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Character of the Township - Set off from Gloucester - List of Officers - Villages of Sicklerville, Williamstown Junction, Wilton, Tansboro’, Cedar Brook, Braddock, Blue Anchor, Ancora, Elm, Winslow Junction and Winslow - Glass Works - Societies - Friends’ Meetings and Churches.

THIS township is situated in the extreme southeastern part of the county. It was formed in 1845, and obtained its name from Winslow village, at that time its most important settlement. On its north is Waterford township; on the east and southeast, Atlantic County; south and southwest, Monroe township, in

Gloucester County, from which it is separated by Four-Mile Run and Great Egg Harbor River; and on the west and north is the present township of Gloucester. The general surface is level, the soil being chiefly sandy or sandy loam. Along the water-courses the surface is depressed, partaking of the nature of swamps, having as its timber growth cedar-trees. In other parts are large pine forests or growths of deciduous trees, which afford a valuable timber supply. About one-fourth of the area only has been cleared for cultivation, though much of the larger timber has been removed. The soil on the low lands is fairly fertile, and appears to be well adapted for fruit-culture, which has become the principal occupation of the inhabitants. In the northwestern part, near Williamstown Junction, are valuable deposits of clay for potters’ use, and in many parts may be found sand superior for glass-making. The drainage is afforded by the Egg Harbor Rivers and their affluent streams, whose flow through the township is generally sluggish. The township offered few attractions to the pioneer settler, and the improvements made by those who ventured into these remote regions were in no wise noteworthy. A colony of Friends settled in the western part before the Revolution, prominent among them being William Norcross. His son Job was born in the township and raised a large family, from which have descended the Norcrosses of this part of the county. Joshua Duble and John Kellum lived in the same neighborhood, the former leaving descendants who are prominent in the affairs of the township. Benjamin Thackara lived in the New Freedom neighborhood, and Joshua Peacock nearer Tansboro’. He was the father of William and Joseph Peacock, both of whom reared large families. George Sloan lived near New Hopewell, and the Cains and McLains in the neighborhood of Long-a-Coming. Among other early settlers were Brittain Bishop, Benjamin Watson, Robert Mattox, Oliver Beebe, Charles Camel, Joel Bodine, John Rogers, Samuel Scull, Philip White, Eli Nield, Jonathan Fowler, Moses Githens, Enos Sharp and Isaiah Whitcraft. After the building of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, in 1856, the country was developed more rapidly, and, with the building of new lines, other settlements were opened in localities which had before been too remote from places of business to make the cultivation of the soil profitable. Some lands were located early, but being held in large tracts, were not improved until recent years.

The first tract of cedar swamp lands located in the township became the property of Daniel Hillman and Joseph Lowe in 1726. It lay on the Great Egg Harbor River, south of the Blue Anchor tract, where, tradition says, the Indian trail crossed the swamp. For a long time it was the only trail in that part of the township, and was consequently frequently used. On the east side stood an Indian wigwam, where travelers were entertained before the settlements of the whites, and where such as passed from one part of the State to the other might lodge in the home of the dusky landlord. The pathway, though narrow, crossed a small island in its course and was almost in a straight line. For many years the remains of an old foot-bridge could be seen at the island. After the timber began to be used, part of this old trail became a wagon-road, and, in general, the early roads had the same course or followed the Indian trails. In the course of time the above Indian trail was abandoned and a new one made about two miles down the river, where formerly stood John Inskeep’s old saw-mill. In 1762 this crossing is spoken of as a public ford and was much used by both, the whites and the Indians as long as they remained in this country. The Indians had large villages at Shamong, in Burlington County, and Tuckahoe, in Cape May County, and this was a central point, where they would camp overnight as they passed from village to village. They always camped in the open air, without regard to season, and resumed their travels before the rising of the sun.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION. - Winslow was erected by an act of the Legislature, March 8, 1845, out of Gloucester township, with the following bounds: Beginning at the middle of Egg Harbor River where the Camden and Atlantic County line crosses the river; along the line of Atlantic County to the corner of Waterford township, along the Waterford line, passing through Long-a-Coming to the public road leading there from to the Cross Keys tavern in Washington township; thence along the Washington line to the head of Four Mile Branch to Washington township corner; thence down Four-Mile Branch to the main branch of Great Egg Harbor River; thence down the same to the place of beginning. By these bounds a part of the village of Long-a-Coming (now Berlin) was in Winslow, the other parts being in the adjoining townships, but by legislative enactment, March 23, 1859, the bounds were modified so as to places all of that village in the township of Waterford. The act provided that "all that part of the township of Winslow and Gloucester lying northerly and northwesterly of a line commencing on the present Waterford township line so as to intersect the most eastwardly line of Samuel Shreve’s land; thence along said line between Samuel Shreve’s and James McLain’s homestead until it intersects Tinkers Branch; thence to where it intersects the New Freedom and Clementon roads; thence along the southwesterly side of and including said road; thence in a direct course by the way of and including Joseph S. Read’s brick-yard to the line between Waterford and Gloucester townships and including parts of Winslow and Gloucester townships, be and the same is hereby set off from the said townships of Winslow and Gloucester and attached to and made a part of said township of Waterford."

The act forming Winslow township provided that the first election should be held at the inn of Josiah Albertson (Blue Anchor), and the next township meeting of Gloucester was to be held at the Red Lion Inn of William Middleton, at Clementon. The committee to divide the township funds and to pro-rate the taxes for the ensuing year held its meeting at the house of Jacob Leach, at Berlin.

The records of the township indicate the election of the following officers in the years prefixed to their names:

Clerks.
1845. Wm. B. Johnson.	1857. M.S. Peacock.
1846. Elijah Burdsall.	1858 -60. John R. Duble.
1847 -48. Joshua Duble.	1861 -70. Montgomery Reading.
1849-51. Thomas Melouy.	1871 -72. John Little.
1852 -33. George M. Mapos.	1873 -82. Edward Baker.
1854. M.R. Simmerman.	1883. Levi C. Phifer.
1855 -56. Richard J. Mapes.	1884. Robert F. McDougall.
1885-86. M.R. Simmerman.
Assessors
1845-48. Chas. H. French.	1853. Thomas Melony.
1849 -50. Edwin Woolf.	1850-58. John Wright.
1851. Wm. B. Johnson.	1859 -64. Wm. T. Sickler.
1852. Thomas Melony.	1865 -81. John R Duble.
1853 -54. John Carroll.	1882. Edward Burdsall.
1883 -86. Michael G. Burdsall.
Collectors
1845-48. James Dill.	1865 -73. Montgomery Reading.
1849 -50. Peter C. Ross.	1874. John R. Duble.
1851. Montgomery Reading.	1875 -79. Montgomery Reading.
1852 -55. Samuel Norcross.	1880 -82. Conkling Mayhew.
1856 -64. Jacob Sailer.	1883 -86. Jacob Sickler.

Wm. Peacock.	Chas. H. French.	Elijah Burdsall.
Wm. T. Sickler.	Joel Murphy.	Wm. Bishop.
Joseph N. Garten	Samuel Burdsall.	Paul H. Sickler.
Wm. Shreve.	W.G. Wilson.	John Marshall.
John Cain.	Joshua Duble.	Sidney Woods.
Wm. B. Myers.	Isaac S. Peacock.	Abner Gurney.
Henry M. Jewett.	Thomas Austin.	Isaac S. Peacock.
Christian Heventhal.		George Blatherwick.

SICKLERVILLE is a station and hamlet on the Williamstown Branch of the Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railroad. It derived its namee from John Sickler, who settled in this locality at an early period, rearing three sons, who also improved farms at this point. Other early settlers were John, Jacob and George Ware, from which circumstance the place was sometimes called Waretown. The present name became permanent when the post office was established twelve years ago. Paul H. Sickler was appointed postmaster, keeping the office since, at his store, which was opened in 1865, the first in the place. At the railroad station Jacob Sickler has been in trade since 1880, and near the hamlet James K. P. Lessly has merchandised the past eight years. Sicklerville contains a Methodist Episcopal Church, and, in addition to the above interests, has about ten residences.

WILLIAMSTOWN JUNCTION is at the intersection of the Branch road with the main line of the Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railroad, and is noteworthy solely on that account. A neat station building has been erected. Near this place are the small hamlets of New Freedom and Conradsville. The former has no interest aside from its church and the old grave-yard, but at the latter terra-cotta works were formerly carried on quite extensively by James M. Conrad. The clay of this locality is superior for ware of this nature, and some fine work was produced, including earthen lawn figures. The works have been out of fire nine years.

WILTON is the third station on the Branch road in the township, and is almost midway between Atco and Williamstown Junction. The railroad company has provided neat station buildings, and offers shipping facilities, which should commend this point to the fruit-growers and manufacturers. The principal features of the place are the glass-works, which were established about 1848 by an association composed of Samuel Norcross, Joseph Heritage, William Peacock, Benjamin Y. Thackara, Lester Gager, Matthias Simmerman and others. Norcross & Heritage had the general management of the business, which was suspended after a few years, but was again resumed by Samuel and Uriah Norcross. About 1856 the works were leased by J.L. Mason, of New York, and operated in the manufacture of his patent fruit-jars. Then came a season of inactivity, but, about 1862, Joel Bodine and Charles Adams took charge of the works and carried on business some ten years. They were last operated by Frank Bodine, but have been out of blast since July, 1885. Hollow-ware only was manufactured, and when in full operation about one hundred persons were employed. Most of these lived in the immediate neighborhood, which caused this place to assume the appearance of a village. In 1886 there were three dozen houses, two-thirds belonging to the glass-works property. Many are at present unoccupied. One-half a mile from this place, on the Berlin and Blue Anchor road, is the old hamlet of

TANSBORO. - The relation of the two hamlets is so close that they are practically one, and before Wilton became a station on the railroad the glass-works were regarded as being a part of Tansboro’. The latter is an old point, a settlement having been formed here soon after 1800, and one of the first industries was a tannery, from which circumstance the name was derived. Among those first in this locality were Elijah Burdsall, James McLain, John Hughes, Gilbert Kellum, John Cain, Cyrus and Cornelius Tice. The latter started the tannery, nearly opposite the tavern, and for a number of years it was carried on by Josiah Venable. John Cain and Montgomery Reading were later tanners. There were but half a dozen vats and it was discontinued about thirty years ago. Cornelius Tice was one of the first keepers of the public-house, which has been enlarged by subsequent landlords. Among these were James Campbell, William Norcross, William Marshall and the present John Sharp. In former times it was much patronized. James Cain had one of the first stores, occupying the building where William T. Sickler has been in trade the past twenty-one years. Here is kept the Wilton post-office, in charge of Christian Heventhal since October, 1885, when it was removed to Tansboro’. The original Tansboro’ post-office, of which Isaac S. Peacock was the first postmaster, was discontinued about the beginning of the Civil War, and when it was re-established took the name of Wilton, Frank Bodine being the postmaster. Another business stand was established at Tansboro’ by John Carroll, which was enlarged by his successors. Here Joseph N. Garton has been in trade a number of years. The upper story of this building forms a hall in which the glass-blowers held their society meetings. Here, also, is the home of "Wilton Lodge, No. 6, Independent Order of American Mechanics," which was instituted February 27, 1864, with twenty-five members. The lodge has been very prosperous, having at present one hundred and forty members. November 19, 1884, the lodge was incorporated with the following trustees: Albert E. Rowand, Charles M. Brown, Warren E. Garton and Christian Heventhal. The same room is occupied by the Ladies’ Masonic Link, a beneficial society, having forty members. A Baptist Church at this place has been abandoned, but a Methodist Church is still maintained. There are also a few mechanic-shops and about twenty residences.

CEDAR BROOK, on the main line of the Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railroad, is the name of a new hamlet containing a store kept by John R. Duble, several shops, a Methodist Protestant Church and half a dozen dwellings. It is an important water-station on the railroad, the supply being obtained from the stream which was long known as Pump Branch of Little Egg Harbor River.

BRADDOCK is the name of the next station southward, and is in the locality of Bates’ mill, which was for many years one of the old landmarks in this section. After the original owner, Thomas Cole, the mill was successively held in partnership by Aaron Chew, Josiah Albertson, Benjamin Bates, John Albertson, Benoni Bates and others, but now belongs to William S. Braddock, who has converted a large, portion of the pond into a cranberry marsh. On the high lands, near the station, many small fruit farms are being opened.

BLUE ANCHOR, the station beyond Braddock, takes its name from the old Blue Anchor tavern, half a mile from the railroad. The land upon which this old landmark stands was located in 1737 by Abraham Bickley, a distiller of Philadelphia. The old house stood upon the Indian trail, leading from the sea coast to the Delaware, which was much traveled a hundred years ago, after the old trail farther south was abandoned. As early as 1740 John Hider was the landlord, dispensing good cheer in a cabin built of cedar logs. Eight years later John Briant occupied the house. In 1762 Robert Mattox became the owner of this property and a large tract of land adjoining, living here many years. His daughter Elizabeth married Josiah Albertson, who took possession about 1812, and built the present house, which was kept by him until after the railroad was finished, when travel was diverted and the place lost its importance. He also built a store-house, where his son-in-law, John C. Shreve, engaged in merchandizing and made other improvements which caused this to become a central point. Here people from every part of the county could be seen, almost any day, intent either upon hunting or on business connected with the immense lumber regions of that section. "It was a celebrated resort for travelers, who delighted to stop at this old hostlery, where bountiful meals and clean beds were afforded, and where a quiet night might be spent without fear of the clamor arising from much drinking." It was, also, a central point for stages running between Philadelphia and Atlantic County. After Albertson’s retirement, Uziel Bareford was the landlord, and was followed by John R. Duble. Since 1878 John Inskeep Brick has carried on the interests at this place, having both the store and the tavern. Being centrally located, the town meetings, and elections of Winslow township are here held.

Blue Anchor was selected a number of years ago by Dr. John Haskell and others as the seat of a Spiritualistic community, and with the purpose of building up a village after the pattern of Vineland. About twenty-five families located lands, in small tracts, upon which a number of houses were built, but the death of Dr. John Haskell and the disagreement among the members as to the true policy of the community, had a depressing effect upon its prospects. Many removed, and those remaining failed to carry out the original purpose. Lately a number of improvements have been made, and, as the land is rich and favorably located, a thriving settlement may soon be established.

Winslow Junction and Rosedale are on the same line of railway, southeast from Blue Anchor, but have no interests of importance. A few miles from the former place, on the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, is the station of

ANCORA. - The settlement is new, and hardly assumes the appearance of a village. Fruit-culture is the principal occupation.

In the southwestern part of the township, on the Great Egg Harbor River, is an old landmark, widely known as Inskeep’s Mill. It was erected prior to 1762, when John Inskeep made a survey at this point, wherein which the location of the mill is noted. Inskeep lived at Marlton, Burlington County, but owned a large tract of land on Great Egg Harbor River, and on account of the fine timber growing in that locality, made the cutting of the same at his saw-mill profitable. On the adjoining hill he had a deer park, fenced with rails, and so high that the animals inclosed seldom escaped. The park contained about fifty acres, and it was not intended to confine the animals for a hunt, but simply to have in readiness a fat buck should the owner want one when the teams were returning home with lumber. They were generally secured by stealth at night, a torch-light being used to lure them. As Inskeep’s mill was the only place where the river could be forded, hence a trail from the Atlantic to Burlington County passed that way and was much used by both whites and Indians. The mill has been abandoned and the property owned by the Hay estate. Northwest from this place E.A. Russell erected a steam grist-mill in 1882, which was destroyed by fire the same year. It was immediately rebuilt by him and has since been in operation.

In the northern part of the township is the old Spring Garden tavern-stand, so long kept by David Albertson family, and after his death by his wife, Rebecca. In the days of travel by wagon the place had considerable prominence, but has long since been abandoned as a hotel.

On the Atlantic County line, about two miles from Winslow Junction, is the hamlet of

ELM. - It is a station on the New Jersey Southern Railroad, and contains a post-office, a store, school-house, Methodist Church and the homes of about forty families. Most of these find occupation in fruit culture. The hamlet is new, but has had an active growth since its existence.

WINSLOW JUNCTION is eligibly located, at the crossing of the New Jersey Southern Railroad and the Camden and Atlantic and the Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railways, whose tracks, at this point, run parallel to each other. No improvements beyond the erection of the station building have been made, as the real estate has not been available for settlement until within the past year. The Hay estate has recently surveyed some of the adjoining lands into lots, which makes it possible to utilize the advantages which this location offers for residence and manufacturing purposes.

WINSLOW. - This is the largest village in the township, having a population of about five hundred. It has a station on the Camden and Atlantic Railroad and on the New Jersey Southern Railroad, a mile from the junction of the two. The location is pleasant, but as the place was founded for a manufacturing village, and is wholly devoted to the glass-works there carried on, it has never become important as a trading point. The entire village, and hundreds of acres surrounding it, consisting of a highly cultivated farm; and forests in their primeval condition, are the property of the children of Andrew K. Hay deceased, successor to William Coffin, Sr., who originated these enterprises. He was the proprietor of the Hammonton Glass-Works, but, in 1831, began the improvements from which have sprung the extensive Winslow Glass-Works. At that time the site was a dense forest, and his son William Coffin, Jr., afterward proprietor of the works and the first man to fell a tree to make a clearing on which to build the works and the village connected with it. He named the place Winslow, in compliment to his youngest son, Edward Winslow Coffin, and when the township was formed, fourteen years later, this name was also adopted. The elder Coffin associated his eldest son, William, with him, and business was transacted as William Coffin, Jr., & Co. In 1833 the senior William Coffin retired, and a brother-in-law of William Coffin, Jr., Thomas J. Perce became a member of the firm, which now was Coffin & Perce. This relation continued until the death of the latter, in 1835, when William Coffin, Jr., became the sole owner of the Winslow works. He operated them himself until 1838, when he sold a half interest to another brother-in-law, Andrew K. Hay, the firm becoming Coffin, & Hay. Mr. Hay was a practical glass-maker, and also interested in the Hammonton works, where he was the partner of another brother-in-law, Bodine Coffin. At Winslow the works were carried on by the two partners some time, when a third partner was admitted to the firm in the person of Tristram Bowdle. The old co-partnership of Coffin, Hay & Bowdle continued until 1847, when William Coffin, Jr., sold his interest to Edward Winslow Coffin and John B. Hay, and the firm became Hay, Bowdle & Co. In 1850 Tristram Bowdle retired from the business, and, a year later,

E.W. Coffin sold his interest to Andrew K. Hay, who, with his nephew, John B. Hay, now became the sole owners of the property. They at once began extending their business, making extensive improvements in the works and building up the village. In 1852 an artesian well was driven to the depth of three hundred and fifteen feet to obtain a supply of water for the steam gristmill, which established the geological fact that the green sand marl formation which crops out at Kirkwood is here found one hundred and fifty feet below the surface. Andrew K. Hay continued at the head of the business until his death, February 17, 1881, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a native of Massachusetts, of Scotch parentage, and was distinguished for his enterprise and correct business habits. John B. Hay and the heirs of Andrew K. Hay carried on the works until 1884, when John B. Hay withdrew, since which time they have been operated under a lease by Tillyer Bros., Philadelphia. The manufacturing interests consist of a large steam grist and saw-mill, two large window-glass factories, a hollow-ware factory, a large store and about one hundred tenements. Several hundred men and boys are employed, many of the operatives having been connected with the works for a long term of years. The works have good shipping facilities, and the quality of glass here produced is superior. A post-office is maintained in the store of the company, and the village has a public hall, a Roman Catholic Chapel and a Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM COFFIN, JR., was born in Philadelphia, Pa., February 29, 1801. His ancestry is notable in both the paternal and maternal lines. His father, William Coffin, was a direct descendant from Tristram Coffin, who settled in Massachusetts as early as 1642, and the family has been conspicuous in the New England States to the present time. The oldest traceable ancestor came from Normandy with William the Conqueror into England, and was the recipient of a landed estate from his commander for valuable services rendered.

His mother, Ann Bodine (a daughter of Joel Bodine), was a descendant of one of the French Huguenot families - banished for their religious views, and who came to America and infused the best blood of their native land into the veins of many prominent citizens.

William Coffin, the grandfather, came into New Jersey in 1768, settling in Burlington County, and died about the beginning of the Revolutionary War. When William, Jr. (and the fifth of the name in direct succession), was about one year old his parents removed from Philadelphia into Gloucester County, New Jersey, and settled at New Freedom, about three miles south of Long-a-Coming (Berlin). This was a settlement of Friends, where a meeting-house then stood, and where a burial-place is still maintained. Remaining here but a short time, they removed to the "Sailor Boy" tavern, which was at that time, and remained for many years after, one of the principal stopping-places for travelers in going from the "Shore" to Philadelphia.

This hostelry stood by the main stage road, nearly midway between the Delaware River and the ocean, in the midst of the pine forests, and where the several highways going "up shore" and "down shore" left the main road to Absecom; hence travelers were frequent and business plenty. In 1803 John R. Coates became the owner of several tracts of land in the middle part of what was then Gloucester County, and erected a sawmill on one of the branches of Mullicas River that passed through it. William Coffin attended to the building of the dam and mill and a few dwellings, one of which he occupied. He named the place Hammonton in remembrance of his son, John Hammond. In 1814 he purchased the land, and in 1819 conveyed one-half to Jonathan Haines, and they at once began the erection of a glass factory.

Here began the business education of William Coffin, Jr. By means of the country schoolmaster, and through the aid of his father, he had acquired some knowledge of figures and writing, which were rapidly improved by his varied employments about the factory. As clerk in the store, the buyer of goods in Philadelphia and general accountant among the workmen, he improved his business methods and became the more useful to his father. In 1823 he was made partner and so continued for five years, when he, with three other persons, under the name of Coffin, Pearsall & Co., established a glass-works at Millville, in Cumberland County, N.J. There he remained for two years, when he returned to Hammonton and again became a partner there.

In 1829 William Coffin, Sr., purchased several adjoining tracts of timber land lying about six miles northwest from Hammonton, in Camden County, and, with William, Jr., and his son-in-law, T. Jefferson Perce, erected a glass factory within the land of the same. This was called Winslow, for his youngest son, who bears the honored name of one of the foremost men of New England in colonial times. In 1834 the title to the land was conveyed to the two last-named persons, who continued the business until 1837, when T.J. Perce died, and William Coffin, Jr., became sole owner. The next year Andrew K. Hay, another son-in-law, became part owner of Winslow, and in 1847 William Coffin, Jr., retired from the business by conveying his remaining interest to Tristram Bowdell, Edward W. Coffin and John B. Hay. For twenty-eight years, it will be seen, he was actively engaged in the manufacture of glass, in the beginning but little understood, and dependent on foreign operatives. With characteristic energy he kept pace with every improvement, and was a firm adherent to the favorite policy of Henry Clay in the protection of home manufactures. He certainly exemplified it in the development of that particular industry, the benefits of which, in that section of country, can be traced to his foresight and liberality.

Although William Coffin, Jr., retired with an ample fortune, yet he soon entered into a new enterprise. He associated himself with Professor J.C. Booth, of Philadelphia, in the experiment of refining nickel and cobalt, it being the first attempt in that direction made in this country. It proved successful, and in 1852 the business was removed to Camden, N.J., on Coopers Creek, and much enlarged. These works are now owned by Joseph Wharton, Esq., who continued the business. In 1850, with a few others, he founded the gas works in Brooklyn, N.Y., and soon after established the gas works in the city of Buffalo, N.Y.

About this time he removed to Haddonfield and erected a handsome private residence, where he resided for several years, dispensing a liberal hospitality to the many friends who surrounded him.

In the inception and completion of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad he took an active part and lived to see it in successful operation. Passing as it did through lands formerly owned by himself and a section of the country with which he was familiar, he could appreciate its advantages and understand its benefits.

Disposing of his residence in Haddonfield, he removed to Philadelphia, where he died February 29, 1872, leaving a widow, Ruth Ann (a daughter of John Dean, and whom he married in 1829), and one daughter. His life was an active one, and proves what industry, enterprise and business integrity will do.

WINSLOW LODGE, No. 40, I.O.O.F., was instituted May 18, 1846, with the following as the first officers: E.W. Coffin, Noble Grand; Uziel Bareford, Vice-Grand; Wm. S. Fort, Sec.; John H. Coffin, Treas. The first meetings were held in one of the factory buildings, but in 1848 a regular lodge-room was secured in the public building erected by the Winslow Hall Association. This body was composed of members of the lodge, citizens and A.K. Hay, the latter holding three-fifths of the stock. As originally built, the hall was a two-story frame edifice, costing two thousand dollars, but it was enlarged and improved in 1880, at a cost of six hundred dollars more. The lower story forms a roomy hail, which is supplied with a good stage. The lodge-room is neatly furnished, and has been continuously occupied since 1848. In 1886 the number of members belonging was eighty-five, and the lodge had a working capital of three thousand dollars. Its principal officers are, - Noble Grand, William Baird; Vice-Grand, Thomas Moore; Treasurer, William F. Swissler; Secretary, C.B. Westcott.

WINSLOW ENCAMPMENT, No. 16, I.O.O.F., was instituted March 25, 1847, with the following officers: A.K. Hay, C.P.; E.W. Coffin, H.P.; Jas. A. Hay, S.W.; Sylvester Chase, J.W.; Jas. Risley, Scribe. By the organization of other encampments the membership of No. 16 has been much diminished, reducing the number belonging in 1886 to thirteen. At the same time the officers were, - C.P., H.M. Jewett; H.P., Wm. F. Semple; Treasurer, Wm. Brayman; Scribe, C.P. Westcott.

The hall has also been occupied by a division of Sons of Temperance and a lodge of Good Templars, both of which have discontinued their meetings. An assembly of the Knights of Labor, organized a few years ago, now meets statedly, and is reported in a flourishing condition.

NEW HOPEWELL (FRIENDS’) MEETING-HOUSE. - About the middle of the last century a number of Friends settled in what is now the upper part of Winslow township, where they soon after established a meeting. For this purpose several acres of land were secured from William Norcross, on the old Egg Harbor road, about two miles from Wilton Station, and below the main line of the Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railroad. Upon this was built a small, plain, one-story frame meeting-house, and a graveyard was opened on the same ground, which was occupied about fifty years. The principal founders and members of the meeting were William Norcross and his sons, Uriah and Job, Thomas Penn, George Sloan, Jonathan Jones, John Brown, Abraham Watson, Abraham Brown, John Shinn, James Thornton, William Peacock, David Tice, William Boulton, Isaiah Clutch, John Duble and Joseph Peacock. Of these, John Shinn was a speaker of power and acceptance, who took up his residence in this isolated locality to escape the praise of those who admired his preaching in the older meetings. In his own words this purpose was expressed: "I came to these wilds to avoid the praise of man, lest I become vain and forget the fear of the Lord." The natural sterility of the soil and the location of the meeting-house on a road which was seldom traveled, after more direct thoroughfares were opened, was unfavorable to the prosperity of the meeting, which was now only irregularly held, under the direction of the Evesham Monthly Meeting. This relation is shown from a minute of the latter meeting, Second Month 8, 1794:

"Friends appointed in the 11 Mo. last, to have the oversight of the meeting held at a place called New Hopewell, reported their attention thereto, and that Friends there were careful in the attendance thereof. And the Friends who constitute that meeting request liberty to hold meetings as heretofore for three months, which the meeting taking into consideration unites in the continuance thereof, for two months, and Enoch Evans, Isaac Boulton, Joshua Stokes and Ephraim Stratton are appointed to have the oversight thereof and to report to this meeting in 4th Mo. next." This arrangement was continued some years, when the death of some of the older Friends and the removal of others had so much diminished the membership that the meeting was finally "laid down" in 1819, and the later business records removed to Evesham, Burlington County, where they now remain, in charge of the clerk of that meeting. From them may be obtained information in regard to families, now wholly extinct, which would assist in unraveling many genealogical difficulties connected with the first settlers in this part of the county.

After 1820 the old meeting-house was removed by Job Norcross, and rebuilt as a two-story dwelling, on the Blue Anchor road, not quite a mile from its old site, where it is now occupied as the home of William Norcross. The grave-yard was preserved by the Friends, and burials of their descendants have since been made there. It is the only reminder of the once familiar landmark, which was the centre of a populous settlement of professing Christians, who have long since passed away. Although the names of many are no longer remembered, the impress of their consistent lives may yet be seen in the best traditions of the neighborhood their influence for truth and justice continues to this day.

In 1883 the Friends relinquished their interest in the grave-yard in favor of the people of Winslow, who selected a board of trustees to control the same. The members were Samuel T. Peacock, Job Eldridge, Matthias Simmerman, George Norcross and George Peacock. Under their direction the cemetery was substantially inclosed, and though in a spot isolated from any other kind of improvement, it shows the care which is bestowed on it. In the ground are the following marked graves:

BAPTIST CHURCH AT TANSBORO. - Some of the early settlers of this locality entertained the Baptist faith and had occasional meetings in the New Freedom Church, the minister coming from Evesham, in Burlington County. An increase of interest caused an organization to be formed and measures were taken to erect a church. January 10, 1841, James Cain donated an acre of land at Tausboro’, on which such a building might be erected, conveying the same to Elijah Briant, Charles Kain, Joseph Porter, James Cain and John Cain,

"Trustees appointed by and with the consent of the Baptist Church, at Evesham, in trust for the Baptist denomination of Tansboro’ and its vicinity, of the same faith and order as the Baptist Church at Evesham, for the purpose of erecting a Baptist Church in said place." The meeting-house- a frame structure- was soon after built, and, on the 3d of May, 1845, the church became a corporate body, with John Johnson, Joseph Heritage and Charles H. French as trustees. In the course of years, after meetings had been regularly held for some time, the membership was so much diminished that services were discontinued. Since 1865 no meetings were held and the house was allowed to go to ruin. On the 15th of September, 1874, William B. French and Chalkley Haines, the surviving trustees, conveyed the property to the West New Jersey Baptist Association, in which body the title now rests, but no effort has been made to improve it. The walls of the old church remain - grim reminders of the devastating influence of time, and those who once worshipped there are scarcely remembered by the present generation.

THE NEW FREEDOM CHURCH. - Some time after 1810 the citizens of this locality united in building a house for public meetings, in which various denominations held services, those of the Methodists predominating. After the organization of societies at Sicklerville and Tansboro’ by the Methodist Episcopal branch, the Methodist Protestants established regular services at this place. Their first meetings were held in the old church, but in 1867 a new church was built in the same locality, which has since been occupied. The lot on which the house stands was donated by Daniel Thackara, and the building committee was composed of Isaac S. Peacock,, Joseph Buzby, Samuel Bittle, Rev. J.K. Freed and Ezra Lake. It is a plain frame structure, thirty by forty-eight feet, and cost twenty-three hundred dollars. On the 14th of May, 1868, the church became an incorporated body, with the following trustees: Jacob K. Freed, Samuel B. Bittle, Isaiah E. Gibson, Joseph Watson and James H. Howard. The membership of the church is small, not exceeding twenty in May, 1886. The congregation had occasional services in connection with the church at Cedar Brook. The latter building was put up in 1885, chiefly by John R. Duble, Samuel Peacock, Ed. McCullough and Wesley Bates, for the use of religious societies in that locality. The Methodists worshipping here are few in numbers, almost all the members being females. The many changes of residence of the members of the foregoing churches have made it impossible or difficult to maintain the organization, and, in consequence, the records kept by them are very fragmentary and their history not connected. It is a matter worthy of note, though, that after the decease or removal of the elder Friends most of the younger element connected itself with other Protestant Churches instead of adhering to the faith of their fathers, and as they exercised the greatest freedom of choice, this may account for the number of denominational efforts in this part of the county, more societies being organized than it was possible to maintain in a country just passing through its transition stages. In the grave-yard connected with the New Freedom Church are interred, among others, the following:

TANSBORO’ METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. - After holding their meetings in the old New Freedom Church a number of years, the Methodist congregation erected a new church at Tansboro’ in 1857. The house is a plain frame, having a seating capacity for a few hundred worshippers, and was built on a lot donated by John Carroll. Those active in it were Samuel Butler, Henry Brown, Matthias Simmerman, James Dill and Michael Earling, serving as a committee for the congregation. The church has sustained various circuit relations, being associated with Sicklerville and at present with Atco, having no regular minister. When connected with the former, among the preachers were the Revs. Johnson, Moore, Stockton, Morgan, Shimp, Tunneycliff Reeves, Engard and Murrell. The membership has been fluctuating, owing to the changes at the, glass-works, but, in May, 1886, the number belonging was sixty, and the trustees were W.T. Sickler, Henry Besser, Jacob Besser, Michael Burdsall, Abraham Burdsall and George Robinson. The latter is also superintendent of a flourishing Sunday-school.

THE SICKLERVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. - The first Methodist meetings in this locality were held at private houses and in the schoolhouse, most of the preaching being done by John Sickler, a local preacher; and the members were his sons, Christopher, John and William, with their families, and Joseph Jones. About 1837 William Sickler set aside an acre of land for church purposes, and soon after the neighbors united in building a small frame house thereon. Here schools were kept during the week and religious meetings on the Sabbath, the attendants coming many miles. Some time after, Sickler donated an additional acre of land on which to establish a cemetery, deeding the whole, in trust, to John Sickler, John Barton, Christopher Sickler and Thomas Lashley. The old building was used until 1859, when the present church was erected in its stead. It is a neat frame structure, thirty-five by forty-five feet, which has been made attractive by recent improvements. In 1886 the property was in charge of trustees William Andrew, William Shreve, S.W. Sickler, and Paul H. Sickler. The latter has been a local preacher the past twenty years. The membership of the church is small, the entire number not exceeding twenty-five, and the pastoral service is in connection with churches in Gloucester County, but for many years it was joined to Tansboro’ in forming a charge. A Sunday-school of sixty members has Sears W. Sickler as its superintendent. It was organized soon after the class was formed by Paul H. and John J. Sickler.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT WINSLOW. - In 1840 Wm. Coffin and A.K. Hay deeded a lot of land in the village of Winslow to the Methodist Episcopal Society, who erected a small frame meeting-house thereon the same year, but before this time an organization had been effected, the first religious services being held in the school-house, on an adjoining lot. The original church building has been repaired and was enlarged by the addition of a pulpit recess. In 1886 its trustees are C.P. Westcott, H.M. Jewett, William D. Haines, William Brayman and George H. Long. Being, for a number of years, the only church in the village, the membership was correspondingly large, and for the past twenty years Winslow has sustained the relation of being a separate charge, the appointment at Elm being added the present year. Under this arrangement the Rev. Thomas Wilson was the first pastor, the Rev. Samuel S. Belleville being the present. The church has a membership of sixty-five, including probationary members, and maintains a Sunday-school which has eighty members. The proprietors of Winslow not only encouraged the building of the church, but they also set aside a fine building, which is nominally the parsonage, and contribute freely to the support of the religious work. This liberal policy has had a wholesome effect upon the morals of the community.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT ELM is a new edifice, having been erected in 1884, mainly by the efforts of the Rev. Alexander Gilmore, of the United States army, a resident of this place, assisted by J. Christie, H.L. Ferris, Charles E. Albright and others. It is a small but neat frame building, and well accommodates the congregation which occupies it. There are about thirty members, having the same ministerial service as the church at Winslow.

In the latter village a small Catholic chapel was fitted up, in 1884, by Mrs. A.D. Squires, for the accommodation of those entertaining that faith, numbering about twenty communicants. Monthly services are held by a visiting priest, the Rev. Father Von Riel, of Egg Harbor City. The chapel has neat surroundings. In connection with the Methodist Church at Winslow is a public cemetery, in which are interred most of the deceased who formerly lived in this part of the township.

THE GREENWOOD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION, of Blue Anchor, was incorporated January 12, 1885, with Trustees Henry Poland, William Maxwell. William Hagan, Joseph Wilson, Timothy Thompson and John I. Brick, to control a small cemetery which was opened near the Blue Anchor tavern. The association is non-sectarian.

ANDREW K. HAY was of German extraction, his ancestors in the maternal line being among the Hollanders who settled on the shores of the Delaware River before the English emigrants arrived. He was born in Massachusetts, and after receiving what education could be obtained at that time, was employed in the manufacture of window-glass, then but a limited industry in the United States. In 1829, and when quite a young man, he came to New Jersey and was engaged at the Waterford Works, then owned by Porter, Shreve & Co. He soon removed to Hammonton, then owned by William Coffin, and, in 1832, married Ann, a daughter of the proprietor. William Coffin withdrew, and the works were managed by his son, Bodine Coffin, and his son-in-law, A.K. Hay.

Three years after the death of T. Jefferson Perce (1838), who, with William Coffin, Jr., were operating the window-glass works until 1835, Andrew K. Hay purchased an interest, and, with William Coffin, Jr., continued the business until 1847, with the addition of Tristram Bowdle as another partner. In the last-named year Edward W. Coffin became the owner of William Coffin, Jr.’s share, and continued until 1851. In that year Andrew K. Hay, with his nephew, John B. Hay, acquired the entire interest, and the firm of Hay & Co. was in existence until the death of A.K. Hay, in 1881.

The firm kept pace with every improvement in the manufacture of glass, and enlarged the business by the addition of steam mills for grain and timber. The idea that the land in the pine barrens could not be made available for farming purposes was exploded at Winslow, where some five hundred acres were under cultivation, supplying all the hay, grain, corn, potatoes and other needs of the people about the factory in that direction.

Bottle furnaces were introduced, which increased in number with the demand for that kind of ware, and employing many other men and boys about the establishment. In 1849 he was elected a member of Congress, serving one term, but refused a second election, as his extensive business at home required his personal attention. He was offered other political promotions, but always declined for the reasons before stated.

The first suggestions as to the building of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad met his approval, and the project had no more faithful supporter from the beginning to the completion. The advantage it would be to his own landed estate was worth some risk, which he met as the work progressed.

Andrew K. Hay was truly a self-made man. Being familiar with every detail of his business, he was never dependent on others in matters of judgment or experience. His success in life may be traced to these material points, and illustrate the benefits thus to be derived. He was popular among those he employed, and had the confidence of all who knew him. He died February 7, 1881.

SOURCE: Page(s) 694-703, History of Camden County, New Jersey, by George R. Prowell, L.J. Richards & Co. 1886
Published 2010 by the Camden County Genealogy Project

The Township of Winslow