Men/Women who Have Forged the Character, Spirit of the City of Gloucester City

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (February 3, 2020)–(Gloucestercitynews.net)–The First Settlement on the Delaware, a history of Gloucester City, was written by Louisa W. Llewellyn and released in 1976. For those interested the book has been digitized and can be found on the Gloucester City Library website here. Below is an excerpt from the book

Dr. William C. Mulford, Gloucester\’s first physician, came to

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Over 16,000 Artifacts of Gloucester City\’s History in Storage at the NJ State Museum

Gloucester in 1945 and contributed many years of service to the community. He operated the first postal service from a one-story frame building he owned on the southeast corner of King and Market Streets. From 1847 he was active in the administration of the school system, first as treasurer and later as acting superintendent. Dr. Mulford was an incorporator of the first building and loan association and Cedar Grove Cemetery and an organizer of the First Presbyterian Church, Cloud Lodge, and Arwames Lodge of Odd Fellows.

James L. Hines, one of the town\’s most highly respected citizens, was a well-known businessman and politician. He served as justice of the peace and mayor of Gloucester and was a member of the state legislature for two terms. Mr. Hines was an incorporator of the Mutual Building and Loan Association and Cedar Grove Cemetery. He was also very active in the First Methodist Church.

John Butts, handyman on William Thompson\’s estate, was a well-liked and respected Negro member of the city. The same young people who kept other Negroes out of the town would spend hours with him. Social workers came to Gloucester looking for poor blacks to help. They finally located John and asked him where the Negroes were. Mr. Butts very politely answered, \”Here I is!,\”

William D. Antrim, inventor, who lived at 920 Gaunt Street, was awarded patents on an oven door hinge and on an oven for gas ranges by the United States Patent Office in 1931.

John Owens, born in Gloucester in 1857, began building the model boats for the Memorial Day ceremonies in 1901. He continued this service until he was 92 and had constructed 48 boats for the celebration.

Henry S. Holmes, Gloucester\’s Indian fighter, served in three wars. He enlisted during the Indian Wars of 1890-92, was part of the Rough Riders during the Spanish American War, and fought in Mexico under Pershing. He was fond of telling stories about the days when Gloucester had about 150 farms.

The Rt. Rev. Msgr. M.E. Bric was the guiding light of St. Mary\’s parish from 1913 until his death. Under his administration of the parish the educational system was developed from an elementary school to a complete system known for high academic standards.

John A. Lynch dedicated 40 years of his time, effort, and concern to the public school system as a member of the Board of Education. Twenty-one of those years, he was president of the board. Mr. Lynch was also very active in the First Methodist Church and Cloud Lodge.

Emma Burns, organizer of a women\’s club in the city, was instrumental in starting the Gloucester Public Library. She was also involved in the activities of the D.A.R.

Grace A. Demarest devoted many years of service as a volunteer with the American Red cross. She also was active in promoting the Gloucester Library. Mrs. Demarest worked in canteens for servicemen during both world wars.

Miss Priscilla Redfield taught in the public schools from 1850 to 1903 and Miss Rose McBride taught from 1896 to 1949. Each contributed 53 years of service

to the children of Gloucester City.

Mary Ethel Costello, for whom a school has been named, dedicated her life to the children of the city. She inspired many others, including her sister Margaret, to become teachers. Miss Costello\’s high academic and personal standards were guidelines for many.

Sister Agnes De Lourdes put many children on the road to knowledge in the 50 years she devoted to the students of St. Mary\’s Grammar School.

Judith Unger Scott, former resident and graduate of Gloucester High School, became a well-known author of books for teens. Two of the books were Lessons in Loveliness and Manners for Moderns.

(Hundreds of others, male and female, have made Gloucester the fine place to live that it is. Those described above are simply examples of the many. Perhaps someday a biographical dictionary will be written-a Who\’s Who of Gloucester.)

***

Contributors

Artists

Janine Hill is a graduate of Gloucester High School and the Philadelphia College of Art. She does some freelance illustrating, painting, and drawing but is interested in designing as a commercial artist for a publisher. Janine is presently doing sales and display work at the Living History Center in Philadelphia.

Henry Karpinski was born in Sugar Notch, Pa., and has lived in Gloucester for 23 years. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Art and began to teach in Gloucester City. Mr. Karpinski has taught here for 25 years, the last 13 in the high school. He had the first one-man art show in the new city library.

Glynneth Llewellyn graduated from Gloucester High School in 1975 and is presently an anthropology major at the University of Vermont. Glynneth enjoys working in several art media but does this basically as a hobby. Most of her artistic efforts are done for members of the family or friends. Glynneth\’s logo design is a familiar sight around town.

Frank Morrow attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia after graduation from Gloucester High School. Frank has a studio in his home where he works in oils and water color. He has sold a number of paintings, including his first award winning painting of St. Paul. Frank has just enlisted in the Navy.

Earl Nazar is a lifelong resident of Gloucester City and a graduate of Gloucester High School. The Nazar home on Baynes Avenue is frequently admired by passersby. As a commercial artist for R.C.A., Mr. Nazar is kept very busy and even designs the company\’s Christmas card. He also has a studio in his home.

Raymond Stanaitis holds a supervisory position at the Delaware County Daily Times where he began as an apprentice immediately after graduation from Chester High School, Pa. As the Bicentennial Town Crier he collected 300 signatures on the Declaration of Independence. Ray also did the centerpieces for the Bicentennial Ball.

Thomas Williams began painting after retiring from his job as a carpenter. After a few lessons at the Haddonfield Arts and Crafts School, he designed and painted his own Christmas cards. Most of his paintings are of historic landmarks copied from photographs. Mr. Williams is now 82 and lives in Florida because of his health.

Writers

Ronald Baile is a graduate of Gloucester City High School and a veteran of the U.S. Army. Ron has always been interested in the history of Gloucester and is an active member of the Historical Society. Ron has a very special interest which manifests itself in his membership in the Gateway Model Railroad Club.\”

Albert Corcoran (deceased) was both interested and involved in Gloucester\’s history. He wrote a column in the Gateway News under the name Roy Noble and stimulated considerable interest in the history of the area. Mr. Corcoran was chairman of the 100th anniversary celebration of Gloucester\’s incorporation as a

city.

John Corcoran is a man who wears many hats. He is a member of the speech department at Glassboro State College, a volunteer fireman, president of the Gloucester City School Board, and chairman of the Bicentennial Committee. Using a file left by his father, Dr. Corcoran persuaded the city council to become

involved in the Bicentennial celebration.

Harry Demarest is a former Gloucester High School history teacher who has maintained an interest in local history throughout his lifetime. Mr. Demarest has been active with with Historical Society and the Bicentennial Committee but another major interest is with the VFW. Almost singlehandedly he has kept the traditional Veterans Day alive.

Harry Green is probably better known in Gloucester City as Mr. History. His love for Gloucester and his knowledge of local history has become known throughout the state. As honorary chairman of the Bicentennial and as a member of the Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission, Mr. Green is kept on the move.

David Munn is a former resident and a graduate of Gloucester High School who is considered an expert on the history of Fort Nassau and the life of David Brown. Mr. Munn is a graduate Rutgers-South and Drexel University and is president of the Camden County Historical Society. He works at the State Library in the Archives History Department in Trenton.

Frank Stetser is president of the Gloucester City Historical Society, having been a member of that organization for many years. For a number of years, Mr. Stetser was the owner-publisher of the Gateway News, a weekly newspaper printed in Westville. He has retired from the newspaper business.

Drawings, Maps, Photographs

Stanley and Michael Ashmen are a father-son artist team who have done work for the Bicentennial Committee. Each did only one drawing included in this book.

Cheryl Karpinski was the official photographer for the Bicentennial. A graduate of Glassboro State College, Cheryl plans to be an art teacher.

Mark Llewellyn a senior at Gloucester High School is better known as an athlete. He did a few drawings and maps and also some typing during deadline rushes.

Gerry and Thomas McGrath are a fine brother team of photographers. These young men did most of the photography for Chapters 6 and 7. They do their own printing and developing in a basement dark room.

Hollis Veley was the map maker for the book. The complete map on the back end sheets plus three major maps in the book were drawn by him and took about 300 hours of work. Hollis will soon graduate from Rutgers-South where he majored in math. He plans to continue drawing maps to publish and sell since his first was so successful and has sold over 1000 copies.

Photographs and maps courtesy of Ed Anyzek, the Corcorans, Essie and Harry Green, Barbara Hillman, Charles Walmsley (S.M.A.),and Marie Williams (corrected from addendum).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Bill, Alfred Hoyt. New Jersey and the Revolutionary War. Princeton, N.J.: D. Van Nostrand C., Inc. 1964.

Boyer, Charles S. Old Inns and Taverns in West Jersey. Camden, N.J.: Camden County Historical Society, 1962.

Bulletin of the Gloucester County Historical society. Woodbury, N.J.

Callahan, Charles W. Know Your City: Gloucester City, New Jersey, 1956.

Camden County History Society Scrapbooks, Volumes 1,3,6,7, and 8 (collections of newspaper clippings)

Carpenter, Allan. Enchantment of America: New Jersey. Chicago, Ill.: Children\’s Press, 1965.

Clement, John. Sketches of the First Emigrant Settlers of Newton township, Old Gloucester County, New Jersey. Camden N.J.: Sinnickson Chew, 1877.

Cook, Fred J. The New Jersey Colony. London: Crowell-Collier Press, 1969.

Copeland, Peter. Everyday Dress of the American Revolution Coloring Book. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1975.

Corcoran, Albert J. The First White Settlement on the Delaware River. Gloucester City, N.J.: The Historical Society of Gloucester City.

Corcoran, Albert J. and Harry F. Green. Gloucester City History.

History of Gloucester City: 1623-1964. Gloucester City, N.J., 1964. 1964. Gloucester City, N.J. 1964.

Corotis, A. Charles. The Story of Gloucester, the City. 1949.

Corotis, A. Charles and James M. O\’Neill. Camden County Centennial. Camden, N.J.: Hutzinger Co., Inc., 1944.

Cunningham, John T. New Jersey: America\’s Main road. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1966.

This is New Jersey. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1968.

Cushing, Thomas and Charles E. Sheppard. History of the Counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland Counties New Jersey, with Biographical Sketches of their Prominent Citizens. Philadelphia, Pa.: Everts and Peck, 1883 reprinted June 1974.

Cross, Dorothy. Archaeology of New Jersey. The Archaeological Society Publishers of New Jersey and the New Jersey State Museum.

DeCou, George. History of Camden County, N.J.

Fernow, B. (Keeper of the Historical Records). New York Documents: Dutch and Swedish Settlements on the Delaware Vol. 12. Albany, N.Y.: Argus Company, 1877.

Gloucester City Historical Society. The Point.

Gloucester City News (collection from 1800\’s and 1931-1961)

Godfrey, Dr. Carlos E. County and Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey. Trenton, N.J.: Public Record Office, 1934.

Gordon, Thomas F. The History of New Jersey from Its Discovery by Europeans to the Adoption of the Federal Constitution. Philadelphia, Pa.: Daniel Fenton, 1834.

Green, Harry F. \”Historical Facts,\” Gloucester City news. Gloucester City, N.J.: Publishers, Inc.

Hagaman, Adaline P. Early New Jersey. New York, N.Y.: The University Publishing Company, 1963.

Historical Society of Haddonfield. This Is Haddonfield. 1963.

History of the Colony of Nova-Caesaria, or New Jersey

Honeyman, A. Van Doren, ed. Archives of the State of New jersey Vol. I. Somerville, N.J.: The Unionist Gazette Association, 1923. New Jersey Archives, First Series, Vol. II and III, Abstracts of Wills.

Iconography of Manhattan Island, the Vol. 4. Arno Press, 1967.

Jamison, William M. Religion in New Jersey: A Brief History. Princeton, N.J.: D. Van Nostrand, 1964.

Lee, Francis Baily. New Jersey as a Colony and as a State: One of the Original Thirteen, Volumes I-IV. New York, N.Y.: The Publishing Society of New Jersey, 1902.

Leiby, Adrian C. The Early Dutch and Swedish Settlers of New Jersey. Princeton, N.J.: D. Van Nostrand, 1964.

Lindestrom, Peter Martensson. Geographia Americae.

McCormick, Richard P. New Jersey from Colony to State–1609-1789. Princeton, N.J.: D. Van Nostrand, 1964.

McMahon, William. South Jersey Towns: History and Legend. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1973.

Mickle, Isaac. Reminiscences of Old Gloucester or Incidents in the History of the Counties of Gloucester, Atlantic, and Camden, New Jersey. Philadelphia, Pa.: Townsend Ward, 1945.

Miers, Earl Schenck. Crossroads of Freedom. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1917.

Minutes of Union Township, Camden County 1855-1867.

Morgan, John D. F. and Samuel Richards. \”Early Activities in the Upper Four Tenths,\” Camden County Historical Society Publications Vol. 3 #1 Camden, N.J.

Nelson, William., ed. Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey Vol XI and XXI. Paterson, N.J.: The Press Printing and Publishing Co., 1894.

New Jersey Archives Vol III Abstracts of Wills Vol II; Vol. XXXIV Abstracts of Wills Vol V; Second Series Vol 1 Newspaper Extracts Vol 1, 1777; Second Series Vol II Newspaper Extracts Vol 11, 1778; Second Series Vol III Newspaper Extracts Vol 111, 1779.

O\’Callaghan, E. B. New York Colonial Documents Vol 1 and 2. New York, N.Y.: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1861.

O\’Keefe, Stephen M. \”They Took Political Feuds Seriously In 17th Century Gloucester,\” Courier-Post. Camden, N.J., October 21, 1970.

Pomfret, John E. New Jersey Proprietors and Their Lands. Princeton, N.J.: D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., 1964.

Province of West Jersey 1609-1702. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1956.

Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. 15, No. 4. October, 1930.

Prowell, George R. The History of Camden County New Jersey. Philadelphia, Pa.: L. J. Richards and Co., 1886.

Roy Noble (Albert J. Corcoran). \”Chip R Git,\” Gateway News. Westville, N.J.

Simpson, Hazel B., ed. Under Four Flags: Old Gloucester County 1686-1964. Camden, N.J.: Sinnickson Chew and Sons, Co., 1965.

Spaulding, M.C. Historical Handbook of New Jersey. 1895.

Stewart, Frank H. Gloucester County Under the Proprietors. Indians of Southern New Jersey. Port Washington, N.Y.: Kennikat Press, 1932. Notes on Old Gloucester County, New Jersey.

Story of Gloucester City: 1868

Studley, Miriam V. Historic New Jersey Through Visitors Eyes. Princeton, New Jersey: D. Van Nostrand, 1964.

Vecoli, Rudolph. The People of New Jersey. Princeton, N.J.: D. Van Nostrand, 1965.

Weiss, Harry B. Life in Early New Jersey.

Weslager, C. A. in collaboration with A. R. Dunlap. Dutch Explorers, Traders and Settlers in the Delaware Valley 1609-1664. Philadelphia, Pa.: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1961.

Weslager, C. A. The English on the Delaware 1610-1682. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1967.

West, Ruth and Willis M. Story of Our Country.

Wheeler, Edward C. Scheyichbi and the Strand.

Camden County PD Sergeant Lydia Perez Retires After 25-Years-of-Service

CONGRATULATIONS–The Camden County Police Department held a special ceremony on January 31 to honor Sgt. Lydia Perez, who retired after 25 years of distinguished law enforcement service in Camden City.

Sgt. Perez was recognized by the Camden County Police Department in 2015 for her outstanding work. The following is from that proclamation.

She joined the former Camden Police Department in 1994. Four years later, she was assigned a critical role overseeing the department’s Uniform Crime Reporting. Sergeant Perez has served in that role since 1998 with the former city department and now with the Camden County Police Department.

Every week, Sergeant Perez reviews hundreds of police reports and must ensure that each crime that occurs is properly classified in accordance with the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting standards and that these numbers are reported accurately to the New Jersey State Police.

Despite handling a daily volume of reports that is exponentially higher than most other police departments, Sergeant Perez has been recognized by the State Police as being one of the best and most accurate UCR reporters in the entire state for more than a decade. She regularly achieves UCR accuracy rates of 98 percent and above. During the recent New Jersey State Police audit of Camden County Police Department UCR crime statistics, the department was found to have achieved a 100 percent accuracy mark in correctly classifying crimes for the first quarter of 2015.

“She really takes the time and dedication to do the job based on the FBI guidelines. With her accuracy, she’s one of the top UCR reporters in the state,” said Lieutenant Spencer Hildebrand of the New Jersey State Police.

“Sergeant Perez demonstrates her commitment every day through her hard work and the high standard she sets for UCR reporting. She is a tremendous asset to this department,” said Assistant Chief Orlando Cuevas.

For her continued excellence and dedication to her job, we honor Sergeant Lydia Perez as Camden County Police Department Officer of the Week.

On behalf of the residents and community you served, CNBNews would like to thank you for your dedication. And, we wish you the best in your retirement.

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BREAKING NEWS

*Albert Carino Boys Basketball Club Feb. Theme Will Be Unsung Heroes

Ben Cerrato (Haddonfield), Gavin Gibson (Cherokee), Giamarco Arletti (Holy Cross), MJ Iraldi (West Deptford), Josh Randle (GCIT) and Tyrese Myrick (Westampton Tech) to be honored.

University of Delaware Coach Martin Ingelsby featured speaker.

Martin Ingelsby University of Delaware

The Albert Carino Boys Basketball Club has announced that Unsung Heroes will be the theme of the next meeting Wednesday, FEBRUARY 5

at the Crowne Plaza, Route 70 and Cuthbert Blvd., Cherry Hill starting at 11:30 A.M. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED and may be made by calling

Jason Lewer

(609-706-7063) or Jack Mongulla (856-461-8800), or emailing the Club at

Martin Ingelsby is currently in his fourth season as University of Delaware men’s basketball head coach. On June 20, Ingelsby signed a two-year extension through the 2023-24 season.

After spending the previous 13 years on the Notre Dame coaching staff from 2003-16, Ingelsby led the Blue Hens to 13 victories during his first season in Newark, including a win over Hofstra in the CAA Tournament.

Last season the Blue Hens finished 17-16 and were fifth in the CAA standings, posting their highest win total and highest CAA finish in five years. UD increased its win total for the third straight season, and advanced to the CAA Tournament Semifinals for the first since since 2013-14. Delaware erased a 14-point halftime deficit in the 85-79 win over William & Mary in the quarterfinals, the largest halftime comeback in CAA Tournament history.

Ingelsby, the 24th head coach in UD men’s basketball history, is a native of Berwyn, Pa., and was a standout point guard for Notre Dame from 1997-2001. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Wagner College during the 2002-03 campaign before returning t

Robert T. Coyle of Florida, formerly of Gloucester City

Robert T. Coyle

On January 30, 2020. Age 89. Of Haines City, FL. Formerly of Gloucester City. Loving husband of 61 years to Margaret M. Coyle (née Cunning). Beloved father of Thomas Coyle (Ann), Margaret Knezich (Stephen), Ellen Tomasco (Charlie), Patricia Blake (Andrew), Robert Coyle (Tara), Joann Lay (Mark), Barbara Madiraca (Vincent) and Mary Louise Kwasizur (Mitchell). Devoted grandfather to Michael, Melanie, Amanda, Lisa, Kelly, Andrew, Julie, Mark, Danny, Sarah, Colleen, John, David, Chris, Sammy, Liz, Shane and Cooper. Great Grandfather to Kayla, Tommy, Logan, Nora, and two more on the way.

Robert was born on April 23, 1930 in Sharon Hill, PA to the late Thomas J. and Una Margaret (nee Convery) Coyle. Robert proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked for many years as a bookkeeper for Lasermation in Philadelphia and then retiring from CraftBuilt Manufacturing in PA.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Tuesday, February 4th from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Knights of Gloucester City Columbus Council #674, 605 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Please write Robert Coyle in the memo.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Robert T. Coyle. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through: McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City Ph: 856-456-1142

Eleanor Jane Hansen, 81, of Haddonfield, NJ

Eleanor Jane Hansen, 81, of Haddonfield, NJ, passed away on Friday, January 30

at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital after a brief illness. Born on January 19, 1939 in New York, NY, she was raised in midtown Manhattan by her parents Cornelius and Ella Curtin. In the mid-70s, Eleanor moved to Atlantic County, NJ, and in her late 30s, she attended Stockton State College, graduating with a

bachelor’s degree in 1980. She then obtained her master’s degree in English from Rutgers University, which launched her 30-year career as a college writing instructor. Over the years, Eleanor taught at Stockton State College, Rowan University, Atlantic Community College, and, in her later years, at Thomas Edison University.

An avid reader and sports fan (Dodgers and Redskins), Eleanor was beloved by her students due to her strong presence in the classroom and her wide range of interests. Whether it was pop culture, modern sports, contemporary music, current and classic literature, history, or politics, Eleanor’s vast knowledge base was treasured by her students. She did not miss an episode of Jeopardy, and she usually dominated. Eleanor was also a major cat lover and supporter.

She is survived by her two sons Thomas and John Hansen (wife Holli Hansen) and her five grandchildren Christian, Nicholas, Benjamin, Olivia, and Crystal Hansen.

At the request of the family, cremation is private and there is no service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to American Association of University Women. Condolences and Memories may be shared at

www.mccannhealey.com

under the obituary of Eleanor Hansen.

EARLY HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF WESTVILLE

WESTVILLE, NJ–Long before the first European colonists arrived in this area, native American Indians of the Leni Lenape tribe had areas of settlement along the Delaware River and its tributaries. Big Timber Creek was no exception. Indian artifacts have been found here in Westville indicating that the Delaware tribe inhabited the area.

In 1624, the Dutch built a fort in our vicinity. Historians have argued for years about the possible location of Fort Nassau. Its’ site has been thought to be in Gloucester City, West Deptford, or even the “Newbold” area of Westville. A 1656 Dutch map indicates that Fort Nassau was located on the south bank of Big Timber Creek where it empties into the Delaware River, which means it probably was within our boundaries.

After the Dutch lost control of the area, the Swedes (along with a few Finns) took over.

In the late 1600’s William Penn purchased a large portion of the Delaware Valley. He employed John Ladd (a Quaker) to survey and layout the City of Philadelphia. When Ladd was finished, William Penn was so pleased that he offered John Ladd one city block in what is now downtown Philadelphia. Ladd refused and requested to be paid in sterling silver. With this money, he moved to New Jersey and by the late 1680’s he purchased a “plantation” stretching from what is now North Woodbury to Big Timber Creek. His home, “Candor Hall”, was built about 1690 and still stands on Lafayette Avenue in Colonial Manor.

John Ladd married and became the father of five children. One of his sons, Samuel, owned the shad fisheries on Big Timber Creek. He married and also had five children. One of his daughters, Deborah, married a young man from Philadelphia named Thomas West. Thomas West and his wife built the old “West” house located on River Drive and raised a family of three children. His son, Charles West, in 1776 donated 40 logs for the cheavaux-de-frize, an underwater fortification lodged in the river channel between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, used to impede British shipping on the Delaware River and to prevent the British from attacking Philadelphia. These fifty-foot logs came from trees cut down on his property (which included present-day “Newbold”).

Also, during the Revolution, when our troops were starving at Valley Forge, General Washington sent out troops to gather cattle for our soldiers to eat. One group was sent to Salem County and a great cattle drive was conducted up the old “King’s” Highway, which ran from Salem to Burlington. From Woodbury, it followed Old Broadway through the Westville Oaks area and then wandered over to the stream which feeds into this park. From here, it went along the high bank above our pond and then meandered over to Willow Run and up Broadway, past our Boro Hall, and then veered over towards “Timber Park”, before crossing Big Timber Creek and continuing on towards the present bowling alley. Along this dirt road came hundreds of cattle and soldiers, including General “Mad” Anthony Wayne, and Captain John Barry. Because of the foraging activities, our soldiers were able to survive the harsh winter at Valley Forge in 1778. This same road was used a year earlier, when a young man named Jonas Cat tell ran from Haddonfield to National Park to warn our troops that the British and Hessians were coming. Because of his efforts, the Battle of Fort Mercer was won by our troops.

During the 1790’s, Stephen Decatur lived in Westville at the home of Charles West. It is said that he walked along old “King’s” Highway three miles each way daily, to attend the Woodbury Academy, the first Naval Academy in the United States. This is where he got his naval training which he used in the “War with the Barbery Pirates” and the War of 1812.

One of John Ladd’s daughters, Katherine, married John Howell. Her grandson, Joshua Howell also fought in the Revolutionary War, as well as the Pennsylvania Insurrection (known as the Whiskey Rebellion) and the War of 1812. He lived at “Fancy Hill”, a home located where the ‘Coastal tank farm or County incinerator is and his property extended into the “Victoria” section of Westville. His son, Brigadier General Joshua Blackwood Howell fought in the Civil War and died of injuries received during the War at Petersburg, Virginia. It has often been said that the old “Thomas West” house was used as a stopping-off place for the underground railroad, which was used during the Civil War for helping the blacks to escape to the North. There were tunnels which led from the Creek bank to the basement of the house.

Westville was originally a good-sized Indian Village. The Unalachtigo branch of the Leni-Lenape Indian tribe inhabited the Gloucester County area. The headquarters of the tribe was within the original county at a place called Armewaxes, which the first white settlers shortened to Arwamas, now known as Gloucester Point across the Big Timber Creek at the mouth of the Delaware across from Westville.

Timber Creek was called Sassackon by the Indians who lived by its banks. Indian arrow heads and other remains of this past culture can still be found along the banks of the creek. Many Westville residents have Indian artifacts which were uncovered when their homes were built.

Early New Jersey records show that Henry Hudson, and Englishman exploring for the Dutch East India Company, sailed into the Delaware Bay on August 28, 1609 and claimed the Delaware Bay area for the Dutch. Robert Juet, an English officer on the “Half Moon” kept a very accurate journal of this, the third voyage of Hudson: His words tell of discovery of Delaware Bay, as well a s the river:

“The eight and twentieth, faire and hot weather, the wind at South South-west. In morning at six of the clock we weighed and steered away North twelve leagues till noon, and came to the Point of Land (Cape Henlopen)”

Just then indicated that the ship had difficulty entering the bay because of shallow water. Once over the sand bar, he recorded:

“Then we found the Land to trend away Northwest with a Great Bay (Delaware Bay) and Rivers. But the Bay we found should; and in the offering we had ten fathoms and had sight of Beaches and drie’ Sand.”

Because of the shallow waters, Hudson weighted anchor and sailed north to discover the river which today bears his name.

The next visitor to what we know as the Delaware River was Captain Cornelius Jacobus Mey who headed an expedition into the Delaware River area in 1613. Crude maps of that period listed the river as south River (from Dutch word Zuydt meaning South) to differentiate from the Hudson River known as the North River. Mey was much impressed with the Eastern shore of the river. His reports so interested the new Dutch West India Company, successor to the New Netherlands Company, that he agreed to plant a colony for it in the new world.

By March 1624, Mey was enroute to the Hudson River with some 30 families aboard the ship, “Nieu Nederlandt”. Sixteen of them were brought to the Delaware Valley by Captain Mey between the months of May and October 1624.

While Mey was exploring the waterways, another Dutchman, Cornelius Hendrick, skipper of the “Onrust” (Restless) was also exploring the Delaware River. He probably sailed further up the Delaware River than and previous Dutchman. He noted on August 19, 1616 that he had discovered “certain lands, a bay and three rivers situated between 38 and 40 degrees.” He was making reference, no doubt to Oldman’s, Mantua, and Racoon Creeks. Hendrickson is recognized as the first man to set foot on the shores of the Delaware Valley and he was surely the first man to sail up the river to about the Philadelphia stands today. He was the first to chart the course of the river after his visit to these shores in the summer of 1614. His famous map also included the Schuylkill River and added the names of the Indians living along the rivers.

After Cornelius Mey established the first white settlement on Burlington Island, he established Fort Nassau in 1623. The site of Fort Nassau has been a subject of much controversy. The Hon. Frank H. Stewart, president of the Gloucester County Historical Society has set the site as back of what is now Brooklawn, at the mouth of Timber Creek, just west of where Big Timber Creek, Little Timber Creek and the Delaware join.

Records show that the Dutch trading post was “about fifteen leagues up the river on the eastern shore. The Dutch had built two strongholds or forts, largest about 16 miles up the river on the eastern shore, called Nassau”.

In 1631, Peter Loursenson, a Dutch sailor sent to the Delaware, commented that Fort Nassau consisted of a trading house with ten or 12 servants belonging to it. Records further show that in 1651, Fort Nassau was abandoned. Its cannon and other weapons were installed at Fort Casisnir (at New Castle). Its last trading commissioner Andries Hudde, served in the same capacity in the new fort.

The abandoned fort remained a landmark for many years. In 1750, Acrelius, pastor of the Old Swede Church, Philadelphia, wrote in his diary, “Nassau is still standing two and a half miles north of Mantas Hook (Mantaes hoeck).”

History shows that the Dutch, Swedes, and English vied for possession of the settlement along the Delaware. Eventually the Swedes submitted to the rule of the Dutch and the Dutch submitted to the rule of the English. With each change of ruler the Delaware was renamed having the following names before it finally received the name it still has: Zudt river, Nassau River, Prince Hendrick River, Charles River and the De La Warr.

When the English gained control of this new land, King Charles II gave the title of title of New Jersey to his friends, Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret. In 1674, Berkley sold his interest to two Quakers who, in turn in 1676, sold part of the land to William Penn. From here on, that part known as West Jersey became the original Gloucester City. At that time, Gloucester County extended from the river to the ocean and included parts of what are now Camden, Gloucester, and Atlantic Counties, Gloucester County became separated from Camden County in 1844.

Historic for years have recounted the fact that New Jersey was the real crossroads between Fort Nassau and New Amsterdam and later between New Stockholm and New Amsterdam. This resulted in the building of a road from the Ocean across New Jersey and then south through Gloucester County.

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Gloucester Catholic Principal Ed Beckett Selected as Grand Marshal For St. Patrick\’s Day Parade!

Gloucester Catholic Principal Ed Beckett has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the Fifth Annual St. Mary\’s Parish and Gloucester City St. Patrick\’s Day

Parade. The parade will be held on Sunday, March 1 starting at 1:00 pm.

Mr. Beckett will receive his Grand Marshal sash from Bishop Sullivan at the 9:30 am Irish Mass at St. Mary\’s Church..

Mr. Beckett has served as Gloucester Catholic\’s Principal since August 2013 and is highly regarded for his work with youth and his devotion to the Catholic Community. Mr. Beckett also served the school as Assistant Principal for Spiritual Formation for 8 years. An alumnus of the Gloucester Catholic Class of 1978, he previously taught at St. Joseph\’s Preparatory School and served as an administrator at Boston College High School.

The Parade begins at Martin\’s Lake (Baynes Ave and Johnson Blvd) and continues down Monmouth Street, and will feature String Bands, Bagpipes, Irish Dancers, Irish Music. Memorabilia, and Community Organizations.

Gloucester Catholic alumni are encouraged to attend the parade, and are invited to march with the school\’s contingent as we salute

Mr. Beckett as well as celebrate Irish Pride and the great city of Gloucester!

Local parade officials also announced that Mr. Beckett will receive the First Community Impact Award on Friday, March 6, at Elizabeth Ballroom in Gloucester City. Doors will open for the event beginning at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by calling the Rectory at (856) 456-0052.

Link to St. Patrick\’s Day Parade Festivities

For further information please contact St. Mary Rectory at (856) 456-0052. You may also click on the link below for general information and a sponsorship registration form!

General Information on St. Patrick\’s Day Parade and Activities

Thank You from St. Mary\’s Parish and Gloucester Catholic

Burlington County Authorities Ask Public to Help Find Sex Offender

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that law enforcement officials continue to seek the public’s assistance locating a 61-year-old man who failed to register as a sex offender as required under Megan’s Law.

William Dean is described as a white male, standing 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 220 pounds. He may be in the Camden area, and may be using the name Billy Dean.

State law requires registered sex offenders who plan to move to a new residence to notify police in the town where they presently live about the change, and also provide their new address to police in the municipality where they intend to move.

Dean is considered a fugitive. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is urged to call the Prosecutor’s Office at

609-265-5035

, and ask to speak to a detective in the Megan’s Law Unit. Information can also be submitted electronically at

BCPOMegansLaw@co.burlington.nj.us

. Anonymous tips are welcome.

Under state law, the New Jersey State Police are responsible for administering the Sex Offender Internet Registry. For more information, visit

https://www.njsp.org/sex-offender-registry/index.shtml

New Jersey’s Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit a Prosecutor’s Office from divulging details of a defendant’s criminal history outside of a court proceedin

Suspect Driving Under the Influence of Heroin Strikes 2 Vehicles on S. Broadway; 1 Injured

by CNBNews

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (January 31, 2020)—Gloucester City Police responded to a traffic accident Thursday, January 30, around 10:20 AM after a car, driven by Jerry

Yelverton, crashed into two vehicles

waiting in traffic at the intersection

of South Broadway and

George Street. Several police vehicles along with the Gloucester City Fire Department responded to the scene according to a person who was passing by and saw the commotion.

Yelverton, according to Gloucester City Police Chief Brian Morrell was charged with possession of two bags of heroin. \”The 42-year-old male, who lives in the 200 unit block of Powell Street, admitted to police that he snorted a bag of heroin before the accident occurred,\” Morrell said.

Yelverton, along with one of the victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Morrell said at first it was thought the victim\’s injuries were not that serious. “But, doctors at the hospital said the victim had suffered head trauma and his injuries may be more serious than first thought.”

published Gloucestercitynews.net

32 Murders in 22 Days; Philly Councilman Calls for Stricter Gun Laws

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 23, 2020 – As gun violence continues to rage unabated in Philadelphia,

Council President Darrell L. Clarke

(5th District) today called for Council to authorize the hiring of legal counsel to file a lawsuit compelling the Commonwealth of

Philadelphia City Hall (Wikipedia)

Pennsylvania to enact stronger gun laws, or allow municipalities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or others to pass their own gun laws.

Last night, a 20-year-old man was shot and killed inside his Cobbs Creek home. It marked Philadelphia’s

homicide

already in 2020 – a 22-day-span. This represents an 82 percent increase in homicides in the city in the first three weeks of the year, compared with the same period last year. More than 100 youths under the age of 18 were shot last year – 14 fatally.

“People in Philadelphia are tired and frustrated with gun violence happening every day in their neighborhoods,” Clarke said. “32 homicides in 22 days! Toddlers shot in their homes, a shoot-out at a Target store parking lot – we must take action and we need every responsible elected official on deck. Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

Resolution

authorizing Council to retain legal counsel to file a lawsuit against the Commonwealth was co-introduced this morning by Councilmembers

Kenyatta Johnson

and

Curtis Jones Jr.,

on Council President Clarke’s behalf. Numerous other Councilmembers signed on as co-sponsors, including Majority Leader

Cherelle Parker

, Councilmembers

Derek Green

, and

Allan Domb

The resolution details the “ferocity and sheer volume of gun violence in Philadelphia” over the past several weeks – the impetus for the legislative action.

“WHEREAS, The ferocity and sheer volume of gun violence in Philadelphia shocks the conscience of all law-abiding citizens: Three men were shot to death in the first fifteen hours of 2020. On January 15, 2020, five people were shot in less than 30 minutes. On January 21, a triple shooting in a Target parking lot left one man dead. As of January 21, 2020, there have been 31 homicides in 2020, up a shocking 82% from January 2019, according to the Philadelphia Police Department’s webpage,

www.phillypolice.com/crime-maps-stats/

. Last year, 14 children under 18 were shot fatally with guns. The homicide rate in Philadelphia has risen steadily, from 277 in 2016, to 315 in 2017, to 353 in 2018, to 356 in 2019.”

The resolution goes on to note that gun violence is a

statewide

problem – not a city-only problem.

“WHEREAS, Gun violence is not confined to one city or state, but rather plagues communities across the country. Today, the public still mourns the tragic loss of life from the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, and decries the General Assembly’s refusal to permit Pittsburgh’s City Council to use commonsense measures to combat the spread of rampant gun violence. Across the Commonwealth, gun violence claims the lives of more than 1,500 residents each year, according to the Giffords Law Center, which means that someone is killed with a gun every six hours in Pennsylvania.”

The resolution notes the failure of the PA General Assembly to take action to reduce and prevent gun violence across the Commonwealth – due to the strong influence of the gun lobby. The most recent example: after Council passed an ordinance last session prohibiting the possession of guns at city recreation facilities – the scene of several shootings last summer – the legislature took no action to approve legislation allowing Philadelphia to enforce that ordinance.

The Resolution concludes:

“RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes Council to retain counsel to file a lawsuit compelling the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to fulfill its obligation to protect the citizens of Pennsylvania by enacting, or authorizing municipalities to enact, legislation that addresses the public health crisis of gun violence.”