barker, Richard, Third Battalion. 

Barton, Jonathan, Continental Army. 

Bates, William, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Bea\in, Thomas, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Beesly, Jonathan, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Belange, James. 

Belange, Nicholas. 

Belange, Samuel. 

Bell, Robert. 

Bell, William. 

Benly, Jonathan, Third Battalion. Gloucester. 

Bennett, Alexander, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Bennett, John. 

Bennett, Jonathan. 

Berry, John, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Bispham, Benjamin. 

Blackman, Andrew. 

Blackman, lOavid. 

Blackman, John. 

Blackman, Xehimiah. 

Bleakman, James. 

Boggs, James, Third Battalicm, Gloucester. 

Boice, William. 

Bortin, Jonathan, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Bowen, Edward. ; 

Bowen, Josiah. 

Bowen, Zadock, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Bradford, John, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

15rady, Patrick, Continental Army. 

Bright, George, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Brower, David. 

Brower, David, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Brown, Asa, Second Battalion, State Troops. 

Brown, Matthew, Continental Army. 

Browne, George, Third Battalion. 

Bryant, John, Third Battalion. 

Bryant, Thomas, Third Battalion, Continental Army. 

Buck, Elijah, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Buck, Josiah, Third I^attalion, Gloucester. 

Budey. John, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Bulange.v. James. Third Battalion. Gloucester. 

Bulangey, Joshua, Third Battalion. Gloucester. 

Bunton, Robin, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Burch, Joseph, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Burk, Elijah, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 

Burnet, Moses. 

Burton, Samuel. 

Busbin, William. Third Battalion. 

Butterworth, Moses, Third Battalion.. 

Cade, Aaron F., Captain Paul's Company, Third Battalion, Stat© 
Troops, and Continental Army. 

Cain, John, Third Battalion, Gloucester. 



KAkl.V IIISTOKY OK ATLANTIC COINTV. X. J. 33 

Cain. Samuil. Third r.attalion. Gloucester. 
Camp. lO/.cklt 1, Jr. 
Camp. James. 

Camp. John. 

Camp, Jost'ph, ."<r. 

Cami>. Juseph, Jr. 

Campbell, Archihald. 

Camphell. David, Third lialtallon, Gloucester. Cul. Somers' State 
Troops. 

Campbell, William. Captain FIsler's Company. Continental Army. 

Campen. William, Third Battalion. Gloucester. Colonel Somers* 
Uattalion. .State Trm.p.-. 

Cann. Jnhn. 

Caranna. Giorjf*'. Third liattalion, Gloucesler, also Colonel Somers" 
State Troops. 

Carpenter. Jacob. 

t.'arier. (;e(irKe. Third nuttallon. Col. Somers Dattalion, and State 
'I'rouji.s. 

Cariiihors. James. Third Hatlallon. Col. Somers Hattallon. and 
f^tate TroopJ^. 

Casey. John. Third Mattallon, Slate Troops. Continental Army. 

Ca.*fk»r, Uenjamln. 

Ca.'^kle, Simon. 

Casper.son, ToMa.", Third Hattallon. also Colonel Somers' State 
Troops. 

Catteri. William. 

Cavener, (Jeorge. Third Hattallon. 

Chamberlain. Thomas. 

Champion. I'unlel. 

Champion. John. 

Champion. Thomas. 

Chattan. John. Third Hattallon, Colonel Somer.s' Troops. 

Chiesnian. Thomas. Third Hattallon, Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Chester, John, Third Hattaliun, Col. Somers liattalion, and State 
Troops. 

Chew, llobert. Third Hattallon. Col. Somers Battalion, and State 
Troops:. 

Clark. Ailrial. 

Clark. Hetijamin. 

Clark. David. 

Clark, John. Second Battalion, also Continental Army. 

Clark, Joseph, Gloucester. 

Clark. I'arker, Gloucester. 

Clark, Reuben, Gloucester. 

Clark. Thomas. Gloucester. 

Clemens, Richard, Gloucester, Continental Army. 

Clement, David. 

Clifton, George. 

Clifton, William. 

Clough, Jacob. Third Battalion, Col. Somers 'Battalion and State 
Troops. 

Ci>l)b. John. Third Battalion. Col. Somers Battalion, and State 
Troops. 

Cobb. Thomas. Third Battalion. Col. Somers Battalion, and State 
Troops. 

Cobb, William, Third Battalion. Gloucester. 



34 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Conklin, Joseph. 

Connelly, Bryant. 

Con(<ver, David. 

Conover, Jesse. 

Conover, Mecajah, Third Battalion, Col. Somers Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Conover, Peter. 

Conover, Peter B. 

Cook, John. 

Cook, Patterson, Third battalion, Colonel Somers' Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Cook, Silas, Third Battalion, Colonel Somers' Battalion and State 
Troops. 

Cordry, William. 

Corson, Abel. 

Corson, John. ^ 

Coshier, John. 

Coshier, Simon. 

Cosier, Benjamin, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
State Troops. 

Cosier, Simon, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, State 
Troops. 

Coults, James, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, Statt, 
Troops. 

Course, Isaac. 

Course, William. 
. Covenhoven, Isaac. 

Covenhoven, John. 

Covenhoven, Joseph. 

Cox, Andrew, also Continental Army. 

Cox, Jacob, Third Battalion, Colonel Somers' Battalion and State 
Troops. 

Crager, Samuel, Third Battalion, Colonel Somers' Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Crandell, Levi, Third Battalion, Colonel Somers' Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Cranmore, Wm., Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
State Troops. 

Cullom, Cornelius, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
State Troops. 

Dair, Cain, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion. State 
Troops. 

Dair, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, State 
Troops. 

Dallis, Samuel. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion State 
Troops. 

Danel.son, J,)hn, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion. State 
Troops. 

Daniels. Kidd. Third Battalion. 
Daniels, William. 

Daven, Joel, also Continental Army 
State^-Troopf ''^'■^'''' '^^^''^ Battalion, bolonel Somers' Battalion and 
Davii--. Cain, Third Battaiiun. 
Davis, Curtis. 
Davis. Karl. 
Davis, Richard. 



ICAKLV IIISTURV Ol" ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 35 

Day, Chas., Third IJattallon, also Uol. Somers Battaliun, State 
Troops. 

J>ay, Samufl, Thinl lUttulion, alno Col. Somers Battalion, State 
TrooiJH. 

Day. Thoma.s, Third Battalion, Colonel Somers* Battalion and 
•State Troops. 

Deal, Klla.s, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, State 
Troop.s. 

1 it-al. James. 
I »eal, John. 
Deal, Samuel. 

Deckley, James, Third liattallon. Colonel Somers' Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Dellel, Kdward. Third Battalion. 

Delfer, John. Second Battalion, also Continental Army. 
Denlck, Samuel. 
Denick, Samuel, Jr. 
Dennis, I >a\ Id. 
De-.uils, Matthew. 
Denny, (}ldei>n. 
1 >eniiy, Thomas. 

Denny. Jona.s, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, State 
'I'roops. 

Derrlrk.'-(in. Andrew, Third ISuttalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
State Troops. 

DIckliKson, John, (}louce.«»ter. 
DU-kln.M.n. William. 

Dllkcs, Samuel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers r.attalion. State 
'rroiips. also (^i>Mtlnental Arm.v. 

Dill, Frampton. Third Battalion, also Colonel Somers' Battalion, 
State Troops. 

Dolbier. John. 

Dollls. .^■.amuel. Third Battalion. 
Doram. John. 
Dorcar. Silas. 
Dormant, Jesse. 
Doughirty. Kdward. 
Doughty, Abel. 
Doughty, Ahlge. 
Dought\'. Abner. 
T^oughty, Absalom. 
DoughtN'. .Tonathan. 
Doughty, .loslah. 
Pought>'. Thomas. 
Dowan, Edward. 
Dower. John. 
Drummond, Benjamin. 
Drumnn nd. John. 

DufTell. Edward. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion. 
State Trdops. 

Diilane.v. Samuel. 
Dunaway. Thomas. 
Dunlap, James. 

Eastall. Joseph. 

Edwards. John. Second Battalion, also State Troops, also Conti- 
nental Army. 

Edwards. Jo.^eph. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
State Troops. 



36 KARI-V HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Eglenton, Ebenezer, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 

State Troops. 

Eldricige, Wm., Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, State 

Troops. 

Elway, Jeremiah. 

English, Joseph. 

English, Mizeal. 

English, Thomas. 

Er\in, Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Evans, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Evving, Abner, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Ewing, Abraham, Third Battalion. 

Falkner, Daniel. 

Farrell, John, Continental Army. 

Farrow, Abraham, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
State Troops. 

Farrow, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Farrow, Mark, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. , 

Feathers, George, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Pell, Peter, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Fell, William, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Fenimore, Abraham, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Fenimore, Daniel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Ferlew, Nathan, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Ferrill, James, Continental Army. 

Fetter, Jacob, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Field, Thomas, Captain Fisler's Company, also Continental Army. 

Fisher, Jacob. 

Fisler. Jacob. 

Fisler, John. 

Fithian, George, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Fithian, Wm., Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Fletcher. William, also Continental Army. 

P'orbes, Uriah, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Trooi)s. 

Ford, William. 

Fort. William. Third Battalion, also Colonel Somers' Battalion. 
State Troops. 

I'-owler, Getirge. 

Fowler, Isaac, Continental Army. 

Frambes. Andrew. 

Frambes, Xichojas. 

Franklin. John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 



i:\KI \ IIISTOkV Ol- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 37 

FraziiT, I •ani'l. 

l-'renth, Samuel. 

l-'ry. William. 

Fiirmaii, Daniel. Third Huttaliun. also Col. Somors Hattalion, and 
Statu 'J'roujj.s. 

Kiirmaii, \Vm.. Third liatlali<>n, also Col. Somers Hattalion, and 
State Tro()i).s. 

iJ.imlili', Calvin. Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Itattalion, and 
State TroojKV. 

Gandy, David, also Stati- Troops. 

Gandy, Hdward. 

Gandy, Kllas. 

Gandy, John. 

Gant, Jame.M. 

Garratson, Jaroh. 

Garratson, Jeremiah. 

Garratson, Joseph. 

Garratson. Lemuel. 

Garret, Uoliert, Continental Army. 

Garrison, Cnrnellus. Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers nattalion, 
and State Troops. 

Garrison, lOliJah. Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Itattalion, and 
State Troops. 

Garrison, Reuben. 

Ciarw I. Samuel, Second Hattalion. also State Tro<jps and Conti- 
nental Army. 

Gee. Hos.-el. 

(Sentry. William. Third Hattalion. also Col. Somers Hattalion, and 
State Troops. 

Glherson, James. 

Giheraon, Job. 

Glherson, John. 

GilllnKham. James. Third Hattalion, al.so Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troop.>3. 

Giffen. Daniel. 

(^ItTord, Henjamln. 

Glffnrd. James. 

GlfTord, John. 

GlfTord. Timothy. 

Given, Reese, Sr. 

Given, Reese, Jr. 

Given, William. 

Goff. John. 

Gonnel. Francis. 

Graham, Richard. Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Oormley. James. Third Battalion. 

Gr:i>iam. William, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Greaves, Joshua. 

Gromley, James. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Guild. Benjamin. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Racket. William. 

Haines. Joseph. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

llainey, William. 



38 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Hamilton, James, also Continental Army. 
Hamilton, John, Third Battalion. 

Hampton, John, Colonel Somers' Battalion, State Troops. 
Hancock, Andrew, Continental Army. 

Harcourt, Abram, Third Battalion, also State Troops and Conti- 
nental Army. 

Harker, Abel, Captain Snell's Company, Third Battalion, also. 
Continental Army. 
Harker, David. 

Harker, Nathaniel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion,, 
and State Troops. 

Harris, Moses, Third Battalion, also CoL Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Harris, Reuben, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Harris, William, Third Battalion. 
Hawkins, George. 

Hays, David, Captain Covenover's Company, Third Battalion, also 
Continental Army, ahso State Troops. 

Hedd, Peter, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Heind, David, Third Battalion. 

Helel, Leonard, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Helmes, Hance, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Helmes, John, Third Battalion,- also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Hemphill, Robert, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion,, 
and State Troops. 

Henns, Jacob, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Henry, George. 

Hess, Michael, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

He.ssler, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Hewes, William. 

Hewett, Benjamin, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Hewett, Caleb, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Hewett, Moses, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion,, 
and State Troops. 

Hewett, Samuel, Third Battalion, also Col. Scmers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Hewett, William, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Hewett, Thomas. 
Hickman, Isaac. 
Hickman, James. 
Hickman, Thomas. 
Higbey, Ab.salom. 

Highey. Edward, Captain Steelman's Company, Third Battalion. 
Higbey, Isaac. 

Higbey, Richard, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 



KAUI.V lUSTOkY OF ATLANTIC COLXTY, N. J. 39 

Hill. l"rlah. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Tr(ioi)s. 

Illllman, DanU-l. 

Ilillnian, John, Third Battalion. 

Illllman, Samuol, Infantry, Artillery, Light Horse. 

Hillman, Kamuel A. 

Hillman. S-'eth. 

Ili.ss, Michael. Third Battalion. 

Hitman. John, Third Battalion, also I'ol. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Hoffman, Benjamin. Continental Army. 

Ilnffman, Jacob. 

llolliiiK-worth, Thomas. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Bat- 
talion, and .'•'late Troops. 

I jnman, Andrew. 

lloman. l>aniel. 

Homan, l>avid. 

lIuK^. John. 

Hu.skty, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

llulinKs, John. Third B^ittallon. al.vo Col. Somers Battalion, and 
Stall' Troops. 

Iliimphries, Thomas. 

lliiMd. I>avld, Third Battalion, also (?ol. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troop.v. 

Hiind. Lewis, Third Battalion, al-^'o Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Iliirli'.v. .John. 

Hurst, Andrew. 

Ilutrhlnson, Abraham. Third Battalion. al?o Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

HiitsinKer. Peter, Third Itattalion, al."'o Col. Somers Battalion, and 
Slate Troops. 

Hiitrhln.«on. E/.f kiel. 

Idle, Jacob. 

Ihnetler. CicorBe. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Itettallon. 
and State Troops. 

Ingalson, Daniel. 

Inga'ron, Isaac. 

Inger.«( II, Benjamin. 

Inerersoll. Ebcnezer. 

Ingpr.«oll, John. 

Inger.=oll, Joseph, Jr. 

Irelan, Amos. 

Irelan, David. 

Irelan. Edmvind. 

Irelan. Oeorge. 

Irelan. Jap'het. 

Irelan, Jonathan. 

Irelan. Jos(M>h. 

Irelan, Reuben. 

Irelan. Thomas. 

Ireland. Jame?, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Ireland. John. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Ireland. Thomas, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 



^.O EARLY IlISTOKV Ol- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Jefferies, James. 

JefEeries, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Jerry, Jonathan, Third Battalion, Colonel Somers' Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Je.=s, Samuel, Third J^jattalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Johnson, Isaac, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

(See Johnston.) 

Johnson, Joseph, Third P>attalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Johnson, Lawrence, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Johnson, Lewis, Third Battalion. 

Johnson, Michael. 

Johnson, Nathaniel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Johnion, Richard, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Johnston, Isaac, Capt. Covenover's Compan.v, Third Battalion, 
also Continental Army. 

Johnston, William. 

Jones, Abraham, Continental Army. 

Jones, Abram. 

Jones, Daniel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Ilattalion, and 
State Troops. 

Jones, Hugh, Wounded. 

Jones, Isaac. 

Jones, Jonas, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Jones, Lawrence. Third I'.attalion. 

Jones, Samuel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troop?. 

Kaighn, John, Capt. Higbee's Company. Third Battalion, also Col. 
Somers Battalion, and State Troops, also Continental Army. 

Keen, Reuben. 

Kehela, Thomas, Third Battalion, Colonel Somers' Battalion, State 
Troops. 

Keilson, David, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Kelly. Patrick. Third Battalion, also Continental Army. 

Kelly. I'riah, Third .Battalion. 

Kelly. AVilliam, Continental Army. 

Kendle, James, Third Battalion. 

Kerrey, John, Third Battalion, Capt. Steelman's Company, Third 
Battalion, State Troops, and Continental Army. 

Kesler, John. Third liattaliun, also Col. Somers Battalion. 

Kidd, Daniel. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Trodp.'j. 

Kidd. Peter. Third iiattalion. 

Kille.v. John, Third Battalion, Capt. Steelman's Company, State 
Troop?, and Continental Army. 

Kindle. Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troojis. 

King, Andrew. 

Lacy, Cornelius, Third r.attalion. 



KAKL'* IIIST(JKY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 4I 

Lafferty. John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Haltalion. and 
State Troops. 

Kiike, Andrew. 

Lake, Daniel. 

Lake. Joseph. Tapt. Steelman's Company. Thirl nattalion. also 
State Troops and Continental Army. 

Lake, .Nathan. 

Lake. William. 

Lamiir, Mack. 

Land, (Jeorge. 

I.^n<J, James, Third Haltalion. also Col. Somers Itattalion, and 
State Troops. 

Leah. .Nathan, Third I'.atlallon, al.*o Col. Somers Mattalion. and 
State Troops. 

Leake. Nathaniel. Third Hattallon. 

Leake. William. Third Itattalion. also Col. Somers Hattallon. and 
.'-"tate Troi.ps. 

Leaman, (Jodfrey. Third Hattallon, also C<»1. Somers Hattallon, 
I ikI State Troops. 

Lee. Kavld. 

Lee, Jo.«eph, Captain Pierce's Company, First Hattallon, also <'on- 
tlnental Army. 

Lee, Walter, Third Hattallon, also Col. Somers Hattallon, and 
Stale Troiips. 

Leeds, Daniel. 

Leeds, Felix. 

I^eeds, James. 

Leeds. .Nehemiah. 

Leeds. Thoma.<». 

Leeds. William. ('r>ntlnental Army. 

Leonard. Azarlah, Third Hattallon, also Col. Sonni -^ r.iitallon. 
iiid State Troopy, also Continental Army. 

Lewis, Franol.'i. 

Lewis, lrenlii.«. Third Hattallon, also Col. Somers Haltalion, and 
State Troops. 

LInwoofl. John, Third Hattallon, also Col. Somers Hattallon, and 
State Troops. 

Lipponeott, Daniel. Third Hattallon. 

Lippencott, John, Captain Rape's Compan.v. Third Hattallon, also 
State troops, also ("onllnental Army. 

Little. John. Third Battalion, also Col. Som» rs Hattallon, and 
State Troiiji.'!. 

Little. John. Sr. 

Little, John. Jr. 

Lock, John. 

Lock, Jonathan. 

Locy, Cornelius. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Lodge, John. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, ana 
State Troops. 

Long. An?ey. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Loner. Moses. Third Battalion. ni«.. r,iicin..i Somers' Battalion, 
State Troops. 

Long. Silas. 

Loper. Abram. 

Lord, Asa, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and State 
Troops. 



42 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Lord, John, Third battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Lord, Jonathan, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Lown, Richard, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Lusk, Israel, Continental Army. 

Manary, Abram. 

Mancy. David. 

Manley, Benjamin. 

Mapes, Edmond. 

Marical, George. 

Marshall, Joseph. 

Marshall, William. 

Mart, Andrew. 

Mason, Andrew, Third Battalion, also Colonel Somers' Battalion, 
State Troops. 

Mason, David. 

Massey, Benjamin, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Master, Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Mattacks, David. 

Mattacks, Jesse. 

McCalsner, John. 

McCieary, Michael, Third Battalion, also Colonel Somers' Bat- 
talion. State Troops. 

McCollum, John. 

McConnell, Adam. 

McCuUock, Abraham, Third Battalion, also Continental Army. 

McFadden, James, Captain Snell's Company, Third Battalion, also 
State Troops also Continental Army. 

McFadden, John, Third Battalion, also State Troops; also Conti- 
nental Army. 

. McFarland, Samuel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

McGee, Daniel, Continental Army. 

MoGonigal, George, Continental Army. 

McHenry. Charles, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

McKay. William, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

McKimmy. William. 

MrXeil. Hector. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops, also Quartermaster Sergeant Continental Army. 

Meare. George, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Meyers. Charles. 

Mil'er. Benjamin. Third Battalion, al?o Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Mil'er, Samuel. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Miller. Stephen, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Minteor, Samuel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Mirps. George. Third Battalion. 

Mitchell, John, Continental Army. 



K\KI,V IIlSTOkY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 43 

Moore, Andrew. 

Moore, Daniel. Third Hattallon, also Col. Somers Hattallon, and 
State Troojj.s. 

Morrl.-^, Thomu.s, Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Hattalion, and 
State Trixjps. 

Morse. Jona.>-\ 

Morse. Joshua. 

Morse, Nicholas. 

Mose.s. (;eorKe, Third Hattalion. also Col. Somers Hattalion, and 
State TroojiS. 

Moslander. Sharon, Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and Stale Troop.s. 

Mulford, Kzeklel. 

Miillurd, Kurman, Third Hattalion. also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Mulf(ird, Jonathan. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Mulford, Samuel, Third Battalion. 

Mullaky, John. 

Muiicy (or Murrey), David, Third Battalion. 

Munnion. John, Third Battalion, also Col. Som»TS Battalion, and 
State TroKps. 

Murphy, William. 

Muslirook, John, Continental Army. 

Neaves. Thomas. Second Battalion, also State Troops, and Conti- 
nental Army. 

Nelson. Davis. Third Battalion. 

Nelson. Gabriel. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Nelson. James. 

Nelson. Joseph. Third Battalion, also t'ol. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Nelson Nehemlah, Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Newffen. Hichard, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Ltottalion. and 
State Troojis. 

Newma'i. John. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Newman, Reuben. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and Slate Troops. 

Newton, Silas, also Sergeant. Continental Army. 

Nichols. Jacob. 

Xichols, Cornelius. 

Nichols, Thomas. Second Battalion, also State Troops and Conti- 
nental Army. 

Nickles, Wilson. Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Nickle.«on, John. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Hattalion, and 
State Troojis. 

Nielson. David, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Nielson, Da\is, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Nielson. Gabriel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Nile, Benjamin. 

Norcro?s. Benjamin. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 



44 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Norcross, James. 

Norcross, Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Norton, Caleb. 

Norton, James. 

Norton, Jonathan, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Nukier, Thomas, Third Battalion, Colonel Somers' Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Nukless, Wilson. Third Battalion. 

Orr (or Ord), John, Third Battalion, al.so Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

On )orn, Daniel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Osborn, John, Captain Stonebank's Company, First Battalion, 
also State Troops, also Continental Army. 

Padgett, David, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Padg-ett, Thomas, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Parker, Joseph, Sr. 

Parker, Joseph, Jr. 

Parker, Samuel, (1). 

Parker, Samuel, (2). 

Parkes, Daniel. 

Parkes, Joseph, Capt. Pierce's Company, First Battalion, also 
Continental Army. 

Parkes, Noah. 

Parkes, Paul. 

Parry, Jo'hn, Third Battalion. 

Parshall, Israel. 

Patterson, John, (1), Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops, also Continental Army. 

Patterson, John, (2), Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Paul. Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Pawpe, Robert. 

Pecki!i. Samuel, Third Battalion. 

Peirson, David, Third Battalion. 

Peirson, Stephen, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Penton, James, Corporal, Continental Army. 

Penyard, Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Penyard, Samuel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalitm, and 
State Troops. 

Perkins, Samuel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Perry, Daniel. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. • 

Perry, John. Third P.attalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Perry, Joseph. 

Perry, Mose.s, Third r.attalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 



KARLY IIISTOUV or ATLANTIC COL'NT.Y, \. J. 45 

Peters, Philip. Sicuiul Hattalion. also State Troops, ami (""onti- 
nental Army. 

Peterson, Aljram. 

Peterson, David, Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
Statt Troops. 

I'eter.'^on, Jaroh, t'aptain .Smith's Company, Third Battalion, State 
Troop.s, and Continental Army. 

Peterson, Samuel. Third liattallon, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troop.s. 

Peterson, Thomas. 

Pett, Jost'ph, Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Pierre, (ieorge. 

Pierce. Ward. 

IMatt, Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Piatt, Samufl, Third Hattalion, al.so Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Poarch. Thomas, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Poiileson, Lawrence, Continental Army. 

Powell, John, Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Powell, Richard. 

Price, Jacob. 

Price, I..-vi. 

Price. Richard. 

Price. Thomas. 

Pri<'c. T'honipsoii, Captain Somers Company. 

Prlilniorc. Williani, Third Battalion, al.'-o Col. Somer.« Bjittalion, 
and State Troops. 

PriKmore, William. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
State Troops. 

Qulck.'^el, William, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Rain, John, Captain Fisler's Company, also Continental Army. 

Reed, Jtmathan. 

Reed, (»l)ediah. 

Reed, William, Second Hattalion, also Continental Army. 

Reeves. John. 

Reeves, Joshua, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers "Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Reeve.*?. Thoma.*--, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Rennard. Thomas. 

Reynolds, Samuel, Third Regiment, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Rice. Michael, Second Battalion, also Continental Army. 

Rich. Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Richerson, Richard, Third Battalion. 

Richman. Richard, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Richmond, Daniel. 

Riley. Jacob, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Riley, Patrick. 



46 KAKLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Risley, Aun. 

Ridley, David. 

Risley, Joseph. 

Risley, Morris. 

Risley, Nathaniel. 

Risley, Samuel. 

Risley, Thomas. 

Robbins, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Roberts, James. 

Roberts, Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Roberts, Samuel. 

Robertson, George. 

Robertson, Isaac. 

Robeson, Calelj, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Robeson, Jeremiah, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Robeson, Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Robeson, Thomas, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Robinson, Jeremiah. 

Rockhill, William, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops; also Sergeant Continental Army. 

Ross, Andrew, First Battalion, Wounded October 29, 1777, ditto 
May 19th, 1778. 

Ross, Stephen. 

Rossell, John. 

Rudnown, Enoch, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Rudrovv, Enoch, Third Battalion. 

Salmon, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Salsbury, John. 

Sawings, Joseph. 

Sayres, David. 

Scott, Thomas, Capt. Paul's Company, Third Battalion, also State 
Troop.s, and Continental Army. 

Scull, Abel. 

Scull, David, Third Battalion, also Cnl. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Scull, Joseph. 

Scull, Peter. 

Sealey. David, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Seddons, Jacob. 

Seeds, Benjamin, also Continental Army. 

Seeley, John, Continental Army. 

Seers, David, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Seller, William. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troopf. 

Selvey. John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Fenker, William, Third Battalion. 

Shane, John. 



):\KI.V IIISTOkV (Jl' ATLANTIC COLNTV, N. J. 47 

Sharp, lliiir>. Third Uattallun, also Col. Somers Ballaliun, and 
State Troops. 

Shaw, Keuhfn, Third Hattalion. also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Shaw. Richard, Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Hattalion. ano 
State Troops. 

KhoelT, David, Third IJattallon. also Col. Somers Hattalion, and 
State Troops. 

Shepht-rd, Lawrence. Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Hattalion. 
and State Troops. 

Shepherd. Nathaniel, Third liattallon. also Col. Somers Hattalion. 
utid State Troop.s. 

Sheijherd. < 'wen. Third Hattalion. also Col. Somers Huttalion. and 
Slate Trooj'S. 

Shinlelt, Frederic. 

Shropiiear, Kdward. Tliird I'.attallon, also Col. Somers Hattalion, 
and State Troops. 

Khute. Samuel. Captain Flsler's Company, also Continental Army. 

Shiiley. John. Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Hattalion. and 
State Troojis. 

SlKht, Henry. al.>*o Continental Army. 

Sill, John, Third Hallallon. also Col. Somers Hattalion, and State 
Troops. 

Silvey. John, Third Hattalion. 

Slmkins. (Jeorse. 

Simkins, James. 

Siner. Je.sse, Thinl I'.attallon. also I'ol. .Somers Hattalion. and State 
Troop.'-'. 

Sinker, William, Third Hattalion. also Col. Somers Hattalion. and 
ttate Troojis. 

Skeofl', David. Third Hattalion. 

Slawttr. John. 

Slide. I'hilip. Third Hattalion, also Col. Somers Hattalion. and 
State Troops. 

Smallwood. James. 

Smallwood. John. Second Hattalion, also State Troops, also Conti- 
nental Army. 

Smith. Klia.*^. 

Smith, Klijah, Jr. 

Smith, Felix. 

Smith, llenr.s. 

Smith, I.-aac. 

Smith, James. 

Smith. Jesse. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
Slate Troops. 

Smith, John, Third Hattalion. also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
Stale Troops. 

Smith. Joseph. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Balla:ion. and 
Stale Troops. 

Smith, Joshua. 

Smith. Micha. 

Smith. Xoah. 

Smith, Thomas. Third Battalion, al?o Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Smith. Wm. U >, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
Stale Troops. 

Smith, Wm. (2». Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
Slate Troops. 



48 UAKLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Smith, Zenos, Second Battalion, also State Troops, and Conti- 
nental Army. 

Snailbaker, Daniel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Snailbaker, Philip, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Snelbacker, George, Second Battalion, also Continental Army. 

Snell, David, Third Battalion. 

Snelly, Robert, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troop^. 

Soey, Joseph. 

Soey, Nicholas. 

Soey, Samuel. 

Sommers, David. 

Sommers, Enoch. 

Sommers, Isaac. 

Sommers, John, Capt. Pierce's Company, First Battalion, and Con- 
tinental Army. 

Sommers, Richard. 

Sommers, Thomas. 

Sparks, Joseph. 

Sparks, Robert. 

Spire, John. 

Springer, Thomas. 

Sprong, Jeremiah. 

Sprong, John. 

Starkey, John. 

Stedman, Richard, Third Battalion. 

Steelman, Andrew. 

Steelman, Daniel. 

Steelman, David. 

Steelman, Ebenezer. 

Steelman, Frederick. 

Steelman, George. ' 

Steelman, James, Sr. 

Steelman, James. 

Steelman, John, also State Troops. 

Steelman, Jonas. 

Steelman, Jonathan, Sr. 

Steelman, Jonathan, Jr. 

Steelman. Richard, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Stephens, David. 

Steward, Ezekiel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion and 
State Troops. 

Steward, Joseph, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Stewart, Alexander. 

Stewart, Joel. 

Stewart, John, Sr., Captain Fisler's Company, also State Troops. 

Stewart, John, Jr., Captain Fisler's Company, also State Troops, 
also Continental Army. 

Stewart, Stephen. 

Stibliins, Ebenezer. 

Still well. David. 

Stoddard, Samuel. 

Stonebank, Thomas, Captain Stoneback's Company, also State 
Troops, also Continental Army.. 



KAKI.V HISTOKV 01* ATLANTIC COL'XTV, N. J. 49 

Stonl. Joel. 

Stothem. Thomas. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
SliUe Troop.s, also ('apt. Allen's Company. State Troops. 
Strickland, Samuel. 

Strumlile. J(jhn. also Continental Army. 

Stull. (JIdfori. Third Battalion. Colonel Somers' Battalion, also 
State Troop.s-. 

Stutman. John. 

Summer.^. James (Somers). Second Battalion, also Continental 
Army. 

Swain. Aliraham. Third Roginuiit. 

Swain. Judi-th. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Swan. Je.>-sf. Third Battalion. 
Swan<ller, Isaac 

Sweeny. Valentine. Third Battalion. 
Swlney. Timothy. 

Swing. Valentine. Third !5attallon. also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Taylor. Israel. 

Taylor. Hobert. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
.Stale Trooj)s. 

Tennent. William. Continental Army. 

Terrepln. Isaac. Third Itattallon, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Terrepln. I'rhih, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Terry. Jonathan. 
Thackry. John. 
Thomas. James. 

Thomas, Jtrhii. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Thomas. Richard. 

Thoms^on. William. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Thorpe. Oliver. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
.State Troops. 
Tlce. Jiihn. 

Till. Peter. Third Battalion. 
Tllton. Daniel. 

Tllton. Joseph. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Tlmberman. Jacob. 

Tomlin. Elijah. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Tomlin. Jacob, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Tomlin. Jonathan. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Tomlin, William. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Tonsoii, Lewi.s. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Tourain or Tourmier. Redack, Third Battalion, Colonel Somers' 
Battalion. State Troops. 
Towne. John. 
Townsend, Daniel. 
Townsend, James. 



50 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Townsend, John. 

Townsend, Reddick, Third battalion, Capt. Smith's Company, 
Continental Army. 

Trumey, Daniel. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Vanaman, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Vernon, David, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Waggoner, George, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Walker, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Wall, George, Capt. Fisler's Company, also Continental Army. 

Wallace, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Walles, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, anu 
State Troops. 

Weatherby, Benjamin, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Weatherby, David, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Weatherby, George, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troops. 

Weeks, John. 

Weeks, Zephaniah. 

Welden, Seth, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Weldron, Thomas. 

Wells, Peter. 

Wence, Jacob. 

West, Israel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

West, Uriah, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Wheaton, Peter. 

Wheaton, Robert, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Wheaton, Silas. 

Wheaton, L'riah. 

Whitacre, Samuel. 

White. Jennings. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

White, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Whitlock, John, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Wild, John. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Wiles, Daniel, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

Wiley, James. 

Williams, David. Third Battalion. 

Williams. Edward, Captain Fisler's Company, also Continental 
Army. 

Williams. George, Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troops. 

AVilliams. John. 



I\KI V IIlSTOkY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 5I 

Williams, William. 

Wllliam.s(jn, I>avi<l, Third Haltaliun, also Col. Somers Battalion, 
and State Troup.s. 

\VII>fy, John. 

Wll.son. Klljah. 

WilHon, William. Third Battalion, al.so Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State TroopH. 

Woodruff. Samiul, Third Battalion, al.so Col. Somers Battalion 
iiid State Troojf.s. 

Woolson, Jnhii. Third lialtallon. also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State Troo|)s. 

VVorrlik. Samiifd. 

Wright. John. Continental Army. 

Yoiinff. I lance. Thir<l Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
State TrofipH. 

Ynunjf. I'riah. Third Battalion, also Col. Somers Battalion, and 
!>tate Troo|)s. 

Zimmerman. Jaeol». 

L. L. T. W. 



52 riART.V HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



WAR WITH FRAXXE 1798-1801 

Officers in tiik Uxitf.d Statks Xavy From New Jersey 

Richard Soniers, Midshipman. April 30, 1798; on Frigate 
"United States" Flagship of Captain John Barry, commanding 
North Atlantic and West India Squadron, July, 1798; took part 
in the capture of the French letters of Marque "Le Sans Pariel" 
and "Le Joloux." North Atlantic Ocean, fall of 1798; Lieutenant. 
May 21. 1799; on Frigate "United States," Captain John Barry, 
Atlantic and West Indian Squadron, 1799 to 1801. 



War with Tripoli. Africa. 1801-1805. Richard Somers. 
Lieutenant; ordered to and served on Frigate "Boston," Captain 
Daniel McNiel, Mediterranean Squadron ; Captain Richard Dale, 
July 30, 1801, to October, 1802; in command of schooner 
"Nautilus," Mediterranean Squadron. Captain Edward Preble, 
May 5, 1803, and joined the fleet in the blockade off the harbor 
of Tripoli, March, 1804; Master Commandant, May 18, 1804; 
in command of the Right Division of gunboats in the several 
attacks and bombardment of the city of Tripoli, August 3, 7, 24. 
28 and September 3, 1804; volunteered and took command of 
Ketch Intrepid (fireship). to attack and destroy the Tripolitian 
fleet in the harbor of Tripoli. September 4. 1804; officers and 
crew killed September 4. 1804, in the harbor of Tripoli by the 
blowing up of the vessel ; Congress, by a resolution passed March 
3, 1805. expressed their "deep regret for the loss of those gallant 
men whose names ought to live in the recollections of a grateful 
country antl whose conduct ought to be regarded as an example 
to future generations." 

L. L. T. W. 

(from "Records of Officers and Men of Nczi' Jersey in Wars, 
I J 10 to iSij.") 



i:\\<l.\ lllsTOKY OF ATLANTIC COUXTV, X. J. 53 

\-.\\<\.y MURAL LAWS (JF NEW JERSEY 
( I'lthlishcd Many ]'i-iirs .li^o in tlw Xn^'cirk Daily Advertiser) 

"'Concerning; the beastly vice, drunkenness.* the first law 
JMllictiii fines of one shillinj^. two shillinj^s. and two shillinijs and 
sixpence, for the tir^t three offences, with corporal punishment, 
should the offender he unahle to i>ay; ami if unruly, he was to be 
put in the stocks until sober. In \(t^2 it was treated more rig- 
orously: each ofTence incurred a tine of five shillings, and if not 
paid, the stocks received a tenant for six hours: and constables, 
not doini; their duty under the law, were fine I ten shillings for 
each ne.Lilect. Thi> iiurea-M- of ])unishment indicates a growth 
in the vice, which may have been attributable in part to the re- 
moval of restrictions on the sale of liquors in small (pumtities 
which had previously been imposed. 

"In i()^)8 each town was obli<.,a'd to keej) an 'ordinary* for the 
relief and entertainment of straiij^ers, under a penalty of forty 
shiriinj.js for each month's nej^lect ; and ordinary-keepers alone 
were permitted to retail litpiors in less (piantities than two ijallons. 
in i<>77. the cpiantity was re»lucetl to one gallon. In if>8v onlin- 
ary-keepers were debarre 1 the privilejje of recovering debts for 
li(|uor sold, amountinj^ to five shillinj^.^; but whatever .q:ood this 
mii;ht have tlone was dcstroyetl by the as.sembly authorizinj.; 
others than keepers of ordinaries to retail stroni; liquors by the 
(|uart. In i6()2. 'forasmuch as there were j^reat exorbitances and 
drunkenness observable in several towns, occasioned by tolerat- 
ins:: many jiersons in sellinj;- drink in private houses.' an attempt 
was made to establish an excise; but the follc^winij^ year it was 
repealed, and the licensing: of retailers confined to the ijovernor. 

"The observance of the Lonl's day was required, by abstain- 
iuix from all servile W(^rk. unlawful recreations, and unnecessary 
travelini^: and any disorderly conduct could be punished by con- 
finement in the stocks, fines, imprisonment, or whippinij. In 
1704. under the atlministration of Lord Cornbury. many of the 
early prohibitions were reTenacted : but by that time, it would 



54 EAKLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

seem, the use of ardent spirits began to be considered necessary, 
keepers of public houses were not to allow 'tippling on the Lord's 
day, except for necessary refreshment.' 

"Swearing, or 'taking God's name in vain,' was made pun- 
ishable by a shilling fine for each otYence, as early as 1668, and 
such continued to be the law until 1682, when a special act pro- 
vided that the fine should be two shillings and sixpence ; and 
if not paid, the offender was to be placed in the stocks or whipped, 
according to his age, whether under or over twelve. 

'■ 'All prizes, stage-plays, games, masques, revels, bull-bait- 
ing, and cock fightings, which excite the people to rudeness, cru- 
elty, looseness, and irreligion,' were to be discouraged and pun- 
ished by courts of justice, according to the nature of the offence. 
Night-walkers or revelers, after niiic o'clock, were to be secured 
by the constable till morning; and, unless excused on examina- 
tion, to be bound over to appear at court. The resistance of 
lawful authority, by word or action, or the expression of disre- 
spectful language referring to those in office, was made punishable 
either by fine, corporal punishment or (as from 1675 to 1682) 
by banishment." 

"In 1676 all liars were included — for the second offence in- 
curring a fine of twenty shillings; and if the fines were not paid; 
the culprits received corporal punishment, or were put in the 
stocks." 



KAKI.V IllST(JkY OF ATLANTIC COl'NTY, N. J. 55 



INDIANS 



Lknm Li; n aim: 



'IIh' l\i.<l Mans history in New Jersey, after the arrival of 
the white man and his tire water, is anytliing but heroic. The 
l.einii I^-nape, (ine of the Uelawares, were of the great Algonkin 
family (jf Indians whose many tril)al branches were scattered 
al(»ii}.( the Atlantic seaboard from i.abratlor to the l%verglades of 
I'lorida. 

The name i.enni I.enape signifies, according to the dilTerent 
translations, "( )ld Men." the ( )riginal or Pure Indian. The Dela- 
ware ( JAMini I.enape » nation occupied the territory now com- 
prising the State of .New Jersey and lived along its river valleys 
because of the abimdance of easily acipiired and nature providetl 
food. 

The original l.enni I.enape was described by the early writers 
as being almo t lovable in his hospitable simjilicity. but when a 
half century had given the white man's li(|uors an<l the inter- 
mixture of bloods a chance to show what they could do. it devel- 
oped that the red man was not what he once had been : he was 
not |)ossessed of the white man's mental i>ower to resist tempta- 
tion of over indulgence. .\s an act of charity, he was placed be- 
y<ind beckoning temptation upon a reservation, the first in the 
United States. This tract of land consisted of 3000 acres, near 
Rdge I'illock or I'rotherton. now known as Indian Mills. The 
Lenni Lenape remained on this reservation until 1802. when 
they joined their fortunes with the Mohigans and removed to the 
State (^f New York. 

They removed again at a later date to Wisconsin (Green 
I'la} I and ultimately to Indian Territory. 

The last act of the Lenni Lenape drama or tragedy occurred 
when the New Jersey Legislature appropriated $2,000 in 1832 
to extinguish all the right, title and interest which the Lenni 
Lenape held or might hold against the Colony or State. 

from "Litre of Loiii:; Bnuieh of Xe-.c Jersey," by 

Gko:u;k B. StnrKKxiLLi:. 



56 KAKLV HISTORY OF ATI.AXTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



Indian Burying Grounds Uncovered 

While building Edgewater Avenue at Pleasantville, yester- 
day, workmen exhumed eight Indian skeletons. This new street 
is on the bay side of the shore road, north of X. Disbrow's 
blacksmith shop, through the estate of the late Josiah Risley. Be- 
tween the road and the meadows, is a hill or shellmovuid, where 
for ages the Redmen of the forest opened oysters ; these mounds 
are found all along the bays through the county, from Leeds 
Point to Somers Point. This is not the first time skeletons have 
been found, also ilint arrow heads and other relics. One of the 
skulls found yesterday wa.s incased in a turtle's shell, with clam 
shells and arrow heads around it. 

This is supposed to be the remains of the famous old chief, 
Kin Xcwongha, members of whn:e tribe ctid live ?.Icn'4- the shore, 
and the others were his original warriors, who helped him to scalp 
the forest. Four more have since been found. — 

iVeivspapcr dipping dated Jan. 28, i8()0, coulribiitcd by 

Joseph R. Moore. 



Second Ixdi.\n Blrying Ground "Exhumed" 

Our Pleasantville reporter testifies to the authenticity of the 
statement, here made regarding the exhuming of the Indian 
skeletons. 

It a]ipcars while Jesse Risley was at work on a tract of 
land between the shore road and the meadow eA'^e a few days 
since, he duT up a skeleton and on the succeeding three days two 
more. ( >n Thursday he was assisted by Ezra Adams and six 
were exhumed. ( )n Wednesday four were dug up and one on 
Thursday: in all 14. Several flints and six arrows were found 
with the bones. The ground where the skeletons were found 
lie.s on top of a hill, and it is surmised that they have been buried 
at least 150 years, as the ground has been farmed for nearlv that 
length of time. The mound where the bones were found is onlv 



KAKI.V HISTORY Ol" ATLANTIC COUXTV, X. J. 57 

60 feet wide and about tlie same Icnj^th while the skeletons were 
about three feet under j^^round. All the bodies were facing^ Lake's 
Hay, and it is supposed that the remains are those of Indians, 
althnugh there is a difference of opinion on the matter. — 

./ Xcwsf^af^cr clif^f^iii;^ dated I'cb. I, iQO^, cotitribntcd by 

JoSKI'M R. ModKK. 



Ckanhkukv Indian Licksd 

Way back in the misty ages of "loiifr aj^o." there is nou}^ht 
but iwilii^hi antl through that twilij^jht. comes this leji;end of 
tile cranberry and the r»o<4; ; also that the beasts of the forest 
were giants, and roved at their own sweet will over the wilds <jf 
West Jersey. 

.\mon,!L; them the Mastodon was kinj^ in strcnj^th and fe- 
rocity, and ii>r tiiis reason was chosen by the Indians a> their 
helper — their beast of burden, lie rebelled at servitude, and in- 
sisted the i>ther beasts should share the burden — they would 
not, then came the crash of war. The sky scowled, the stars 
wept, the earth shook, but the mi.i^hty beast fouijht on. lUood 
flowed, the ^lau^hter was terrific; the roar was heard in the 
adjoining states like unto an earthquake: from this tremendous 
outpour of bl«n)d. the earth became as a sponi^e, so deep that the 
sun's rays coultl not penetrate. It was unsijjhtly, noisome, a boi;^, 
uniil the ijood Lord in his mercy covered it with a soft jjreen 
blanket. In time little heads came up throujj^h this blanket, as if 
to see the li.i^ht of ilay ; now either of their birth in this bkiody 
muck, or that they blushed in their own temerity, they became a 
bright reil and man calletl them '"Cranberrie." and i)ron<:)nnced 
them L^ood. 

M. R. M. Fish. 



58 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



SLAVES IX NEW JERSEY 

From JJarbour's History 

There is no record when slavery was introduced into the 
Colonics, though it is known that it was universal in Europe for 
lOO years before America was discovered, and there is every 
probability that it was coeval with its very earliest settlement. 
We know that even New England with its strict religious code 
was not exempt ; labor with few exceptions was done entirely 
by negroes, who, compared with tlie great amount of work to be 
done, were few in number. 

The Duke of York (brother of Charles II) to wliom he 
granted the Province, was at this time President of the "Royal 
African Slave Comi)an\-." 

When Lord Cornl)ury was ai)pointed Governor of this Prov- 
ince, Queen Anne instructed him to negotiate with the said 
Company that "The said Province of New Jersey may have a 
constant and sufficient number of merchantable negroes at a 
moderate price in money or comodities," and that a l)ounty of 75 
acres of land be given to every man who does either bring or 
send a slave over 14 years old. "for three years, the bounty dimin- 
ishing each year until at the end of the third year, his or her 
master receive 30 instead of 75 acres." There was a duty on the 
importation of negroes and mulatto slaves. 

That there was troul)le from the earlier records we find in 
Jan. 2f)th, 1733. a negro was burned alive for assaulting a white 
woman. 1734 all the negroes of the Province of West Jersey 
were invited to see a negro hung for urging a "Rising of negroes 
that they too should l)e free." In 1737 Xew Jersey had 3<)8i 
slaves. 

Perth Amboy was the (listril)uting center and slave vessels 
landed there, the old barracks in which they were confined until 
disposed of, are still remembered. In 1818 a cargo of kidnapped 
negroes shipped from Perth .\mboy. were seized in New Orleans, 
not having a manifest as recpiircd by law. 



RAKLY HlSTOkV oF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 59 

A Nkwsi'ai'Kk Itkm 

Di:c. 12, 1818. 

"Certain iiieii dealers who carried vfi some negroes from New 
Jersey, after the law was |>assed to stoj) the trade in human flesh, 
have heen caiij^ht in I'lnnsylvania and we hope they will meet 
their reward." 

As e;ui\ a> i'n>(» the Oiiakers stronj^ijly advised the aholition 
of slavery, among themselves, preparatory to asking others to 
d(j so, and societies were established for this purjKJSe. 

171S4, (Governor Livingston, of New York and New Jersey, 
joined for Oie emancipation of slaves, and freed his cily two. 
Tlinugh much feeling was disjjlayed against it, the first effort 
by law was in 1804 when the infants of slave parents were born 
irci.-. \u 1820 all children of slave parents were maile free by 
law, notwithstanding which, in 18^0, there were still (^74 slaves 
in .\'ew Jersey. 

.\(iTi:- In Ki^j the Koyal African Company was iiicori)orat- 
ed. :\{ the head of it was the Duke of York, and the King him- 
self was a large shareholder. 

Slavi:s at I; \ur.AlNTo\v.N 
L. J. Trick 

\\\' arc indebted to Mrs. .\ner Farrish for information. On 
the beginning of the road between the two old mills at liargain- 
town, now where the placid waters of P.argaintown mill |)ond 
lie. was oikv a cedar swamp, through which flowed Patcong 
creek. lUirdcriiig this swamp was the home of one Somers, a 
slave hi Ider, and c^f the family which were ancestors of Mrs 
I-'arri^Ii. 

This swamp was a barrier to easy communication with the 
jieople across the swamp. In order to have passage, other than 
the long way around by the roads, Somers offered liberty to 
his women slaves if they would buikl a way through the swamp. 
The road originally was stepping stones, carried by the slaves in 
dieir aprons. Later we have been told the stream was dammed, 
and a road constructed by bags of sand, being piled until an 



6o 



CARLY HISTOKV OF ATLANTIC COLXTV, N. J, 



embankment was made. Tradition tells us this was also the 
work of Somers' slaves. 

Many, many long years after, about the summer of 1903, the 
dam which held the waters of the stream Ijroke. and the waters 
of the pond quickly Howed out. Where the bridge had been, 
on which one was wont to stand cuid watch the water fall, was 
now only a \awning chasm, through which trickled a tiny 
stream ; and the bed of the pond bare, save for the many stumps, 
mute witnesses of a glorious forest long since passed away, and 
the dark .'"oil of the ])ond's bed sprinkled with grass, and the 
sluggish stream whicli had made the pond, flowing slowly on. 

Months passed without repairs being made, jniblic officials 
claiming that the pond being private property, the repairs should 
be made by the owners. After months of inconvenience to the 
public, the road was repaired, the late Dr. 1"\ F. Corson offering 
to furnish sand necessary for the repairs. 




The Mill at B.^rgaintown 



ivNKI.V HISTOKY OI- ATLANTIC COfNTV, N. J. 6l 



SOME OLD WILLS 

WlI.I. ANI> InvKNTOKY or RiClIAKI) WlI.l.lTS 

Sai.km. 1759 
Xo. <>5S A. Ilk. i,^. fol. 174. 

Secretory of State's (Jtliee, 'Irentun. X . J . 

In the name of Ood amen. I Richard \\ ilHts of the town- 
shi]) of Alloway Creek, in the County of Salem and Province of 
West \. jersey, heinj^ throu;^di the abundant niercy and {goodness 
of Ciod. of a sound and perfect understan(hng and memory, 
calhn^ to mind the mortaUty of my body and knowinj^ that it is 
appointed of all men once to die, do make and ordain that this, 
my last \\ ill and Testament that is to say: 

And first of all I ^ive and recommend my soul into the 
Hands of the God that ^avc it. and for my l)ody I commit it to 
the I'.arili. to be Buried in a Christian like manner, at the discre- 
tion of my Ivxecutors Hereafter mentioned. And as touching 
such worldly estate wherewith it has jileased God to bless me in 
this life. 1 ii^ive. devise, and dis|K>se of the same, in the following 
manner and fi irni : 

1 i^ive and heipieath unto Sarah my beloved wife, the sum of 
One Hundred Pounds lawfidl money of the Province aforesaid, 
also my whole movable Estate. ICxcepting Bonds for Money and 
( \\f: Xci^ro Woman, named Zelpha. and T further order her to give 
])asses to Xegro Xed, and Ishmael and I'enjamin to go and work 
for tlieniselves. \\ hen each arrive at 30 years of age I order 
them that they shall come and work for her in hay time and she 
to pa\- as much wages as if they were white men. 

I give unto my beloved son Richard Willis 30 Pounds. 

1 give unto my beltned daughter Elizabeth Stihvell 30 Pounds. 

I give unto my beloved daughter Deliverance P.irdsill Ten 
Pounds. 

I give unto my beloved son, .-\mos Willis Ten Shillings. 

I give unto my beloved daughter Mary lUmtin ( Bunting) 
30 Pounds. 

1 give unto my beloved grandson Richard Stihvell, 5 Pounds. 



62 KAKLV HISTORY OP ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

I give unto my beloved brother John WilHs of Cape May, it 
being on my son Amos' account, seven Pounds. 

I give my Negro Adam Three Pounds. 

My will is that the remainder of my Estate I give and be- 
queath to my well beloved sons Richard Willis and Machai Willis, 
to be equally divided between them. 

I do constitute, make and ordain my well beloved wife and luy 
well beloved son Richard whole and sole executors of this my last 
Will and Testament, and I do hereby disallow, revoke and Dis- 
annul all and every other Former Testaments, Wills. Legacies, and 
Executors by me in any ways before this time named, willed, and 
bequeathed, Ratifying and Confirming this and no other, to be 
my last will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto 
set my Hand and seal this Thirty First Day of December, Anno 
Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Seven. 

(Signed) RICHARD WILLETS. 

Signed, Sealed, l\iblished. Pronounced and declared by the said 
Richard Willets. 
As his last will and Testament in the Presence of us 

John TiiST 

KlIZABET.iI (*) \\'KlTnMAN 

lvoi?T. Nichols 

March 2d, 1759, by Robert Nicholas and John Test and that 
"Elizabeth Waithman was present" May 24th. 175(). by sig- 
nature of both Executors. 

Apr. 1 6th 1759, Thomas Sayer, Saml. 
^Vood. 

100 Bonds 2 Notes no names. 

I pr. high Chest of Drawers and old 

chests. 
I (nni and Spinning Wheels. 
Cattle in the Salt Marsh and other Cattle. 

, , „ , , Negro Slaves, £200-00-0. 

Proveil ami Probated 

at Sakni. ' lousehold furniture. Farming imple- 

Abstracl of Inventory. '"^^"^'^ '''''^ ' '^'"'<^^- 

.\mount, £ 8^'o-4-8. 



KAUI.V MISTOKV Ol- ATLANTIC COLNTV, N. J. 63 

i'rcjljatcil at Salcin, Abstract Inventory Aj)}). 

Proved May 24tli, 175<;. aftirnied by Sanual Wood 

and Kxecutiirs. 

( )n small ])iecc nf paper is written. 
My man Ned was l)i)rn iSth of January. 17.^. 
My man Islimael was burn 15th of Sejjt., 173<>. 
My man I'.enjann'n wa> burn ^tth of April, 1753. 

This will Contributed l)y a direct descemlant. Mr. Riil)ert M. 
Willis, of I'leasantville. New jersev. 



SoMi: Af.SIK ACTS Ol" Cor.oNIAI. Wll.I.S I'KTWKKN THK YkaRS I702 
AM) 173S or (iKKAT Im.C. IIaKIIoK, (iLOUCESTKR ColNTV. 

I'kovinci:. Wkst Xr.w Jkksky 

Mudmii /'; (\s- /(/(•;;/ </»</ Mi'iiilh'rs nf .1 limit ii Counfy Ilislorical 

Socii'ty: 

It seems from the history of New Jersey, that from about 
i^)So it was the ])ractise to deposit Wills, with Provincial Secre- 
taries, by will mi they were filed or recorded. These reconls 
were l)ri)uj;ht toj^a-ther about i7t;o, in the otHcc t)f the Secretary 
at Trenton, where they are carefully preserved. 

It has been well s.iid. ■"That the History of a Nation is but 
tin- ai;j; restate oi the r.ioi;rai)hies of its jjeople." and surely the 
\\ ill and Testament of a person or persons, gives us g-limpses 
of their history, or histories, as nothinj^ else can do. We .tj^et 
pleasant j;limpses of j;enerosity on j)art of some Testators, ag^ain 
read between the lines of family trai^^edy. also of romance, also 
some testators with a fine sense of equity, as one testator devised 
"Ilalf of my cattle and movable goods to children of my first 
wife, half to children of my second wife." also the grotesque 
as one wishes, "Doctor Robeson to dessect me." One with an 
eye to economy, warns his executors against paying the Doctor 
any "extorsnit bills." W'e also get an echo of slavery days in 
New Jersey, as one inventory includes "Two negroes, and a 



64 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

covenanted servant." Another will, the testator wished "to be 
praised by two reasonable men." Our colonial sires, were not 
exact spellers, as one speaks of debts, as "Dets dangerously dew 
my estate." One letter of administration issued "To hee theay, 
or bee whoe itt will." We can also see where our colonial 
ancestors, not only "enjoyed poor health" but enjoyed a funeral, 
as the following bill presented for settlement will show: "Bill 
for rum, sugar and spices £1 13s. For a barrel of cider, nine 
shillings, all at the funeral." It is charity for us to suppose "all 
at the funeral" was to drown their sorrow in, or with. 

The following abstracts of Great Egg Harbour, New Jersey, 
Wills is copied from Wills at Trenton and I will add here that I 
have written this pajicr at some disadvantage, as I have very 
little New Jersey history accessible. However I submit this 
paper to your charitable judgment. 

The first abstract I have is dated 1702. Nov. 2nd, Jonas 
Valentine, of Great Egg Harbour, Gloucester County, New Jer- 
sev ; wife, Grace ; children, Jonas, Richard, Grace, Deborah, Eliza- 
beth, Martha. Sarah. Wife executrix. Witnesses, Lubbett Guy- 
sebuss and William Leeds, Sr. Inventor}- made by Daniel Leeds 
and William Lake. 

1702. Nov. 30, Peter Conover, of Weymouth Township, 
Gloucester County, New Jersey; wife Mary; children. Peter, 
John. David, Hester, Mary ; 150 acres, between Francis Collings, 
and Jonathan Leeds, 150 acres between John Scull and James 
Steelman. Wife executrix. Witnesses, John Somers and Thomas 
Oliver. Inventory of personal estate made by John Somers and 
Richard Gregory. 

1716. March 22nd, W'illiam Lake, of Great Egg Harbour, 
New Jersey ; wife Sarah ; sons. Nathan and David ; three daugh- 
ters, names not given. Executor John Scull. Inventory by John 
Cozier and Peter Scull. 

1719. May 27th. Jonathan Adams, of Great Egg Harbour; 
wife liarbara; children. Jonathan. John. Abbigail. Margaret. Re- 
becca, v'^arali, Mary, Dina, Phebe. Executors. Wife and Peter 
\Miite. Witnesses. Daniel and Elizabeth Ingersol, Thomas Green. 

1720. Oct. 30. Samuel Gale, of Great Egg Harbour; wife, 
Mary; daughters. Dinah. Sarah; stepson. David Conover; neph- 
ew, Sanuiel Howell, llonie-farm and 85 acres of cedar swamp. 



KAKI.V HISTORY f)F ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 65 

Executors. Jonathan A'lams and Thomas Rislcy. Witnesses, 
Kiiliard Kislcy and Jcjnathan Adams, Jr., and Ambrose Copland. 

ijj\. \kc. iS. Daniel llarkciit, of Great Ej2;g Harbour, wife. 
Sarah; cliihhxii. I )anifl, Richard. Desire Xichelson, wlvt has 
sons. Xehemiah. John, Sainnel, Thomas. Executors, I'eter White 
and Jiinathan .\ddams. Witnesses. Jana-s Howell. Richard Man- 
nery and Thumas (ircen. 

1723, .Ma\ I nil, William Davis, of Great Egg Harbour. 
\dministrat<ir of Estate. Joseph Leeds. Inventory made by 
IVler and John Conover. 

I7_'7, -March 2<j, Joseph Dole, of Great I^gg Harbour, \\ ife. 
ilannah. I'",xecutrix. to sell property, with tile consent of her 
brothers. Richard and James Somers. chiUlren mentioned but 
not by names. Witnesses. Davi<l Callings. Daniel Ingersol. 
I Widget Somers. Inventory includes a "(jreat'" liible made by 
Daniel Gollings ami William Cordery. 

I7,V>. June J(>. I'eter Covenover. of Oeat I\gg Harbour. 
W ife. IClizabeth : children, Peter. Isaiah. Thomas. Micajah, Mary, 
Juilith. Executors, Wife and I'.rother John. Witnesses, Samuel 
II nested and John Watts. 

17,^4, James Steelman. of Great Egg Harbour. Wife Kath- 
erine : "one-half my movable estate, excepting my slaves." Execu- 
tors. Wife Katherine and Son John; children, .\ndrew, Hance. 
John. James. I'.Iias. Reter. Mary. Susaiuiah ; granddaughter. Su- 
saimali. W itnesses. .\aihan Lake. Etlward Oiser, Solomon >Lin- 
nery. 

T.v- ^ *^'^- '-• Ilannah Somers. of Great Egg Harbour; chil- 
dren. Richard. Samuel. Job. Edmund. Millicent; grandchildren, 
children of Hannah Ingersol, not mentioned by name, grand- 
daughters. Ilannah Somers and Millicent Somers; son. Richard 
Somers, sole executor. Witnesses, Daniel Ireland and Judith 
Steelman. 

i73(), .\nJrew Steelman. Sr.. of Great Egg Harbour. Wife. 
Judith, sole executrix; wife Judith to have her third while she 
femained a widow ; children. Andrew. Frederick. James, Peter, 
Mary, Judith. Susannah. "My sons may buy or sell one to an- 
other, but not otherwise." Witnesses. Daniel Ireland, John Wells 
and Alexander Fish. 



66 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

It is not probable that this is a complete list of abstracts of 
Great Egg Harbour Wills, between year 1702 and 1738, but in 
closing I may be permitted to say that with more time to explore, 
and digest material, I could satisfy my own ideal more fully. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Emily Steelman Fisher. 



EAKl.Y IIISTOUY OF ATLANTIC COL'NTV, N. J. 67 



c)M) ci.orcr.sTi-:k corxrv 

From IIai.i.'s Daily L'nion History 

Gloucester County at (jue time extendeil from the Delaware 
to the Sea, iiichulinj^ what is now Camden, Atlantic and Glou- 
cester Counties. Camden was made a county by An Act of 
Le}.,Mslature, passed March 13. 1X44. seven years after Atlantic 
County had heen created. ( )n I'eb. 7, 1H37, An .\ct was passed 
crealiii}^ .\tlantic County. There were then only four lar^e 
townships or votintj places in this ccninty. Ey^S Harbor, Wey- 
mouth, Hamilton and (lalloway. MuUica was created later out of 
<ialloway, and the town of ilammonton out of Mullica. I'uena- 
\ ista, in 1X07. was created out of Hamilton and Atlantic City 
set olT from Ivi^i^ Harbor Township in 1H54. The first deed was 
recorded by |. 11. Collins, the first County Clerk, on May 4th. 
iS^7. and was for 40 acres of lantl in \\\j^\j:; Harbor Township, 
.^old by 1). kobart and wife, to Samuel Saunders. The first 
Will was made by David Dennis and witnessed by Joe West, 
willin.!4^ to his two sons, David and Joel, the "Jack Tudding 
(.'edar Swamp."' (The present President of the Historical Society 
is the daughter of Joel Dennis I. The will was probated seven 
years after. Sanuul Richards and wife gave the lioard of 
I'Veeholders the lot at May's Lamling for the county buildings, 
by deed tlated May 25, 1838. and the present Court House was 
soon erected thereon. 

.\t the annual meeting of the Hoard of Freeholders, of 
Ghniccster County, held in May. 1836. 28 members constituted 
the board, while at the annual meeting on the loth of ^fay, 1836, 
JO members composed the body. The townships of Hamilton, 
Wevmouth. I'.gg 1 larbor and Galloway, having been set ofT from 
(^doucester County, forming a new county called Atlantic, by 
An .\ct of the Legislature, passed the 7th day of Feb. A. D., 
1837. At this meeting commissioners were appointed to value 
the public buildings at Woodbury, the Almshouse property, and 
other assets of the County of Gloucester, and to ascertain what 
proportion of such valuation would be due to the County of 
.\tlantic. according to the ratio of population determined by last 



68 EAKI.Y IIISTOKV Ol" ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

census. The commissioners appointed for Gloucester County 
were: John Clement, Elijah Bovver and Saunders; for Atlantic 
County, Daniel Baker, Joseph Endicott and Enoch Doughty. 
These gentlemen met at the Court House in Woodbury, on the 
9th dav of May, 1837. at 10 o'ck)ck. and were each sworn or 
affirmed faithfully, and imi)artially to value the public properties 
of Gloucester County, which appears as follows : 

Two tracts of land in Deptford Township; adjoining 
lands of John Swope ; containing 248 47100 
Acres $ 850 00 

Movable property at Almshouse 3-728 00 

The entire Almshouse lands, with the buildings and 

im])rovements 16,150 00 

The Court House. Jail, Clerks and Surrogate Offices, 
with their contents ; with all other Property at 
Woodbury, "including the man O'Hoy" 1 1,400 00 

Total $32,128 00 

From wiiich deduct the debt of the County 7-932 55 



Balance to be divided between the two Counties . .$24,195 45 

By the census taken in 1830, the County of Gloucester con- 
tained 28,431 inhabitants. Of that number 8,164 were con- 
tained in the townships of Galloway, Egg Harbor, Weymouth 
and 1 lamilton, com])osing the new cdunty of Atlantic, its pro- 
portional share or ])art was placed at $ 6.947 75 

Gloucester County's proportional share 17.247 70 

Total $24,195 45 



KAKI.V HISTORY 01" ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 69 



I 


I 


<i 


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; 


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C 












/ 






/^.C.4C£lC' 



Danit/ Ihikir /Csq 
Diar sir 

Our tiiicti zcas seh'ctid o/i Ihiirsday /ast—it consists of John C. 
Smali-wnni to until— Jos W Cooprr Jtis W Ctiltiu'tit Dazid C On den John 
A^it hards tisst'inbly—thr/iclinir is zrrr stroma in faivr oj' a division of the 
County and no one xvas sctectcd on the ticket until it was ascertained that he 
was in favor ofdividins; the County (unless it he Mr Richards and Mr 
Thacfcray of Haddonfield said that Mr A' would be in faivr of the division) 
I do not think that anyone would haze been placed on our ticket if he had 






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>^rt er declared li itnself unfriendly to the division — unless you should be deceived 
as^ain as to who are friendly to the division I think the chances are very 

fair 

/ would be much pleased if I could receive the power of ally front 
old A/rs Steehnan before thursday next as I w.int to go to Trenton that day 
and could i^et her money 

I 'err Respectfully ) ours 

f C Smallzc'ood 




Daniel Bakkr 



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72 EARLY HISTORY Ol" ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J, 



THE OLD FORT AT SOMERS I'OIXT 

One ov thk ( )li)Kst Historical Landmarks in Atlantic 

County 

The construction of I5ay avenue at Sonicrs Point compels 
the removal of one of the oldest historical landmarks in the 
county, which is the hillock, or the site on which it was erected 
during the Revolutionary War and was the only fort in this 
vicinity. It was erected by Atlantic County enterprise, and by 
our county's old population, the cannons and equipments being 
furnished by the state. At that time was stationed at Somers 
J'oint eight companies of foot soldiers, and two of cavalry, at 
that time called horse guards. 

The troops were commanded by Col. Th.omas Doughty, an 
old county resident, of whom Mrs. Japhct Townsend and Ely 
Doughty, of Linwood. are the sole descendants. The removal of 
the fort calls forth many sad reminders from the old inhabitants 
in this vicinity. \Ve have often heard their parents tell of the 
exciting times of those days. During the war several war ships 
were brought into Great Egg Harbor inlet by the L'nited States. 
Noticeable was the Belviduc or Bellview which vessel had on 
lx)ard a crew of whom even the officers were filthy and covered 
with that small insect — the louse. This vessel was towed into 
the harbor and the small channel running from it into Steelman's 
bay was given the name of Lousy Harbor and still retains the 
name to this day. 

So far 15 cannon balls, weighing three and one-half ]-)ounds, 
and two weighing seven pounds each have been unearthed from 
the fort. As relics they command from 50 cents to $1.00 apiece. 
The cannons were removed 1816, having done duty in preventing 
hostile forces from landing by way of Great Egg Harbor inlet. 
Several houses were demolished l)y the enemies' vessels. The 
fort being built of sand withstood shot and shell. There are to- 
day a number on the pension rolls for services rendered at this 
fort: at English Creek and liargaintown ; two at Bakersville. one 
in vSmiths Landing and one in .\tlantic City. — Mrs. Harriet Scull, 
from a Xcwsf^af^cr Clif^f^iiii::. October 8, 1887. 



F.AKI.Y IIISTOUV (»!• ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. 



73 



CoNTRii'.i Ti:i) I5v J(;s::i'n R. Moork 

The (ilikr inlial)itanls of Somers Point reiiicnibcr being 
told l)y their parents of a time when all the men of the place 
were away and a liritish vessel was »:een ojniin}^ in the inlet. 
The women hurriedly j^jatherecl all the children and \nn them to 
tramping; up and down amid the hi^^h weeds {jrowinj; on the 
shore, shakinj4 houj^hs of trees, to make it api)ear as if a large 
body of men were getting ready for defense, while they banged 
the camion and old guns left them. The British were so de- 
ceived that they turned and hurried from the inlet and were 
not heard from again. — Mrs. .1. iriicaton. 




'The Hero oi- Tripoli' 



74 EARLY IIISTOKY OK ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



CARDIXG MILL. 

By L. J. I'RicE 

The carding; of wool like other industries of our county is 
now only a matter of history. On Lake's Creek, ScuUville, be- 
fore or near the time Atlantic County was created, Thomas Bevis 
built a mill for the carding of wool, and preparing" sumac for 
market trade. 

The mill was about forty feet long, and twenty feet wide. 
It was a one story structure, with a loft. One portion of the 
mill was built on piling, the remaining portion resting on the 
ground. The pre])aration of the sumac for market was an im- 
portant feature of the mill's business. The leaves were dried 
and crushed beneath stones, not unlike mill stones of the grist 
mills. The sumac when prepared was shipped by boat, principal- 
ly to the New York markets. 

The machinery operating the mill was enclosed in a box-like 
compartment underneath the mill, in which for a time a rattle- 
snake made its retreat. When the machinery was running the 
snake would hum; the sound was similar to the singing of 
locusts. 

We are indebted to Mr. Joshua Scull for this information, 
who until recently was the owner of the property on which the 
mill was located. The late Dennian Uevis, whose death was 
comparatively recent, remembered the building of the mill. 

AI)out a half century ago when the industry was abandoned, 
the machinery was taken apart and carried by boat to New 
York, the vessel loading at Jefferies Landing, commanded by 
Jonathan Smith. Mr. Scull tells of various experiences with 
rattlesnakes along Lake's Creek. 

Once as Mr. Scull was driving home with two children, Mr. 
Scull at the time walking by the side of the wagon, saw a rattler 
suddenly spring on to one of the wagon wheels, and as the 
wheel turned around, fnran::^ to the front wheel. Calling to the 
children to guide the hcrre and walking backward, so as not to 



i;ari.v history of Atlantic couxtv, n. j. 75 

lose si^lit of the snake until he could i)rocure a stick with which 
he killed the reptile. One of the children was Mr. William 
Collins, who were cnroute to their grandparents, Mr. ami Mrs. 
Alpheus iJevis. We can hartlly realize at this day of portions 
of our county heiii}.,^ infested once by a serpent so dangerous 
to man. 

Mrs. l)(.!)orah jane .\n<lerson. of Somers Point, tells us 
that when a child, she would go with her father to the carding 
mill with wool to he carded; wool that was the product of his 
farm. 



76 EAKLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



CLARK'S OLD LOG MEETLVG IIOL'SK AT PLItASANT 

:^11LLS. 

Ill 1758 a nulc church or meeting house was built at Sweet- 
water, now Pleasant Mills, by Dr. Elijah Clark, an okl-time min- 
ister. Being built after the primitive style of the period, this 
old log nieeting house was twenty-hve by thirty feet, ceiled witl". 
cedar boards and covered with cedar shingles. 

Tlie site of this first rude church, which was known for 
many years as Clark's T^og Meeting House at the forks of the 
Little Egg Harbor, is still pointed out as being upon practically 
the same spot as the ])resent IMethodist Church in the pine grove 
on the margin of the old cemetery, where sleeps several gen- 
erations of the villagers. Reverend Allen H. Brown, a zealous 
Presbyterian minister and synodical missionary, says Clark s 
little log meeting house stood at the junction of Atsion and Batsto 
Creeks, at what is now Pleasant Mills in Mullica township. Pi 
is also stated that this meeting house was ten or twelve miles 
from the site of the Clark's Mill Meeting House, near Port 
Republic. 

Clark's Log Meeting House was a free meeting house to all. 
It had no settled pastor, but was used by ])reachers of all denom- 
inations. In his journal of 1775, Reverend Philip W Fithian 
mentions the names of twenty-seven Presbyterian ministers who 
had preached in this \og church. Few in our day can appreciate 
the unlettered teachings of the itinerant ]ircachers and the plain 
manner of living of those whose race was run in rougher paths 
than ours. Reverend Simon Lucas, a Revolutionary soldier, 
was one of the iirimilive Methodists who officiated in this old 
church twenty \ears or more before it gave place to a larger and 
more sightly edifice which was erected in 1808, is still standing 
and is known as the Pleasant Mills Methodist Church. 

This sketch is from notes taken from "Heston's Hand Books" 
and "The Daily I'nion History" by John F. Hall. — Written by 
Mav Elizabeth Irclait. 



fsr_ 




'SMh 



78 EAKLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. 



THE CALLING OF THE MILITL\ FOR THE WAR OF 

1812-1815. 

Xearly two months before war was declared between the 
United States and Great Britian, New Jersey had begun to place 
herself in a condition to defend her sea, coast and harbor. An 
Act of Congress called the militia into service, April loth 1812. 
War was declared June iSth 181 2, five thousand troops were 
required of New Jersey as her portion. The Uniformed Militia 
at that time consisted of 2500 men. 

March 24, 1813, the Governor issued a general order from 
his headquarters at Elizabethtown, enjoining upon every en- 
rolled militiamen to provide himself with a good musket or 
fire lock, a sufificient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a 
knapsack, a pouch to contain not less than 24 cartridges, suited 
to the bore of his nuisket, each cartridge to contain sufificient 
quantity of powder and ball; or if a rifleman with a good rifle, 
knapsack, shot pouch and j^owdcr horn, 20 balls suited to the 
bore of his rifle and one-fourth pound of powder ; or if a dragoon 
with a serviceable horse at least 14I4 hands high, a good saddle, 
small pillion, a valise, holsters, a breast plate and cupper, a pair 
of boots and spurs, a pair of pistols, sabre, a cartouch box. to con- 
tain cartridge for pistols. 

Act of Congress authorized the president to organize, arm 
and equip according to law, a militia to hold in readiness to march 
at a moment's notice, to supj^ress insurrection and repel in- 
vasions. The said militia not to be compelled to serve a longer 
time than six months, after arriving at place of rendezvous, re- 
ceiving the same pay and rations and emoluments as the I'nited 
States army when in service. "Section 5 — And be it further 
enacted that i)i Hck of ivhippini:^ as provided by several rules and 
articles of war, as iioti' used and practised, stoppage of pay. con- 
finement and deprivation of part rations be substituted. 



KAKI.V IIISTOW o:- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 79 

ARTiM.i'in- C()Mi^\^■^■. third REGIMEXT, GLOU- 

CESTI-.R I'.RIGADE 

RoHKKT Smith. Cm'Taix 

'J his ciiiiipan) was orj^anizcil Feb. 1 2th, i!^0'j, ami was at- 
tached to the Second I'.at'.ahon, Third Rej^iment. Gloucester Bri- 
.^^•lde, Xew jersey Militia, and ";iavin<.; volunteered for the pro- 
tection (I I' the maritime frontier." in accordance with section 8. 
iif the militia law of Eel). I2th. 1H14, was ordered into service 
durinjL^ the war of 1.S12-15 by Governor I'enninqton. In the 
rail f)f troops made by the ('.overnor, Aui;. 12th. 1814. this com- 
pany was exempted from details "havinij volunteered to i)er- 
t'orm certain services." The company was enrolled for duty at 
Smithville, Gloucester (now Atlantic) County and was stationed 
at Leeds Point and Somers I'oint, and at other ])laces on the 
sea const, between Little I-'i^ij Harbor, and Cireat E^^ Harlx)r 
rivers. The enemy atempted to lan<l at Somers Point on one 
occasion and the company was called out to repel them. They 
appear to have had but one continut)us tour of duty, which was 
from May 1st to June 2i). 1814. and for which they were paid by 
the State, by an Act of the Le.tjislature. Eeb. 8, 1 81 6. but dur- 
inj^ all the rest of the year, they were always "])repared for 
actual service on anv suilden eiuer^ency." and were called out 
several times by alarms aloni^ the coast ft>r imme<liate defense of 
the state. They were finally dischar.<,'-e<l at the close of the war 
at Smitluille. Gdoucester Co.. I'eb. i<). 1815. 

NAMK RANK ENROI.I.KU PKRIOU DISCH.\RGED 

Until 

.'^mith, Rol.ert Captain May 1, 1S14 Relieved Feb. 19, 1815 

lOndicot. Joseph P'irst L.leut. 

Kndicot. John ■ Second Lieut. " " " 

Kndioott, WiUiam First Sergt. 

SmaUwood, Levi Sergeant " " " 

Morse, N'ehemiah .... 

Kindle, Joseph " " " 

Smith, James 

Kindle, Daniel. Sr Corporal " " " 

McCoUum. Malcolm . . 

Shores. Joseph 

McCollum. Samuel ... 



8o 



EARLY HISTOl^y Ol' ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



name; rank hnroi.lho pkriod uischargki> 

Until 

Johnson, Joseph Dnniinier May 1. 1814 Relieved Feb. 19, 1815 

Mathis, Reuljen Drummer 

Rlsley, Leeds Fifer 

Adams, Evy Private 

Adams, John 

Adams. Thomas " 

Bates, Joab 

Bell, Joseph 

Bennett, Wm 

Blackman, James .... 

Bowen, John " 

Bowen, Joseph " 

Brewer, John 

Burnet, Joshua " 

Clifton, George " 

Conover, Absalom " 

Conover, Adam " 

Conover, Eliakim " 

Conover, James 

Conover, Jol) 

Conover, John 

Conover, Josiah 

Conover, Macajah " 

Conover, Peter " 

Conover, Somers.' " 

Conover, Wm " 

Cordery, Daniel " 

Cordery Edmund .... " 

Delap, Samuel 

Doughty, Abner 

Doughty, John 

Doughty, Nathaniel . . 
Doughty, Thomas .... 
Endicott, Benjamin . . 

Endicott, Jacob 

Endicott, Nicholas .... " 

Garwood, Joseph " 

Giberson, James " 

Glberson, Jesse " 

Giberson, Joh\i " 

Grapewine, Huston ... " 

Hewitt, Aaron " 

Higbee, Absalom " 

Higbee, Edward " 

Higbee, Enoch " 

Homan, Daniel " 



KAkl.Y IIISTORV OI* ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



8l 



NAMI-: 



KANK 



Jloman, David Private 

lioman, Kli 

Human, John 

1 Inmun, Mahlon 

I lorn, Isaac 

Ireland, Hanlcl 

Ireland, Vincent 

Johnson, \Vm 

KIndIo, Daniel, Jr 

Kindlo, Thomas 

I^opds, rornellus 

I>eods, Jesse 

I^eoda, Reuben 

Mathls Herlah 

McCollum. Daniel .... 

McC'oIhini, Jo.'-se 

Mcrolhim. John 

Mcrolliim, Samuel . . . 

Mor.so, Jrial) 

Mors*', Joshua 

Murphy, Thomas S. . . 
Newhorry. Daniel .... 
Newberry. Solomon. . . . 

Parker, Jesse 

RIsley. Ell 

Risley, John 

Scull. Daniel 

Scull. Gideon 

Scull, James 

Scull. Paul 

Shores, David 

Smallwood. Samuel . . . 

Smith, Isaac 

Smith. Jonathan 

Smith, Noah 

Somers, Joseph 

Somers, Richard 

Somers, W'm 

Sooy. Benjamin 

Soo.v, Nicholas 

Sooy, Samuel 

Strickland. Eli ' 

Strickland, John 

Strickland, Samuel . . 

Thomas. Aaron 

Turner, John 

Weeks, Vincent 

Weldon. Gideon 



KN ROLLED 
May 1. 1814 



PKRIOD 

Until 
Relieved 



DISCHARGED 
Feb. 19, 1815 



L. L. T. W. 



82 I-AKLV HISTORY OF ATLAXTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

COMPAXV OF IM-AXTRV, FIRST REGIMFXT, 
GLOL'CFSTFR BRIGADE. 

JoilX Iv. SCILL, CaI'TAIX 

This Company was organized April 14th, 1814, the officers 
commissioned ]\Iay 6th, 1814. and was called a Volunteer Com- 
pany, First Battalion. First Regiment. Gloucester Brigade, New 
Jersey Militia. During the month of May it volunteered "for 
the protection of the maritime frontier." in accordance with 
section of the militia law of Feh. 12th, 1814. and was ordered 
into service during the War of 1812-15 hy Governor Penning- 
ton. 

In the call for troops made by the Governor. Aug. 12. 1814, 
this com])any was exempted from the detail "having volunteered 
to perform certain services. The company was enrolled for duty 
at Somers Point. Gloucester County (Atlantic County) and was 
stationed at Somers Point, and along the seacoast, to Cape 
Mav. They ai:)pear to have had but one continuous term of 
duty which was from May 25th, 1814. to June nth, 1814. and for 
which they were paid by the state by Act of the Legislature, 
Feb. (), 18 1 5, but during all the rest of the year they were al- 
wavs "prepared for actual service on any sudden emergency." and 
were called out several times by alarms along the coast, for the 
immediate defense of the State. They were finally discharged at 
the close of the war, at Somers Point. Gloucester Co., Feb. 12th. 
1815. 

NAME RANK ENROL,l,En PERIOD DISCHARGED 

Until 

Scull. John R Captain May 25, 1814 Relieved Feb. 12, 1815 

Scull, Samuel First Lieut. 

Holbert, Levi Second Lieut. 

Frambes, Job Third Lieut. 

Risley, Samuel Ensign " " 

Frambes, David First Serg't. 

Dole, Zachariah Sergeant " " 

Scull, Israel " " " ' 

Lake, Samuel 

Somers, Richard I " " " 

Pine, John Corporal " " 

Reeve.s, Thomas " " " 

Robinson, Isaac " " " 



KAKLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 83 



NAMK RANK HNROIJ.KO PHRIOU DISCHARGED 

Until 

Rialey Robert Drummer May 25, 1814 Relieved Feb. 12, 1S15 

Gifford James M FIfer 

Adams, Jamis I'rlvate " " " 

Adams, Jt-remlah . . . . " " " 

Adams, Jonas " " " " 

Adams, Solomon " " " " 

Allxrtson, Jacob " " " 

Barber, John " " " " 

Hartlett, David K " " " " 

Hoaston. John " " " " 

ItlacUman. Andrew ... " " *' " 

I'.lackman, Andrew 15. . " " " " 

Hlackman, Thomas . . " " " " 

Itooy, Derestlus " " " " 

IU)oy, Joseph n " " " 

Itiirton, James 

<'haml>erlaln, Jesse. ... " " " 

("hamhers, Jesse 

<'hamplon, Knoch .... " 

<'hamplon, John 

<^hamplon, Joseph . . . . " 

<^layton. Joel 

<'layton, John 

i'ordery, Ab.Kalom . . . . " 

Delancy, Samuel " 

Doughty. Daniel 

Doughty, Knoch 

Doughty, John 

lOdwards, Daniel 

English, Daniel 

English, Mosea 

Frambes, Aaron 

Frambes, Andrew . . . . " 

(Jauslin, Stephen 

<fOdfrey, Andrew 

Hickman, Andrew .... 
llolbert, Ebenezer . . . . " 

Ireland, Clement 

Ireland, David 

Ireland, Elijah 

Ireland, Job 

Ireland, Thomas 

Jeffers, Andrew 

Jeffers, Daniel 

Jeffers, Evin 

JetTers, Nicholas 



84 



KARLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J, 



NAME 



Jeffers, John Private 

Jeffers, Wm 

Laird, Enoch 

Lee, David 

Marshall, Jesse 

Mart, Daniel 

Mart, John 

Morris, Richard 

Price, David 

Price, John, Sr 

Price, John, Jr 

Reggins, John 

Risley, Jeremiah, Sr. . . 
Risley, Jeremiah, Jr. . . 
Risley, Nathaniel .... 

Risley, Peter 

Risley, Richard 

Robarts, John 

Robinson, John 

Scull, Andrew 

Scull, David 

Scull, John S 

Scull, Joseph 

Scull, Richard 

Somers, Damen 

Somers, Edmund 

Somers, Isaac 

Somers, James 

Somers, John Jr 

Somers, John Sr 

Somers, Joseph 

Somers, Mark 

Somers, Nicholas 

Somers, Samuel 

Somers, Thomas 

Smith, Abel 

Smith, Enoch 

Smith, Isaac 

Smith, Jacob 

Smith, Jesse 

Smith, Zophar 

Steelman, David 

Steelman, Elijah 

Steelman, Francis .... 
Steelman, Frederick . . 
Steelman, James 



RANK ENROI,I<ED 
May 25, 1814 



PERIOD 

Until 

Relieved 



i;.\KI,\' HISTORY 01* ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



85 



NAMI-: 



KANK 



ENKomKU 



Steelman, Jesse Private May 25, 1814 

Steelman, I'etor C. . . . 

Steelman, Reed 

Steelman, Sumuel .... 

Tilton. Daniel 

Townsend. Jame.s .... 

Town.send, Juphet 

N'iinsant, J<jel 

Wllklns, Jo.seph 

Wilsey, Martin 

Wlnmr. Joseph 

Winner. John 



PHRIOl) DISCHARGED 

Until 
Relieved Feb. 12, ISI5 



I.. I.. T. \V. 



86 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

ATLANTIC COUNTY 
By L. L. T. W. 

Atlantic County is bounded, northeast by Burlington County, 
southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, south by Cape May County, 
southwest by Cumberland County and northwest by Gloucester 
County. 

It is about thirty miles long, by twenty wide and was formed 
from the eastern part of Gloucester County in 1837. The prin- 
cipal streams are the Great Egg Harbor, running through it 
nearly centrally ; the Little Egg Harbor, separating it from Bur- 
lington County ; and the Tuckahoe, on its southern boundary. 
These streams are navigable for many miles. Atlantic County 
is divided into five townships. 

Egg Harhor Township 

Egg Harbor Township, formerly called Great Egg Iiarlx)ur. 
is the oldest township in Atlantic County. 

It formerly comprised all that portion of Gloucester County 
lying southeast of Deptford Township and included all of what 
is now Atlantic County. 

From it have been taken the various municipalities which 
comprise Atlantic County, starting with Galloway Township in 
1774, which cut off from the northeastern portion or approxi- 
mately that portion northeast of the Camden and Atlantic Rail- 
road. Then Weymouth Township in 1798, which took that por- 
tion between the Tuckahoe River and the Great Egg Harbor 
River. Then Hamilton TownsJiip in 181 3, which took that jior- 
tion northwest of Miry Run. Mullica was formed from Gallo- 
way in 1838, and since, the Cities and I'oroughs along the beach 
and Shore Road, leaving in the T(nvnship at the present time 
the strip of meadow land between Absecon Beach and the Shore 
and from the northwest Ixiundaries of the Shore Road Munici- 
palities to Hamilton Township, between the Great Egg Harbor 
River and Galloway Township. 



KAKI.Y mSTOkV f)F ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 87 



Oij) Galloway Township 

Geor}^^' 'I'Ik- 'riiir<l. hy the j^racc of (iod, of (jfcat I'ritain. 
I'Vancc ami Irclaml. Kiii}^ (k-fcndcr of the faith, etc.. to whom 
these presents shall come, j^rcctinj.,^ : 

l\nr)w \'e. That we of (jur s])ecial ^raiit, certain knowledijc 
and mere motion, have ^''iven an 1 j^rante<l and by these presents 
«lo j^Hve and j^aant. for us and our successors, to the inhabitants 
of the iu)rtheast part, of the township of Great K^ii; llarbor, in 
the county of Gloucester, in our Province of \'ew Jersey, wherein 
the followiiiL,'^ boinidarys, to wit: I'.ej^^inninj^ at a ])ine tree stand- 
inj4 (Ml tiie head of the north branch of .\bse(|uan Creek, marked 
on four sides; on the southwest side lettered Iv. G.. and on the 
northeast side X. W'.. and froiu thence runninj^ nortli forty-five 
decrees eii^hty miiuUes west ( the ei^lity minutes must be an 
error in the records), sixteen miles a (|uarter and a half quarter 
to a pine tree standijitj southwest, sixty chaitis fmm the new 
road, and near a small branch of Penny Pot. and in the line of 
the former township aforesaid, and marked as aforesaid: and 
thence rtuinitiLj by the aforesaid line north forty-five dej^rees 
east. lu'ne miles to Atsion branch, tiience down the same to the 
main river of Little Kjtju: Harl)or: thence cUnvn the aforesai J 
river, bv the several courses tlicreof to the mouth; thence south 
thirty-five detjrecs east, six miles and a quarter throufjh the Great 
I'.av of Little Rc^ijf Harbor, to the southwest end of the flat beach 
at I'.riiiantine Inlet; thence southwesterly, crossin*^ the said P>ri<^- 
antine P.each and the sea at Abscquan Inlet; thence north sixty 
dej^rees west. fuL' miles, crossing the sounds and Absequati Bay 
to Amos Ireland's Point, near the mouth of Absequan Creek; 
thence bntni lintj by the several courses thereof up said creek, 
and north branch of Absequan to the pine first named, and place 
of lie^innint^, to be and remain a r>crnetual township and com- 
munitv in word and i\ee(\. to be called and known by the name 
of the Township of Old Galloway. .A.nd we further s^rant to the 
said inlnbitants of the township aforesaid, and their successors, 
to choose annuallv a Constable. Overseer of the Poor, and Over- 
seer of the Hisfhways of the township aforesaid, and to enjoy 
all the riqhts. liberties and immunities thus any other township 



88 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

in our Province may of riglit enjoy. And the said inhabitants 
are hereby constituted and appointed a township by the name 
aforesaid, to have, hold and enjoy the i)rivileges aforesaid, to 
them and their successors forever. In the testimony whereof, 
we have caused these letters to be. made patent, and the Great 
Seal of the I'rovince of \ew Jersey to be hereunto affixed. 
Witness our trusty and well beloved William Franklin, Esq., Cap- 
tain General, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over 
the Province of Xew Jersey and territories thereon dejK'uding 
in America, Chancellor and \'ice Admiral of the same, etc., the 
fourth day of April, in the fourteenth year of our reign, Anno 
Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four ( 1774). 

Tlie first line was run from the head of Absequan to the 
head of Gloucester Township line, June the first, seventeen nine- 
ty-seven. 

Weymouth 

An Act fur dividinj;' the Townsliip of Great Egg Harbor in 
the County of Gloucester, into two separate townships. Passed 
February 12, 1798. 

Be it enacted by the Council and General Assembly of this 
State, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the ^ame, 
That all that part of the Township of Great Egg Harbor lying 
to the west and southwest of the said Great Egg Harbor River; 
to wit: Beginning at the mouth of the Turkey hoe River; thence 
up the middle of Great Egg Harbor River until it meets the line 
of Deptford Township; thence along the said line to the line 
between Cumberland and Gloucester County, thence down said 
line till it intersects the line between Gloucester and Cape May ; 
thence down the middle of Turkeyhoe River to the place of be- 
ginning shall be and the same is hereby set oflf from the town- 
ship of Great Egg Harbor, and the same is hereby established 
a separate township to be called by the name of "Weymouth." 

1 lAMH/rON 

An Act to incorporate into a townshi]i a jxirt of the trnvn- 
ships of Great Egg Harbor and Weymouth, in the county of 
Gloucester by the name of Hamilton. Passed February 5. 1813. 



KAULV IIISTOKY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 89 

Be it enacted b\ the Council and Cjcneral Assembly of this 
State, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the ^ame. 
That all that ])art oi the Townships of Oreat Egp; Harbor anl 
Weymouth in the County of Gloucester \y\n^ within the follow- 
ing bounds: llej^^inninj^ in the line of the Townships of Great 
i^^g' Harbor and W'exinouth at the mouth of Miry Rtui. where 
it empties into Great li.:;^ Harbor River; thence runnin<( up the 
middle of said Miry Run the several courses thereof to tiie head 
(tf said run; then a northeastwardly course until it intersects tiie 
line of (jalloway Township; then alonj^ line of Galloway and 
'•riTit b.L,'-};' Harbor Townships northwestwardly until it inter- 
sects the line of the township of (^doucester ; then alojit; the line 
of the townships at Great ]\ii,^ Harbor and Gloucester, south- 
westwardly and still on the same course in the line between the 
Township of Weymouth and Township of Deptford, Greenwich, 
iikI Woolwich, until it intersects the line of the County of Cum- 
berland ; then in the line of the Counties of Cumberland and 
C.loucester. southeasterly to a station in said county line, where 
a course corresponding with the southwardly line of the West 
Jersey S(>ciety"s lars^e re-survey will strike the southwest corner 
if sai<l re-survey; then aloiii:^ the said southwardly line of the 
West Jersey Society's re-survey to (^ireat Ki:j.cr Harbor River; 
then down the said river the several courses thereof to the 
mouth of Miry Run aforesaid, beinuf the place of be!j:inninir. 
shall be and is hereby set off and made a separate township, 
to be called b\ the name of "The Townshiji of Hamilton." 

BUENA \'lSTA 

All that part of the Township of Hamilton contained within 
the followinq; bounds, to wit: Reg^innins: at a corner common to 
the counties of Gloucester and Atlantic in the Cumberland Coun- 
t\- line, and runniuij: thence in the line of said Atlantic County 
northeastward to a corner of the incorporated town of Ham- 
monton in the middle of a road laid down and marked on the 
maps of the late Weymouth Farm and Aj^ricultural Company's 
land and called third road : thence alonq- the middle of said third 
road as laid down on said map southeastwardly to a point in the 
middle of Seventh Street at the intersection of said third road. 



90 KARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

with said Seventh Street ; thence along the middle of said Seventh 
Street, south westwardly on the course of said Seventh Street 
extended until it intersects the west line of a re-survey made 
to the West Jersey Society for 78,060 acres; thence along said 
west line of said re-survey about 10 degrees east until it inter- 
sects the north line of Weymouth Township ; thence along the 
north line of said Weymouth Township, westwardly to the east 
line of Cumberland County : thence northwestwardly along said 
Cumberland County line to the place of beginning. Approved 
March 5, 1867. 



F.Akl.Y IIJSTO;-Y OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 9I 

'rill- XAMIXG OF ATLWTIC COUXTY 

I'.Y CoRNKI.lA C. FkINK 

The late Dr. Jonathan Titiicv. (jf Ahsecon, was calling on 
my grandfatlur. the late Daniel Baker, of liakersville. it being 
his custom to tlo so quite frequently: they were great friends. 

As the Doctor was leavin:.^ at this i)articular time, my 
grandfather went with him to the door; and as they stood on 
the ])orch conversing, the Doctor turnetl antl said: "Judge, what 
name shall we give to the new county?" The Judge stocjd for 
a moment, looked over towards the ocean, waved his hand and 
said, "Doctor there is the wide broad Atlantic Ocean, what name 
more a|)|)ropriate than .\tlantic County." 

It was near sunset when this conversation took place. 



ORK^.IX OK TOWX XAMKS OF ATLAXTIC COl'XTY 
Uv M. R. M. I'lSH 

In looking for the reason of the naming of towns and 
villages thron^h this county there has usually been a store named 
after its proprietor, later the name was given to the locality: 
hence Scullsville, Steeliuanville, English Creek, Smiths Land- 
mg. Mays Landing. Somers Point, etc. These names represent 
large families, one of which kept a store, and later a post office. 

rieasantville is an excejition. When Daniel Lake built his 
new store in Adamstown he went across the street to Daniel 
Ingersol. wheelwright, for a board to paint on the new sign. Mr. 
Ingersol otTered to give him the board for the privilege of nam- 
ing the store; this granted, Mr. Ingersol called it Pleasantville. 

Years after, when Adamstown, Lakestown and Martstown 
were consolitlated into a r>orough, it retained this name, as it 
had jirobably been in general use. 



92 EARLY HISTOUY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Smith's LandinjT^ — A ])oat landiiif^ owned l)y Smith. Used to 
send ])roduce and freight by water. 

Xorthfield — The station was first named Dolpliin, the name 
given by Jenkin, Real Estate Agent. 

]5akersville — By Judge Baker, who also named Atlantic 
County. 

I^inwood — First Leedsville, from Leeds Store. When giv- 
en a post office, there being one of this name in New Jersey, it 
was changed to Geneva, one in Xew ^'<)rk and Xew Jersey, 
causing confusion. The ladies met in the school house and de- 
cided on Linwood. 

Sea \'iew — There were but a few places on the Shore Road, 
giving a view of the ocean, south of P'leasantville ; one of them 
is from the back ])orch of Hagerty's Store ; when it became the 
post office it was named Sea \'iew. 

P.ell Haven— By Wm. Bell. 

Launch Haven — By Campbell. Mayor of Somers Point. 

Somers Point — Large land holdings of Somers family. 

Risley Town — Risley family. 

Bargaintown — The center of activities of Egg Harbor Town- 
ship, with a grist mill, a saw mill, and the only post office be- 
tween Somers Point and English Creek. The mother of the 
Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist churches, the voting 
center for the township. There was every indication of a grow- 
mg town, to attract speculators who bought and laid out town 
lots. These hopes not materializing, the lots were sacrificed and 
were bought at a bargain by John Ireland, hence the name Bar- 
gaintown. 

McKee City — The station was first called English Creek 
and changed to McKce City. \\'hen Col. ]\IcKee, of Philadel- 
phia, bought a large tract of uncultivated land, divided it into 
truck patches, put on the necessary buildings and leased it to 
Cermans on terms to clear certain amount of land as rent each 
year. Before this was accomplished he willed it to the Catholic 
Church for a monastery and Industrial School for Boys. The 
will being contested the property at this date (Jan. 22, 1914) is 
lying idle awaiting court decision. 

Cardiff. Pleasantville Terrace, Oak Crest, and Blenheim 
named by promoters. 



i:.\RI,V inSTOKY OF ATLANTIC COLNTY, X. J. 93 

MAY'S LAXUIXG 

liv L. L. T. Wiij.is 

.\lay'> LaiKlin^ was settleil uvcr two hundrcHl years ago. 

Anujiig the first settlers appear the names of Wescott, Steel- 
man, Cliami)i')ii, (iaskill, I'eniiing-ton, Ra])e. Xorcross. I'.akcr. 
Abbott, Adams, W'heatoii, W icks. Uougliertv and Mav. 

The (ireat Egg Harbor River at that time was navigable for 
vessels of a i.ooo-ton or four-masted ship. 

The principal e.xports were wood, charcoal and ir«in ore. the 
vessels loading near the i)resent site of the cotton mill and near 
the bridge at Sugar Hill. The Harrison was one of the vessels 
sailing from May's Landing, Captain T. 1). Ivndicott sailing her. 

( )ther vessels were sailed by Captains John Bowen, Shep- 
|)ard llu<lson, George Cramer and I'.assett Steelman. 

There were several shipbuilding establishments owned by 
I. Tennington & Son and James IJaker. 

The iron foundries were owneil by McCurdv, Stephens. .\.. L. 
l/ar<l and William T.artlett. grandfather of SheritT I'artlett. 
There were also two charcoal furnaces, one being at Weymouth. 

The mode oi travel in the early days wa.A by horseback. Men 

and women alike making the trip to rhila<leli)hia in the saddle. 

following Indian trails and slowly making them witler and better. 

Mrs. Champion, great aunt of Cajitain Thom])son, has often 

matle the trip in the sa:ldle. 

As time weiU on and the nccessit\' for travel became greater, 
a stage coach route was established. 

Mr. William Xorcross was the iiro])rietor of the stage from 
May's Landing to Philadelphia. 

.Mr. William X(M-cross, Jr., and Mr. Rape were drivers of the 
stage. The route took one through Weymouth, Pcnnypot, Long- 
acoming (now Lerlin). the White Horse Pike and Philadelphia. 

The coaches were the regulation stage, with baggage cage 
at the rear. 

There was also a stage coach which went to .\bsecon and 
Somers' Point, which started out from May's Landing. 

.\fter the railroad was built through Egg Harbor the stages 
were a thing of the past, but the coaches were used to take pas- 
senerers from Mav's Landing and vicinitv to the trains. 



94 



KARLV ]llSTORV 01' ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. T. 



About this time there was a band of robbers had their lair 
back of May's Landing,'-, and one morning they very quietly and 
uniquely cut the baggage rack away without stopping the stage. 

Mav's Landing was made the county seat in 1837; previous 
to this time Gloucester County included all of what is now At- 
lantic County, with the county seat at Woodbury. 

The first court ever held in May's Landing was held in the 
hotel of Captain Jolm Pennington, 1H37-38. 

The Court 1 louse was built in 1(838 and has since been greatly 
improved. 




'^^-^^y^- 



\ 



Mi I.I, Dam and Fam.s at May's Landing 

The ])rest'nt site of the Methodist Church and graveyard 
were given the town as a free place of worship by "Richard 
Wescott, Sr.," of Great Egg Harbor Township. The original 
deed is still in fxislence and bears date of May 20. 1812. 

The gravexard is still under the govermnent of a board of 
trustees, although there have been no burials in it for some years. 

The dam was built above the cotton mill to supply water 
for a factory, and this slowly closed up the river, as the sand 
naturally clogged and made the river too shallow for vessels, 
taking away its old industries, leaving the wharves and few hulls 
of old vessels to remind c^ne of the happy busy davs. 



KARLY IllSl'dUV or ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 95 

AXKCI)()Ti:S OF I'l.ACK NAMES 

l;v L. J. I'KICK 

III iSSo with the hiiildinj,' of tlu- ricasantvilk- and ( )ccan 
City kailroad. from I'kasantvillc to Soincrs Point, by the I'hila- 
dclphia and Atlantic City Kailway dmipany (Narrow C.au^e), 
the- railroad connected Ocean City and Somers Point, by steam- 
boat, l)ein.i; the tlrst medium of railroad communication Ocean 
City had with I'liiladelphia and the outsiile world. The Somers 
Point i)ost office included all of the shore territory from Somers 
l'f)int to where the Country Club is now located. 

The postmasters for many years had been appointed from 
Leedsville ( Linwood ) where the office was located; the mail 
being overhauled at Leedsville, ( Linwood ) and carried t<i two 
j)r three ])oints for local distribution. All mail on the shore 
includinij Harj^aintown. was carried by stai^e from .\bsccon to 
Somers Point. P.akersville. Seaview and Somers Point miijht 
lie termed sub-offices. 

With the advent of a railroad and a building boom. Somers 
Point desired the jxist office to be located within its borders. 
Leedsville ( Linwood) as a distributing point must be retained. 
There being a ixist office by the same name in the northern part 
of the state, the Federal authorities recpiired Leedsville (Lin- 
wood) to change its name. 

The citizens gathered in the schoolhouse, now occupied as 
the Citv Mall, one evening to vote for their choice of names 
presented. C.cneva. P.rinola, \iola. Pearville, and a number of 
others were i^laced on the blackl)oard for approval. Pairville 
was suggested, perhaps humorously by the late Dr. S. C. Ed- 
monds, from the quantities of Bartlett pears raised in the village. 
(ieneva was generally favored for the town's new name. 

Leedsville (Linwood) was the home of several prosperous 
sea captains, and of men with large interests in vessel prop- 
erty. .\ dav or so after the selection of the new name by Job 
Frambes. of Hargaintown, L'ncle Job. as he was familiarly 
called, then in his nineties, the great grandfather of our assistant 
secretarv. (Miss Mattie Collins), was in Leedsville. 



96 L-ARLV HISTORY OP ATLA.NTlC COUNTY, N. J. 

Feeble in l)otly. nearly blind, and ])artially deaf, but still 
retaining a keen sense of humor, when told the new name of 
the village replied, "Yes, Live Easy." Again being told Geneva, 
he replied with a twinkle in his fading eyes, "Yes, Yes, Live 
Easy. Live Easy." to the amusement of his hearers, who recog- 
nized the application of the prosperous citizens. 

l>ut yet another name must be chosen from the similarity 
of the abbreviations X. Y. and X. J., the officials at Washington 
called for another name. Lin wood was the name chosen. 



XAMLXG UXCLE TOM'S 

The Custom House at Somers I'oint, like the post ofificc. 
was located in Leedsville. The late Thomas E. Morris, througli 
the sixties to the eighties, was the deputy collector, and the work 
of the office was conducted in a small buildinp^ on the shore 
road, at Mr. 3.Iorris' home, a short distance above what is now 
Bellhaven Avenue. After the building of the railroad to Somers 
Point for the accommodation of the Custom officials, trains were 
stopped at the road mentioned. 

Stopping of trains in all probability did not occur until 
the acquisition of the road by the W est Jersey Railroad Com- 
])any in May or June, 1882. The late Israel S. Adams being a 
director of the West Jersey Railroad, and Collector of Customs 
of the port of Great Egg Harbor, from 1861 until the time of 
his death. December 1884. 

The writer's father, the late Captain John TVice. who also 
was in the customs service would ask the train crew to let him 
off at Uncle Tom's. Later the late Captain William Ireland, 
whose home joined the property now owned by William E. Bell, 
offered to build a platform, providing the railroad company 
would sto]) trains for the accommodation of the public. After- 
ward the railroad company built a shed at the platform with 
the name of the station. L'ncle Tom's painted on it. 

When Mr. r.ell purchased the property where he now re- 
sides, the station was moved a little further down the track 
and renauKNl P.cll Haven. 

L. J. Prick. 



KAKLV IIISTOIV OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 97 



SHORE ROAD 

\W I,. J. I'KICIC 

I'lDiii I Icstfjii's I landhook for i(;04 we learn the first public 
road in Atlantic count) was laid out in i/iTt. It led from Xacote 
Creek ( I'ort Rei)ublic ) alon^ the shore to Soniers Ferry at Somers 
Point. This road was altered by surveyors from liurlin^ton and 
(ilouccster counties in i^^^i. Previous to j^^ivins^ the new location 
of the road, they recited that the former mad. laid out for the in- 
habitants of tlu- townshi]) of Egj^ Harbor, from the east end of 
Somers l-'erry, l)y reason of the swamus and marsh throuj^h which 
it passed, had become inconvenient to travel, and they had made 
api>lication to Thomas W'eiherill and fivi: other surveyors from 
i'.uriinj^ton coiuits ami to John ICslick and five other surveyors 
of (iloucester comity. These twelve surveyors havint,^ found the 
former mad inc(jnvenient, laid out the i)resent Shore Road from 
Port Republic to Somers Point. 

The "Somers Ferry" between P.easley's Point and Somers 
Point, was established in i<Hft5. 

Prior to building the Somers Point Railroad in 1880, abo^it 
midwa\ fri)m the shore road and where the railroad lies, an 
indentation could be seen in the woods, between the property oi 
the late Captain b'lijah .\. Price and the late Dr. Jeremiah Hand. 
This indentation was twelve or fifteen feet wide. 

In this narrow open space ijrew no trees, but through the 
clean white sand, the sweet fern i^rew and "gently waved it", 
sweet wild way." Elders pointeil out this space to the children 
as the old shore road. 



98 EARLY IIISTOkY 01' ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

PRESBYTERIANS IX NEW JERSEY 
FRO^r David and John Braixard's Dl\ky From 1706 to 1789 

W'itli the landing of the I'uritans began the missionary work 
in America. We can understand, that fleeing from persecution, 
for their rehgious ideals, and landing among a people recognizing 
a Spirit everywhere but not a God, their establishing homes, 
and working to convert those among whom they were living 
would go hand in hand. 

xAnd there are records very early of missionaries in ]\Iassa- 
chusetts and New York in 1706. though the country about 
Freehold. N J., was a wilderness, full of savages. 

Gilbert \'ansant, a Presbyterian minister, was working 
among them with such marked success that when he was called 
to Norfolk, Connecticut, in 1726, the Freehold Association "in- 
terposed their judgment that he ought not to be taken from so 
destitute a region as the Jerseys." In 1721 Presbyterianism was 
m great disfavor. About this time there was a happy change 
in their favor. At this period Wm. Tenent's son from Ireland, 
removed to Neskaming (1726) and there established a school 
which in diversion was called the Log College. — afterward be- 
came a Theological Seminary (Princeton). The Presbyterian 
ministers who came across the ocean had enjoyed a liberal edu- 
cation and insisted that no man should enter the ministry without 
a college diploma. As there was no college in the Middle States, 
those seeking to enter the ministry were obliged to go to New 
England or Scotland. This practically closed the door on all 
candidates and the church had to depend on emigration, chiefly 
from Ireland. Eleazar Wales was directed in 1734 to join 
with Anduros in writing the President of Yale for a minister to 
visit the destitution of West Jersey. President Edwards answer- 
ed kindly that there was a prospect of obtaining help for them. 
Whitefield spread and exerted a powerful influence. This revival 
caused a schism in the Presbytery. In 1737 the Synod passed 
an act against tlie intrusion of ministers into the boundaries of 
other congregations, and in 1738 passed an act requiring that 
before granting a license to preach, the examining committee ap- 
pointed by Synod, require a college diploma. This the New 



F.AKI.V HISTOKV OF ATLANTIC COLNTV, N. J. 99 

liruii.swic I'rcslntery disrej^^arded and after much contention and 
cunlusion. ]un<: 1st, 1741, the Xcw Jirunswic party withdrew 
from the Synod. Hence the Old and Xew School. 

I lii> was not the result of c(jnHictinj; views, either as to 
doctrine or church ^'^ovcrnnient. It was the result of the aliena- 
tion ot k•eli^.!.,^ re^ardinj.,-- ministerial intercourse and avowed 
jirinciples duriiiL; a revival and extraordinary times. 

The inconvenience of long tlistance from the Central Pres- 
Intery was felt and doubtless led to the formation of a more 
compact l;ody. 1751 a number of the Xew llrunswic Presbytery 
pelitioiUMi to be erected into a distinct Presbytery. Accordinglv 
ilie S\nod i>\ Xew \'ork erected that part of said Presbvtcrv that 
lii- in I 'tim^\ Kania. with those who live in Xew Jersey, south of 
I'hiladelphia. borderin.:; on the Delaware into a distinct Pres- 
bytery, named the Presbytery of .\bin',fton. organized Mav 20th, 
175J. 1 be ibnrcbes of Souih jersey nourished under its care 
>o long as it existed from 1752 to 175S. In 1755 we find the 
lirst supplies mentioned for ICgg Harbor and were appointed 
probably as often as once a month. 1758. after 17 years of sep- 
aration, the two synods were reimited. In conse(|uence of this, it 
became necessary to remodel the Presbyterians. Abington was 
merged inti« tb.it of Philadelphia, with thirteen (13) members. 
ot whom it is supposed, the labored among the nine churches of 
\\ est jersey. 

This time of peace in the churches was a jieriod of war in 
the country. The hrst meeting of the reunited synod was a dav 
ot f.-isting and humiliation for sin was appointed. In 1775 Rev. 
P. \ . I'itbi.m iourne\ed from Cohansey to Kgg Harbor, and the 
I'orks i^i Little F.gg Harbor, the first since Mr. Green's visit 14 
\ears iirevious. Several houses of worshij) had been erected in 
this time. I'.eside preaching at private houses, he preached at 
.Mr. Clark's little log meeting Ik^usc. near Pleasant Mills, and 
Pasto. where he met Mr. l)rainard. next preached at P>otherton, 
to Mr. Prainard's Indians, also at Clark's Mills meeting house, 
two miles from the present Port Republic, there was a farm 
bouse and an organized church, and he adds "thev gave me 
Si .(X^).'" 

Then he preached at Ceilar Pridge or lUackman's Meeting 
I louse at Pargaintown. where a house was built of planks 
l)laccd perpendicular. The deed of P.lackman's meeting house 



IDO EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

( Zioii ) was t;ivcn by Andrew I'.lackman. 1764 two other church- 
es are mentioned, one W'acHn River, in BurHngton county, for 
which the land was i^iven by the will of John Leak, 1777. Prob- 
ably it had been occupied previously. The other was Longacom- 
ing (Ijerlip. ) 17(^)7. Mr. Fithian was surprised how fastidious 
were the people in Egg Harbor, and especially at the Forks. 

In estimating the effects of the war upon the churches of 
New Jersey, it is to be remembered that the state was the battle 
ground of many a hard fought contest. British soldiery destroyed 
the church of John Brainard at Mt. Holly, and probably his 
dwelling. 

Six years after the war ( 1789), the General Assembly of the 
Presbyterian church was held and reports 419 churches, 177 min- 
isters and 1 1 1 i)robationers. We hear of no more appointments 
for Egg Harbor, the Brainard churches, of Longacoming (Ber- 
lin) Waden River, Clark's Little Log ]\Ieeting House, Clark's 
Mill ]\Ieeting House, Blackman's Meeting House and others now 
unknown, were neglected, abandoned, swept into oblivion, un- 
til in our own day the discovery of their burial grounds, deeds 
or ruins afiford the Presbytery of Xew Jerse\- the first knowledge 
they ever existed. 

The individual churches of this denomination will be given 
in the next year's work of the Society. 

1843, the Presbytery of West Jersey was transferred from 
the Synod of Philadelphia to the Synod of Xew Jersey, from 
which time we will consider the individual establishment of 
churches in this county in tlic next year's work of the Historical 
Society. 



KARLV mSTOUV OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



lOI 



IILACKM.WS .MI-.I-.T1.\(; HOUSE AT i; ARG AIXTOWN 

li.vtrucl I'riDii I.ctlcr uf Rev. AUcn II. liroi^ni to Rev. Thomas 
liraiiiard in 1^6 j. 

"Cidar r.rid.LTc' Mccliiij^' House." calk-<l also Blackmail's 
Mec'tiuj^ liinisc, was near tlic villa.L,^' of Kari^aintown. and about 
tfu niilcs southeast of May's Laiidiiiij^. It was liuilt of planks 
nailed perpendicularly. 

The followini^ extracts from a i\cin\ recorded in Trenton 
liber X.. folios 407. 40S. a copy beiiii^ certified by James D. W'cs- 
cott, Secretary of State, will prove the existence of a Presby- 
terian Church and to whom the property belonj4;s : 




^^ 




ZlON M. K. CniKCH. NKAR Bakcaintown 

"This Indenture, made the nineteenth day of March, in the 
\ear of iiur Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four, 
between Andrew lUackman. Cordwainer. of E;:::.":^ Harbor, in the 
county of Cdoucester and Province <if New Jersey, of the one 
partv. and Joseph luij^ersoll. John Scull. Joseph Scull, and Return 
r.abcock. of the aforesaid township, county and province, of the 
other partv. W'itnesseth. that the said Andrew^ lilackman for and 
in consideration of the sum of two pounds, proclamation money, 
to him in hand paid before the ensealing hereof, by Joseph Inger- 
soll, etc., etc. * * * hath i::rantcd. sold. etc.. etc. * * * ; containing 
one acre, more or less, together with the mines, etc., * * * for the 



I02 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLAN'TIC COUNTY, X. J. 

erection, building and standing of a Presbyterian Meeting House 
for the carrying on of Publick ReHgious Worslii]) for all that 
shall incline to meet and assemble in it; together with a ])ublick 
Burying-yard, for the interment of the deceased of all denomi- 
nations. '"^ * * 

"A certain piece of land situated, lying and being in the town- 
••hip of Egg Harbor, in the county and province aforesaid, near 
the Doles I>ranch, Beginning at a stake standing in the line of 
Joseph Doles and Atwood, near the P)ranch. thence south 21 
degrees east, 15 perches to a stake, thence south 69 degrees, 
west 13 perches, thence north 21 degrees west to Atwood's line, 
bounded by Atwood's line north 80 degrees east to the place of 
beginning at Doles line, containing one acre, more or less, together 
with the mines, etc." 

Three years afterward. June 2. 17(^17, a memorandum was 
written on the back of the deed, explaining the views of the 
persons named, and proving that the house had been erected. 
It read as follows : — 

"W'e. the within Grantees. * * * having been chosen Trustees 
to carry on and manage the building of a Presbyterian ^NFeeting 
House upon the lands within granted and sold for that purpose, 
do hereby acknowledge that the said land and meeting house 
is not our own jKTSonal property, but is bought and built by a 
subscription of many persons ; neither do we claim an\- other 
interest in it but what we have in common with all who have 
subscribed hereto ; and, though the legal title is vested in us, 
yet we hold it only in behalf of our constituents and do promise 
that it shall be kept as a house of publick worship and the land 
for a free lUiryir.g-yard, in which all may have equal privilege.> 
with ourselves, without monopoliziiig it or engrossing and ap- 
pl\ing it to any private use of our own. 

A memorandum whereof we leave on the back of this instru- 
ment that ])osterity may not be defrauded of their right or mis- 
taken about the intent thereof, which is to secure a House of 
Public \\'orship, as before mentioned. Tn testimony whereof, we 
have hereunto subscribed our names, hands, and seals." =1= * * 

Respecting the subsequent history of this house, we content 
ourselves with adding that, before it was decayed, the materials 
were removed, and ujion a p(^rtion of the very site of the old 
buildincf stands now a brick edifice. 



KAIM.V IIISTOI.Y OV ATLANTIC COrXTV, N. J. 1 05 

III-:\I) ( )!• Till-: RI\I*.R Clil'RCIi. I7<,2 
\',y l.AiuA l.wiMA Thomas Willis 

Tlif nld M. Iv L'luircli slaii«lin.L( at the lu-a.l of the Tiickahoc 
Uivtr has a history which is pcrliaps unequalled hy any church 
of that denomination i;i South jersey. 

it was l)ui!t in \J<)2, and jj^'liahly dedicated by I'enj. Abbot. 
The lirst M. I*, preacher visitinj^ these jiarts was a man named 
James, who in 1 7S0. came on horseback to the house of David 
Sayers in a drivin.i^ snow storm and asked permission to stay 
all nii^ht. Saycrs had previously said that no Methodist preach- 
er should ever stay in his Iviuse. lie was a very profane man, 
and James rei)rimanded him for his profanity, lie did Iodide 
there and t'rmn that vi: it Sayers became chanijcd. llis heart 
was touclu'il and he professed conversion. Most of the Meth- 
odist preachers of that time were men sent < vcr by Wesley and 
wire untKr bonds of loyalty to the kin.:^' of Great liritain ; al- 
thonmh they said but little, yet some did act im;irudent. They 
thoui^ht iirobab.ly that the weapons of their warfare were not 
carnal. Sayers at that time held a ca])tain's commission of the 
continental army, hence the remark that no Methodist preacher 
should ever lody^e in his house. 

Tlu'\ arransL^cd fur preach in;.:: at Smith's Mill. Jeremiah and 
W illiam Snn'th who have left a lar^e nun-.Iicr of rlesccndants in 
this section a-id it was luainly thronij^h tlicir encri^y that this 
house was built, urj^cd on by .Xbliot. who then travelled, what 
was known as Salem Circuit. Tl-.at rcmarka'de man seems to 
h.avc had wonderful ]iower over men. Great fruits attended his 
labors as he iourneyed throus^h Gloucester. Salem and Cape May 
counties, and jXThaps did more to establish Methodism and 
built up the church than any otber man. tT-!til the coming of 
Pitman in 1831. 

The land was i;i\c;i 'n\ \ 'a:w'i i k:K-.'vt. a iir;<c land bolder. 
'idio house was unfinished until 1813 when the floors and gal- 
leries were ]nn in. r.enezet died before the deed was given; his 
heirs conveyed the property. One of his daughters, afterward 
the wife of Rev. Jos. Tillman, of Pillman Boardman fame, not 



I04 



liARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



being- of aij;e when she sij^ncl it. the deed was invalid and a 
new deed was given in 1813 by Joss. Jones and wife, commonly 
called "Coffee Jones." He also married a daughter of Benezet. 
He sold the adjoini;ig property to Aetna Furnace property, at 
one time doing a thriving business. The church was connected 
with Cuiu;;erland Circuit, embracing all Cumberland and Cape 
May counties, and began to have Sunday morning preaching. 
Thomas Xeal was presiding elder in 1835. lie was also a man 
who did a great deal of good, and had strong faith. It is related 
of him that he was attending a camp meeting here. There was 




Oi.D Church .\t Hi-;ad ok thk RiviiK, Tuckahoi-; 



a protracted drcnr^'ht. the earth was parched and vegetation dy- 
ing. 

He retired into the woods and alone with God. he i)rayed 
for a drenching rain. He told the peoi)le to look out for there 
were signs of an abundance of rain. In the afternoon meeting 
thunder war 'icard. the heavens gathered blackness and soon 
there was a powerful rain in answer to prayer, as he believed. 

The chu'ch was struck off from the Cai)e May Circuit in 
i8;'j. J(^seph / twood was then ]M-eacher with Thomas Van 
Gilder as first recording steward, still continuing Sunday morn- 
ing preaching. There have been some very remarkable revivals 
of religion the greatest the church ever enioved was in 1842, 



i;.\I<l.\' IIISTOUY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY. N. J. 1 O5 

wIr'ii \\ illiam A. IJrooks was preacher in charj^e, alxnit 130 jiro- 
tessed conversion. Some fell away from j^racc, only four or five 
now remain and by far the lari^er share have joined the silent ma- 
jority. The Snnday mornini^ preachinj^ continued until 1863 when 
the church was repaired .nn! set off with a station with preaching.; 
Sabhath mornin}.j by Jacob T. I Vice, whose labors were blessed 
by the conversi(jn of seventy-five souls, most of whom remained 
faithful. 

It remained this way until iSrV» when it was reunited with 
Tuckahoe Circuit. 

In iS'^.^ the throve adjoinin-jf the church was purchased of 
the "l-'stells" and nicely laid out throui^h the efforts of Cap. T. 
Weeks, and others. Nearly all the old members of this church 
lie in this iirave yard. Such men as josejih Champion, local 
preacher: Nathan Swain, exhorter. and an efficient man in 
church, r.enjamin \\'eatherl)y. Sr.. trustee: Mathias Steelman. 
Xathaniel Steelman, John liurlcy. Richard Sheppard and Rich- 
ard Chamnion. all who were official meml)ers of the church, 
and contributed liberally of their means for its sup[)ort, and 
als<i others who esteeu'ed it pleasure as well as a duty to journey 
to the ( )ld Church every Sunday morning. 

The names of the ministers who have officiated were: Rev. 
Jacob T. Price. J. F. Morret. C. \V. Ileisley. M. C. Stokes, 
H. J. Downs. William .Mari^oram. William Lane. K. II. Mur- 
rell, J. 1'.. W'escott. William .\. Osborne and Z. L. Dui^an. 
The present T.oard of Trustees are: C.cor«ie L. Dukes. Presi- 
dent; Samuel M. Champion, .\nthony I. Parker. Jr., P.enjamin 
Wetherby. William Goft". John P.urley. all i^entletnen of the high- 
est re]nitation and well known in their native villaj^e. 

The iJ^rd anniversary of Head of the River Church was 
held on Sun lay. October 10. 1015. People come many miles to 
attend these anniversaries, which is made possible by automo- 
bile — which are in such numbers as to remind one of a great 
County Fair ; there are also large numbers of carriages. 

The churcli and cemetery are kept in excellent condition. 

The church has very recently come into two endowments — 
one of $1300. from Mrs. Swauger. formerly a Miss Williams, 
daughter of one of the owners of the Aetna Furnace : one of 
$300 from Mr. Jc^hn Wallace. 



io6 



EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



One of the first Baptist Churches in South Jersey was (Hrectly 
across the road from Head of the River .M. K. Church. The 
ground was given by Daniel lienezet, a Judge of Gloucester Co., 
who owned great tracts of land. 

Jt is supposed to have heeu built about the time of the M. E. 
Church. Xow ihere is no trace of a building ever having been 
there. In 1858 the church was still standing. 




Aktnw Fukn.\ck. Tlck.vhoI'; Rivkr 



EAKl.V HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 107 

lllS'l't )l<\ ol- Till-: TlCKIiloE liAI'TlST CHURCH 
\'>y Moii(.\.\ lj)\VAKi)S. A. M. 

'I'liis chinch is (hstin}^iii>hc<l as aljove from the river which 
runs near the ineetintj house. The house measures 28x24. It 
was huilt in 1751, in \''.\m lIarI;or Township, and County ot 
(^iloucester, Oo miles soulhea t from l'hila(leli)hia. 

The lot on which it j^tanls contains ahout one acre; and is 
the j^ift of James lluhhard; his deed is dated May 15. 1750; the 
house is now in a ruinous cindition, hut the people are talkinji^ 
of huildinj;' another in a mcjre convenient place; Alderman 
Henezet promises to j.^ive them land, timher, s^lass and nails; there 
is another hou.^e which the church occupies, hut is not their own; 
it stands on May's Landin<^ ahout 12 miles olT of this. 

The families which usually as.'emhle at Tuckihoe are ahout 
f)0. whereof (>■!, persons are haptiscd, an.l in the comnnmion. here 
administered the first Sunday in every month ; salary ahout 
20 pounds. The alx)ve is the prerent state of Tuckihoe, April 
14. i?k:>- 

In 1770 Rev. James Sutton came hither with a view to settle 
amonj;- them ; this put them on thinking of becoming a distinct 
church; accordin^^ly. they were. July 23. 1771. incorporated, by 
the assistance of Revs. X'anhorn and Heat(Mi. The names were: 
Rev. James Sutt(Mi. Jose])h Savajje. Esq., Jonathan Smith. Wil- 
liam Goldin, Jac(^h (larrison, lose]ih In.U'crsol. Thomas Ireland, 
Elias Smith. John Indies. Esq.. Lemuel Sayres. Lemuel Edwards, 
John Scull. L^^aac Scull. Katharine Garrison. Mary Goldin. Jane 
luf^ersol. Dehora Lore. Tabitha Scull. Mary Ireland. Elizabeth 
Garrison. Jane Canijx Mary Camn. Abiijail Scu'l and Catharine 
Weaver. The same year they joined the association. 

This church is the dau^ihter of Dividing;' Creek. It has now 
existed U) years and increased from 24 to C\^. 

Rev. Renjann'n Sutton resip^ned in 1772; Rev. William Lock, 
1773. resigned 1779: Rev. Isaac Bonnel. ordained pastor Sep- 
tember 17. 1783. 



I08 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N, J. 

XoTK. — On the last page of this Ixjok is given a Hst of sub- 
scribers and then goes on to say, "1 have 150 copies left, they 
may be had at the stone house in Second street, I'hiladelphia ; 
price, one-third of a dollar." This volume owned by the Phila- 
delphia Historical Society; size about 7x4 inches; is valued at 
$600.00. 

Headstones in Haptist Church \'ar 1 ( is a thickly covered 
woods now) : 

Rev. Peter Groom 

Pastor of the llaptist Church of West Creek 

Died Jan. 16, 1807 

Age. 56 

Anne Groom 

Wife of Rev. Robert Groom 

Died May 4, 1796 

Age, 46 Years 

Isaac Pionneli 

July 26, 1794 

In the 64th Year 

Robert Campbell 

Son of 

Henry and Ellen Campbell 

I\Iarch 20. 1854 

In 8th Year 

Millicent Price 

July 28, 1826 

Age, 56 Years, 4 Days 

P.Y L. L. T. Willis 



KARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. 



109 



OLD ClILRCll AT WliVMt )L Til 

I'.v I.AiKA Williams Colwlll 

"The old Loj^ Mcetinj^ House at Weymouth was built about 
80 years before the present building, alonj^ the banks of the j^reat 
H^jjf Harbor River and seventy-five feet west of the one nov/ 
standinJ^^" — L. W. C. 



In a l)eautiful oak j^rove on the hi,L,di bank of the Great Egg' 
flar])()r River stands the neat little church at Wevniouth. For 




Thic old L<)(. Mkktim. Hdi sk at \\'i.\ moi rti 

nearly a century it has served the purposes for which it was 
erected ami in the adjacent cemetery arc the graves of person? 
some of them long since widely known for more than ordinary 
talent and usefulness. Sir Joseph Hall, the Quaker merchant 
and relative of Washington, was one of the owners and founders 
of Weymouth, when this edifice was erected. From a recent 
sketch compiled by Mr.s. Charles R. Colwell antl read at the 91st 
anniversary, the following is taken : 

"The building of the \\"eymouth Meeting House was begun 
in i8ofi and completed in 1807 at the expense of the Proprietor 

of Weymouth. The time book sliows the carpenter work to have 



no 



EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



been clone by 'Eziel Prickett and his son.' the former workint^ 
three hundred and sixty-five days at $1.25 and the son three hun- 
dred and sixty-six days at $1 per day. The plastering and mason 
work was done by C. McCormick. the material and work on the 
building coming to $3,690.00. The Weymouth Meeting House 
was intended as a non-Sectarian place for religious meetir.g. 
more especially for the benefit of em])loyees of Weymouth. Both 




STKI'HKN Colwell 



tradition and record show that it has been chiefly used by Pres- 
byterians and Methodists, although services have been conducted 
and sermons preached by Episcopalians, Baptists, Dutch Re- 
formed and in February. 1825. a sermon was preached by 'Miss 
Miller,' presumably a Cuakeress. No records are accessible of 
the occupants of the pulpit of Weymouth Meeting House from 
its completion until 1813. From 1813 to 1845 the Time Books 
of Weymouth furnish tiie names of many preachers and dates 
of service." 



EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. Ill 

At this time Sir Josc])!! I'.all \ru\ sold all of his iiitere^:' in 
the VVeynnnith tract to his nephew. Sanniel Richards, who built 
the Meetinj^^ House for the employees of his furnace. 

Sarah Kail Richards. dau}j;htcr of Samuel Richards, married 
Stephen Colwell. 

She inherited one-half of Weymouth, and at the deatii of 
her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Richards IJell, Stei)hen Colwell bought 




Chaki.i,> Rk 11 \ KI ' C< il.W I 1.!, 



her interest in the Weymouth tract, which tract covered 86,ooo 
acres or 12x14 miles wide. 

Stephen Colwell was born in Urooke county. West \ Irginia 
tm the 25th of March. iSoo. He died in Philadelphia 01. the 
15th of January. 1871. nearly completing- his 71st year. He 
studied law and was admitted to the Bar in 1821 in Ohio. Prac- 
ticed law until 1836. He became a manufacturer of iron Hrst at 
Weymouth and later at Conshohocken. Pa., on the Schuylkill 



112 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COL'NTY, X. J. 

River, lie was a writer of note and reco.ynized as a man of 
great ability. 

In 1852 Air. Colwcll drove Ur. Da Costa and Mr. John Hay, 
of Winslow, in his family carriage to Absecon, there they took a 
boat across to Absecon Islantl anrl on that day decided to build 
the C. & A. R. R. 

Mr. Cohvell ])ut in $150,000 — later t:ie other gentlemen with- 
drew and Mr. Colwell put in an additional $150,000. 

The first two years the road only ran to Ellwood Station 
(formerly Colville), and for 10 years one passenger car was run 
behind the freight. 

The road did not pay for 20 years. 

Cliarles Richard Colwell, son of Stephen Colwell and Sarah 
Ball Richards was born in Philadelphia January 21, 1844; died 
April 10. KjOi. Mr. Colwell was one of the promoters of the 
Narrow Gauge Railroad and was president and afterwards re- 
ceiver when the Reading l)ouglit it in. He invested $350,000 
in the road. Mr. Colwell married Laura Williams Ritz, 

daughter of Judge Charles and Susan Williams Ritz. of Lewis- 
ton. Pa. 

XoTK. — It is through the efforts oi Mrs. Charles R. Colwell 
that the anniversary services are held at Weymouth Meeting 
House each year, this being the i loth anniversary on September 
26th. 191 5. 

Cannon were made at WeNinoulh during the Revolution. A 
cannon ball made at Weymouth is now used as a hitching post on 
Water street. Philadeljihia. and is marked witli a W ( Weymouth). 

At the Anniversary Service in i()i4, which was attended by 
the Atlantic County Historical Society. Rev. William Abbott told 
of conducting a revival service at Weymouth and Zion in 1876. 
He said that at tlie first meeting he was to conduct at Wevmouth, 
he and Capt. Reuben Rabcock drove over and lost their wav in 
the woods. Afterwards, most spiritual meetings were held and 
twenty-eight converts made, lie also stated that his father and 
one of the Richards family organized the first Sunday school here. 

This church was one of the early appointments of Rev. Ben- 
jamin Collins. 



KARI.V HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. IIJ 

'I'Iktc is a l)cautifiil nicinorial tablet in the church bearing 
the followiii}^^ inscription: 

In Memoriam 

Charles Richards Colwell 

Entered into Rest 

March lo. njoi 

"A friend of the jKwr." 

"A patron of Education" 

An honest man, one of God's noblest works." 

This niouuiucnt attests the s<jrro\ving love of his wife. 



114 KARLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COrXTY, X. J. 

HISTORY OF FRIENDSHIP CHURCH 
Near Laxdisville iW Cuarlks W'kay 

It is by no means an easy task that has been assic;-ncd to 
me, viz. : to write a history of this church. Thongh I have 
known of it for perhaps over twenty years, yet I have had no 
connection with it except for the past four or five years. When 
you take into consideration the above statement, together with 
the fact that outside of the title deed, there are no books or 
papers in the possession of the church Official Board that afford 
even a suggestion of its history, you will perceive I spoke but 
the truth when I said mine was no easy task. If, under the 
circumstances, this paper should prove uninteresting, 1 trust in 
the foregoing statement I have said enough to secure your par- 
don and favorable consideration. Perhaps it would be as well 
to state here, that the reason why there are no books or papers 
available, is presumed to be because the church has always been 
one of perhaps three or four or half a dozen stations on one cir- 
cuit ; in its earlier days a very long circuit, too, with as many 
as sixteen preaching stations in 1854 and 1855. It is thought 
the records of all these churches were kept in one book, and that 
book was in the hands of the preacher in charge, who either 
retained the book in his possession after his pastorate had closed, 
or he left it with the Board of the principal church on the cir- 
cuit, or in the hands of his successor. Friendship has always 
been a small church, therefore, the books or papers were never 
left with it. I also wish here to acknowledge my great indebt- 
edness to various old members of the church, and old residents 
of this locality, for whatever may prove of interest in this his- 
tory; and especially am I indebted to IVo. A. V. \'anaman, 
without whose memory and knowledge of the later events con- 
nected with the church, this paper could not have been pre- 
pared. 

The deed is dated May 14th, 1808, and is certified as re- 
corded in the Clerk's Office of Gloucester county, Nov. 4th. 
i8c8. There was no Atlantic County in those days, and this 



KAKI.V IlISTOUY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J 



115 



gnuind where the church staiuls was part (jf Weyinoiith town- 
ship, Gloucester county. We lliink it a remarkable circum- 
stance that a Methodist church should have been located in this 
place at so early a date. The i^reat Methodist Episcopal Church 
was not or}.(anized uiuil 17S4. and was even then lary;cly a 
<lisiinct revival and reform movement within the Church of 
Kn^Iand. in .\merica. as well as in Kn.i,dand. As far as New 
jeiNey is concerned, we believe this to be one of the oldest, if 
no', the oldest M. \\. church building in the State, now stand- 
int,-^ and used for church pur])oses. There were, perhaps, a 
few built before this, but as far as we have been able to ascer- 




FkIIvNUSHM- CmUCU NKAK LANDl.sVIl.LIi 



tarn, none are now standinj^ and used for worshij) regularly 
at this day. 

In 180S. this country was almost an unbroken wilderness, 
covered with a primeval forest, specimens of which growth 
wc can yet see in some of these graml old oaks, which are 
still standing on the grounds of this church. The farms and 
clearings were few and far between ; the only one in the im- 
mediate vicinity was jirobably the place just across the Xew^ 
Jersey Southern R. R.. on the Weymouth road, lately known 
as the "lUishe\" farm, but which at the time the church was 
built, was owned by the Smith family. The dwelling house, 
which stood there in 180S. was burned down in September, 
1855, on which occasion three persons lost their lives, so sud- 



Il6 EARLY HISTORY 01- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

den and complete was the destruction. It has been reliably 
ascertained that previous to the erection of the church, re- 
ligious meetings were held in that house, and some, at least, 
were converted to God, though the exact number is not known. 
So that even previous to 1808 there were Methodists in this 
locality, and they were alive, too. In connection with the men- 
tion of the services held in that house, perhaps it would be well 
to state here, that we are enabled to assert positively that the 
church was erected at or about the time the deed was granted, 
by the fact that in 1852, an old resident of this locality, George 
Smith by name, came back here on a visit, and stated to Bro. A. 
P. \'anaman tliat he had left here in 1810, and the church was 
built before that, and furthermore that he was one of the persons 
converted at the meetings licld in the dwelling house before 
spoken of, and that at that time the house belonged to the Smith 
family, the head of which was a close relative of the said 
George Smith, but whether a father or brother, Mr. \'anaman 
does not remember. 

Mrs. Xancy Vanaman, mother of A. P. \'anaman, now 
in her 84th year, and present with us today, and one of the 
oldest residents of this neighborhood, distinctly recalls the church 
as one of the prominent landmarks when she was a little girl. 

Besides the "Bushey" place before mentioned, at the time 
the cluucli was l)uilt, there was another dwelling on what is now 
known as the Collins place; another where ^Nlr. Thomas Howell 
now lives, and another at or near Landisville. What is now 
known as the lUiena Hotel, was also standing, and usea as a 
public inn and change house on the old stage route to Cape 
May, Tuckahoe and Philadeli)hia. About three miles east of 
the church there was an old saw mill, and in fact there is one 
there now, at what is known as Pancoast on the South Jersey 
R. K. It was located there over a century ago, by a man named 
Champion Campbell. He was what is known as a "squatter," 
and he lived there and operated the mill for quite a term of 
years. He did not farm any, except perhaps to raise some 
things for family use, but game of all kinds was plentiful, and 
a haunch of vension was not an infrequent or unappreciated 
addition to the homely viands of the family meals. He was 
only interested in lumber, for it is related of him that when 
told that the land he occupied had been taken up bv lienj. B. 



F.AKLY HISTORY 01" ATLANTIC COUXTV, X. J. II7 

(JiMtpcr, under the homestead or some similar land law, he said 
he did not care who owned it. as he had sawed up alx)ut all the 
lot^s there were on it that were worth anythinj^. It is probable 
the lumber used in buildin,i( the church was sawed in Campbell's 
mill. 

As to the towns in the vicinity of the church in 1808, 
Mav's Landing was but a very small villai^e. Millville like- 
wise, liridi^eton not much lar.i^er. and llammont<»n and Nine- 
land were not in existence, and for fifty years or more after 
the church was built, where those two thrivinc^ towns now 
stand, was but a forest of oaks, pines and cedar swamps, with 
lure ami there perhaps a wood chopper's shanty or a smoking 
tar kiln or charcoal ])it. .\one of the residents of that early 
day paid any attention to agricidture. except to grow a little 
rye. buckwheat, corn and potatoes, and some other few crops 
for their own consumption. They were too far away from a 
market to make farming pa\- ; for remember, in iKoS. there 
were no railroads or steamlxtats in New jersey, nor anywhere 
else in this great countr\-. nor in the whole wide world, so a 
journey to IMiiladelphia in those days was (juite a big undertak- 
in;j: The people down here had to turn their attention and 
labor to lumbering, the manufacture of tar. charcoal, and kindred 
industries. T(» burn a charcoal i)it or a tar kiln, was a matter of 
eight or ten days, so there were at least two Sundays in that 
perioil, and some of the old residents, with perhaps some not 
so very old, either, recall that it was customary to attend church 
in the morning, and then go to the kiln in the afternoon to see 
the tar run. if it was ready to be drawn. When the tar or the 
charcoal was ready for shipment, it was loaded on to the wagon, 
two yc^ke of oxen were harnessed to it and it was hauled away to 
riiiladelphia for sale, the team bringing back such articles as 
were needed and couUl not be procured in this vicinity. This 
journey anil return usually took three or four days, for oxen 
are but slow travelers, and the roads were far from good. Horses 
were scarce and too costly, and much of the church going was 
performed with the aid of that old. reliable, steady going, easily 
kept animal. "Shank's mare." Aj^ropos of that style of travel- 
ing, it is well known that an immense spreading, shady old 
oak tree, which, up to about twenty-five years ago. stood about 
half a mile east of the church was known as the "Dinner Oak," 



Il8 KARLY IIISTOKY OF ATLAXTlC COUNTY, N. J. 

from the fact that some of the old residents utiHzed it for the 
purpose of resting and eating their dinners there, when on their 
way to church. Sometimes on account of tlie length of the cir- 
cuit, it was found necessary to have preaching on a week day 
instead of Sunday, and this statement recalls an incident which 
proves that though the people down here in those times worked 
hard and lived economically, yet their industry and economy did 
not exempt them from financial trouble, for it is related that while 
one of them was seated in the church on a certain week day, 
prepared to enjoy the services, it was whispered to her (for it 
was a woman) that the constable had made preparations to seize 
her household goods that very day for debt, whereupon she im- 
luediately took her departure, and it is said she arrived at her 
home before the officer of llic law, and succeeded in secreting 
her belongings where he could not find them, and no doubt she 
took to the woods herself, which was a very needful proceeding 
likewise, for those were the days of imprisonment for debt. 

Now, although these people were not generally possessed 
of much of this world's wealth, as we understand that word to- 
day, yet what they did have they used in God's service, with an 
unstinted liberality. To prove that, look at the size of this 
building, winch, though small as compared with modern village 
or town churches, is yet. and always has been much larger than 
was needed to accommodate any membership the church has 
ever ])OSsessed, or is likely to. For that da\- and time antl this 
locality, it was a very /arifr buildin:^-. Why, 1 read the other 
day of another country M. K. Chnrcli, built befnre this one, 
but in a much older settled and i)opulated neighborhood, but 
which is now demolished or disused for church purposes for 
nearly fifty years, which was so small that at one time in its 
history.' when there was a split in the congregation, it was loaded 
up on a wagon, in the night. I think, by one of the opposing 
factions, and carted off to another site several miles distant from 
the original one. .\ view of the frame of this building will 
convince you tlial that would have been an impossible under- 
taking as regards old Friendship. The original Huilding Com- 
mittee of this church were not built that way themselves, nor 
did they build that way. either. The sills and plates are some- 
thing to look at in these days of flimsy and showy building. 
\\'hen first u?q(]. tlie church had a vaulted or oval ceiling, the 



i;.\KI.V IIISTOKV Ol- ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. II9 

tiiiilHi- u.^ed tu support it were 6x14, the gallery joist are 3x12, 
till- rafters 4x8. and the original wooden pillars to support the 
gallery were one foot stpiare. Tlie joints of the frame work of 
the wiiole huilding are all dove-tailed or lock mortise tenon and 
piimed. The luniher is all oak or heart pine, as sountl as the 
(lav it was put in. Such nails as were used are of the old-fash- 
ioned hand-made sorts. The lath arc all frowcd or split ones. 

We are a])t to think of those old settlers as devoid of taste, 
with no appreciati(»n of cmhellishment and no desire to bestow 
their lahor for anything except utility; hut we are wrong in our 
ideas brethren, and unjust to those old-time fathers and luothers 
of the church, for we can see evidences of loving hands and a 
desire to make the Mouse of (lod goodly to look upon, and far 
exceeding their own homes in appearance, in the facts that the 
original weatherboarding was all beaded on the lower edge, and 
th" gallery columns were lluted and carved (|uite beautifully, and 
all was done by painstaking, slow and irksome hand labor. From 
(he time the church was built until 1S53. the gallery remained in 
an mifinished state, only the frame work being in position, the 
ceding, as mentioned before, was an oval one up to that date; 
the pulpit was also u]> to that time, one of the old-fashioned high 
kind, with a flight of steps up each side, and furnished besides 
the seat, with little doors to shut to, if the preacher saw fit to 
do so. 

At that time there were no pews, but ordinary benches 
with backs, somewhat like those in the gallery now. The benches 
were not fastened to the floor, and were long enough to reach 
from the side oi the church to the central aisle, and were with- 
out division of any kind their entire length. The stove was 
what is known as a ten nlate stove: it was lartre enough to take 
in a three foot stick, and it was connected with the chimney by 
a l(niu-. straight piTx\ extending clear uo to the roof. 

Xo changes have been made in the interior of the church 
since 1853. and while the necessary labor was being performed 
then, the congregation, far from forsaking the worshio of God, 
and true to their character as a live church, continued divine serv- 
ices in the school house, which stood then on the same lot where 
public school. No. 3. of this township, now stands. The work 
of rci"»air and alteration was begun in the fall of 1853. and finish- 
ed in Time. 1854. and the occasion was made a time of rejoicing 



I20 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

and reconsccration. In 1893, the exterior of the church was re- 
paired, new siding and roof put on and the vestibule added, and 
the liuilding painted. 

As to the cemetery, in the old days before the church was 
built, there were a number of private burial grounds in this 
vicinity. ])r()l)al)ly three or four, the i)rincipal one was about a 
mile east of the church and quite a number were buried there, 
but after the church grounds were opened, they began to be 
used f|uite generally, not only by residents of this neighborhood, 
but also people from Millville, Weymouth, May's Landing and 
other villages and neighborhoods ; even nowadays, funerals of 
non-residents are not infrequent, though the dead are usually 
those who have lived in the vicinity at one time, or they are 
related to the families of former residents. 

Speaking of the cemetery, recalls the fict that in the old 
days the duties of the office of sexton or janitor rather, were 
performed in turn by the members of the congregation, with- 
out pay. A collection was taken uj) from lime to time to de- 
fray expenses for candles, etc., etc. These sextons or janitors 
did not usually dig the graves. 

From the deed we find that the grantors and original owners 
of the land on which the church is built, were William Hollins- 
head and Hope, his wife, it is likely the site was a gift to the 
church, as the sum named in the deed is the nominal one of one 
dollar. 

The first Board of Trustees were John Smith, Joel Stew- 
art, William Ackley, John \'cal, John Smith, Jr., George Smith 
and Thomas Champion. 

These, you will perceive, are all well known Jersey family 
names, and no (loul)t many of those present here today will 
recognize in them, that of a grandfather, or great grandfather, 
for some of their descendants are yet about us. They were all 
common everyday men, making their living by hard labor, and 
we believe them to have been God-fearing and God-serving men ; 
and that they were full of faith and love toward God, the build- 
mg of this church proves. That they were mostly uneducated, 
as far as the wisdom of this world is concerned, goes without 
saying, for public schools were unknown here in 1808, but we 
feel sure they had not only a knowledge, but a saving knowledge 
of God'.s love, as manifested in the blessed gift of His son. 



ICAHI.V HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 121 

.\<> Statue, or column, or taljlct in anv of earth's temples 
• i| fame are erecteil to their memory, but this church is a monu- 
ment which shall count for far mure than any of those, in that 
"•Iread day of the Lord, which will come as a thief in the nij^ht. 
in the which the heavens shall pass away with a ^reat noise, 
and the element shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and 
the works that are therein shall he hurned up." 

\\ riiti-n on the (\vi-i\ we find the names of the following 
lioards of 'iVustees : One elected July 29th, 1824 — John \'eal. 
William Ackley. .\(|uilla Downs, Nathan Girard and Henry 
\ cal. Another elected June 2(k iK^kd — Charles Downs, Sec- 
retary: (leorge Downs. Wesley X'anaman. Ambrose I'ancoast 
and Archibald Campbell, i-'inally. one elected June 4th. 1866 
— Osboni Downs, IVesidcnt ; John Walker Downs, v^ecretary ; 
CiCoriTe Downs, Treasurer; Archibald Campbell and Wesley 
X'anaman. In this latter case note is also made that iirothcr 
(icorge Downs was appointed to collect money, (an old and 
well established MetJKjdist habit you observe.) and I'.rothcr 
Shimp, who was the preacher at that time, was ai)pointed to 
purchase a new carpet for the church. 

Through the courtesy of Rev. J. 11. I'ayran. Secretary of 
this Conference, we are enabled to ])resent the following list 
of the pastors of the church. We include in it the names of 
all who were appointed on the charge since its organi'.iMon in 
1803, as no doubt previous to the erection of the church in 1808, 
these men of (fod preaclied in the Smith house before men- 
tioned. 

For a long time these appointments were made in pairs, 
the first mentioned being known as the preacher in charge, and 
the other, the assistant. The charge at its organization was 
known as the Cdoucester circuit, and it retained the name for 
many years. The church was on this circuit until 1886; changes 
made on and after that date will be found noted below. From 
1803 until 1837, when the present Xew Jersey Conference was 
organized, the Gloucester circuit was in the West Jersey district 
of the Philadelphia Conference; changes in the district on and 
after 1837 are also noted in the list : 

1803. Benjamin IlilT. Daniel Higby ; 1804. David Dunham. 
Asa Smith; 1805. Jos. Totten, Wm. Bishop; 1806-7. Xat. Swain, 
Sam. Budd; 1808, Rich. Sneath. W. S. Fisher; 1809, Thos. Dunn, 



122 KAKLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY', N. J. 

Chas. Rccd; 1810, Peter Aannest, J. (Jsborn, T. Davis; 1811, J, 
Fox, John Fernon ; 1812, J. Fox, J. Townsend ; 1813, Dan. Ire- 
land, Wm. Smith; 1814, John Woolson, Edward Stout; 1815, 
Dan. Fidler, Amos C. Aloore ; 1816, John Walker, Amos C. 
JMoorc; 1817, Solomon Sharp, W'm. Smith; 1818, Peter \'annest, 
James Long; 1819, David Partine, T. Davis; 1820, David Partine, 
R. W. Petherbridge ; 1821, Edward Stout. R. W. Pctherbridgc; 
1822, Edward Stout, David Dailey ; 1823, Watters Burrows, 
James Moore ; 1824, Watters Purrows, Wm. Lummis ; 1825-26, 
John Woolson, Elij^halet Reed; 1827, Edward Page, William 
Lummis; 1828, Edward Page. J. Piff ; 1829, Jacob Grubcr, Rich- 
ard M. Greenbank ; 1830, Wm. Williams, R. i\L Greenbank; 
T831, Wm Williams. Sedgwick Rusling; 1832, John Henry Jacob 
Loudenslager ; 1833. Ivlward Stout and a su])i)ly ; 1834-35, Wm. 
Ivummis, John F. Crouch; 1836, Jas. Long, T. Christopher. 

New Jersey Conference, liridgeton District — 1837, J. W\ 
jMcDougall, A. Owen; 1839, Edward Stout, George Jennings; 
i8-]0. Joseph J. Sleeper, George Jennings, 1841, Joseph J. Sleeper, 
B. X. Reed; 1842. A. K. Street. T. Christopher; 1843, Jos. At- 
wood, Jos. Gaskikll; 1844, Jos. Atwood. John Fort; 1845, Nath- 
aniel Chew. John Fort; 1846, David Duffell, W. A. Brooks; 1847, 
David Duffell. .V. J. J. Truett ; 1848, A. J. J. Truett, B. Andrews^ 
1849, N. Edwards. P. Andrews: 1850. X. Edwards, A. Gearhart; 
1851, .\. Gearhart. D. T. Reed; 1852. J. White and a supply; 
1853. J. White. L. J. Rhodes; 1854-55. J. C. Summerill. C. W. 
Ilcisley. 1856-57. Samuel I\L Hudson, Albert Matthews; 1858-59, 
IP S. Xorris. J. P. Connelly. S. C. Chattin ; i860, Edwin Waters, 
Albert Atwood; t86i, Edwin Waters. E. S. Marks; 1862, W. C. 
Stockton. J Wilcox. Jos. II. Mickle; 1863-64, L. O. Manchester; 
1865-66. M. II. Shim]). 

Camden District— 1867. S. Wesley Lake: 1868-9. J. U 
Souder; 1870-1. E. C. Hancock; 1872-3. J. Warthman ; 1874, 
P. Y. Calder; 1875-6. E. F. Moore. 

Bridgeton District— 1877-8. C. .\. Malsbury. 

Camden District— 1879. J. L. Xelson ; 1880-2, J. B. Whit- 
ton; 1883. Wm. Blackiston. 

Bridgeton District— 1884. J. O. R. Corliss; 1885. John G, 
Edwards. 



KARLY inSTOKV or ATLANTIC COLNTV. X. J. 1 23 

I'Vicndsliip Circuit — iS86. R. I'lrooks Robbins. 

llarniDiiy Circuit — 1SS7, W. Nanderherchen ; 1888-9, L. X. 
Clark; iS'^o. Saiiuicl C. juliiisiin. 

Richlaml Circuit — iSi^i. julm C. Clark; 1892, Frank Cole- 
man. 

I'ricndship Circuit — 1!^«;3, J. Sault, A. Jat^gers; 1894-5. A. 
Jap^crs ; iSi/) A. Ja^j^crs, J. Casto. 

Min(iti)Ia and iMicndshij) — 1897. Thomas lluss; 1898, Clias. 
1 1. r.arncs. 



124 EARLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

M. K. Cfll'RCH TX I'ORT RKIHT'.IJC 
I'.Y Anna C. Collins Fleming 

Jiishop Asburv first introduced Methodism into South Jersey; 
and Xehemiah lUacknian was converted under his preaching in 
liis father's house in Knghsh Creek, and tlie first Methodist meet- 
ing, in what is now known as Port Re]niblic, was probably held 
m the house of Micajah v'^niith. with 12 members, and probably 
the same number in Smithville which has now grown to 264 
members and 225 children in the Sunday School, with two fine 
churches and a nice parsonage ])roi)erty. 1786 New Jersey was 
divided into four circuits, Newark, Trenton, East and West Jer- 
sey. West Jersey embraced all that section of the state south of 
l>urlington. 1788 it was divided and Salem Circuit formed the 
lower ]:)art in 1800. There were 550 members. Rev. Richard 
vSwain and Rev. Richard Lyon were the traveling ]ireachers and 
Rev. Soloman Sharp ]:)residing elder over all Xew Jersey. The 
extent of their circuits took from four to eight weeks to make the 
round of their preaching places, their way often being through 
miles and miles of forests with no i)ath, save the Indian trail. 

The first house of worship in Port Republic was erected near 
the beginning of the U)th century, on property owned by Micajah 
Smith and was known as Smith's Meeting House; an old bury- 
ing ground marks the s])ot. The preaching ])lace w^as one of 
the appointments on Salem Circuit until about 1811, when 
Gloucester was formed. 

The meeting house was a two-story frame building, 25 feet 
square, it was never dedicated but as soon as weatherboarded 
meetings were held in it in tlie suninier. but in the winter for 
several years services were held in the ujjper room of Xehemiah 
Blackman's house. In i8o<) windows were put in and a ten-plate 
stove jnirchased. The house was never ])lastered. but was ceiled 
u]) with boards. In 181 2 they purchased planed boards and had 
benches made with jmcccs across the back to rest the shoulder. 
Their lights were tallow dips, in tin candle sticks. The traveling 
l)reacher came once in four weeks and even then could not always 
make his ai)pointment, and the local preachers, exhorters and 



KAKLV IIISTOKV OF ATLANTIC COl'XTV, X. J. I25 

class leaders had to take cliarj^e a lar<^^e sliare i>f the time, liar- 
j^aiiitdwn Circuit was formed 1828, from tlie lower end of Glou- 
cester and a small part of Xcw Mills, and included the following 
places of preachiu};^: Zion, Enj^^lish's, West's, Absecon, W'ran- 
gleboro, Ivceds', Simkins", IMne Coalini^, Ciloucester Furnace, 
Wcstcott's Pleasant Mills. Green I'.ank. Glass Works. Dutch 
Mills. Lake. Xew Friendship, S(JUth River. Kstcl's and Wey- 
mouth I'^urnace. May's Landinj^ and Shore School House. 

In the early days I'ort Republic was known as Wranjj^le- 
boro. This name antedates autheiuic history. The church for 
many years was called Inion Chapel. L'nionville. The church 
at Smithsville was known as I^eeds. Since i8(>5, the last division 
of the circuit, the two have been Port Republic and Smith ville 
ciiar}.je. 

The first Ouarlerly meetiu}^ of liarj^aintown Circuit was held 
at a camp meeting; in lUirj^aintown. June. i8jS. Chas. Pitman, 
tir.'t presidin<j elder; the preachers making the journey on horse 
back. .\ conference was held in Port Republic. Sept. 23d. 1854, 
1-'. .Moiiell, j. P. Cake and John R. Doughty were ai)pointed a 
conimittei' to look after the interests of our church in .\tlant'c 
City. Next meeting this committee reported in favor of estab- 
lishing a church there. Rev. David Teed, who succeeded Mr. 
Morell as preacher in charge, informs us that he used to preach 
in .Atlantic City in the hou.se of Mr. Chalkley Leeds, before any 
church was built on the islanil. In 1868 the trustees of the 
church purchaseil from James B. Johnson and wife the present 
parsonage property for $12,000, giving a mortgage for over 
$7,000. This was subsequently paid and the whole church prop- 
erty is free from debt. Prior to this date the jireacher in charge 
resided in .\bsecon in a rented house. Hammonton and Winslow, 
first ai)i)ear as ajipointments on I)argaintown Circuit. 1835. 
After i83{) these two places with Gloucester Furnace. Westcott's 
and Pleasant Mills are not mentioned in the minutes and it is 
presumed they were formed into a separate circuit. After 
1851 Mav's Laniling. Weymouth, Catawba. Shore School House, 
Joslin and Estelville disappear from the record. 1855 Absecon 
Circuit was set off with Absecon, Oceanville. Smithville and 
Port Republic as preaching places. Isaac Felch was presiding 
elder and David Teed jxistor. 1862 Salem was added to .\bsecon 
Charge and so continued for three vears. 



126 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



CATAWBA CIirRCH ABOUT THE YEAR 1810 




In writing- a history of Catawlia Churcli which was located 
about tiiree miles below May's Landing, overlooking- the great Egg 
Harbor River, little is known of its early history. It is known 
that George West gave an acre of land on whicli t(^ build the 
church, and he being a local minister of the M. E. Church, 
acted as clergynian to his own jieople. also adding the liturgy 
to the church services to suit the varied creeds of the congre- 
gation. It disappeared from M. E. minutes in 1851. The 
church was named by the West's "Catawba." Although the W^est 
family never disclosed their past lives or residence, it was 
surmised that the name "Catawba" was in some way connected 
with their family history, and the church was built in memory 
of past scenes. It was an elegant little structure. Its influence 
of beauty as well as the home of the West's went far in educat- 
ing the taste of the community to the love of the beautiful. 



KAKLV HISTOKV OI* ATLANTIC COLXTY, N. J. I27 

The cluircli lias now fallen into decay. The gravestones of the 
West family in the graveyard adjoining, are all so battered and 
worn that the inscrijjtions njion the stones are almost obliterated. 
They are as follows : 

(;iC()K(-l-: W i'.ST. Ksq. 

liorn Aug. i, 1774 

Died Sept. 10, 1829. 

AMY WI'.ST. Widow of George West. 

Horn Jan. 26, 1777 

Died Se|)t. 15. 1829. 

GKOKC.Iv S. \\1%ST. Son of George an<l .\my West 
Horn May 7. 1S06 
Died Sept. 3. 1829 

J.\.MKS S. W l-.ST. Son of (k-orge and .\my West 

IJorn .\i)ril 7. 1810 

Died -Aug. 24. 1829. 



The following jnieni was written by Joseph Weintrob, a 
native of Rumania and had his home near by Catawba. He is 
now one of the i>rincipals in .\tlantic City's High schools. 

TllK OLD CATAWr..\ CHURCH 

ilard by llie road where the sumachs bloom. 

And the pine trees cast their stately gloom, 

Where the sky and trees in concord blend 
O'er the river's silent onward trend ; 

Torn ami battered and old and gray 

Stands Catawba Church by Catawlja Way. 

Time's cold tingers have lingered there ; 
Left it withered in mute despair. 

Touched its walls with a ruthless hand 

And circleil it rouiul with a hoarv band. 



128 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Gone arc the windDW?. l)n)kcn the door, 

Tliick Hcs the (hist on the roui;h-he\vn iloor. 

Empty the belfry, where once the liell 
Tolled a doleful funeral knell ; 

Or rang out in accents free and gay 

To the organ's tune of a wedding lay. 

Strange grey bats have made it their home, 
Fluttering ghostly, around it they roam. 

The pulpit is empty, silent and still ; 

r.are are the benches, cobwebbed the sill. 

The voices that once rose, in prayer to God 

.\re sleeping in peace 'neath the church-yard's cold sod. 

Tall grow tlie weeds, hiding each grave ; 

Sadly above them the tall pines wave. 

Hushed are the voices that swelled in a hymn. 
Now quietness reigns there, silent and grim. 

Not e'en an echo lingers within, 

Oft have I listened, often looked in ; 

Al! is forgotten, in sorrow it falls. 

Naught but sad memories cling to its walls. 

There, on the hillside, facing the West, 

It seems to peer anxiously over the crest. 

Mournfully the wind sings 'neath the eaves. 

Wildly the .\utumn gale pelts it with leaves ; 

Then o'er the shingles, covered witli moss, 

It seems to glide softly, bemoaning its loss ; 

In through the windows, out by the door, 

Caressing the tear-stained lienches and floor. 

Poor old relic of by-gone years. 

Naught left for you but sighs and tears. 

Hard by the road where the leaves are blown. 
It stands; fast falling, silent, alone. 



KAKUV IIISTOKV 01' ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



129 



Awa\ ill tin- (listancf the river (lows. 

And caltliL's ami holds the sunsets glows; 

Then throws the rellections far and high 

( )n Catawha Church alone 'neath the sky. 

Til' the lights as they fall on its grey old face. 
Seem to fi nn a halo of holy grace. 

The shadows grow thicker, and darkness falls 

F.ikc a lieiK'diction on its dimmed o\(\ walls. 



JOSI'.IMI WEIXTROB. 



('of^yri:^hli'(l \<j\^ by J. W'cintrob. 




Cat.vwba Gkavhs 



130 KARLY HISTOKY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



JIISTORV OF ZlUX AIETHODIST EP1SC()I'AL CIlL'RCli 
1814, FOUXDEU 1764 

V>y Rev. John A. Xaylou 

.McUiodisni was introduced into South Jersey by IJishop 
Asbury. Preaching places were estabhshed in many private 
homes or houses. In 1786 Xew Jersey was (bvided into four 
circuits : Xewark, Trenton, East and West Jersey. W^est Jersey 
Circuit embraced all that section of the state south of Turling- 
ton. In 1788 the West Jersey Circuit was divided and Salem 
Circuit was formed in the lower end of it. In 1800 there were 
five hundred and fifty members on the Salem Circuit. The Rev. 
Solomon Sharp was then the i*residing bolder over all Xew 
Jersey. 

Bargaintown was one of the preaching places on tlie Salem 
Circuit. I'rior to the year 1814 the Methodist Society liad no 
])ermanent organization. They worshipped in the lilackman's 
Aleeting House. In the summer of 1814 they resolved to form 
a permanent organization according to the laws of the state. 
They have left the following record : . 

Whereas, The members of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal Church, 
that assemble for divine worship at IMackman's Meeting House, 
in the Township of Egg Harbor, in the County of Cloucester, 
and State of Xew Jersey, there being more than thirty families 
who steadfastly assemble at that place, for public worship, have 
thought proi)er to elect Trustees, for the better government of 
said house ; did on the twenty-third day of October, in the year 
of Our Lord, eighteen hundred and fourteen, at the place afore- 
said (agreeable to the laws in that case made and provided). 
elect Thomas Garwood, Japhet Ireland, John Price, Philip 
Smith, Daniel Tiltnn. Daniel Edwards and Richard Devinny, 
Trustees for said 1 louse. 

We, the above named Trustees, do hereby certify that we 
have assumed the name of the Trustees for the Methodist Society 
to Rlackman's Meeting House, in the Township of Egg Harbor, 
in the County of Gloucester. 

"In testimonv whereof we have hereunto set our hands 



ICAkl.V HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. I3I 

anil seals, this twcnty-eiglilli day of Dctober. in the year of Our 
Lord, eighteen hundred and fourteen ( i(Si4)." 

This was signed by each one of the above named Trustees ; 
<'ach Trustee alscj subscribed to three scj)arate and distinct oaths: 

First, T(j sui)|)ort the Constitution of the L'nited States; 
Sci'ond. To bear true faith and allegiance to the government 
established in this State, under the authority of the people; Third, 
To faithfully fulfill the trust reposed in them as Trustees for the 
Methodist Society at I'lackman's Meeting House in the Town- 
shi]) of Kgg Harbor, according to the best of their ability and 
understamling. 

We here notice that the Trustees were elected on the twenty- 
third of ( )ctober and signed their acce])tance of their duty on the 
twenty-eighth of the same month, 1814. 

The second record is a deeil for the land where the Church 
<tands. dated ( )ctober thirty-first, eighteen hundred and fourteen, 
trom one |osei)h Sharp, h'sci.. and Hannah, his wife, of (lallo- 
wav Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, for the consid- 
eration of iwenty-five dollars in specie t<» them paid, by Thomas 
(iarwood. Japhet Ireland, John IVice. I'hilii) Smith. Daniel 
lulwards, Daniel Tilton an<l Richard Devinny, Trustees in trust, 
that they shall repair the house thereon, for a place of public 
worship for the use of the members of the Methodist Epis- 
copalian Church, in the l'nited States of America; accord- 
ing to the rules and discipline of the said Church, or build 
or rebuild, or cause to be built or rebuilt, or repaired or be 
repaired, a house thereon, for the aforesaid purpose; to be 
ruicd and governed in all things agreeable to the discii>line 
of said Church, and the laws of this State; and that any of 
the aforesaid Trustees, or their successors, may be removed 
from the office of Trustee, or their vacancies supplied according 
to the discipline of said Church and the laws of this State. This 
i]^ed begins at a Black C^ak tree marked for a corner, being a 
ci^rner to Thomas Garwood's land, and calls for one acre of 
land ; and recites that Christian 151ackman. Administratrix of 
Andrew r>lackman. deceased, under a decree of the Orphans' 
Court of the County of Gloucester, made the fourth day of Jan- 
uarv. 181 3. did sell at public auction the said lands to Joseph 
Sharp. Bv this deed of conveyance, the Methodist Society be- 
came the prospective owners of Blackman's Meeting House. 



132 KAKLV niSTOKV OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



ZioN Meeting House 

The question of repairing, rebuilding or building a new 
meeting house to comply with the requirementts in the deed from 
Joseph Sharp and wife, to the Society, continued to agitate the 
minds of the members of this Society until the year 1821, when 
definite action was taken to build a new meeting house, when the 
following heading was made to procure subscriptions for that 
purpose : 

"List of subscribers for the new meeting house, to be built 
at Blackmail's Meeting House ; sums subscribed and the time 
fixed by the Trustees, for the payment, being in four equal 
installments. 

"Thomas Garwood. Treasurer." 

The time fixed for the first ])ayment was April ist. 1822; 
the second payment, Jul}' ist; third payment, October ist, and 
the fourth, January ist, 1823. Tlie total amount subscribed 
was $1525.95. 

Bargaintown Circuit was formed in 1828. "At the Phila- 
delphia Conference" for the year of Our Lord one thousand, eight 
hundred and twenty eight, a new circuit was laid ofif of the lower 
end of "Gloucester" circuit and a small part of "Xew ^^lills,'* 
which included the following places for preaching, viz : Zion, 
English's, West's, Absecon, Wrangleboro, Leeds'. Simkins', Pine 
Coaling, Gloucester Furnace, Westcott's, Pleasant Mills, Green 
Bank, Glass Works, Dutch Mills, Lake, New Friendship, South 
River, Estell's, Weymouth Furnace, ^May's Landing, and the 
Shore School House. 

The first Quarterly ^Feeting of Bargaintown Circuit was 
held at a Camp Meeting at Bargaintown on June 14, 1828. The 
Rev. Charles Pitman, Presiding Elder, presided. Hammonton and 
Winslow first appear as ap])ointments on Bargaintown Circuit in 
1835. After 1839, these two places, with Gloucester Furnace. 
Westcott's and i'leasant Mills are not mentioned in the minutes 
and it is presumed that they were formed into a separate cir- 
cuit After 1 85 1, May's Landing, Weymouth, Catawba, Shore 
School House. Joslin's and Estleville dropped from the record. 
In 1855 Absecon Circuit was set off with Absecon, Oceanville. 
Smithville and Port Republic, as preaching places. In 1862, 



KAKLV IIISTOUV Ol- ATLANTIC COUN'TV, X. J. 1 33 

Salem was added to Absecon Charge. In 1871 and for some 
years followinjj^ there were four ])reaching plpaces in the Bar- 
gaintown Circuit: Zion. Ashury ( Hnghsh Creek). Central. (Lin- 
wood), r>elhel, ( Somers Point). Then Central and Hethel were 
made a separate charge and Zinii and .\s])ury continued as the 
Knglish Creek Charge. In Kjii. mider the pastorate of Rev. 
W. I', .\tkinson. Zion and Ashury became separate charges, each 
having its own |)astor. During the winter of i<>i 1-12 a new mod- 
ern i)ar.sonage was built at Hargaintown on ground donated to 
the church by Mr. .\ndrew Marcus and wife. \ arious improve- 
ments have been made under dilTerent pastors, memorial windows, 
altar, vestibule and lielfry have been added, so that we now have 
an up-to-date church and parsonage. 

The members of this Society may be justly proud of its one 
hundred t)r more years' history and say with the Psalmist, "And 
of Zion it shall be said, this and that man was born in her; and 
the highest himself shall establish her." — Psalm 87:5. 

The writer is indebted to Mr. Win. Lake, of Ocean City, 
and Mrs. C. K. I'leming. of .Xbsecon, for most of the historical 
facts related above. 



134 EARLY HISTORY 01^ ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



EARLY HISTORY OF OLD SHORE OR FRAMBES 
SCHOOL HOUSE, NEAR THE BEGL\NIXG OF 

i.STH CKXTl'RY, FOLLOWED BY SALEM 
M. E. CHL'RCH 1857. 

^Laria Collins Thomas 

When tlie first ^Methodist sermon was delivered in America 
by John Wesley, under the famous oak tree still standing in 
Southeastern Georgia, this part of New Jersey was occupied by 
the Absequam Lidians, a branch of the Delawares. Here they 
lived, loved, feasted, and buried their dead. Along our shores 
may still be found the shell mounds where the red man was laid 
to rest with his belongings on which was inscribed the totem of 
the Delawares. the turtle. 

The Delawares were a branch of the large and powerful 
tribe, the Lenni Lenape of New York state. 

In 1758 the Colonial legislature ap])ointed five commission- 
ers" to pay any and all just rights and claims that might be due 
the Indian nations of this Colony. Seventy-four pounds of 
this money paid was expended to purchase 3044 acres of land 
for a reservation. This reservation was near Atsion, in Burl- 
ington County. Here Rev. John Brainard labored among them 
and called the settlement Brotherton. It is now known as In- 
dian Mills 

During the early period the Quakers ]iredominated in this 
sparsely settled region. As early as 1726 there were three 
selected places for holding Friends" Meetings : Leeds Point, .\b- 
secon and Somers Point. 

Methodism was first introduced in New Jersey l)y I'.ishop 
Asbury. One of the earliest places in which he held meetings 
was the home of David I'lackman, in English Creek. The names 
of those converted in this home would include the ancestors 
of the most prominent families in Atlantic County today. 

The first Presiding Elder was Rev. John McClaskey. His 
district was not small as it included all of New Jersey, and 
Newlnirg, Delaware and .\lbany in .\ew York. He was a mem- 



ICARLY IIISTOkY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. 135 

I)cr of tile Cimfcrcncc of twenty mcmlKTS that met in the old 
St. John's Street Church in 1789. when the Metho(hst l>ook Con- 
cern was founded. 

Rev. John .McCIasky was horn in Ireland in 175'), the year 
.n which Dr. Ricliard Collins eiui.i;ratcd to America and settled 
at Collins' Mills, near what is now known as Smithville. Six- 
teen years later John McCIasky came to America and made his 
home at Salem. X. J. lie went from curiosity to hear the Meth- 
odist preachers when they came near that vicinity, and was con- 
verted, enterin*,^ the ministry in 1785. 

Ill 178^^1, .\ew Jersey was divided in four circuits. Newark, 
Trenton, h'ast Jersey and West Jersey. The West Jersey Cir- 
cu"t iiu-ludi'd all of Xcw Jersey souih of lUirlini^ton. 

ill 17SS. the West Jersey Circuit was divided, and the l<iwer 
half called the Salem Circuit. In i.So;) there were five hundred 
lif'.y memlxrs on the Salem Circuit; there were two travel- 
in*; preachers. Rev. Richard Swain and Rev. Richard Lyon. Rev. 
vSo'omon Sharp was I'residiri; I'.lder of all Xew Jersey. There 
were then seven circuits in the state, with three thousand thirty 
mcmhers and fourteen travelinjj;' preach'.-rs. There arc now. I')i4. 
two hundred fifty eis^ht charijes and 5'">.^28 members. 

The "travelini;- |)reachers'" are idep.tii'ed with the early 
spread of Methodism. an<l were insjiired with ^reat relii^ious 
zeal, which enabled them to withstand i^reat discomforts and 
hardships. They traveled on horseback to reach their various 
preachiiiij^ places, usually takini; from four to ei;iht weeks to 
make the rounds of their circuit. They carried their library 
and articles of attire in their saddle basfs. Most of South Jersey 
was then but forests and p'me barrens, antl the trail often un- 
broken cxcej^t as an Indian trail. The meals of these religious 
pioTieers were timed Iiy their arrival at the homes of the mem- 
bers and friends. Their coming was an important event in the 
lives of the settlers. 

One of thrse travelers was Tchi Collins, son of Dr. Richard 
Collins, nnd who married Sarah lilackman. daughter of David 
Blackman. of English Creek. Me was converted in 1794 and 
was sc^on licensed to jireach as a local preacher. In 1803. he and 
his familv and his brother-in-law Larduer Blackman removed 
to C^hio where he took up an extensive tract of land in Cler- 
mont County. Rev. Collins preached the first Methodist ser- 



136 liARLV HISTORY 01' ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

men in Ohio, in Cincinnati in 1804, and was one of the most 
forceful and successful among the pioneers of the West. His 
name is found on one of memorial windows in the Metropolitan 
Memorial Church in Washington. D. C, heing placed there in 
recognition of his religious work. 

In iSii, Gloucester Circuit was formed from the Salem 
Circuit, and in 1S28, at the Philadelphia Conference, Bargain- 
town Circuit was laid off the lower end of Gloucester Circuit, 
with a small part of Xew Mills. 

l>argaintown Circuit included the following preaching plac- 
es : Zion. English's, West's, Absecon, Wrangleboro, Leeds', Sim- 
kins', Pine Coaling, Gloucester Furnace, Westcott's, Pleasant 
Mills, Green Piank, Glass Works, Dutch Mills, Lake, New Friend- 
ship, South River, Estells, Weymouth Furnace, May's Landing 
and the Shore School House. 

The first Quarterly Mccti'^g was held for the Bargain- 
town Circuit at a camp meeting in Bargaintown in 1828. 

The first Presiding Elder was Charles I'ilman. In the 
W'arm weather the Quarterly meetings were usually held in groves 
near the meeting places. Whole families would drive in from 
miles around for the all day service, bringing well filled lunch 
baskets. These services were anticipated for a long time as a 
social feature and as an occasion of great religious activity. 

Among those whose eloquence rang through these resound- 
ing aisles of woodland were: Ezckial Coojicr, Charles Pitman, 
Father Lummis and others. 

The Shore v^chool Plouse and Church stood on the site 
where the late Xathaniel Risley's residence now stands. 

Mrs. Ascnath Rislcy, wife of Xathaniel Risley. said the lot 
was given the community to build a school upon by Alexander 
Fish, with the proviso that when no longer used for such pur- 
pose, it should revert to the Fish estate. Owing to the difficulty 
in locating deeds of Gloucester County of a date previous to 
1800, I have been unable to find this deed of gift as yet. How- 
ever the services requiring a more commodious place of meet- 
ing, a new church and school, called llic Salem M. \\. Church 
was built in 1851 ; the Shore School House was torn down: and 
the lot sold to Xathaniel Risley l)y .Mexander Fish and Miliscnt 
Fish, their deed dating May 25, 1853. Mr. Risley owned the 
lot several years before ho built u])on it. The Shore School 



I;AKI.V IIISTOKV Ul- ATLANTIC CULNTV. X. J. 137 

IIdusc was Iniill about the year 1800 from briek burned by John 
Lake in his brickyard on what is now known as the Fred Carmen 
|)hice. 

This school was also known as the hVambes School, prob- 
al)ly because a number of families by the name of Frambes 
lived near it. 

Mr. Wesley ln.t;ersolI. who was born in 18,^3, says in his 
earliest recollections the Shore School Mouse a|)i)eare(l to be a 
very old buildini.,''. The regular preacher on the I*arj.ifaintown 
Circuit preached here once a month, but Class and I'rayer meet- 
iii.tjs were held every week, usually Wednesday and Thursday 
eveniiif^s. 

Mr Iny-ersoll's early memories of his father. Daniel liiijcr- 
soll. a wheel wri!.,dit and undertaker, and his mother Ann ln,i.;;er- 
S0II. is iluir faithful attendance at church, one Sunday at the 
Shore School Mouse, the next drivini,'" to Absecon. and the third 
attending services at Zion. Me also remembers David Ikirtlett. 
father of the Kite William Uartlett, walking by the Ini^ersoll 
residence, from his home on Delilah Road, faithfully and regu- 
larly to attend divine services in the Shore School 1 louse. 

Mr. In^er^oll first becaiue interested in seckini,'- salvation 
while attendiuLT a Methodist Protestant Camp Meetini,^ back of 
the r>akersville schot)l house in the fall of 1844 and 1845. These 
mcetin.i^s were conducted by Rev. Jacob Timberman. and his 
brother John Timberman. who conducted services both at the 
r.akersville school house and at the Mount IMeasant Church, 
which then stc^xl where the Mount Pleasant cemetery is now. 
Mere Mr. lujL^ersoll was converteil. but united with the church 
of his parents in the Shore School Mouse. 

Ezra 1^ Lake, one of the founders of Ocean City was con- 
verted at the same time. 

Mr. James Ryon. who was a boy of fifteen at this time, 
savs that these meeting^s were of far reaching influence, and 
that nearl\- all of the young people of this section were con- 
verted either in these meetings or from the influence of them. 
Among those converted to God then were : Eliza Frambes, John 
Lake, Sarah Ingersoll, Elijah Adams, Alice Ryon, Emmeline Ry- 
on. Mariette Ryon. Peter Frambes. John Sampson and Thomas 
Sampson. All of these joined the Shore School Church except 



138 EARLY HISTORY OP ATLANTIC COL'XTY, X. J. 

J'cter lM-aml)es, who joined the Mount Pleasant M. 1'. Church, 
at Bakersville. 

( )ne of the preachers who was a powerful speaker in this 
church was Rev. Joseph Atwood. John Adams and Samuel 
Steelman were exhorters. 

( )ne of the teachers in this school was Steelman S. Sooy, 
who lived in the little red hcnise now standing^ at the corner 
of Edgewater Avenue and Main Street, having purchased it 
from Pardon Ryon, who ia turn had purchased it from John 
Bryant. 

During" the summer UKinths a prospective teacher, fre- 
quently from "down East" would make a house-to-house can- 
vas soliciting pupils to attend school the following winter, at 
a charge of about $3.50 per quarter for each pupil. There were 
no free schools in those days. If the teacher secured enough 
subscribers he would return, if not some other pedagogue would 
follow. 

In March 1844. a Miss Emeline D. Huntley, of Connecticut, 
w^as hired as a teacher in this section at the munificent salary 
of $10 a month and board. She would "board around" among her 
patrons. Ilcr contract is signed l\v Jeremiah iJaker. Joseph 
Ireland and James English. 

Samuel Steelman, father of Benjamin S. and Lewis Steel- 
man, was a Class Leader, and lived at the corner of Park Avenue 
and Main Street, where this edifice now stands. 

Among those converted in the Shore School House were 
Asenath and Caroline English, of English Creek, who were sent 
to the home of their uncle, Daniel Collins, to board and attend 
school. They were converted to God in a prayer meeting in the 
absence of any regular pastor. Asenath joined the church pre- 
vious to her marriage to Xathaniel Risley. Caroline married Bar- 
clay Leeds in whose home tlie first meetings of the First M. E- 
Church of .Atlantic City were held. 

.\mong those who were members of the church in the Shore 
School House were: David Partlett. John Frambes, Sr., John 
Frambes. Eliza Dennis Frambes. Michael Frambes. Sarah Fram- 
bes, Sara J^ampson. Samuel Steelman. Ezra l>. Lake. Daniel In- 
gersoll. .\nn Ingersoll, Wesley Ingersoll, Asenath English, Caro- 
line English, Talitha Sooy, Steelman S. Sooy, John T. Lake, 
Elisha Adams. Alice Adams. Alice Rvon. Emmeline Rvon. Mar- 



KAKl.V IIISTOKY 01- ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. I39 

iiiu- Rye 111, Xatlianicl Dishrow, I'etcr W'atkins, James English, 
Joseph Kace ami others. 

In iJ^So. there was an increased activity in the church 
aftairs under the pastorate of Rev. Philip Cline. and the mem- 
hers of the Shore School Church met in that huildinjj; on Oct. 
'.^ ^^5^^' 'Tiid arran}.,a'rl to erect a more im])osing' church edifice. 
.\ hoard of trustees were elected consistinj.^ of the followini^: 
I'ardon Ryoii, John Framhes, Jr., Xathaniel Dishrow, Mark Ad- 
ams, jouathan Mliertson, Ahsaloni Douj^hty. The new ecHficc 
was to he known as the Methodist E])iscopal Meeting; House 
at Smith's E.uidinj.;. The Certificate of Trustees was reconled 
at May's l.amlinL; in 1S51. 

The plot of j.;round on the road leadin,i; from Smith's Land- 
int; to Risleytown, ou which the church was to he erected, was 
},(iven hy I'ardon Ryou and his wife, Elizaheth Ryon. 

Many citizens not memhers of the church hecame interested, 
and contrihuted towar<l the huildiiiij^, as the hasement was to be 
used as a school. 

Some memhers }.^ave their contrihutions as labor, such as 
excavatiu}.;^ and carlinj^". 

The contract for the buildin,!; was i^ixen to Adam Conover. 

in 1S55. .\l)secon Circuit was set aside from the IJargain- 
town Circuit with .Absecon, C)ceanville, Smithvillc and Port Rc- 
])ublic as preachini^ places. In 1<S()2, Salem was added to the 
.\bsecou (.'irciiii. and so continued until March 29. 1870, when 
it became an indei)endent charjj^e. The rect)rtls state that ^ravc 
fears were entertained for its ability to be self-supporting. 

The first musical instnnnent used in the church was a melo- 
deon belonging to Miss Rachaelette Sooy, who afterward became 
Mrs. Arnold l>. Race. Miss Sooy was the first organist. This 
instrument is now in the possession of her son. Robert L. Race. 

The use of this instrument in the church service was the 
cause of much discussion, some of the members claiming an organ 
to be worldly and of the devil. One dear old lady said she al- 
wavs init her hand over her eyes as though sleeping whenever 
it was played, so as to shut out all the 'worldly thoughts she 
could. 

The first child bajitized in the church was Annie Disbrow, 
now Mrs. William Tavlor, daughter of Xathaniel and Sarah Dis- 



140 KARLY IllSTOKY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

brow, ami who ])resente(;l the ])eaiitiful baptismal font in the 
present church as a niemoKial to her mother. 

When the church was built in 185 1, Joseph Race jilaced the 
altar rail ; at the rebuilclini^ in 1889, his son, Arnold J>. Race 
made the altar rail, and, in the present Iniildin.ij the grandson, 
Robert L. Race had the honor of making the altar rail. 

For many years there was no bell in the church, and after 
the Smith's Landing- school was built, the sexton of the church, 
would ring the school bell to call the people to divine service. 

In 1889, the church was remodeled, the brick basement be- 
ing taken away entirely. It was then considered one of the 
prettiest churches along the shore. 

For tho following quarter of a century worship was con- 
tinued in this remodeled building, when plans were formuulated 
for the i)resent handsome stone edifice. 

The cornerstone of this building was laid by District Sup- 
erintendent Sanford M. Nichols, witli impressive ceremonies, on 
Sunday afternoon. Oct. 27, 1912. 

The old building was sold to the (colored) Asbury M. E. 
Church, of I'leasantville, and the building moved to their lot at 
JJayview Avenue and v^hore Fast Line R. R. 

The new edifice was com])leted and dedicated by Bishop 
Jcseph F. lierry, on Dec. 7, 191 3. 



i;.\KI.V lllSTOUY OK ATLANTIC COLNTV, X. J. I4I 



TIM-: IIIS'J"! )1>:\' ( )!■■ Till'. l-ofXDATIOX oi- Till', FIRST 

CATHOLIC CIlLKCll ()F ATLANTIC 

COUNTY, XKW JERSEY. 

St. M akv's Roman Catholic Chlucii in thk Pinks, 

Pleasant Mills, Xkw Jkkskv. 

FoKNDKi) AnorT 1820. 

Scallcrcd lhr(»ui;li the piiic lands of S'lUtlicrn Xew Jersey 
are several deserted or partly deserted villa}.;es, where, over sev- 
enty \ears aj^o. industry and prosperity reij;ned, but now ruin 
and desolation are seen everywhere. Streets that were once 
hardened with the traffic of hundreds of people, are now over- 
jL^^rown with wild ^rass and weeds and but little used. The 
houses are silent and slowly falling to decay. The churches 
are seldom opened, and some are {.jone entirely and their very 
sites dispntetl. The old iron forges and furnaces are in ruins, 
or only rememljered by the black cinder piles which mark their 
sites. Three of the tall chinnieys still stand, ready to topple 
over at any time. 

Two of these old villages are of interest to the Catholics 
of .Xew Jersey, because in. or near them, were established two 
of the first Catholic parishes in Xew Jersey. They are Pleasant 
Mills, in .\tlantic County, forty-two miles from Philadelphia, 
and nine miles from llammonton. The settlement at Pleasant 
Mills was made ab(nit 171S. when a saw mill was erected at 
the head of the okl Fresco pond, now caller Xesco-hague. This 
drew a colony of sturdy wood choppers, who levelled the ori- 
ginal pine forests and white cedars sending the heavy timbers 
to the mill to be sawed into lumber or split into shingles and 
jiiled the branches in great heaps, to be converted into char- 
coal. The lumber was loaded on vessels and shipped down 
the MuUica River and on to Xew York. The charcoal was 
transported by wagon to Philadelphia where it was sold for 
fuel. This was before hard or soft coal was known here, and 
these were the charcoal burners, the traces of whom are still 
frequently found in South Jersey. 



142 



KAULY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



Yet not all the charcoal was sent away, for much of it was 
used in the old iron furnaces and forges, called hloomeries, 
for as early as 1766 we find a large iron furnace established at 
Batsto. Ikniington County. This was the era of the iron work- 
ers, and brought to Xew Jersey hundreds of men who found 
employment either as wood choppers, teamsters, day laborers or 
skilled mechanics, in 1777 we find that the wood choppers re- 
ceived two shillings and six pence per cord for their labor, and 
an industrious man could chop one and a half cords per day. 

The forges and furnaces were set ut) near the water courses 
in those parts where the beg iron ore was abundant. Thus we 
find this old iron industry at old Gloucester, near Egg Harbor, 




Roman Catholic Church at Pleasant Mills 



at ]\Iartha, Weymouth, Atsion, and they manufactured all kinds 
of iron ware for house as well as for implements. 1 lere at 
Batsto was made nnich of the ammunition used in the American 
Revolution, but when after the better magnetic ores of Penn- 
sylvania and Northern Xew Jersey were discovered the old bog 
iron furnaces were abandoned and the workmen moved to new 
centres of work. About this time also, 1761, shingles were 
split from the real cedar trees, which abounded in the swamps 
of this district. These were carted to Egg Harbor and shipped 
to New York and elsewhere. 

Next came the glass workers, when Casper W'istcr built and 
operated the first American glass factory near .Vllowavstown in 



j:\ki.v iiiskjuv ov Atlantic county, n. j. 143 

Salem Couiuy. 'i'licsc c<jlniiiL's came from varidus i)arts of Ger- 
many to convert the Jersey soil mU) hollow ware and window 
Mj^hts. .\,^,^•lin with these came new bands of wood choppers and 
teamsters. Anion}.^ the various artisans, mechanics and laborers 
were many Catholics. sinj;le and married, who. feelin.Lj the re- 
ligious persecution of the old world. son:^ht peaceful homes in 
America, only to find that liii^otry and race hatred had also 
crossed the sea. and confronted their new homes. Read) to '^Wq 
'heir labor and skill of their han<l and heads to the upbuildinj.;^ 
I tlieir adopted land. \et tiiey refused to accept or follow the 
ielij.,dous systems that had so cruelly persecuted their ancestors 
II lrelan<l and (icrmany. They cherished their Catholic faith 
an 1 practice<l it in private under the scorn of bi^dts or the ridi- 
cule of fanatics, until such times as circumstances permitted them 
to build their chapels and brini,'' their priests to have services 
ir them. Tiu-se were brave and fearless people, stroni^ of 
character and bi^- <if body, and dani^er was unknown to them 
as disloyally to church was hateful. It was by such men that 
he little parish of Pleasant Mills and Batsto was founded. 
\\ hen they had no church in which to asseml)le. they jrathered 
tn ])rivati- houses, and here they met their priests whenever 
iiance or appointment broujji^ht one in their midst. lUit as 
tune went on prejudices lessened and the Revolution found 
Catholic and Protestant combined t<» defend their common coun- 
try on the bloody field of battle, and when the smoke of eii^^ht 
years' strife had cleared away and the youn^ nation had cast off 
the tyrann\ of b'n^land. their ris^hts were recoji^nized and re- 
•l)ected. And when the names of the fallen heroes were called, 
many Catiiolics were orphans and widows. Ag'ain the glass 
works and iron fors^es were set in motion and another colony 
tjathered. and Tlcasant Mills and Batsto became centres pf 
travel. The Richards family boup:ht the place and infused new 
rib" into both towns. 

In 1S26. Jessie Richartls offered to donate a plot of land 
and help to erect a church for his faithful Catholic workmen. 
.\cceptini; this kind otTer from their generous employer, they 
follected money, and worked together under the direction of 
their zealous young pastor. Rev. Edward R. Mayne. who was 
a convert from Protestantism, until they had succeeded in erect- 
aig at Pleasant Mills, the tirst Catholic Church south of Trenton, 



144 l•:.\kl.^■ history of Atlantic coi-nty, n. j. 

and pcrliaps tlie third in Xcw Jersey. This was in 1827, and 
Father Mayne remained in chari^e, living at St. Augustine's, 
I'hiladelpliia, and coming down monthly for services. The 
church, however, was not formally dedicated until 1830, as there 
was no Jjishop in Philadelphia at that time, Bishop Convvell 
having gone to Rome, leaving Father Mathews in charge. In 
1830 Rev. Patrick Kenrick was ap])ointed liishop of Philadel- 
phia, and on .August 15th, 1830, dedicated the little church under 
the title of St. Mary's of the Assumption. In the meantime, 
Father Ma\nc, who had fallen into consumi)tion, went to Florida 
for relief, and, finding the climate beneficial to him, remained 
there and became pastor of St. Augustine, where he died on 
December 21st, 1834, aged 32 years. 

In 1833 we find Rev. James Cummisky attending from 
Philadelphia. 

1834 — Rev. \\'illiam W'helan, occasionally from l^hila(lel])hia. 

1835— Rev. Patrick Reilly, occasionally. 

1836 — Rev. Edw'd. McCorthy, S. J., monthly from St. 
Joseph's, Philadelphia. 

1837 — Rev. Richard Waters, S. J., monthly from St. Jos- 
eph's, Philadelphia. 

1838— Rev. Edward Sourin. St. Charles Seminary. Phila- 
delphia. 

i839_Rev. Jas. Miller. C. M.. I'hiladelpliia. 

i8-^o--j3 — Rev. Wm. Loughran. from St. Michaers. I'hila- 
delpliia. 

1844 — Rev. 1>. Rolando. C. M.. Seminary. Philadelphia. 

1845-48 — Rev. Hugh Lane, from St. Philips, Philadelphia. 

1849 — Rev. Hugh Kenny. St. Michael's. I^hiladelphia. 

1850 — Rev. J. Finnegan, Gloucester, X. J. 

The foll(^wing is the translation of all that now remains 
of Father AlcCarthy's Latin P.aptismal Register concerning Pleas- 
ant Mills Mission, as received from l\t. Rev. James A. McFatil. 

August 9, 1835, I baptized Michael, born at Philadelphia, 



i:.\RLY IIISTORV or AILAXTIC COUXTV, X. T. I45 

(III the first (jf .May. this year, frcjiii Daniel McXeil and Ehzabeth 
Dunn. Sponsors: Michael Dunn and Mary McGonig'al. 

Rev. Edwar/l McCarthy. S. J. 

Aujj^ust 9. 1835. T bai)tizcd Nicholais, born Dec. 26, 1834, of 
Samuel Crowley and I'arnelia Saney. Sponsors: Herman My- 
rosc and Catherine Mynjse. 

Rev. iMlward McCarthy, S. J. 

October ii. 1835, I I)a])tized Samuel, born March 29<, from 
Abraham Xicluilas and Mary Ann Crowley. Sponsors: Herman 
.Myrose and .\nna Maria Cliff. 

Rev. Edward McCarthy. S. J. 

September 1 1. 183''), Mary .\nn. Ixirn Aw^. 5. 1836, from 
Patrick and Catherine Kelly. Sixtnsors: John Moore and 
James Daly. 

Rev. Edward McCarihy, S. J. 

September I I. iS3^>. 1 baptized James, born I'eb. 5, 183''!, 
trom James MeCambrid.i;e and .\nna Miller. Sponsors: Thos. 
.Muri)hy and Mary Ann Mclntyre. 

Rev. ICdward McCarthy, S. J. 

September 11. 183^1. 1 bajnized Sara .\nn. born March 17, 
183^), of Tcrance Daly and Sara (^nslan. Sponsors: James 
McDermott and Jno. McCambridge. 

Rev. Edward McCarthy, S. J. 

September 11. 183^). 1 baptizetl James, born Aug. 31. 1836, 
from Thomas Fox and Elizabeth McDermott. Sponsors: Jno. 
McCambriilge and Sam Crowley. 

Rev. Edward McCarthy, S. J. 

September 11. i83r., I baptized Patrick, born Aug. 3, 1836, 
from Patrick Monaghan and Bridget Dohan. Sponsors: Mich- 
ael Doolan and Marv Mclntyre. 

Rev. Edward McCarthy, S. J. 

September ii. 1836. I baptized Andrew Stout, born June 
13. 1836. from Philip Kane and .\nna Westcott. Sponsors, Ed- 
ward Daly and Sarah Daly. 

Rev. Edward McCarthy, S. J. 



146 EARLY HISTOKV OK ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

September 11, 1836, I baptized Jolm, burn Aug. 27, 1836, 
from Hugh Gibbons and Catherine Morison. Sponsors : Patrick 
Clark and ^Margaret Alorison. 

Rev. Hdward AlcCarthy, S. J. 

October 9, 1836, I baptized Charles, born May 13. 1836, 
from Samuel Crowley and Parmelia Saney. Sponsors: William 
Smith and Catherine Cobb. 

Rev. Edward McCarthy, S. J. 

An old account book was found in the church by Father 
Van Reil, of Egg Harbor, when he took charge and is the hand- 
writing of Edward Daily. The list below shows the names of 
the Catholics who contributed to the monthly expenses of the 
church from the year 1834 to i860: 

John Cumingham. Terrence Daily, James Kelly, Jas. Sween- 
ey, Henry Boyle, Sr., John Mclntyre, Edw. Alclntyre, Jeremiah 
Fitzgerald, Peter IMcDermott, Wm. Troy, Jas. Kane, Edw. Daily, 
Jno. Gillan, I'hilip Progan, Philip Kane, Jno. Nugent, Patrick 
Lafferty. David Perry, W'm. Boyle, John McDaniel, John Kane, 
Michael Murphy, Cornelius Kelly, Hugh Smith, Samuel Crow- 
ley, Arthur Travis, Patrick Kane, Herman ]\Iyrose, Jas. Mc- 
Dermott, Michael ]\IcDermott, Patrick McDermott, John ^Martin. 
Jno. Desane, William Dougherty, Jas. Boyher, William Kelly, 
Jno. Dougherty, "Peddler", Jno. Sweeney, Owen Murphy, Jno. 
Clark, James McCambridge, Rob. Walls, Sarah Campl)ell, Jas. 
Tonner, IJryan Hart, Michael McCorkle. John ConncM-, Andrew 
McAlister, Wm. Dunlap, Jas. McWiggin, Jas. McXally, Wm. 
Harkins, Anton Fraelinger, George Stinzer, Chas. Freeling, John 
Hanlon, Oswald Reinboot. Jas. Dealin, Jas. I^eading, Thos. Lead- 
ing, Chas. Freath, Patrick ^Murray, Wm. ]\IcDcrmott. Patrick 
Clark, Jno. v^milli, \\'m. Smith, Jno. Mason, Jno. Aniese, Jno. 
McGovern, John Mclntyre, Dominic Daily. Andrew Kenan, Pat- 
rick Milligan, John W'aters, Wm. Maxwell, '36' Patrick ilacket, 
■36, Patrick Henry, Jno. McGinty, Wm. Conly. Wm. Dolan, 
Patrick Clark, Henry Mison, Thos. IMurphy, Thos. Darbcy, Peter 
McGoldrick, Harry Boyce, Jr., Wm. McCormick, Henry Laf- 
ferty, Bernard Lafferty, John LafFerty, John Moore, Jno. i3oyIe, 
Cornelius Gibbon, Hugh Gibbons, Peter Mc.Meer, John Waters, 
Rob't. Smith, Michael Leonard, John McDermott, James Waters, 



i:\NI.V jIISTOKY Jl- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 147 

Jaim- L.iu... John Doran. John Coyle, Darby Gillen, Francis 
CI. like. Michael McLaughlin, Patrick Grey, Thos. Fox, Rob't. 
McXeil, John Donigan, James Fisher. Denis Corbley. Henry Lee, 
Patrick McDevit. Dan. 

In 184X this i)arish ])assed to the care (jf Father Waldron, 
and as Mission of (iloucester it was attended by Fathers Finne- 
1,'an. 1853. and llannegan. until, in 1859. it passed to the Camden 
parish, under leather James Moran. 

in 1S57, I'ather Moran of St. ALiry's. Camden, officiated 
there, b'rom 1S55 on. this parish was attended from St. Marv's 
(.'aniden. 

In 184^ three Kedemptorists from St. Peter's Church. I'liila- 
<lel|)hia. found their way to Pleasant Mills at dilTerent times. 
TInM" were Iv'ither I'.ayer. Cowdenhave, and ilotzer. In June, 
i8_j(), I'ather ISayer also visited this place, and aj^^ain in Decem- 
l)ir. A i)riest from this church visited Pleasant Mills again in 
1851 ;uiil 1S5J. The last visit of a priest there seems to have 
i)een December 11. i860, when we find the congregati<Mi dwindled 
to the following named jjcrsons : Rob't. Dougherty. Hugh Far- 
ron. Jno. (lillen. P. P.annon. Jno. Walters. Jerry Fitzgerald. Mrs. 
('■arritt. .Michael Pharroah. Jno. McGovern, Daniel llannon. Thos 
I'aimon. Jno. McCorristan. Jno. Mallory. Michael McCorristan, 
W ni. Kellx. James Dillett. Darby McGonigal and James Plenney. 

Shortly after the building of the church, a house was built 
by the i)eo]ile. about 1830. with the idea of renting it to a 
Catholic family who wouM care for the ])riest on his monthly 
\isits This house was occupied by old Jerry Fitzgerald and 
later was sold, in 1 865. to Charles D. Smith, now of Elwood. 
X. J., who sold it to Dr. Stille, of .\tlantic City. After the 
opening o( the church the priest lodgeil with Mr. Richards, 
an Fpiscopalian. and his daughter took charge of the altar. 
John. Hugh and Daniel Farron were faithful from '35 to '60; 
their descenilants are good Catholics. 

The church remained closed until 18^15. when a young Dillet 
woman from that district appealed to a Philadelphia priest, and 
laid the condition before him ; she was directed to Camden, and 
explained matters to Father liyrne. who made a pilgrimage to the 
spot and found things as described. The church was deserted, 
the few remaining people had lost their faith. There stood the 
little church surrounded by pines, hidden away, but in a good 



148 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

state of preservation, everything' just as it had been left by Father 
Daly — but even the memory of it was being lost when Father 
Byrne re-discovered it in the wilderness, and, strange to sa\-, 
the few Catholics then around cared not to assemble within its 
walls, so that he held services in a private house, whilst he 
boarded with Mr. Paterson, a Protestant gentleman, who re- 
ceived him most hospitably. 

When, in 1866, Father Thurnes was made pastor of Egg 
Harbor, Pleasant Mills was one of his missions. Pie attended 
it when necessary as did also his successor. Father Esser, '78-'85, 
and Father \'an Riel, "85. until the Ilammonton Parish was 
formed, when it became a part of that parish. At present, Octo- 
ber, '05, there is only one Catholic family at Pleasant Mills, anrl 
none at Batsto, ^Ir. A. T. ]\IcKeon and his children. They at- 
tend the church at Hammonton, driving there on Sundays, a dis- 
tance of nine miles, and this for thirteen years, proving their 
sterling faith and loyalty. Father Van Red moved the pews 
to Hammonton, where they are still in use, also a beautiful 
old oil painting of the Crucifixion. The church was completely 
destroyed by a forest fire in .\pril 1899. The cemetery is en- 
closed with a neat iron fence, placed there by Mrs. Copperthwaite, 
McKeon, etc. The stones and graves are in good condition 
owing to the care of the McCambridge boys. 

Tb.e earliest missionary work of the Catholic Church was 
done by the Jesuits, followed by the Augustines, as early as 1795. 
For 30 years they attended the spiritual wants of New Jersey. 
Father Xeal was the last of the Jesuit Missionaries. He w^ent 
to Georgetown 1798. There was not a single Catholic structure in 
New Jersey. The church is closely connected with the beginning 
of the glass industry of the United States. From an old record we 
learn that the i)ioneer glass blowers of New Jersey were Casper 
Halter, John Martin Halter, Simon Grisemeyer and John Wentzel, 
skilled glass blowers from Belgium, who came to Salem under 
contract to blow glass for Cas])er Wister and teach his son Rich- 
ard. He paid for their passage 58 pounds and 8 shillings. Later 
other families followed. 

This historical extract is contributed by Mrs. Gcori^c IF. 
Leech, (JVeihl). 



r.AUI.V lIlSTUkV OP ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. I49 



(JL'AKERS— FKIEXDS 

( '.Aiii i;ki:ii I-'kum iiii; llls^()l^^■ oi- thk M. E. Ciii'kcii 
I'lV Anna S. Collins Flicminc. 

'I'lic (Juakcrs were by many years the first relij^ious organ- 
ization in the county. When tlie M. E. Church was first organ- 
zed in Sniilhville. the Friends Society was well nigh lOO years 
old. So far as 1 know there is no ])rinted account of their early 
meetings in this vicinity, hut their records are well kept, and 
iluough the courtesy of lion. John Clement, of 1 ladd<infield. 
md the kindly research of Sarah .\icholson. a frientl of the 
,inie place, and information of Japhet Leeds' family. I have been 
u.dili'd to give mv readers this ;iccoiint of the I'riends of I^ccds 
I'oint. Jn \(>/() the Province of West Jersey passed under the 
exclusive control of Wm. I'enn and his associates. Friends, who 
impleted and published a body of laws of which (inodrich 
says: "This simple code enacted by the Friends in America. 
1 ivaled the charter of Connecticut in the liberality and purity 
'i its i)rinciples." before the end of the \ear over 400 families 
of iMiends had arrived, from Ivngland. and found homes in 
West Jersey. There in the lower counties of the state the Friends 
lutedated bv many years all other religious societies, and many 
oi the best families with justifiable pride claim descent from these 
first (Quaker settlers. For nearly a generation the Friends as a 
Societ\ have ceased to exist in Leeds Point. 

The ilate of their first meeting for worship is not known. 
hut the Hon. John Clement, of lladdonfield. an authority on local 
iiistorv. savs: "Daniel Leeds was an important man in the early 
historv of West Jersey. He was the first surveyor general. In 
ifKjS, he made several surveys in Egg 1 Larbor. and removed there, 
about which date. I sup]n\>;e the Friends Meeting at Leeds' Point 
was established. In 1704. he published the first Almanac in 
.hncrica. and continued the publication until 1716." What we 
know as two villages, Leeds' Point and Smithville. seem to have 
been known as Leeds until 1844. 

The Haddonfield Quarterly, gives that as early as 1726, 



150 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

there were tliree places ft)r liuldinj^ Friends' meeting's in Atlantic 
county, namely: Japhet Leeds', Peter White's and John Scull's. 
J. Leeds doubtless lived at Leeds Point, (a son of Daniel Leeds). 
Peter White was at or near Absecon, and John Scull in the 
vicinity of Somers Point. He was one of the five men who in 
1695 purchased land and probably formed the first settlement in 
what is now Atlantic County. 1726 several Friends of Great 
Egg Flarbor and Cape May addressed a letter to the quarterly 
meeting of Gloucester and Salem, which convened in Haddonfield 
7th month and i6th day, asking for a monthly meeting. Their 
request was granted, and it was ordered to meet alternately, at 
Richard Somers', on Egg Harbor side, and Rebecca Garretson's, 
on the Ca])e May side, which lasted until 1804. 1806 Egg Harbor 
met alternately with Gallowa}-, and were a branch of Haddonfield 
Quarterly Aleeting the first and second day, 9th month, 1726. 
Richard Townsend was appointed clerk. Peter White and Jona- 
than Adams, as overseers of the meetings held at Japhet Leeds ; 
Peter White and John Scull. 

1740 the meeting which had been held at Japhet Leeds' was 
removed to Robert Smith's. 1744 Friends at upper end of the 
shore make request to build a meeting house. This probably was 
the first public house of ^corshify in Atlantic County and was 
situated directly west of the present site of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church ; the burying ground adjoining is still used and is 
known as Quaker burying ground. 

Friends are ever educators. As early as the first quarter of 
the 19th century the only school house in this vicinity adjoined 
this meeting and was under the control of the Friends. Their 
preacher at tliis time was Samuel Leeds, who taught part of the 
time, and ke])l a store at Leeds Point, near the present residence 
of John .Vndcrson. Services were held every first and fifth day. 
He was far in advance of his time in temperance principles; his 
was the only store in the neighborhood which did not sell intoxi- 
cating liquors. After the first meeting house had served its day, 
a new one was built about a mile east of the old site. \\'hen 
no longer needed for a house of worship, it was rebuilt into a 
dwelling and is now occupied by Absalom Higbee. Thus after 
an honorable history of over 150 years the last meeting house in 
Atlantic county was closed. One has since been established in 
Atlantic Citv. 



RAKI.Y IIISTOUY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 15! 



X()Ti:s ki-:l\ti.\c, T( > tiiic i-arlv iiisturv uf the 

I'kll-.XDS SOClirrV OF C.RFAT EGG 
II XUI'.OL'R. XKW JERSEY 

IIy Mns. Emily Stkklman Fisiii-:r 

T (lium it a special honor to he one of the niiniher whose 
privilej^'e it is to help rescue fnmi ohlivion the nieniorics of our 
Ouaker ancestors, of (.reat Ej^^ti^ Ilarhour. 

It has heen my aim to collect a few local facts, most likely 
to interest the society. I collected most of this data, in the 
search 1 made for my own Ouaker ancestr\-, a few years ai^o. 
Amonc^ these "I'Va^nients" 1 found many historical sketches illus- 
tratinj^" the origin ami ])laces of meelinj^ for worship and spread- 
ing; of [""riends principles in this section of Xew Jersey. 

Tliire has heretofore been too i^reat an indifference prevail- 
iuLT iu respect to the memories of the early Quaker settlers, as 
most of the first settlers were peace lovini; friends. 

There is no record of massacres or treacher\ hy tlie In- 
dians in this section of Xew Jersey. Xo doubt hut this was 
owiuju^ to the love of peace and justice, also to the liberal code of 
laws instituted by the Quakers. I always feel the great charm 
(to us of the present day) consists chiefly in this fact, also that 
ihey lived here in the early jieriod of our county's history and 
that of itself will always be interesting to all lovers of history. 

It may not he amiss before entering into the history of At- 
lantic County "Quakerism," to give a brief history of the first 
yearly meetings of Friends in Pennsylvania, and Xew Jersey. 
It appears bv the records, that the first yearly meeting, for the 
province of Pennsylvania and Xew Jersey, was held at Burling- 
ton. Xew lersey in the house of one Thomas Gardiner on the 
31st day of the Uh month 1681 ( O. S.). In the year 1685, it 
was unanimously agreed and concluded by the yearly meeting, 
that "There be one yearly and general meeting in Penn'a. and 
Xew lersev." It is interesting to note that at a quarterly meet- 
ing first held at Friend William Piles, it was agreed "That 
Friends ouuht not to sell rum to the Indians." 



152 ICAULV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

We will now turn our attention to the first mectinj^ of the 
Friends, at — what is known by us, of the present generation — 
as the town of Soniers l^oint. We may in imagination picture 
their first meeting, and to quote from records before me : "The 
first meeting of Friends met at the house of Richard Somers on 
the 7th day, 9 month, 1726. At this meeting Peter White, and 
Jonathan Adams were appointed overseers of the meeting, which 
was to be held at Japhet Leeds, Peter Whites and John Sculls. 
Again, 6th day iith month, 1726, at said meeting John Scull was 
appointed overseer in place of Jonathan Adams, dec'd." 

From a list I have reaching from 1726 to 1769, a period of 
forty-three years, I find Edmond Somers was the first Friend 
appointed to attend Quarterly Meeting (from dreat Egg Harbour 
Meeting) at Pladdonfield, X. J. 

Fourth day, 11 month, 1726, Richard Somers and Jacob 
Garetson were appointed to fid iIk^ office of Treasurer. Fourth 
day, 8th month, 1736, at said meeting it was concluded that a 
weekly meeting should be "sett" up for ye friends, at ye house of 
Widow Somers, one fourth day. and at the other fourth day at ye 
meeting house. 

Passing to year 1764, we find that on 1st day, loth month, 
"Two friends are appointed to treat with friend John Somers, 
concerning our holding meeting in his house, and to hire a 
])rivilegc of him for that service and make report thereof at next 
meeting." 

At next meeting the two friends report, that friend John 
appeared willing that they should meet at his house, but not will- 
ing to take pay, but at next meeting we find, "The meeting 
agreeing to pay him, twenty shillings a year." We also find as 
late as 1770 the sum of twent}- shillings was "jnit in the hands 
of a friend to pay John Somers, for the use of his house." .An- 
other item of interest we note is a portion of the will of James 
Somers (of July 15, 1695) in which he wills one acre of land, for 
Quakers where meeting house stands "forever more." Mrs. 
Anderson informed me, that the Friends Meeting House, 
at Somers Point, was on Shore P>oulcvard near the residence 
of Mr J. Scidl. that during the life of Mrs. .-Vnderson's grand- 
father. Jesse Somers, Sr., he ma<lo two dwelling houses of the 
buildinir. 



IvAKLV HISTORY 01* ATLANTIC COUNTY, X. J. I 53 

The first marriaj^c — that is the first I've been aljle to find 
record of — celebrated accorthn,!^ to the usaj^es of the Friends was 
tliat of Richard Soniers and Jn(hth LcTart. who puliHshctl their 
Mitentions of niarriai^e with each other, 2d day, nth month, 1726 
"At said nieetiii}^ Richar<l Soniers and Juchth LeTart. apjiearcd, 
and this ineetinj^ consents that they take each other in marriafjc, 
and appoints Jonathan Adams, and John Scull, to be present at 
said marriat^e, 0th day, 12th month, 172^). At said meetin;^" one 
of ye persons appointed to be at Richard Somers, and Judith Le- 
Tart's marriaj^e, matle report that it was orderly acc«Miii)lished. I 
have records of many marriaj^es but will only s^ive one more, as 
to i,nve all would be too tedious. This second marria!,jc is of 
much interest to many— -who arc members of this society — as well 
as myself. 1 refer to Judith Steelman. widow of .\ncestor An- 
drew Steelman (year 173^). We find in the monthly meeting 
belli at Somers Toint under date of 7th day, 6th month. 1738. the 
following;: — "At this meetini.^ our friend Charles Dinj^ee ( widow- 
er » and Judith Steelman (widow) declare their intention of 
marria;j^e with each other, 4th day. 7lh m<»nih. 1738. Charles 
Dinjj^ee produced a certificate from the meetins^ where he did 
bclonj^ which was 'red' and ijave satisfaction, at saiil meetings 
Charles Dinmee and Judith Steelman declared their intention of 
marriap^c, with each other second time. Two friends are ap])oint- 
cd to see the marria.^^e orderly accomplished. Judith Steelman- 
Din<:^ee. was soon a wi<low second time. She ilied 2d day. ist 
month, 1 75 1. Her will is an instrument of much interest espec- 
ially the codicil, she beinj.^ a Friend. The most unique article 
mentioned by her is that of a pair of bracelets, which she wills to a 
granddauj^hter. We cannot reconcile ourselves to the idea of 
j^rcat-.^reat-ijreat irrandmother Judith the Quakeress, beinq- own- 
er of so sinful an ornament as a "jjair of bracelets." and we can- 
not by any stretch of our ima.ijination see .\ncestress Judith 
decked out in them, as we feel the woman friends would call 
upon the men friends to assist them in ijetting up a "testifacation," 
ag^ainst Friend Judith for her "Outsjoing^s" in the matter of 
wearino- ungodly a]iparel. Just here I feel safe in saying^ that 
the wills of our ancestors are the most valuable manuscripts that 
remain. They develop interesting views and characters, and ex- 
hibit portraits of mind, far more valuable then personal like- 
nesses. In recalling the past, we are apt to forget that the lives 



154 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

of our colonial ancestors were filled with very much the same 
matter-of-fact details as we fill our lives with at the present time. 
With them, as with us, it was births, marriac^es and deaths, and 
so "the f^reat eventful tale is told." 

It may interest many, and amuse some to hear that our meek 
and lowly Quaker ancestors, were, at times sorely tried by the 
pranks cupid, "The God of love." played. I find recorded in the 
minutes c^f the meeting of 4th day, 2d month, 1760, James 
Somers, Jr., hath sometime ago married his first cousin contrary 
to the good order established in our society, and friends have 
waited sometime for his repentance ; therefore, two friends are 
appointed to draw a testifacation against him." We wonder, did 
the testifacation take due efifect and did James the Quaker 
repent? If so, one doesn't envy Mrs. James, the Quakeress. Also 
another youth, Isaac Somers, having "gone out" in his marriage 
from the order of Friends, two friends were appointed to speak 
with Friend Isaac, and at next meeting report that they had 
spoken with him and that (like a true and gallant gentleman he 
was) he replied "that he did not repent, and should not make any 
sotisfacfion. 

There seems to be many cases like the above, but 1 will only 
quote one case more, 28th day, 5th month, 1764. .\t this meet- 
ing " Our women Friends requested our assistance in testifying 
against Margaret Adams for her outgoings in marriage from the 
Order of Friends. Second day, 7th month, 1764, a testifacation 
against .Margaret .Adams w-as produced, read, and approved.'^ 
I was luialjle to find the name of the man, Margaret the Quaker- 
ess married. It would be interesting to know if the "Fair Mar- 
garet" has any descendants, members of our Society, if so, they 
will be much interested in her "out going." 

It may also interest the society (if the fact is not already 
known) that the first newspaper, published in Xew Jersey, was 
the "Xew Jersey Gazette." printed at lUirlington. X. J., December 
Stli. 1777, by a Quaker, one Isaac Collins. Being a member of 
the Society of Friends, he was not willing to fight, but he could 
and did edit and print a paper. We fancy Friend Isaac Collins 
felt that in his case, "The pen was mightier than the sword." 

.\]iropos to the Quakers to take up arms in defence of 
tliis country during the Revolutionary war. we extract from the 
writings of a Xew Jersey Quaker, the following: Xinth month. 



EARLY IIISTOUV OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 155 

1776, "Now ilid troubles much cncrcasc, Friends having their 
goods taken from them for not contributing to the support of 
war." Again "very great fear fell on our young men, they strove 
to keep themselves hid for fear being forced to go to war." It 
IS well known that Ouakers would n(Jt "make oath." While making 
researches at Trenton, .\. {.. I found a document of much interest 
to me, as dealing with an I'ncle "of ye olden times." Three 
witnesses had signed, two "made oath," one. my kinsman re- 
fused, but he aflirmed. The officer, before whom the three 
men appeared, added an explanatory note at foot of document, 
saying, "John Steelman, being one of those j)eople called Quak- 
ers, refused to make oath." .\t ])rescnt I cannot carry the his- 
tory of the Oreat l''gg Harbour I'ricnds Society any farther in 
this pa])er, but surely the memories of our Quaker ancestors, 
ought not to be suffered to jierisji on the .soil which they honored 
and blessed. 



156 f.AKLY IIISTOKV OF ATLANTIC COUN'TY, N. J. 

HISTORICAL NOTES 
Bv C. F. Grken. 

The site of Pleasant [Mills was formerly occupied by a 
hunting village of the Leni Lenape or Delaware Indians, by 
whom it was named Xescochague. Here the Red men and their 
families were accustomed to spend a portion of each year, and 
to stop on their way to and from their great festivals by the sea- 
shore. 

The few traditions that have come down from aboriginal 
days are full of interest, and fully worthy of preservation in 
song and romance. On Absecon r>each was an Indian mint, 
where their money or wampum was manufactured from shells ; 
the interior or black portion of the shell was the more valuable, 
and was the gold of the In.dian currency. 

The first white settlers located at Pleasant Mills in the year 
1707, and appear to have been of English and Scotch origin. 
Their manner of living at first was almost as primitive as that of 
the Indians, who preceded them. Their subsistence was gained 
by hunting, fishing and tillage of the soil, such articles as they 
could not make for themselves including salt, gunpowder and 
cloth were at first brought from Philadelphia by pack horses 
and later from Xew ^'(;rk bv wav of the Minclola or Mullica 
River. 

The first mechanical industry was a saw mill, built by one 
MuUin, about the year 1752. The first church was erected by 
Col. Elijah Clark and was known as Clark's ■Meeting House. 
Within the walls of this unpretending edifice some of the most 
famous pulpit orators of olden days proclaimed the message of 
salvation to listeners, who received with sincere and unquestion- 
ing faith. Among the preachers of that era was Hrainard whose 
missionary labors among the Indians form an interesting and 
important part of American church history. The present church 
was erected in 1808 and for many years the old meeting house 
was used for school purposes. 

Within 30 years from the arrival of the first settlers, the 
original log cabins had given place to neat cottages, and farm 



EARLY 1I1ST(JKY OF ATLANTIC COINTV, N. J. I57 

houses and the place had hecfjiiie an ideal cohjnial villa^je. The 
huiliiiti}^ known as the /Vylesford Mansion, was erected in 1762 
hv an I'ji^lish ^a-ntlenian whose wife is said to have heen the 
daughter oi a iJritish Lord; this lady died in 1774. and her 
daughter (The Kate Aylesford. of Peterson's Romance) was 
sent to finish her education in l'"n,L,^land. She returned to America 
in 177'^. shortly after the death of her father, to whose fortune 
she was left sole heiress, in 1 7(So she married an American 
officer, who was in command of the military post at the Forks 
of the Mullica. There is a tradition to the effect that this officer 
( MaJMi- (".(trdon) was sent to a post on the northwestern frontier, 
where he was accompanie<l l)y his wife. They appear to have 
left Tio descendants. During the war for Indei)endence the men 
of I'Ua-^ant .Mills were ])rompt in answering their country's call 
for volunteers and most of them entered the army cither as regu- 
lar soldiers or rangers, who were of great service in hunting 
down and <lestroying the various hands of outlaws that infested 
the counties of lUirlinglon and Gloucester. 

'IIk- most notorious of the outlaw chiefs was a tlare devil 
named Muiliner. who after terrorizing the country for years was 
captured, duly tried and hanged as a spy and traitor. His re- 
mains were huried near the Old j'.uttonwoods. This group of 
venerahle trees (now falling into decay ) have been famed in local 
annals for two centuries. Their great height gave them a com- 
tuanding view of the surrounding country for miles and one of 
them was used as a lookout station in Revolutionary days. 

THE OLD r.l'TTOX WOODS 

They stand like spectres, gray and grim ; 

In time's tlevouring flight. 
Crumbling slowly, limb by limb. 

Froiu their once majestic height. 

Landmarks of an eventful past 

Famed in history lore. 
They feel the touch of doom at last 

And soon will be no more. 

Yet. had these trunks the power of speech 
What legends might be told, 





The Old Bcttonwoods 



KARLY HIST(JI<V Ol" ATLANTIC COL'NTY, X. J. I59 

What ihrilliiij^ k-ssons they might teach 
Aneiit tlie days of old. 

Here once the Iiuhan hunter roved 

And at the twihght liour, 
lleld converse with the maid he loved 

In yonder sylvan I)()\ver. 

( )nce from the towering looktnit bough 

The watcher oft might spy, 
l'|)on the placid Ihjod helow 

The light craft gliding by. 

Here Patriot and Royal hands 

Clashed in their martial pride, 
And the dark river's pebbled strand 

With gore and crimson tlyed. 

None mourn the forest giant's fall 

Save haply one like me. 
Whose re])rospective thoughts recall . 

Their name and history. 

Time levels all. the things of earth 

Will (|uickly ])ass away. 
Not human strength nor i)ride nor worth 

The powers of fate can stay. 

C. F. G.. Pleasant Mills. X. J. 



Pl-PASKPS RIDE— 1778. 

Five score years ago and more 
When blazed the lurid flames of war 
From Xesco-chague at break of day 
Pulaski led his brave array, 
l.oud and clear that Autumn morn 
The bugle's brazen call was borne : 
Each trooper sprang to his seat, amain 
Anl gave his gallant steed the rein 



l6o EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

Down the shore road under the pines 

Swiftly moved the serried hnes 

Numbered among- that dauntless'band 

Were stalwart sons of the Fatherland 

^\ ith Jersey woodsmen strong and bold 

As the famed Palladius of old 

And Polish exiles in danger tried 

With Yankee and German rode side by side. 

Not once they paused in their career 
I" mil the enemy's lines were near. 

"Halt'" said the chief, "In order form, 
Then forward ! like the vengeful storm." 
As the avalanche of Alpine snow 
Crashes down to the vale below 
They hurled themselves u])(in the foe 
And the sons of Britain back did reel 
Before the shock of flame and steel 
Swift as the jagged bolt of heaven 
From the dark storm cloud firecely driven 
The charge with whirlwind fury sped 
Till the re<l coats wavered, broke and fled 
In headlong haste to their ships again 
Finding their scheme of conquest vain. 

Pulaski, the last of a noble name 
Has left his mark on the rolls of fame 
And those who followed at his command 
Still live in the archives of our land. 

C. F. Grkkn. Pleasant Mills. X. T- 



The ranger company above referred to. included among its 
members three of the original trustees of Pleasant ^lills Church, 
Simon Lucas, Simon Ashcraft and Lawrence Peterson. Simon 
Lucas was also one of the first pastors, lie died in 183S at the 
advanced age of Sy years. 



KARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. l6l 

EARLY SHIP BUILDING 
I'.Y Mrs. S. Johnson and Middleton 

Somcrs Point was the old port of entry for Gloucester 
County. The Custom House was established in I7v7 hy the 
States at that time. 

In iHoo, it is said that Christopher X'ansant built a full 
ri^g^ed vessel at liarj,'aintown, alonjj^ Patcon^ Creek. 

About eighteen or nineteen years later five ships were built 
along the same creek, and in 1H25, we hear of the John Somers 
ship yard at Sculls l>ay. 

in the half century beginning i«^30. shipbuilding was at its 
height, li is said that a hundred vessels were built from timber 
obtained from the C'olwell Instate alone. The United States at 
this tiiue led the commerce of the world, and held the record 
of the world's finest ships, and the best trade in the Mediterranean, 
West Indies and South .America. .\ line of trading schooners 
matle regular trips between Gravelly Run and Manhattan, now 
New York. They were about thirty or forty tons capacity, and 
carried charcoal. wiH)d. ])ig iron and other pn^lucts of the found- 
ries, and brought back food sui)plies. and various mixed cargoes. 

Bassett Steelman ran a packet steamer between Philadelphia 
and Somers Point, and brought the iron work all fitted for use 
in the ship yards. 

I .\ more exhaustive account of ship building will follow in 
next edition. — Hditok.] 



I 62 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



AX OLD STAGE UXE 

That Ran From Market Street, Philadkli'iiia, to Atlantic 

City. 

From JVoodstozi'ii Year Book. 

W'c have a well preserved poster announcing the running 
of a line of stages from Philadelphia to the Seashore. 

The line left Pierson's Ferry, the upper side of Market 
street, at 4 o'clock in the morning on three days a week — Tues- 
day, Thursday and Saturday. Half an hour was allowed for 
passengers and baggage to be landed on the other side of the 
river, where, from John Knissell's Ferry, Camden, the coach left 
at 4.30 o'clock. 

Some of the villages and crossroads passed on the rcnite to 
Great Egg Harbor will not be recognized by present-day travel- 
ers, who are swiftly carried to Atlantic City in something less 
than an hour from Camden, although, with few exceptions, the 
old villages and towns on the route retain their ancient names. 
From the poster it is learned that the line passes through Had- 
donfield, Long-a-Coming, Tansboro, Blue Anchor, Winslow Glass 
Works, Weymouth Iron \\^orks, Clay's Landing, Bargaintown, 
Somers Point, Smith's Landing to Absecon. Return journeys 
were made on Mondays' Wednesdays and Fridays, and passeng- 
ers from Absecon had to be ready by 4 o'clock in the morning. 
Those at Somers Point need not be on the coach until 4.30. 

In addition to this United States mail stage line, the pro- 
prietors, who were John C. Briggs, James Stoy. Samuel Xor- 
cross, William Coffin. Jr., Uriah Xorcross and W'illiam Xor- 
cross & Co., announce that they had established an accommoda- 
tion line between Philadelphia and May's Landing. This line 
was operated on alternate days with the mail and left Philadel- 
phia at the same early hour. .\s the announcement calls special 
attention to the use of "elliptic spring coaches." it is presumed 
travellers over the line had as comfortal)le a journev as stage 
journeys went in those days. 

Long-a-Coming is now known as Berlin, and Penny-Pot, 



i: AKI.Y IIISTORV 01- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 163 

whicli, aliliuu}^^h not noticed on the poster, was a posting house 
on the hue between \\'insl(jw and W'eymoutli, is now known as 
N'ewlonville. l5ar;,MiiUown remains, hut the traveller on the 
steam road is not aware of its existence unless he is on his wax- 
to Somers Point. Smith's Landinj.^ remains, and Pleasantville 
has come into existence. The distance by sta|^;e from Camden 
t<i May's Landiu}.,' was fnrty-eight miles. liari^aintown was ten 
miles further and .\bsecon about the same distance to the northeast 
although b\ the stage route, it was about twenty miles. In those 
days Atlantic City was simply known as Absecon Beach and, 
while visited, was not a resort. 

Iladdniitirld was a town i>f 140 buildings; Long-a-Coming 
a village of only forty buildings; lUue .\nchor and I*enny-Pot 
mere groups of houses around taverns of those names. \\'ey- 
moulh was a small manufacturing place, with a population of 
aboiu 45(1. May's Landing, at the head of navigation on Great 
I'igg Harbor Kiver. about eighteen miles from tiic coast, had a 
population of 250. .\ route Ixjok of the time adds that it has "a 
Methodist church, five stores and as many taverns," so it must 
li.ive been something of a metropolis on the coast. Bargain- 
town was a small settlement of fifty buildings, and Absecon 
about the same size. While the poster docs not advertise any 
.schedule for running time, from what is known of stage lines 
scvcntv-five years ago it may be assumed that about ten hours 
were recpiircd to make the journey from Camden to Absecon. — 
riiiUiiicIf'hia Lcdi^cr. 



164 EAKI.V HISTORY 01- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

STAGE ROUTE FROM ABSECON TO PHILADELPHIA 
By L. J. Price 

Long- before the time which the writer describes a stage 
Hnc was estabhshed between Great Egg Harbor and i'hiladelphia, 
but this time is in the early years of Atlantic County, and the 
history is peculiarly our own. 

Looking backward, we may see the old stage coach as it 
rolled along the highway, with its driver. Billy Xorcross, crack- 
ing his whip over his horses, and blowing his horn that people 
desiring passage might know the stage was coming. The great 
lumbering vehicle, with its rack strai)pe(l with luggage, and the 
boot filled with smaller bundles, mayhap a bandbox or two. 
This as it rolled along in the '40's and till the great time of the 
building of the railroad to the (our) sea, is the time which we 
describe and is Atlantic County's own. 

The coach left Absecon at three or four o'clock in the morn- 
'ng, for Somers Point, stopping for passengers in the interven- 
ing villages. Bargaintown for the mail would be included either 
to or from Somers Point. 

Returning from Somers Point by the back road which con- 
nects with the road to English Creek and May's Landing at 
the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, the coach did not al- 
ways travel the same road. If notified the route was changed 
for the convenience of people desiring passage. Sometimes the 
wav would lead by Doughty's Tavern, or by English Creek and 
Catawba, or striking the May's Landing road through a woods 
road, but what woods road is not designated. Evidently all 
roads leading to May's Landing merged in one on the upper 
part of the way. 

Breakfast was eaten at May's Landing at eight o'clock and 
the horses changed. Weymouth lay between May's Landing and 
old Camden. Here we found a prosperous town, iron works, 
church, store, homes for employees and the Colwell home. Col- 
wells were managers of the enter])rise. 

Penny-Pot, a settlement of other years, one large house 
remaining. At Penny-Pot sand was encountered so deep that 



i;.\KLV IIISTOKV 01- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 165 

wliccls sank to the liuhs. Dark was scattcrctl over tlie road to 
enable the coaeli to proeeed. Xew Germany was the next stop, 
here the horses were ehanj^ed attain. Xew Germany was a new 
settlement. Men and women were ene;^as^ed in clearinij land. 
I louses were Iniilt of lo^^s. and huts made of slabs. This town 
was afterward called W'ooley h'ield and is now Folsom. W'in- 
-low. a town of j^^cater facilities was next on the route; here we 
found ,i,dass w(^rks. Andrew K. Ila\. proprietor. 

I'.lue Anchor ha<l a ])ost office and store, a public house, 
with the sij^n of a blue anchor. Tansboro, a small vilia,i,a* with a 
public house. Cross Keys the next t(nvn. throut^h which the 
coach passed, luul a public house, with a sii^n of two large 
keys, cros.sed on a high sign post. Dinner was served at three 
o'clock at Long-a-Coming, which was generally abbreviated to 
l/ing-Coming, and was scheduled as such on the early time 
lards of the Cam<len and .\tlantic Railroad, but for many years 
has borne the name I'erlin. Long-Coming had its public house 
and post ofHce. White Horse is described as having a hotel with 
a large painted sign of a white horse, liaddonfield, a Quaker 
town, with handsc^me homes. The lawns were bordered with 
box brush trimmed in the form of tmnblers. From liaddon- 
field to Camden was a gravelled pike, the first in the journey, now 
While Horse Pike. When the days were long, the journey was 
ended :it sunset, but in the winter long after tlark. 

I'erry boats with steam jiower were used at this time. The 
return journey was nuule the ne.xt day, leaving Camden in the 
early morning and arriving in .\bsccon at nine o'clock in the 
evening. 

This route is as described by Mrs. Elizabeth A. Price 
some years ago, before it had entered the minds of men to organ- 
ize a society to ]ireserve .Atlantic Comity's history. 

Should exceptions be made to the roundabout way of a 
part of the route, this was necessary in order to collect the mail, 
from the various jM^st offices. Mrs. Price made this journey, 
important in those days, for the first time, when a girl in her 
teens, in care of her uncle, the late Captain Jeremiah Baker. 
Captain P.aker pointed out the things of interest as they approach- 
eil the city. .A man who had entered the coach in the upper 
part of the county, remarked that the city was a great contrast 



1 66 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

to one coming' from the pines, to wliicli Miss Baker replied witli 
spirit that she was not from the pines, but from the seashore. 

Mr. James Ryon tells us the fare to Philadelphia was five 
dollars. Mr. Ryon tells that the stage coach was often very 
late on its return journey. His father, the late Pardon Ryon, 
was the post master at Smith's Landing. Mr. Ryon would wait 
until midnight for the mail; if it did not arrive at that time, 
the ofifice was closed. 

Oft-times it would be four o'clock in the morning when the 
stage arrived. At this early hour the driver would herald his 
coming by blowing his horn at the top of Michael's Hill, (Michael 
Frambcs was the ^Michael referred to, and the hill through 
which W'riirht Street runs.) 



KAUI.Y HISTOUV 01- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 167 

I'LACE XAMICS 
\W Mis. Richard S. Collins 

Chestnut Xcck is lcciniii|^ with history Init this paper is to 
j^ive the orijifin of names of (hlTerent jwints and ])laces. 

The most prominent place on Chestnut Xeck, except the 
monument recently erected l)y the (icn. Lafayette, Cliaptcr X. S.. 
1). A. R., is l'*(;rl Island, so called in that vicinity. It is where 
the fort stond wlien it was hurned in the battle of Cliestnut Xcck 
in 1778. 

Another place is Payne's Creek, which received its name 
from the tavern that stood there, and was burned at the same 
time as the fort. I'rom its foundations, which still show plain- 
ly, it must have been a lari4;e buildinj.j. When I visited the place 
and was lookinij at the heavy imported stone used for a part of 
the foundation. I saw several of the old bricks in some very fine 
sanil. I'erhaps it was not very patriotic in me to approj^riate one 
of thiin. and thus remove even a small part of an old landmark, 
but 1 wished to show it to others. The traces of fire still show 
very plainly on it. It must be over 136 years old. When the 
Historical Societs has a headquarters I will f^^ladly donate the 
brick to them shoukl they desire it. 

Port Republic was at one time called Wranji^leboro. It must 
have received the name from the puj^nacious disposition of some 
«)f its inhabitants, caused by their using so much intoxicating 
liipiors. sold to them not only by three taverns, but also by 
several stores. ( )ne old gentleman t<ild me that when his father, 
then a young man. first came to Port Republic he was quite 
surprised at the number of young men who wanted the pleasure 
of fighting with him. Put in time the better element prevailed, 
every liquor license was revoked, and for over sixty years no 
li(|uor has been legally sold in Port Republic. We are proud 
of our dry town. 

.\t the time when the name was changed from Wrangle- 
boro to Port Repul)lic, the place was becoming quite a port. 
Many vessels came in. taking away vast amounts of wood and 
charcoal and returnins: with all kinds of merchandise. Manv 



1 68 liAKLV IIISTORV 01- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

boats were built bere, and as it was already a i)ort, tbe in- 
habitants called it I'ort Republic and the post office received 
that name. It was the second post office appointed in Galloway 
Township and was kept, I have been told, by Lewis Clark. The 
first post office was at Leeds Point. 

There is a part of I'ort Rei)ublic still called Hewitt Town 
though every family of that name have gone or moved away. 

Port Republic still has the beautiful mill pond and mill dam. 
The old mill was recently torn down. The charter of this mill 
was granted in tlie time of George IH, of England. There are 
also traces of Clark's Mill, and faint traces of an old colonial 
mill owned by one James IMorse. Two of the family, it is said, 
were in the battle of Chestnut Xeck. The name through the 
course of years was corrupted into the word "Moss." So tne 
road leading to that mill is still called Moss' Mill Road. 

Leeds Point was named fror.i the fami'.y of Leeds that came 
irom Leeds, England. They were Quakers. John and Japlv.t 
Leeds took up a large tract of land which they bought for twelve 
and a half cents an acre. They called it, at that time, Leeds. 
The first post office in Gallowav Township was held in a stone 
house owned by Japhet Leeds, and built by him. This house is 
now occv.pied by Mi . Jesse Mathis. 

The old Friends' Meeting House is still standing in Leeds 
Point. It is now converted into a dwelling house. It stands 
across the street from the home of Mr. John Higbee. It is the 
second Meeting House built by the Friends. The first stood 
near their burying ground, which is adjacent to the M. E. Church 
at i^mithvillc, and ])iesented to that society by the Friends. The 
Quakers at that time must have been a very large society and 
very devout. There is a place on the Mullica River near Leeds 
Point called Swimming Over, which received its name from the 
fact that at this point the Quakers mounted on horse-back, 
would swim their horses to the other side of the river when 
they wished to attend the Friends' Meetings at Tuckerton. 

The information I have given in ibis i)aper I obtained 
partly from pa])ers given me by Mr. Roland .Vshley; also, from 
facts given me by Mr. Jesse Mathis who has, in his possession, 
some very valuable papers; and, from an old historical collection 
of facts compiled by J. \V. iJarber. 

Smithville was a part of Leeds and was so called from 



KAKLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 169 

the family of Smiths who nncc owned much property there. A 
p.'irt of the old Smith's Tavern still stands. It used to be a 
famous hostelry and the stopping place for the staije coach that 
came from i'hiladelphia and Camden. 

( )ceanville was at first called Tanners l>rook. Over a 100 
ycar.s ajj^o there was a taiuiery there. It is said that it took 
al)f)ut a year at that time and at that place to tan a cow hide 
properly. The villji^c at Tanners r>rook was first called Centcr- 
ville. The name of Occanville was }^iven t<i that section below 
the l)ri(lj.,fe at the time that the M. Iv church was built which 
was burned down in i8(/j. The section was still called Center- 
ville above the bridj^e until the post ofHce was e^iven them durinsj 
Cleveland's .\ilministration. The post office bein"^ moved above 
the bridjj^e resulted in the whole place bein<^ called Occan- 
ville. 

.\bsecou I fmd is spelle<l in several ways. In some histories, 
.\bsecombe and .\bsecom, also Absccum. called so by the Indians 
which in their lanijua^e meant beach or place for swans, from 
the number which once resorted there. It is said that the whole 
Absecon tract orii^inally belonfj^ed to one Thomas I>udd who 
sold lartrc tracts to actual settlers and each deed contained this 
clause. "With the j^rivileji^e of cuttinj^ cedar and commomidsj^e 
for cattell on ye swamps and beaches laid out by ye said Thomas 
lUidd f(^r commons." 

Clark's Landing: received its name from the illustrous fam- 
'ly of Clarks who settled there in colonial days from Connecti- 
cut. 

May's Landiui; was named by Geort^e May, who bought the 
land where the town now stands. In 1810 Hammonton was 
built on the so-called Hammonton tract of land. Judg^e Richard, 
J. r.yrnes and Charles K. Landis opened a section of X. J. and 
by liberal terms and advertisement drew many settlers from New 
England who brought with them culture and education. They 
clustered about a station which they named Hammonton, aftei 
John Hammond. — Coffin. 

El wood was first called Weymouth Station, but in order to 
have a post oflice it changed its name to Elwood, named after 
one Elwood Matlack. taking the name of Elwood instead of 
Matlack. \\'eymouth proper was a few miles distance, contain- 



lyo KARLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

inij;- ill those days fmindries and factories which have long since 
sluit down. 

Brigantine i leach is one of the oldest resorts on the New 
Jersey coast. It has a very interesting history. It is over 200 
years old. receiving its name from the fact that a large brigantine 
went asliore there about two hundred and twenty-five years ago. 

I think that I can vouch for the authenticity of every item 
that 1 liave written and have gone to much careful study to have 
them authentic. 



nAKI.V HISTOkV OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. I71 

TllIC WIIII'I'IXG POST 
\W L. J. Price 

Tlif \\lii|)|)in}^'^ post has existed in our town within tlie mem- 
ory I if iiur oldest citizens, hut not as an instrument of punish- 
ment. W !ien this me(hum of ])unishment was abohshed. our 
informants have not stated. P>ut that the whippiny^ post stood 
years after its abolition as a i)enal mode, lias been asserted by 
those who recall this ^rim preserver of law an(! order, as stand- 
ing,' in the days of their childhood. 

TIk- \vhip])in}.; post was located by the tavern of Espress 
Tilton. Lookinj.; westward from the suburban trolley line, as 
the conductors call Morris Avenue, but more properly Zion Road, 
one may see a house, standinj^ facinjj[ the Shore Road, some 
tw<^ hundred feet distant ; this marks the spot where the whip- 
pini^ post stood as closely as we can identify. The broad space 
between the house antl the Shore Road was used for a drillinij 
i^nnind for the House Ciuards of iSij. 

The late Constant .Adams. wh<i was born in i8i8. related 
witnessing', when a lad. the whipping of a colored boy for theft. 
This boy is su]ipo.sed to have been a slave in the possession of 
a member of the Tilton family, and the last person to receive 
public whipping;. Were it possible for us to be transferred to 
the first quarter of the past century, we might travel our roads 
in fear of beasts of the forest. 

It is related that one day. as Espress Tilton was riding 
to the mill with a bag of grist, a panther sprang from the large 
overhanging branches of the trees along the road, about where 
the home of Mr. Job. Frambes is located. The beast failed to 
strike the horse, but Mr. Tilton thinking it unwise to proceed, 
turned about, and rode down the Shore Road, gathering a com- 
pany of men to assist in hunting for the animal. Though the 
woods were searched, the panther was not found. 



172 EARLY IIISTOKY 01' ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 

BLACK LUCE 

By L. J. Price 

While every State north of Mason and Dixon's Line by 
1850 had set the black man free, there were still two hundred 
and thirty-six negroes in bondage in Xew Jersey. As late as 
the '70's there was one slave living in Leedsville (Linwood). 
To those of our Society who remember Luce, will recall her, 
as a large woman, darker than the nnilatlo, but not the ebony 
face of many negroes. 

Black Luce appears to have been the property of the Doughty 
Family, of Revolution naval fame. Luce, when an old woman, 
was purchased from the auction block in Leedsville, (Linwood) 
where the Masonic I lall in Linwood now stands, by one Hold- 
craft. (Thomas Winner? auctioneer). The sum paid for the slave, 
as related by different people varies from twenty-five cents to 
two and a half dollars. There are still at this time, ( 1914) people 
living, who witnessed this transaction. 

It is told us that the purchase of a slave at this time neces- 
sitated on the part of the' purchaser, care and sustenance of the 
negro for life. Luce is said to have lived to be over one hundred 
years old. W^hen a very small child the writer accompanied by 
her oldest sister, returning from Leedsville, (Linwood) in pass- 
ing Townsend's Tavern, (old Linwood Hotel), was asked by 
Mrs. Holdcraft, Mrs. Townsend's mother, to deliver a message 
to Luce, who lived in the old Holdcraft home, and by the block 
from which she had been sold. 

The message to Lucy I cannot recall. Rain had fallen, and 
it was about sunset as my sister and I entered the house. A 
roaring fire evidently, just kindled was burning in the fireplace. 
Tongues of llame were shooting up the chimney, and I was 
fearful lest something would take fire. I was accustomed to see- 
ing fireplaces, but this one of smaller size, and with wliitewashed 
bricks was a matter of wonder, for my early vears. 

Xo one appeared, so my sister called Lucy repeatedly at the 
top of her voice, and oj^ened the stair door, perchance she should 



EARLY HISTORY OK ATI.ANTIC COUNTY, X. J. I73 

be upstairs, but no one responded. So with darkness gathering 
we pursued our homeward way. 

The writer recalls this large woman of powerful physique 
at one of the liakersville Agricultural Fairs, with a sontag 
around her shoulder and a knitted hood on her head. My im- 
pression is that she was employed as a helper. A colored jicrson 
at this time of shore history, was not commonly seen. 

( )ld Luce was a bugl)ear to unruly children. Whether she 
merited this claim, the writer cannot state. She had a son known 
as Samson Rattler, wiiose home was with some one at Smith's 
I, am ling. 

Samson's affection for children was well known. It is told 
of him as he drove his team al<jng the road, he would throw 
candies to the children. While the writer was never the recipient 
of his gifts, the story is tt)ld of an older sister who strayed in 
the path of liie horses tracks, was rescued by Samson, and de- 
livered to her parents. .Also gifts to the children of wonderful 
fruit made of candv is told of him. 



174 KAKIA' HISTORY OK ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J, 



HISTORY OF TITK SOCIETY 

The first mectini^ of the Atlantic County Historical Society 
of New Jersey, was held at the home of Mrs. M. R. M. Fish, 
Pleasantville, Xew Jersey, July 2^^. i<;i3. Members present were: 
Mrs ]VI. R. M. Fish, Mrs. Emma Cordery Johnson, IMrs. Alartilla 
Price Ketchum, Miss Lizzie J. Price, Miss Sarah Risley and 
Mrs. L. Dow Balliett. The following" officers were elected. 

Mrs. L. Dow r.allictt. President. 
Mrs. M. R. M. Fish, \'ice-President. 
jMrs. Martilla Price Ketchum. Secretary. 
*]\Iiss Sarah Risley, Treasurer. 

Weekly meetings were held during the remainder of the 
Summer and during the Autunm months. Monthly meetings 
have since been held. 

Four pilgrimages were taken to historical places within the 
county. 

The annual meeting was held July 23, 1914. The following 
officers were elected ; — 

President — Mrs. L. Dow Balliett. 
First Nice- President — Mrs. R. M. Fish. 
Second \ice-President — Mrs. Samuel Johnson. 
Third \'ice-President — Mrs. Maria Collins Thomas. 
Fourth \'ice-President — Mrs. Carl A. Iloptf. 
Secretary — Mrs. William Lear. 
Assistant Secretary — IMiss Mattie Collins. 
Treasurer — Mrs. Job C. Stebbins. 
Librarian — Miss Lizzie J. Price. 
Assistant Librarian — ]\Iiss Mae Ireland. 
Press Correspondent — Miss Mattie Collins. 
Evlitor — Laura Lavinia Thomas Willis. 

Entertainment Committee — Mrs. J. C. Thomas, ]\Irs. George 
Leach and Mrs. Kate Adams. 



*.Miss Risley resigned, and Mrs. Job Stebbins filled the vacancy. 



i:.\KLV HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



175 



'rrustces fur One Year — John F. Ilall. Mrs. John F. Ryon 
and Mrs [aiic I'ifk'ld. 

'rni^tces for Two \'cars — Hubert Somers. Mrs. T. S. Mid- 
illetoii and Mrs. C I), .\oursc. 

Tru.stecs for Three Years — .\llen 15. Fndicott. Mrs. I^reston 
.\danis and Mrs. .Manilla Kelchuni. 



CiiAKTi.K .Mi:m 

Mr<, L. Dow I'.alliett Mrs. 

Mrs. M. R. M. Fish ^liss 

Mrs. Kninia Cordery Johnson Mrs. 

Mrs. Martilla Price Ketchuin Mrs. 

Mrs. I Irstor A. Stehbins Mr. 

Miss IJ//ie J. 1 'rice Mr. 

Miss Martha K. Colhns Mrs. 

Mrs. Maria Colhns Tiionias Mrs. 

Miss Sarah .\. Rislex Mr. . 

Mrs. l-Iora Collins Mrs. 

Mr. J.ibn 1-. Hall Mrs. 

Mrs. Sanuiel Somers Mrs. 

^frs. Isora IMacknian Somers Mrs. 

^Irs. .Mamc II. R\nu Mrs. 

Miss Cornelia Cook b'rink Mrs. 

Mrs. Thomas K. Scull Miss 

Mrs, .Aneita I-. W. Leech Mrs. 

.Miss Hannah I'rambes Mrs. 

:\Irs. P. E. Collins Mrs. 

Miss May Elizabeth Trelan Mrs. 

Mrs. Carl .\. Hopf Mrs. 

Mrs. Mary Uowen Tomlinson Mrs. 

Mrs. Geory^e H. Adams Mr 

Mrs. James E. Steelman Mrs. 

Mrs. Susan Somers Dubois Mr 



I'.I-.KS 

\\ illiani Lear 

Harriet I. Frambes 

Marn;-arct S. Middlcton 

Sarah Somers Tilton 
[nb I'rambes 
I lubert Somers 

1 lubert Somers 

.\nna 1>. Wilson 
Mien P.. Endicott 

Elizabeth Boice Xourse 

Martha D. Scull 

Xettic C. Leeds 

Stella P. Kappella 

Irene C. Imlay 

Emeline E. Collins Race 

Marj^aret Sarah Race 

Robert M. Willis 

Richard S. Collins 

Preston B. Adams 

S. J. Fifield 

Helena Simkins 
Susan P)aily Ireland 
Arthur z\dams 

Emily Steelman Fisher 
A. M. Heston 



176 eaklv history 01=" atlantic county, n. j. 

Honorary Members 



Hon. Champ Clark 



Life Members 



State Senator Walter Edge 

Judge K. A. Higbee 

Mrs. Hannah Soniers Hayday 

Walter J. Buzby 

Emery Marvel, M. D. 

Henr\- W. Leeds 

Judge Allen B. Endicott 

Stewart R. McShea 



John J. Gardner, Congressman 
Carleton Godfrey, Speaker of 

Assembly 
Daniel Alyers 
Alexander Weintrob 
Hubert Somers 
Mrs. Elizabeth Xourse 
Laura Williams Colwell 



Harry Bacharach. City Com- Robert Moore Willis 
missioncr 



The first pilgrimage of the Atlantic County Historical So- 
ciety took place on June i6, 1914, when about thirty members 
and friends visited the historical points of interest in the vicinity 
of English Creek and Scullville. 

The Society members were the dinner guests of Mr. and 
Mrs. Henry Dennis, of Scullville. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis accompanied the party to the site of 
the old Catawba church, and Mr. Dennis pointed out the beauti- 
ful site of the old Joseph West mansion. 

Mr. Dennis furnished the Society with some interesting and 
valuable data. 

Inscriptions were cojMcd from this church yard, as well as 
from the church yards of the Asbury and Zion churches. 

Mrs. John G. Thomas, 
Chairman of Pilgrimage Committee. 

Second Pilgrimage 

The Atlantic County Historical Society as a body attended 
the loijth anniversary services of the Old Weymouth Meeting 
House, at Weymouth, on Sunday, July 2(jth, 1914. 



r.AKI.V HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COl'NTY, X. J. I77 

A most cordial welcome was extended by the church and an 
zhh' address rendered to the Society by Rev. Wni. T. Abbott, 
of .A.sbury Park. A beautiful reply was made by our honored 
president, Mrs. h. Dow iJalliett. 

.\ j^reat priviley;e was also extended by the courtesy of Mrs. 
Charles Richards Colwell. who exhibited the many valuable relics 
and curios in her lovely home. 

An invitation was extended to make this an annual pilgrim- 
age of the Society. 

Mrs. John' G. Thomas. 
i liair)iian of Pilgrimage Committee. 

'i'niKD I'lI.GRlMAGK 

The last pilgrima|L;e of the season was a trip to the 122nd 
anniversary service of the liead-of-thcRivcr Church at Tucka- 
hoe. on ( )ct. II, H)I4. 

It was well worth the trip to see the cpiaint interior of this 
historic edifice. 

A large number of the S«)ciety attended and the occasion 
was considered one of the plcasantest events of the season's 
])rogram. 

Mrs. b)H.v G. Thomas, 

Chainiiaii of Pilgri)tiage Committee. 



178 EARLY HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. 



ANNUAL MEET OF HISTORIANS 

Clipping From Atlantic City Daily Press, 
Friday, July 24, 1914. 

President .VIrs. L. Don' Ballictt Gives Sound Advice at first 
Ainiual Meeting.- — Lauds Ilall-Heston. 

Speaking before the iirst annual meeting of the Atlantic 
County Historical Society yesterday afternoon, President 'Sirs. L. 
Dow Ballictt urged the members to continue with their efforts 
until they had placed upon the shelves of libraries in every state 
in the union, records of the early life and advancement of the 
county. She lauded the work of John Hall, and Alfred M. 
Heston, and counseled her co-workers never to drop a project 
until it was seen that the worth did not justify the effort. In 
her remarks she stated : 

"When the Divine within the hearts of men realize a cer- 
tain need, that will lend its benefits to future generations, the 
universal in nature takes to itself the thought, and when the 
great cycle of time's impulse concentrates itself into one desire 
it influences the minds of men into motion and action — Then 
something is born. A year ago this society was the culminat- 
ing point — and it was formed. You as its members are its visible 
ex])ression. You will agree with me we have had but one aim 
and that aim was to give the county a correct history, one that must 
ever bear uppermost the one essential, for without it the work 
is valueless and vain. Its motto should be an unfaltering fidelity 
to truth. This society should not waver until they place upon 
the shelves of libraries throughout the States, Atlantic County's 
history as accurate and full as those of the other counties of our 
State. The work they have previously done we are now doing. 

"I see no reason for discouragement with members whose 
hearts are sincere and desire to teach their children the recorded 
deeds of their ancestors. We are grateful to our individual 
pioneer historians, A. M. Heston and John Hall, for their past 
efforts and our hopes for future work. .\s members of this 
society vou have need to look into each others faces with just 



F.AKI.V lIlSTiJkV 01- ATLANTIC COUNTY, N. J. I79 

pride. Your pajjcrs read before the society bear not only the 
stamp of painstaking truth, but more literary merit than is 
uusually fcjund in new societies. An unusual condition exists 
.unong the faces before me, a condition perhaps that could not 
!)e found to exist with e(|ual stren^h in any other part of the 
state. It is that of i)lood. Tiiis holds and links us toojether as 
one family. As our ancestors have married and inter-married 
until we seem not only of one race, but also of one blood, indi- 
vidual effort seems over-shadcjwed in the j^reater love of delineat- 
ing truthfullv tin- history of our many and somewhat compositive 
ancestors. 

■\\'e now arc ready for general good work. W'e have a consti- 
tiuuion with its charter members wlio.'^e names show the strength 
of this society. We must become incorporated, we must join 
hands with the officials of this county in helping them preserve 
the historical places under their care, and, above all. let us be 
fir' from the deadening inlluences of sjjasmoilic effort which 
dies and destroys from a lack of vitality. 

"\\ hen this si»ciety puts its hands to a project let it continue 
until il falls from lack of worth and not from eltHrt. 1 am 
well aware that you are decendants of men and women who with 
dauntless ct»urage made the history of Atlantic County. The 
ca'' has again come clothed in another form. Its message is to 
record their deeds in the accuracy of printed words. Who will 
say the wc^rk is less worthy than theirs when judged by your 
chihlren's children. Let us ever hold before us the one funda- 
mental law of Truth, which shall be our watchword." 

THE END 



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