Class hit . Book, rz.&]££_ PRESENTED HY ^ PROCEEDINGS, CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS, LIST OF MEMBERS, &c. OF THE | SURVEYORS' ASSOCIATION OF West New Jersey. fL PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE SOCIETY. & CAMDEN, N. J. : S. CHEW, STEAM-POWER PRINTER, 13 MARKET STREET. 1870. PROCEEDINGS, CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS, &Z4 &£ LIST OF MEMBERS, &c. OF THE SURVEYORS' ASSOCIATION OF West New Jersey. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE SOCIETY. CAMDEN, N. J. : 8. CHEW, STEAM-POWER PRINTER, 13 MARKET STREET 1870. BATES O F SURVEYING AND CONVEYANCING. For Surveying (per day) For Mapping and Calculations, (per day; For Selling Real Estate, For Selling Personal Property, wood lots, &c, without guarantee, . All incidental expenses extra. For Drawing a common Deed, For " " Mortgage, . For " " Bond, . For taking an Acknowledgment, \Hli3t' 10 . $5 00 5 00 1 per cent. 3 per cent. $1 50 1 50 50 % 50 LIST OF MEMBERS. William Parry, Clayton Lippincott, Franklin W. Earl, James Lippincott, William Collins, Emmor Roberts, William Dyer, Henry J. Irick, William R. Braddock, Samuel S. Downs, Samuel Chambers, Joshua Earl, Howard White, Barclay White, George Sykes, Isaac Jennings, Maja B. Mathias, W. H. B. Thomas, I. Simpson Africa, Josiah F. Peacock, George E. Gaskill, George H. Harker, Freedom C. Lippincott, James Wills, John Gardiner, Jacob L. Rowand, Ezra Stokes, Samuel P. Chew, John F. Bodine, Cinnaminson, Moorestown, Pemberton, Mount Holly, Moorestown, Fellowship, Medford, Vincentown, Medford, Tuckerton, Mount Holly, Pemberton, Juliastown, Juliastown, Sykes ville, Tuckerton, New Gretna, Mount Holly, Atsion, Medford,. Mount Holly, Wrightstown, Marlton, Marl ton, Mount Laurel, Haddonfield, Berlin, Chew's Landing, Williamstown, Burlington County. Camden County. LIST OF MEMBERS— Continued. John Clement, Daniel L. Pino, Jacob ]f. Yocum, John C. Smallwood, William Haines, Naaman W. Haines, Benjamin F. MeCollister, Job S. Haines, William Arratt, Ambrose Whitaker, George R. Morrisson, William M. Cawley, Robert M. Hitch nor, William House, Belford M. Bonham, Belford E. Davis, John II. Doughty, Simeon Cook, George W. Hancock, Haddonfield, Camden, Camden, Woodbury, ( larksboro, Swedesboro, Swedesboro, Clarksboro, Glassboro, Upper Pittsgrove, Salem, Woodstown, Elmer, Salem, Roadstown, Shiloh, Absecon, Blairstown, Camden County. Gloucester County. Salem County. Cumberland County. Atlantic County. Warren County. 35th street and Lancaster Ave., Phila. PRELIMINARY. By invitation extended to a few Practical Surveyors of the Counties of Burlington and Camden, a meeting was held at Mount Holly, N. J., on Tuesday the 15th of December, 1863, at which time William R. Braddock, William Parry, Franklin W. Earl, James Lippincott, William Dyer and Henry J. Irick of Burlington County, and John Clement, of Camden County, were present. It being suggested that a society of Practical Surveyors be es- tablished, William Parry was appointed Chairman, and H^nry J. Irick, Secretary. - After an interchange of opinions, it was Resolved, — That this meeting adjourn to meet at English's Hotel, in Camden City, on Saturday the 2d day of January, A. D. 1861, at 10 o'clock, A. M., and that Franklin W. Earl, James Lippincott and John Clement, be a committee to report a Constitution and By-Laws for such Society, to be submitted to said adjourned meeting. Resolved, That an invitation be forwarded to the several Practical Surveyors of AVest New Jersey, to attend the same. The following paper was received and read from Amos Bullock : Mount Holly, January 1st, 1864. I have received a notice of a meeting of the Surveyors of West Jersey, held at Mount Holly, December loth, 1863, containing an invitation to attend another meeting to be held at English's Hotel, Camden, on the Second of January. Did my health permit, and my hearing enable me to understandingly take part in such discus- sions as may be had upon the subjects proposed to be considered, I should certainly meet with you ; but as there is no prospect of such being the case, I feel enough interested to endeavor to aid as far as I am able, and to give you in writing, some of the views on this subject that have claimed my attention for the last forty years. Some fifteen or twenty years since, I attempted to engage the attention of the Practical Surveyors in the manner now proposed, but failed to find them at that time prepared to act, and no advan- tage arose from the attempt. I suppose that one of the subjects that will claim your considera- tion is, that .Surveyors may receive for their labor a fair compensa- tion, which any customary price that I have known does not give them. Your united action on this may greatly aid their being more suitably recompensed. The difficulties experienced in the practical branch of the subject, in tracing old lines, and in which not only the Surveyors, but the community at large are deeply interested, will, 1 doubt not, claim and receive your serious consideration, to see whether there cannot be devised some method by which this difficulty shall be much abated, if not in the progress of time wholly removed. I suppose it will be admitted by all Surveyors, that much the larger portion of these difficulties arises from the angles of the survey, referring to the magnelical meridian, which is constantly changing its place, and not in a constant ratio, rendering it difficult, if not in many cases impossible, to know what variation of the needle should be allowed. In my intercourse with a number of eminent mathematicians of our country, I have discussed this subject, have found them uniformly of one mind, that surveyors should return the angle of a true meridian line, instead of the magnetical one, which would give a constant angle instead of a variable one. This, to make it effective, I am aware, would require the action of the Legislature, and much care and deliberation be necessary in the framing a law that should carry the subject out in such a way that the community at large would be benefitted by it. I believe with proper care, it may in time be accomplished, and hope you will take such action as shall give this part of the subject full and carefiul consideration. Yours, &c, AMOS BULLOCK, M. 1). P. S. The law passed by our last Legislature, relative to meri- dian lines, in my view, can afford no relief even if carried out. Much more will be necessary to make it advantageous to the com- munity, or afford relief to the Surveyor. A. B. January 2d, 1864. Pursuant to a general invitation to the Practical Surveyors of West New Jersey, to meet at the time and place in said notice specified, William B. Braddock, Franklin W. Earl, William Parry, James Lippincott, Samuel S. Downs, William Dyer and Clayton Lippin- cott, of Burlington County, Jacob L. Bowand, John J. Sickler, Ezra Stokes and John Clement, of Camden County, John H. Doughty, of Atlantic County, George B. Morrison and Ambrose Whftaker, of Salem County, Belford M. Bonham and Belford E. Davis, of Cumberland County, met at the West Jersey Hotel, Camden City, N. J. The meeting was organized by the selection of William Parry, as Chairman, and John Clement, Secretary. The committee appointed at the previous meeting, reported a Constitution and By-Laws, which after some amendments and additions, were adopted, and a Society established with the title of " The Association op Practical Surveyors of AVest New Jersey." V I{ B A l\\\ h E Viewing the surveying, laying out and dividing of land, the settlement of boundaries and monuments, and the conveying, transferring and assigning of real estate in a proper and legal manner, as giving stability and value to property, in the doing of which Practical Surveyors largely participate ; and, believing that a means of discussion and interchange of opinions among this class of men would lead to good results ; we, the undersigned, do hereby form and establish a society, to be called "The Association of Practical Surveyors of West New Jersey." That the objects and purposes of this Association are to discuss all matters pertaining to practical surveying and conveyancing; to exchange and compare sentiments and opinions that may advance and develope the science, and adopt such measures, rules and regula- tions as will secure these advantages to the Association. CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE I. The officers of this Association shall consist of a President, three- Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected by ballot, at the annual meeting on the first Tuesday in January in each year, and hold their respective offices until others are elected. ARTICLE II. Any Practical Surveyor in the District of West New Jersey shall be eligible as a member of this Association, upon being elected by a majority of the members present at any stated meeting of said Association, at the time of such election. ARTICLE III. Five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. ARTICLE IV. The Constitution and By-Laws may be altered or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting, notice in writing of the said proposed alteration or amendment, having been given at any previous meeting. BY-LAWS ARTICLE I. The President shall have a general superintendence of all the affairs of the Association, preside at its meetings, and appoint all committees, unless otherwise directed. ARTICLE II. The Secretary shall keep correct minutes of all proceedings at the business meetings, and report the same at the next stated meeting, and give notice to members of the meetings of the Association. ARTICLE III. The Treasurer shall receive, keep, and account for all moneys that may come into his hands, and report at every stated meeting of the Association of his accounts, and the receipts and disbursements of the same. ARTICLE IV. Every person on becoming a member of this Association, shall pay one dollar to the Treasurer, and shall pay such sums of money thereafter as may be assessed upon him, for the expenses of said Association. ARTICLE V. The order of business shall be as follows : 1. Reading of minutes of previous meeting. 2. Roll call and collection of dues. 3. Nomination and election of new members. 4. Reports of Officers and Committees. 5. Unfinished business of former meetings. 6. New business. 1. Elections. ARTICLE VI. All papers read before the Association shall be preserved and re- corded by the Secretary in a book to be procured for that purpose, and all Rules and Regulations adopted by the same shall be recorded and filed. 12 ARTICLE VII. That discussions before the Association shall consist in matters pertaining to the best means of securing accurate measurement to land; the use of instruments; their objections and advantages; length of chain ; its construction and application ; the variation of the needle, diurnal and annual: local attraction, how avoided and over- come ; the preservation of Surveyors' marks on line trees ; their age, and proper manner of counting the age of said marks ; and all other things touching the business of a Practical Surveyor. ARTICLE VIII. That each Surveyor be requested to report his "mark" to the Association, and that the same be recorded; and that the marks of ancient Surveyors be procured and recorded. ARTICLE IX. There shall be a Standing Committee of four, elected at the first annual meeting, two of whom shall hold office for one year, the others for two years, (so that two new members shall be elected every year,) who, together with the President, shall examine the qualifications of members who apply for a certificate, and if found capable, issue a certificate in the name of the Association, signed by the President and Secretary to them. ARTICLE X. The first annual meeting of the Association shall be held on the first Tuesday of January, Anno Domini, eighteen hundred and six- ty-five, (I860,) and of each year thereafter on said day, at Camden City, Camden County, New Jersey, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of said day. In elections, a majority of the members voting shall be necessary to a choice. ARTICLE XL The Association will hold its stated meetingson thesecond Tuesday of August in each year, at such place as the Association may direct at the annual meeting next preceding such stated meeting, and the President shall have authority to call special meetings whenever so requested in writing by three members of the Association. Proceedings of the Society. " The Association of Practical Surveyors of West New Jersey." — Upon an election held for officers, the following persons were selected : William Parry, President; Clay ton Lippincott, Treasurer; John Clement, Secretary ; George R. Morrison, William R. Brad- dock, Jacob L. Rowand, Vice Presidents; Clayton Lippincott, Jacob L. Rowand, [one year,] John H. Doughty, John C. Small- wood, [two years,] Standing Committee. On motion, Franklin W. Earl, Ezra Stokes, and James Lippin- cott, were appointed a committee to fix upon the price of surveying and conveyancing. On motion, adjourned to meet at the same place, on Monday, the 18th inst., at 10 A. M. Adjourned. JOHN CLEMENT, Secretary. January I8th, 1804. The society met pursuant to adjournment ; Hon. William Parry, President, in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The committee to fix compensation for surveying and convey- ancing, reported as follows : Surveying, (per day,) $ 5.00 Mapping, (per day,) 5.00 For selling real estate, one per cent For selling personal property, 1 wood lots, &c, without guarantee. > 3 per cent. All incidental expenses extra. J Deed, (ordinary size,) $ 1.50 Mortgage, " " 1.50 Bond, 50 Acknowledgment, 50 14 The society ordered the next stated meeting to be held at Camden City, on Tuesday, the 9th of August, at 10 A. M. Resolved, That the secretary have the constitution and by-laws printed in pamphlet form. Resolved, That the discussion before the next stated meeting, be " The variation of the Needle." The question of the " True Meridan" being canvassed, it was Resolved, That "William Parry, Esq., be a committee to examine the law now before the legislature of New Jersey, to establish the same, and if by him deemed expedient, to call a special meeting of this association to obtain the opinion of the same thereon. Surveyors' Marks The following named gentlemen, reported their " marks." William Parry, a blaze with one hack above and two hacks below the same. Clayton Lippincott, a blaze with two hacks above and one hack below the same. Franklin W. Earl, a blaze with two hacks above and three below the same. James Lippincott, a blaze with three hacks below the same. William Collins, a blaze with two hacks below the same. Emmor Roberts, a blaze with one hack above and one hack below the same. William Dyer, a blaze with one hack above and two hacks below the same. John Clement, a blaze with two hacks above and three below the same. John J. Sickler, a blaze with one hack above and two hacks below the same. Ezra Stokes, a blaze with one hack above and one hack below the same, and one hack in the blaze. Bel ford M. Bonham, a blaze with three hacks below the same. Belford E. Davis, a blaze with three hacks below the same. Ambrose Whitecar, a blaze with three hacks below the same. John C. Smallwood, a blaze with one hack above and two hacks below the same. William Haines, a blaze with two hacks above and one hack be- low the same. William M. Cawley, a blaze with one hack above and two below the same. Henry J. Irick, a blaze with three hacks below and two hacks in the same. Samuel P. Chew, a blaze with one hack above and one hack below the same. 16 Jacob L. Rowand, a blaze with one hack above and two hacks below the same. Joshua Earl, a blaze with one hack below the same. Naaman Haines, a blaze with one hack above the same. David B. Somers, a blaze with three hacks below the same. John C. Abbott, a blaze with three hacks below the same. Samuel Wills, a blaze with three hacks below the same. James Wills, a blaze with one hack in the same. John Gardiner, a blaze with two hacks in the same. Freedom C. Lippincott, a blaze with two hacks above the same. Simeon Cook, a blaze with two hacks above and one below the same. Maja B. Mathias, a blaze with one hack above and one hack below the same. Robert B. Hitchner, a blaze with one hack above and two hacks below the same. Georgo \Y. Hancock, two blazes with a hack above and below each. Barclay White, a blaze with one hack above, one hack in, and one hack below 7 the same. Howard AVhite, a blaze with one hack in and two hacks below the same. George E. Gaskill, a blaze with one hack below the same. Josiah E. Peacock, a blaze with one hack above and three hacks below the same. William Arratt, a blaze with three hacks below the same. William House, a blaze with three hacks below the same. George H. Harker, a blaze with one hack above, two hacks in, and two hacks below the same. Daniel L. Pine, a blaze. Job S. Haines, a blaze with four hacks below the same. George Sykes, a blaze with one hack above, one in, and two hacks below the same. Edward Brinley, a blaze with two hacks above and one hack below the same. Samuel J. Osborn, a blaze with two hacks above and one hack below the same. David J. C. Rogers, a blaze with two hacks above and one hack below the same. 17 Marks of Practical Surveyors NOW DECEASED. William Sharp, a blaze with one hack above and one below the same. John Clement, a blaze with two hacks above and three hacks below the same. Charles H. French, a blaze with one hack above and one below the same. Joshua S. Earl, a blaze with two hacks above and three hacks below the same. George Mickle, a blaze with two hacks above and two hacks be- low the same. William Irick, (the elder), a blaze with three hacks below the same. Job Irick, a blaze with three hacks below the same. Samuel Cawley, a blaze with two hacks above and three hacks below the same. William White, a blaze with four hacks below the same. ' Samuel White, a blaze with two hacks above aud three hacks below the same. Joseph Risley, a blaze with three hacks above and three hacks below the same. Isaac Hinchman, a blaze with two hacks above and two hacks below the same. Gervas Pharo, a blaze with three hacks below the same. John S. Smith, a blaze with one hack above, one in, and two hacks below the same. Samuel Emley,a blaze with one hack above and two hacks below the same. Thomas De Bow, a blaze with one hack above and two hacks below the same. James P. Disbrow, a blaze with two hacks above and two hacks below the same. Francis W. Brinley, (Surveyor General of East Jersey), a blaze with two hacks above and one below the same. Daniel Wills, a blaze with two hacks above and two hacks below the same. 2* 18 Richard Somers, a blaze with one hack above and one hack below the same. Barker Cole, a blaze with one hack above and two hacks below the same. John Steel man, a blaze with three hacks below the same. Daniel Baker, a blaze with three hacks below the same. Matthew Collins, a blaze with three hacks below the same. Thomas Thackara, a blaze with two hacks above and two hacks below the same. Benjamin C. Downs, a blaze with two hacks below the same. 19 August 9th, 1864. The Society met pursuant to adjournment, William Parry, Esq. r in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. John C. Smallwood and William Haines, of Gloucester County, and John W. Downs, of Camden County, were elected members. Mr. Parry, reported upon the duties imposed upon him, concern- ing the " Meridian Line," the law of 1863 being so amended as to be practical and beneficial to surveyors. Meridian Lines, At the last session of the Legislature an act was passed requiring the proper authorities of each county to erect a pillar or monument, on which should be marked the true meridian line, and prescribing penalties to be inflicted upon any person who should mutilate such monument. A defect in this law was that no penalties were inflicted upon surveyors and others who disregarded it ; as a natural conse- quence, the law has been nearly a dead letter. This has caused much complaint, and there has been quite a general demand for an amendment to make the law more effective. Yesterday, (Tuesday) Mr. English, (who prepared the bill of last year) introduced a bill supplementary to the law of last year, and intended to remedy its defects, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The first section of the bill provides that another pillar shall be erected in each county— one hundred feet distant from the pillar heretofore authorized— on which shall be placed a distinctly visible needle point ; the pillar to be protected by the same restric- tions and penalties as in the former law. The second section provides for the means of ascertaining the true meridian line, by the erection of a fair sight on the pillar first authorized, in such a manner that a straight line passing through the centre thereof, shall strike the centre of the needle point. Section three enacts that the Chosen Freeholders of each county shall provide and keep a standard measure of one rod in length by which Surveyors may test their chains. The fourth section requires the Freeholders to have the latitude and longitude (reckoning from Washington) of the pillar ascertained and marked on the pillar. The fifth section requires each Surveyor to return with his certifi- cate of any survey, a true statement of the variation from the true meridian of his compass at the time of making such survey, and to 20 deposit a opy of the same with the County Clerk, under a penalty ©f $50. The sixth section fixes the fees of the Clerks of Counties. The bill strikes us as a good one and necessary, and we hope that it will be passed, Great trouble is caused at every term of the Court, by reason of the variation in surveys. The bill is calculated to prevent this in the future. Mr. Parry submitted a paper, showing the variation of the needle, in his own practice covering a space of some twenty years. Variation of Needle. Line for Jos. Harris, 3d mo. 3d, 1843, bearing N. 34° 45' W. 4th mo. 21st, 1864, N. 33° 30 / W. 21 years' variation, 1° 15' Average 31 minutes per year. Surveyed both times by William Parry. Line run for Charles Jessup by John Evans, Surveyor, 12th mo. 4th, 1835, N. 30° 05' E. 3d mo. 28th, 1864, N. 37° 45' E. 29 years' variation, 1° 40' Average 31 minutes per year. Surveyed last time by William Parry. Mr. Parry, presented Professor Cook's report to the Freeholders of Middlesex County, N. J., upon true Meridian Lines, which was read and ordered to be printed. REPORT OF PROFESSOR COOK UPON TRUE MERIDIAN LINES. To Ellas Boss, Esq., Director of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey : Sir— In accordance with the resolution of the Board of Freehold- ers, passed May 12, 1863, 1 have established a True Meridian Line at the County Seat in New Brunswick. The law of the State required the erection "of a good and substantial pillar* upon whose summit there shall be firmly and immovably fixed a brass plate, in which shall be indented a line, indicating the true meridian, and to enclose and protect the same properly." This was carried out as follows: A granite post six feet long and one foot square, was set three feet in the ground and firmly fastened by means of stone-cutters' chips and hydraulic cement ; the upper part was cut so as to taper from one foot at the surface of the ground to seven inches at the top, where the stone was so cut away as to allow a circular brass plate seven inches in diameter with a descend- 21 ing flange of one and a half inches, to fit accurately upon it. The above mentioned brass plate was then fastened permanently upon the post by means of brass screws which were driven into holes drilled in the stone. The True Meridian was indented upon this plate. In order to make practical work of testing compasses by the line as simple as possible, a second granite post precisely like the first, and capped in a similar manner with a brass plate, was set upon the same meridian at a distance of 106 feet from the first post, care- fully adjusted in its place, and then fastened. To bring the compasses to be tested accurately upon the line, the centres of the two brass plates are fitted alike to receive screws ; the head of a compass staff without the ball is screwed into one of the plates ; and a slitted sighting piece into the other. The ball of the compass which is to be tested is fastened in the above mentioned staff-head, and the compass itself being placed en the ball, is accurately upon the line. The instrument is then turned so as to bring the other post and sighting piece exactly in range. The reading of the compass then is the right variatic a. To verify the correctness of the observation, the staff-head and sighting piece are made to change places, and a reverse bearing is taken. When not in use the staff-head and sighting piece are unscrewed, put in a case and deposited in the County Clerk's Office. The openings in the plates are closed by screws driven in by means of a key. The substantial post and plain brass plates are such as to he scarcely liable to injury if left entirely unprotected, but to save them from scratches or other injuries they have wooden covers over them. The line between these posts was, when the posts were set, true to within one minute of a degree; and as the movement of one of the posts an inch would involve an error of only three minutes, it is not apprehended that any unnoticed change affecting the usefulness of the line will be produced by frost or other ager The variation of the needle at 3 o'clock, P. M., on the 28th of September, 1S03, was G (}eg. 12 min. West, On the 10th (if October, 1S04, at 3} o'clock, P. M., the variation was G d g. 12 min. On the 8th of February, 18G4, the variation at 9 o'clock, '. , was 6 deg. 3 min. W., at 11 A. M., it was 6 cleg. 15 min. W., and at 4 o'clock, P. M., it was 6 dcg. 5 min., W. From all th, mean variation at the beginning of 1864 may be put down at 6 deg. 10 min. At other places within the State the variation may be a few minutes more or less than this. The officers of the U. S. Coast Survey have published tables of the variation of the needle at various places in the United States from the earliest known records down to 1860. Those for New York and Philadelphia, which are the nearest to our location, are as follows: 22 Variation in degrees and decimals of degrees. Date. N. York. Phila. Date. N. York. Phila. 1680 8.8 1780 4.4 2.8 1690 8.7 1790 4.2 2.2 1700 8.5 8.8 1800 4.2 2.0 1710 8. 8.4 1810 4.3 1.9 1720 7.6 7.9 1820 4.7 2.2 1730 7.0 7.1 1830 5.16 2.70 1740 6.4 6.3 1840 5.73 3.41 1750 5.8 5.3 1850 6.37 4.25 1760 5.2 4.4 1860 7.01 5.19 1770 4.7 3.5 The variation has been to the West ever since the settlement of this country. It was diminishing, however, at New York until 1795, when it was 4 deg. 1 min., and at Philadelphia until 1805, when it was 1 deg. 9 min. Since those dates it has been increasing, the annual change being as follows : 1840. 1850. 1860. New York, 3° 7 / 3° 9' 3° 8' Philada., 4° T 5° 3' 5° 4' If these facts were generally understood it would seem an easy matter for surveyors to make such comparisons, and records as would accurately define the boundaries of surveyed lands. But another and probably greater difficulty arises from mechanical defects in Surveyors' Compasses. While the same compass, if in good order, will in repeated trials indicate the same bearing within two or three minutes, it is found that different compasses will not give the same bearing even when new. A gentleman largely engaged in the manufacture and repair of surveying instruments, has at my request made some trials and sent me the results. From three new compasses of the best construction, he obtained the following : 1st trial. 2d trial. No. 1, 15° 8 V 15° 8' •' 2, 15° 12 / 15° 14 / " 3, 15° 15' 15° 16 / Bearings taken with compasses that have been in use, differ still more widely. It is not uncommon to find differences of a degree or more. Jn mariners' compasses I am told that differences of from an eighth to a quarter of a point (1 deg. 24 min.— 2 deg. 49 min.) are not unusual. For both the variation of tl.e needle and the mechanical defects of the compass the "True Meridian" furnishes a proper correction. To render the law relating to the True Meridian effectual, some 23 further legislation is needed. It should be obligatory upon every Surveyor to annually test the compass he uses upon the county "true meridian," and to record with the minutes of his survey, in the deed or other writing, dates of the survey and of the variation of his compass. As the County Clerk has charge of the posts and apparatus for the lines, with authority to have the variation deter- mined from time to time, it would be useful to have the same officer keep a register of the compasses tested, with their variations. From the number of persons, including instrument makers, sur- veyors, navigators, and land owners, whom I have conversed with upon this subject, I have received but one opinion, and that was in favor of having the true meridian determined, and the use of it made obligatory. Respectfully yours, George IT. Cook. New Brunswick, N. J., Feb. 8th, 1864. The question selected for discussion, being in order, Mr. Bonham read an interesting and well digested paper, upon the subject of the variation of the needle, condensing the experience and observation of several scientific men, and practical surveyors, as well as his own observations in the use of the compass. It has been found by actual observation, that the magnetic and the geographical meridian do not generally coincide ; the difference between the directions of the two being called the variation of the compass. If this variation were a constant quantity, it would be of no practical importance to the Surveyor. A line run by the com- pass at one time could be retraced on the same bearing at any other. The variation is, however, subject to continued changes, — some of them having a period of many years, perhaps several centuries, others being annual and diurnal, and some accidental or temporary. From the time of the earliest observations made in this country on the position of the magnetic needle till about the commencement of the present century, the north point was gradually moving to the east. Since then the direction of its motion has been reversed, and this motion constitutes what is called the secular change. I have examined various authors, both ancient and modern, who have written on the variation of the compass, and have not been able to discover or find when or at what time, any change ever took place, except the one spoken of before, about the beginning of the present century. Surveyors differ in their opinions about the time and year that this change took place. Some are of the opinion that it was in the year 1800. Others that it was in or about the year 1804, but my own opinion about the matter, is that it was about the year 1796 ; and my reasons for thinking so, are because I have a Bitten- 24 houso Compass, (they being the kind formerly used in my district), and T find that in tracing old lines, I have to allow more variation late than any other ; a circumstance that I cannot account for in any other way than by supposing that to be the time of the change. In 1813 an article appeared in a Philadelphia paper which reads thus : " At Philadelphia 1701," " variation 8° 30 / W. in 1793; " 1° SO' W. ; in 1794, the needle was observed to recede to i lie west; " in 1801. 2° W. ; in 1813, 2° 27 / W. and the west variation was then " increasing." See Flint's Surveying, page 90, &c. "In 1805, Mr. Flint, the author before referred to, commenced "observing the variation of the magnetic needle at Hebron, in "Connecticut; he continued his observations to June, 1885. The "same compass with the same needle, has been set at the same " place and to the same object ; during that period the north end "of tl die varied to the west 1° 20 / . The annual motion of "the needle, he says, has not been uniformly steady, in some "years it was more rapid than in others; and in one or two in. " stances, for a period of three or four years. None except the "diurnal motion could be discerned." These observations of Mr. Flint accord wonderfully with my own. I have in my practice known some years that the variation appeared to be as much as 5 or 6 minutes for years, then at other times for some three or four years it has seemed to be stationary ; and in one or two instances that I now recollect, its motion has appeared to be retrograde. It has been found by actual observation that there are disturbances of the magnetic needle, outside of its common variations, as for instance the Aurora Borealis or Northern Light. The following is a copy of a set of observations taken at Philadel- phia, on Tuesday evening, November 14th, 1837, by AVilliam J. Young, Mathematical Instrument Maker, with a 14 inch needle, during an active Aurora. II. M. 6 00 The needle standing, 5' F. of North. 15 " " " 35' F. of N. 6 30 " " " 15' W. ofN. 45 « « « 40' W. of N. 7 00 " " " 85' W. of N. 7 15 " " " 35' W. of N. Making a variation of 1° 10' in one hour's time, the needle remaining untouched during the whole time of observation. It is also the opinion of some writers on the subject, that lightning will, when near, affect the position of the needle and change its direction, but I have never met with any thing of the kind in my practice. In one instance, now recollected, I went out to survey a tract of "Jo woodland in the lower or south end of Salem county. I went to a certain black oa!; tree to begin the survey, and stuck down the and set the compass on it, and then let the needle" down on centre pin, and to my surprise r could do nolhiug with it, the needle vibrating- to and fro, and up and down, but after a while it beanie quiet and settled down about .'30° from its proper position, ami remained for some two or three hours entirely unmnnagable, so (hat I could not take a single course with if. The morning was foggy and very still, until about 10 o'clock, the wind then sprang up from the N. W. and the weather cleared off and the sun shone. I then went back to the same tree and set the compass and went on round the survey, but the needle did not seem to be entirely free, until in the afternoon, and what was the real cause of this irregu- larity 1 have never been able 1o find out. I had been at the same point before, and have been since and found no such difficulty. The needle is also subject to a diurnal as well as an annual variation. The daily change of the variation amounts at some periods of the rear to as much as 15 minutes, and is said to be greater in sum inter, but experimenters seem to be undecided as to which month if i greatest or least. Canton andWargentin thought its m.i dmum to he in the month of July, but according to Beaufoy's ex peri me : is greatest in June and August, and in this gentle- man' lace great'dependenee from his known accu- r; . . well a-; f'om the time he continued to observe this phenomena, i have known the diurnal variation to be 5, 10 and 15 minutes, and in some instance-, none could be discovered from morning till evening. It is district, in tracing old line-, to allow one degree fov ev< ■■/ 20 yes rs, and at that rate for a longer or shorter , but this allowance is frequently from one-quarter to half a d( gn the way* being some times too much and at others too- ; ; bui that allowance seems at a mean rate io be as near the mark as can be ascertained at the present time. The variation of the needle has long been a subject of much port- ions have b< en made upon it in abundance, and man, ■ iued, but l hey are not reducible to system. The polarity of the needle and its variations and irrcgu- lariti ' hidden mystery, which is never to be • ' I out. by man. BELFORD M. BONHA PjJACTiCAL SUJIV.EYOP, Cumberland County, August 9th, I New Jersey. The was discussed among the members, and upon motion of William Haines, was continued to^he next meeting. 26 On motion of Mr. Bonham, the proceedings of each meeting of the association were ordered to he published in the newspapers of each county in West New Jersey. John Clement, Sec. Adjourned. January 3d, 1865. The society met, pursuant to adjournment. William Parry, Esq., in the chair. Ezra Stokes was appointed Secretary, pro (em. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Samuel P. Chew, of Camden County, James H. Trenchard, of Cumberland County, Watson Newbold and William H. B. Thomas, of Burlington County, were elected members. The statement made by the Treasurer was approved and ordered to be filed. The discussion of the variation of the magnetic needle was resumed, and Watson Newbold, read an interesting paper upon that subject. " Establishing title to Land," was the subject selected for discus- sion at the next meeting. James Lippincott, gave notice that he would offer a resolution at the next annual meeting, to change the time of holding the stated meetings. Ordered that the next stated meeting be held on the 2d Tuesday of August next, at the West Jersey Hotel. The officers elected for the ensuing year, were William Parry, President. George R. Morrison, ") Jacob L. Rowand, \ Vice Presidents. William R. Braddock. ) Clayton Lippincott, Treasurer. John Clement, Secretary. William Haines | gtanding Committee. Clayton Lippincott. j ° Adjourned. August 8th, 1865. The society met according to adjournment, the President, William Parry, in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. William M. Cawley, of Salem County, was elected a member of the association. The Treasurer's accounts were examined and approved. 27 A paper was submitted by Samuel P. Chew, upon " Establishing title to Land," which was read and ordered to be filed. Chew's Landing, August 8th, 1865. To the Association of Practical Surveyors of West New Jersey, — convened at English's Hotel, Camden. Gentlemen :— I regret my inability to meet with you to- day, as your deliberations will most probably be of an interesting character. At the last meeting an elderly gentleman, whose name I do not now recall, stated in some general terms to the Association that he thought some Legislation requisite to establish title in actions of trespass on lands ; and the matter I think, was postponed to the pressnt meeting. I had hoped to have been present at so important a discussion, to have heard the different views thereon in detail, but am forced to forego so intellectual a treat, having to meet and harrangue a legal tribunal in the defence of a friend to the same action. Consequently I must mingle in the dull and monotonous declamations of a couple of pettifoggers, whose legal vision, not ordinarily acute, will most likely be be-fogged by a dingy fee, instead of enjoying the sprightly and varied mental illuminations of a free and erudite periodical assemblage ; not however, I hope an extra legislative body, destined to out-rival the famous "third house." But to be serious— as a ju- nior member of the Association, prudence would assign to me a commendable taciturnity,. but a regard for the future status of the Association impels me to offer a suggestion. Common Law is a beautiful structure, and needs very little embellishment by legislative carvings and statutory mouldings. The adage that " burnt children dread fire " would be most ludicrously exemplified in the sufferers who should make for themselves case- mates of asbestos. And law as well as fire, has its inherencies which it would probably be advantageous to us to study. As an infant society, therefore, let us not draw hasty conclusions from rash prem- ises. There needs a digesting apparatus to prepare crude material. In a Logocracy some one must act in the capacity of a "Gizzard." I would therefore most respectfully suggest, the raising in our body, as soon as practicable, Standing Committees, according to Parliamentary custom. Until such consummation, let Special Com- mittees be appointed for special purposes. I would therefore offer the following (to be made to suit the case). Resolved, That be a Committee to inquire into the utility, want and expediency of any modifica- 28 tion, change or further Legislation in the Law, with the view to and whether any su< b or other- be requisite at this time, and if so, what— and thi t they report the same in writing- to the next staled meeting of this Association. Excuse haste and laconicism, and believe me the friend of the Association. Truly, Sami el P. ( Shew. To Hon. W. Parry, and others. John Clement read a paper upon the variation of the magnetic needle, which was ordered to be filed. Gentlemen oe the Society: — Dhere is p< rhaps no business that is so complex and surrounded with so many diffi( ulti< sasthatof practical surveying. The instru- ments made use of, defective at best, (lie ignorance orcai l< i oess of other surveyors to overcome, the indifference of assistants to con- tend with, the vague and doubtful character of papers, maps and descriptions—the practical surveyor has the least chance of a repu- tation for honesty or capacity of any other person employed in active business life. He stands the abused of all abusers. Is the pack-horse of other men's sins, and in his own practice must answer for ail theshortcom- ings of chain bearers ; local attraction ; badly opened lines, and the thousand ami one contingent difficulties that surround him in his calling. \ii one can appreciate and understand these trials except such as may have passed through the probationary state to this pro- i few of these difficulties, and to suggest their avoidance, is the object at this time, and if any one of these shall be removed, the purpose will be accomplished. In tine early history of our State, and in the laying out of the land, for location and settlement, the mariner's compass, adjusted on. a . was the only instrument to be obtained. In those days the instrument itself was but rudely made, being only cut to points and ■ om the General Proprietors, and in the manner peculiar to the system adopted by themselves in the beginning; and as the priority of date in the original locations or surveys becomes a material element in the perfection and certainty of that title, the manner of computing time from the grant of the Duke of York, to near i he ( lo^e of I i'.e eighteenth century, is the question now proposed to be discii' cu. This not unfrequently involves the actual title to lnnd when * lie- survey under which it is held is found to interfere with oilier and adjoining surveys. The variation of the magnetic needle must be based upon this fact; the age of marks found upon corner and line trees accounted for with more certainty, and all other evident ethat the lapse of time may mystify, arrived at with more certainty when we understand clearly the manner in which those who have jjcone before us computed time and dated all legal writs and i>uper». One or all these troubles, every practical surveyor has encoun- tered, and upon occasions when they seemed beyond solution. For several centuries the compulation of time and proper adjust- ment of the calendar, was a mooted question among astronomers and scientific men. Before the commencement of the Christian era, it was discovered that the solar year was some ten days longer than the lunar year, which difference led to constant trouble in the measurement of time and the uniform division of the calendar, and which in about thiriy- four years changed the names of the months designed to represent the particular seasons of that part of the year which was their antipodes. The first attempt to overcome this difficulty was made by Julius Caesar, as Emperor of Rome, about forty-five years before the birth of Christ. This was called the " Julian style "and prevailed among Chris- tian nations, until about the year 1582, during which peiiod the little discrepancy of eleven minutes in each year had amounted to 33 some ten clays, and had so disarranged the times of the feasts peculiar to the Koman Catholic Church, that some new arrange- ment became necessary. TTnder the authority of Pope Gregory XIII, ten days were deduct- ed from the year 1582, and the system of leap year introduced, which regulation was adopted at once in all Catholic countries. The Protestant communities however refused to accept this plan, until the year 1700, and it was not until 1752 that an act was passed by the Parliament of Great Britain, requiring all legal writs to conform to the style as laid down and adopted by the Pope nearly two centuries before. It can be well understood how much confusion and uncertainty would exist during this period, touching the dates of all legal papers in England, and how the same uncertainty would attach to the dates of legal papers in the Colonies, and especially in New Jersey, where the English calendar was the only one in use among the first settlers. The practical effect of this change, was to take the beginning o the year from the 25th day of March to the 1st day of January, which made January, February and March, the three first; months in the year, instead of the three last. This may be detected by observing in the dates of ancient papers and records, the figures 1758-9, &c, which only add to the obscurity of the actual date, instead of showing whether the old or new style was intended. We also find occasionally the date of an old deed to run thus* " the first month called March, 1719-50, &c." This shows the old style was used and made March the first month. The actual occurrence of well known historical events, are often obscured by the vague and uncertain manner of the record, growing out of the difference in adjusting the calendar or computing time. The importance of a correct knowledge of these facts is therefore self-evident to every practical surveyor, and may he studied and discussed with much profit hy all classes of citizens. Let us now look at this question practically, so far as it applies itself to the titles of lands of our State. Suppose a survey to have been made of a tract of land, the return of which bears date February 10th, 1748, and having been passed by the Council of Proprietors is duly recorded, and by this carries with it the title of the Proprietors to the soil within its boundaries. • Another survey is made which bears date May 13th, 1748, passed by the Council and recorded, which also carries with it the title of the Proprietors to the soil within its boundaries. 3* 34 These two surveys being laid upon the ground, are found to interfere with each other, and the question at once arises as to the priority of location. Under the old style, the survey made in May would take priority of date ; but under the new style, the survey made in February would have the preference. This inquiry often arises and sometimes leads to difficulty and trouble, involving as it does, the title of much valuable estate. Although the measure of time covered by this difference of com- putation is but about three months, yet in the estimate to be made in the variation of the magnetic needle, it may be about nine months, and sufficient to lead a surveyor away from the true point in running a long line, or in the settlement of several boundaries of the same survey. As per example it becomes necessary to calculate the variation of a survey, dated January 10th, 1748 to January 10th, 1800, the calculation would be made for 47 years and 3 months, instead of 48 years, for the reason that the January of 1748 was the ninth month, and the January of 1800 the first month of the year, making the measure of time to so differ accordingly. These thoughts are condensed, and hints thrown out more for the purpose of instituting inquiry upon this subject, than to establish any facts, and if the attention of practical men is drawn to it with the final settlement of the question, and the development of the truth, as it now lies covered with the rubbish of time, the purpose of the author will be accomplished. January 2, 1866. The society ordered the proceedings of themeeting to be published. The officers elected for the ensuing year, were : William Parry, President. Jacob L. Rowand, George R. Morri- son, William Haines, Vice Presidents. Clayton Lippincott, Treas- urer. John Clement, Secretary. William M. Cawley, Belford M. Bonham, Standing Committee. Adjourned. February 12th, 1866. Pursuant to a call made by the special committee appointed at the annual meeting, the association met this day. The President, William Parry, in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. John F. Bodine, of Camden County, was elected a member. 35 The special committee reported the draft of a law, for the purpose of settling disputed lines and boundaries, by arbitration, which was read by sections and approved. John F. Bodine, Henry J. Irick and John Clement, were appointed a committee to procure the passage of said law by the Legislature of New Jersey, at the present sitting. Adjourned. August 14th, 1866. The Society met this day in stated meeting, the President, William Parry, in the chair. The minutes of the two last meetings were read and approved. Alfred Howe, of Gloucester County was elected a member. Naaman Haines of Gloucester County, was elected a member. Henry J. Irick of the committee appointed February 12th, 1866. reported that the draft of a law, adopted by the association at said meeting, was not passed by the Legislature then sitting. Which report was received, and the committee continued. John Clement was appointed to prepare and read a paper before the association at its next meeting, upon the early settlements of West New Jersey. Adjourned. September 1st, 1866. Pursuant to appointment, a number of the members of the associ- ation met at Mount Holly, Burlington County, N. J., for the purpose of testing and comparing their compasses, according to the law, now in force. Amos Gibbs, Esq., Clerk of the county, attended the several gentlemen so assembled, and arranged the "Points" as fixed by Professor Cook, to show the true North. The experiments proved as follows : being made about 12 o'clock, M : the thermometer ranging near 90, cloudy with some mist : FIRST TRIAL. Franklin W. Earl, Needle bore 5 40 West of North. James Lippincott, Needle bore 5 35 West of North. Henry J. Irick, Needle bore 5 30 West of North. John Clement, Needle bore 5 40 West of North. SECOND TRIAL. 1 o'clock, P. M. Franklin W. Earl, Needle bore 5 30 West of North. James Lippincott, Needle bore 5 35 West of North. Henry J. Irick, Needle bore 5 35 West of North. John Clement, Needle bore 5 35 West of North. William Parry, Needle bore 5 35 West of North. Charles Parry, Needle bore 5 45 West of North. 36 January 1st, 1867. The annual meeting of the association occurred this day, The President, the Hon. William Parry in the chair. The question of pressing the passage of the law to settle land disputes by arbitration, was discussed, and it was Resolved, That the association meet at Trenton, during the sitting of the Legislature, at the call of the President, to accomplish this purpose. The President and Franklin W. Earl, Esq., were added to the committee already appointed. Joshua Earl, Esq., of Pemberton, Burlington County, was elected a member of the association, and reported the " mark" to be used by him as a surveyor. John Clement, read a paper upon the early settlements of West New Jersey, which was ordered to be filed. Gentlemen of the Society : — The persecution of the religious Society of Friends' during the reign of Charles Second, of England, may be said to have been the moving cause of the settlement of New Jersey. ' The refusal of this religious sect to take the oath of allegiance required of them, passed by the Parliament to effectually crush out the Insurrection of the "Fifth Monarchy Men," or "Millenarians," threw around them a shade of suspicion, which designing men took advantage of, and placed them as professing Christians in a false position before their Sovereign. This condition of things so remained until some of the most eminent of their persuasion obtained an interview with the King, and through the explanations of Fox, Penn, Barclay and others, their royal master become satisfied that the profession of non- resistance and passive obedience prevacled their whole system, and that the oath to which they objected was not an exception in their creed. The rigor of the act, however, was not abated by the Parliament, and as a consequence they suffered much persecution at the hands of those in authority. As law-abiding citizens, no remedy was apparent for these out- rages, and they turned their attention to America, as being a land where religious toleration might be enjoyed ; provided enough territory could be obtained in which their religious tenets might have a controling influence. 37 George Fox, who traveled through the wilderness of New Jersey in 1671, in going from Maryland to New England, in addition to his religious duties, no doubt examined the soil and situation in view of a future settlement for this then persecuted people, of which he was the founder. His travels in West New Jersey extended from near Pennsgrove, in Salem County, to Trenton, in Mercer County, which gave him an opportunity to know something of the country, and its advan- tages, his representation would therefore weigh much in the selec- tion of a part of the country where these strangers would settle; and perhaps upon his return home our little State was pointed out by him as a proper place to be selected for such a purpose. This grant of the Duke of York to Carteret and Berkley, of so much of his territory as lay in what was then called "Virginia," seemed to meet their views as a place of refuge, and the charter of their grant cov- ering as it did the right of government, made it doubly attractive to " Friends in London." In 1673, John Fenwick and Edward Byllynge, (two English Quakers,) purchased the undivided half of New Jersey, of Lord Berkley, the first in trust for the latter ; done to guard Byllynge's estate from his creditors. A difficulty arose as to the estate they each held under the title, but was adjusted by William Penn, as arbitrator, to the satisfaction of both parties. The creditors of Byllynge were importunate, and William Penn, together with Gawen Lawrie and Nicholas Lucas, accepted a further trust of his estate in New Jersey, to their benefit. A division of the State into East and West Jersey, between Sir George Carteret and the trustees of Byllynge, was had by a deed, dated July 1st, 1676. The Indian title was extinguished by three separate deeds, dated September 10th and 27th, and October 10th, 1677. Thomas Hutchinson, Thomas Pearson, Joseph Helmsley, George Hutchinson and Robert Stacy, all " Friends" and of the County of York, England, were the principal creditors of Byllynge, and to whom all the other creditors assigned their claims. The trustees before named; by deed dated March 1st, 1676, con- veyed to these creditors seven equal undivided ninetieth parts of ninety equal undivided hundredth parts of West New Jersey, and also on the same day three other equal undivided parts as aforesaid All the grantees to these titles were " Friends," and as Robert Barclay with other " Friends " became the owners of East Jersey, it may be said that our State was literally a Quaker settlement, except so far as the Swedes and Dutch had previously obtained a foothold under the protection of their respective governments. 38 The first attempt at settlement under the new order of things was made by John Fenwick, at Salem, in 1G75. But few persons came with him, among whom were Samuel Nicholson, Robert Zane, John Mattox, Robert Wade and others. Immediately upon their arrival they established a meeting for religious worship, according to their peculiar views, and which was the first religious assemblage within the bounds of West New Jersey. The Little Colony soon became a nucelus from which many other like settlements radiated, and rendered much assistance to new comers who frequently arrived in distress. The next settlement, was at Burlington, in 1077, which soon assumed the proportions of a town, and becamethe seat of Govern- ment for the whole colony. In 1681, a few persons set out from Dublin, Ireland, for New Jersey, and after a short voyage landed at Salem. Their place of destination was, however, within the bounds of the "Third "or Irish tenth, which extended along the Delaware River from Old- man's Creek to Penisaukin Creek. This Company consisted of William Bates, Thomas Thackara, Mark Newbie, George Goldsmith and Thomas Sharp. The three first named of these had families, the two last being single men. They arrived at Salem, in November, and through the winter following, made much search for a suitable place to make a perma- nent settlement. A spot was at last selected upon a stream they called Newton Creek, within the bounds of Haddon Township, near the old Newton Grave Yard, and about three miles from the City of Camden. In the spring following, they were joined by Robert Zane, who had previously come to Salem, when they all removed to the place selected which they called "Newton." They had, during the winter, located sixteen hundred acres of land between the north and middle branches of said creek, and also one hundred acres of meadow at the mouth of Little Newton Creek, fronting on the river Delaware. This little village consisted of a few rude huts or cabins built on the north bank of the middle branch, a -jhort distance below where the old grave yard stands, only intended as temporary residences "for fear of the Indians," and until land could be prepared for agricultural purposes. Without any material for building or means to procure such, these dwellings must have been primitive indeed. It was soon found that they had no cause of fear from the Indians; who savage though they were, could appreciate and reciprocate the many acts of kindness extended to them by these new comers. 39 In the next year each person had selected a part of this original' tract and a place for his dwelling, which sub-division was carried out by deed to each, and the locality thereof appears on a map made by Thomas Sharp in 1700. It is a matter of interesting inquiry to know where this little village stood, but not a vestige of it remains, and not a tradition is left to tell where the town of " Newton " was built" for fear of the Indians.'' To the antiquarian, or to the descendants of those who resided in these humble dwellings, this spot if certainly known, would in our day have a peculiar interest, and be worthy of a pilgrimage to see where landed those who brought with them the true elements of a free government, and left those elements to be enlarged and enjoyed by such as came after and were capable of handing them down unimpared to posterity. These " Friends," isolated as they were, did not forget the obser- vance of religious worship, for " a meeting was kept at Mark New- bie's house, where William Cooper resorted from the point." A meeting house was built in 1681, which stood near the old grave yard. The first Trustees were Benjamin Thackara, William Cooper and William Albertson, who continued the trust to Thomas Sharp, John Kaighn, Joseph Cooper and John Kay, in 1708. A similar settlement was made at the mouth of Woodbury Creek, in 1682, by several brothers by the name of " Wood," who came from " Bury," in Lancashire, England. They were soon joined by Thomas Gardiner, Thomas Mathews, John Test, William Warner, and others. They were all " Friends," and established a religious meeting which they called "The Shelter." In 1696, the Trustees of the meeting were Thomas Gardiner, William Warner and Joshua Lord. In the same year, (1682) John Roberts,William Matlock, Timothy Hancock and others, settled at an Indian Town called " Penisau- kin," on the south branch of the creek that now bears that name in Burlington County. Many other familiies soon followed, and a meeting was estab- lished, called " Adams " Meeting, since called " Chester " Meeting, now Moorestown. In the year 1700, Thomas Story, a public Friend, says he traveled by water from Philadelphia, to visit " Adams" Meeting, and upon his return stayed at the house of Esther Spicer, the widow of Samuel, who then lived on the north side of Cooper Creek, near its mouth. In 1681, William Cooper located 300 acres of land, bounded by the creek that now bears his name, and fronting on the Delaware River. He came to Burlington in 1678, where he purchased 50 acres of land 40 and erected a dwelling which he afterwards gave to his daughter Hannah, wife of John "NVoolstan. In 1683, he settled at '' Pyne Point," at the mouth of Cooper's Creek, in the midst of an Indian town. The title of the aborigines to the soil within the bounds of his survey, he extinguished by a valuable consideration alike honor- able to him' as satisfactory to themselves, and which secured the good opinion of these children of the forest toward the family ever after. At the time of his death in 1710, he had but three children living, Joseph. Daniel and Hannah. His son, named William deceased in 1691, leaving issue. He was a blacksmith, and lived in Salem. Francis Collins came to Burlington in the sameship with William Cooper, and many others who settled about that town. In 1GS2, he located 500 acres in the easterly part of Newton Township, and on the south side of the south branch of Cooper's Creek. His house stood on the hill south of Haddonfield, now generally known as the "Gill Farm." He called his new place "Mountvvell." His wife deceased soon after his settlement here, leaving him with one son and six daughters. This was remote from Newton, and preceded any other settle- ment in that part of the township by several years. There are many reasons for thinking the Indians had a town thereabouts, and that Francis Collins found a few acres free of timber, whereon he could raise his crops without the labor of clearing the ground. Perchance his dwelling was a wigwam, he had purchased of one of the natives, and in which he resided during his stay here, which was but short. In 1686, Francis Collins married Mary Gosling, widow of John, and daughter of Thomas Budd, and removed to Burlington. He was a bricklayer, and in 1690 erected the Court House in Burlington, for which he received £100, and a tract of land. There was no person among the earlier settlers of West New Jersey, the colla- teral branches of whose family. are so extensive as those of Francis Collins. The settlement made by John Fenwick has grown into one of the most nourishing towns in West Jersey, and the names of the adventurers who came with him may be found in every community throughout the State. The village of NewtDn nevjr assumed the proportions of a town, and several generations have passed away since the last vestige of its place was known. Its founders are remembered however in many families among 41 us, yet no part of the soil as originally held by them remains in the name of any descendant. A large part of William Cooper's three hundred acres is now covered by the thriving City of Camden ; and not a few years will elapse before the whole will be occupied by permanent improve- ments, in keeping with the spirit of the age and the demands of the public. What William Penn found the Indian town of Shackomaxin in 1681, and which has now grown into the City of Philadelphia; William Cooper also found the next year at " Pyne Point" and which has now become the business centre of West New Jersey. The beautiful town of Woodbury, traces back its genealogy to the little colony that settled at the mouth of the stream which passed that town ; and with commendable tenacity retains the name given by its founders. The Indian town of "Penisaukin" has long since lost its identity and now the ploughshare of the husbandman breaks up the soil where once this village stood. The lineal descendants of the first English settlers still hold the titles to the land, and although much has passed out of the name yet not entirely out of the blood. A part of the survey of five hundred acres as made by Francis Collins, is now included in the village of Haddonfled, none of the estate having been in the name for the last century. The first ferry across the River Delaware was established by William Roydon, In 1687, under a license granted by the '' General Court," sitting at Gloucester, and to be fixed at any point between Newton and Cooper's Creek. The extent of this license would prove that no other ferry existed previous to this grant ; although some sort of intercourse was kept up by the Indians between Shackomaxin and "Pyne Point," previous to this time to accom- modate the few that wanted 1o cross the river at that place. William Eoydon was allowed to charge six pence for every person he set over the river, and twelve pence for every man and horse, and in like proportion for more bulky or weighty articles. His house stood near the foot of Cooper street, Camden, and which he was also licensed to keep as a tavern. In 1689 Roydon sold his ferry and all his land and improvements to William Cooper, whose son Daniel removed there and kept the ferry until his death. This ferry, like all its surroundings, was of the most primitive kind, and gave neither convenience or comfort to those who were forced to use it. One hundred and eighty years has wrought many desirable changes in this regard, and what our ancestors were satis- fied with, has no existence at this time. 42 The "Corn Mill" built by Thomas Kendall, in 1697, near Haddon- field, and on the site of the present mill of Josiah B. Evans, de- ceased was " an institution" in its day and generation. It was the first built in Gloucester County; then known as "Free Lodge Mill." Nothing would perhaps be more curious, or attract the attention of mechanics and practical men oftener; than this old corn mill, if it stood now as in the days of its usefulness. In 169S, Mordecai Howell erected a saw mill on a small branch of Cooper's Creek, near the residence of Richard Shivers, Esq., in Delaware Township. Other like mills were built about this time, but this was among the first. Among those who came first to settle within the limits of West New Jersey, there was no more interesting character than Elizabeth Haddon. The daughter of John Haddon, a "Friend" who lived in the Parish of St. George, in the Borough of Southwark and County of Surrey, England, at that day a suburb of London, on the south side of the River Thames, long since swallowed up in the enlarged borders of that great city. John Haddon had two daughters, his only children, Sarah who married Benjamin Plopkins, and Elizabeth the subject of this sketch. At the age of nineteen she left the home of her parents to look after her father's interest in America, accompanied perhaps by a few friends, but by none of her immediate family. She arrived in Philadelphia in 1701, and proceeded at once to the house erected on her father's land, lying on the south side of Cooper's Creek, within the bounds of Newton township. This building stood on the hill beside the stream, and near Coles Landing. In the same year she married John Estaugh, a young man who had preceded her to America upon a religious visit; he being a preacher. They were married at her residence (and not at the public meeting) as was frequently the case in the early settlement of the country. In 1713 a new house was erected on another tract, purchased by her father on the site of the residence of Isaac H. Wood, Esq., near Haddonfield, which village took its name from the owner of the soil. In 1721 she went to England and procured from her father a deed for one acre of land, whereon to erect a meeting house, and where originated the Friends' Meeting at Haddonfield, which from that date until the year 1818, was the only place of public religious worship in the village. Having no children of her own, she adopted Ebenezer Hopkins, a son of her sister, who came to New Jersey, and resided with his aunt. He married Sarah Lord, a daughter of Joshua Lord, of Woodbury Creek, and died in 1757, leaving her his widow with several children. Thus originated the " Hopkins" family in West New Jersey. John Estaugh died in the Island of Tortula, in 1742, while on a religious visit there. Elizabeth Estaugh died in 1762, full of years, and leaving behind her a character to be admired and worthy of emulation. Her life had been more varied than generally falls to the lot of a female, but no word of censure or reproach remains upon her name. The days of her youth were filled with romance and surrounded by temptation; yet she was to the end of her life the same conscien- tious, discreet and consistent woman. She was cotemporary with William Penn, Robert Barclay and those others who originated the Colony, whose moral courage prompted by a religious duty overcame obstacles not often encoun- tered ; whose life was as exemplary as it was useful, and whose name will always be remembered with reverence and respect. January 1st, 1867. It was Resolved, That the next stated meeting of the association be held at Willis' Hotel, in Woodbury, Gloucester County, and that each surveyor then and there have the instrument he uses in surveying land, to be compared and tested upon the "Points," lately established at that place, according to law. Ordered that the Secretary have the proceedings of, and the several papers read before the Association, published by the press of West New Jersey, and also to have two hundred, (200) copies of the same, printed in pamphlet form for distribution among the members at the next meeting of the society. The officers elected for the ensuing year, were as follows : William Parry, President. George B. Morrison, William Haines r Belford M. Bonham, Vice Presidents. Clayton Lippfrncott, Treas- urer. John Clement, Secretary. James Lippincott, Samuel P. Chew, Standing Committee. 44 PROCEEDINGS August 13th, 1867. Pursuant to adjournment the Surveyors' Association of West New Jersey met at Willis' Hotel, in Woodbury, Gloucester county, N. J., this day. The Hon. William Parry, the President, in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Benjamin F. McCollister, Job S. Haines. Benjamin C. Downs, Simeon Cook, and Major B. Mathias were elected members, and each reported his "mark" to be used in surveying. Mr. Irick, on behalf of the committee to procure the passage of a law to settle disputed boundaries by arbitration, reported that no law had yet been acted on by the Legislature, and the committee was therefore continued. The Secretary reported the printing of the proceedings of the So- ciety, which same were received and distributed, and the cost order- ed to be paid by the Treasurer. Mr. McCollister suggested the propriety of placing monuments on the sides of public highways instead of in the middle of the same; and noting their position from the true corner by course and distance in the deeds or on the maps. Franklin W. Earl, Esq., read a paper upon the early settlements about Pemberton, Burlington county, N. J., (relating more par- ticularly to Thomas Budd and his descendants), containing much valuable and interesting information. The same was ordered to be filed and published. In reference to the difficulties and annoyances that often occur to parties as weH as Surveyors in the acknowledgment of legal papers, it was Resolved, That a committee be appointed to draft a law to be sub- mitted to the next meeting, (and afterwards to ask its passage by the Legislature), to meet the wants of the people in this regard. Messrs. Earl, McCollister and Clement were apuointed as such committee. Belford M. Bonham, Esq., was appointed to prepare and read the next essay before the Society, at the annual meeting in January next, (18GS). 45 The experiments made with the various instruments upon the "Points" established in the Court House yard, at Woodbury, ac- cording to law, were as follows : 10$ A. M. Thermometer about 90° The compass of Simeon Cook, bore 4° 30' W of N The compass of Sam. P. Chew, bore 4° 45 / W of N The compass of Naaman W. Haines, bore 4° 40'aW of N The compass of William Dyer, bore 4° 35' W of N The compass of John Clement, bore 4° 45 / W of N The compass of Ezra Stokes, bore 4° 35' W of N The compass of William Haines, bore 4° 50' W of N The compass of Alfred Howe, bore 4° 55' W of N The compass of John C. Smallwood, bore 4° 50' W of X The compass of William Parry, bore 4° 47 / W of N The compass of Charles Parry, bore 4° 50 / W of N Second Trial. 3 P. M. Thermometer about 90° The compass of James Lippincott, bore 4° 4CK W of N The compass of Benjamin Downs, bore 4° 57' W of N The compass of John Clement, bore 4° 45 / W of N The compass of Ezra Stokes, bore 4° 28' W of N The compass of Alfred Howe, bore 4° 50 / W of N The compass of William Haines, bore 4° 48' W of X The compass of Charles Parry, bore 4° 47 / W of N The compass of Simeon Cook, bore 4° 30 / W of .N The compass of William Parry, bore 4° 45 / W of N The compass of Naaman W. Haines, bore 4° 40 / W of N The compass of William Dyer, bore 4° 40' W of N The compass of Samuel P. Chew, bore 4° 45 / W of N Adjourned to meet at the West Jersey Hotel in Camden, on the first Tuesday in January, 1868, (the annual meeting at 10 A. M.) JOHN CLEMENT, Secretary. A paper read by Franklin W. Earl, Esq., of Pemberton, N. J., before the Surveyors' Association of West New Jersey, August 13th, 1867. Gentlemen of the Surveyors' Association <*f West New Jersey. Having been appointed to read before you a paper showing some of the early settlers and settlements of Burlington County, I will now submit the following: " Thomas Budd, who owned a share of Propriety in West New Jersey and ancestor to a large family, arrived at Burlington, N. J., in the year 1668; and after remaining in the country for a few years returned to London for his family 46. with which he came again to Burlington in 1678, and came also with him his hrothers,AVilliam, John and James, with their fami- lies which were numerous, amounting to some twenty-five souls in all. "Being men of sterling integrity and good business habits, they were soon engaged in pursuits of industry which inured to them good profits, and they were able to locate lands and hold a sufficiency of them during life to leave their children large tracts for their future enjoyment and benefit." John Budd, one of the brothers, early after his arrival at Burling- ton, removed to Philadelphia, in the Province of Pennsylvania, and engaged himself in mercantile business there, and at his death, which occurred prior to 1738, left three sons, Samuel, John and George. Of James Budd, another brother, but little is known by this writer; except at his death which occurred in 1738, he left several children, his oldest son being named William. William Budd, another brother, settled in the county of Burling- ton, and was a large locator of land in that county; and, although one of the early pioneers of West Jersey, his name stands less con- spicuous in early history than his brother Thomas, from the fact of his not associating in the public affairs of the Colony. He died in 1707, leaving four sons and two daughters, who also married and settled in said county, and whose decendants are now among the most numerons and respectable in West Jersey. Thomas Budd, the oldest of the four brother, sheld many impor- tant trusts in the Province; and on the ninth clay of November, 1681, when the first form of government was established by the Proprietors, Samuel Jennings was elected as their Governor, and Thomas Budd, with others, was selected to assist the Governor to establish a code of laws suitable to the maintenance of tranquility in the then wild forests of West Jersey. Besides assisting in establishing a form of Government for the Colony, Thomas Budd entered into the mercantile business in Burlington and continued there until the year 1690, when he too re- moved to Philadelphia and continued his business as a merchant until his death. In the religious controversy between George Keith, and the Qua- kers, Thomas Budd sided with Keith, and went to England with him to attend the yearly meeting of Friends in Loudon, where the difficulty w£s taken to seek a final adjustment; which ended in Keith's separation and taking with him many prosy lites over to the Church of England. The Indian titles had been extinguished within what is now known as Burlington county by the Proprietors, for all lands north of the Rancocas and between it and theAssanpink. from the mouths to the head waters of the same two streams, by deed bearing date 47 October 10, 1G77 ; and south of the Rancocas and between it and Timber creek by deed dated September 10, 1677. The title then of the Indians had been extinguished over three years when the Proprietors appointed their Governor and established their laws, which made it necessary to fix and establish some form (although a rude one) of Government so as to better restrain not only the Indians but the new settlers who continued to arrive with each returning year. And let me here remark that it would have been well if the Pro- prietors until the present time had lived up to the 7th Rule then adopted which required " That all lands be laid out on straight lines, that no vacancy be left between lands, but that they join one seat to another." Identical then with the early history of West New Jersey, we find that the name of Thomas Budd was conspicuous. For many years he filled offices of important trusts, being often appointed to confer with the Indian tribes for the purchase of their lands ; and make treaties with them for the suppression of intemperance which had become a curse not only to the Indians but the settlers themselves, with whom they had to live in close proximity ; often causing most serious quarrels, which not unfrequently led to bloodshed. Thomas Budd was chosen as one of the Governor's privy Council, appointed a Justice of the Peace for Burlington county, and Com- missioner for examining titles and instructing Surveyors how to run out and take up land heretofore purchased of the Indians. Burlington county was established as early as 1677, but more definitely bounded and described in the year 170P, and one of the towns then existing in fact as well as in name was the town of " Hampton Hanover " (now Pemberton) the subject of this sketch. "Hampton Hanover" was situated then as now on the main North Branch of Rancocas Creek about six miles east of Mount Holly, then known by the name of " Bridgeton." The name " Hampton Hanover" was no doubt given the place from the fact that the creek was the dividing line between the township of Northampton on the South and Hanover on the North ; and the town being located on both sides of the stream— as a matter of compromise the town was named after both townships. This same name was retained until the year 1752 when David Budd (the third grandson of William Budd the first,) Robert Smith, Daniel Smith, and Patrick Reynolds as partners, built a Grist Mill and Saw Mill on the Creek just below the bridge and on or near the site of the one now standing there. Previously to 1752 there was a Grist Mill on what is called Budd's Run, a small stream of water running near by east and west for some 48 half a mile on north side of the town before it empties into the Main creek. The old mill stood about one quarter of a mile east of where the present road now crosses the stream. This no doubt had gone into decay,. hence the name of " Hampton Hanover" was changed to " New Mills." In 1787 the present place of " New Mills " was laid off in town lots, was run and made by Daniel Smith, Jr., and is now in Pemberton preserved as a relic of those early times. Although a portion of the town had been laid off prior to that time which was near to and adjoining the mill. Associated with the name of " Hampton Hanover" should be the names of Thomas and William Budd, as they two brothers were the original Proprietors and locators of the land now occupied by the town, and east and west of the same for from two to three miles, and under these two men must all the present owners derive their first title to their homes. In 1693 Thomas Budd located a tract of land beginning near where the present Main Road crosses the Main north branch of Raneocas creek at Pemberton, and running northwardly almost as the road now runs as far as Juliastown ; covering the east end of the Mount at that place then called "Mount Pisgah," and em- bracing all the land from the main street in Pemberton, easterly for one and three quarter miles up said creek, and adjoining to lands of his brother William, both on the east and west. William Budd located at the same time five hundred acres on the east and five hundred acres on the west of his brother Thomas' survey. As I have before stated Thomas Budd removed to Philadelphia in 1690, and was a merchant tbere in 1693, when this land was located by his deputy Surveyor Daniel Leeds for him, he being the owner of Proprietory rights, and in this instance placing them on some of the best land in Burlington county. Thomas Budd's will bears date September 9, 1697, dated in Phila- delphia, wherein he bequeathed to his son Thomas Budd "the new dwelling house," his son then lived in nearest the dock ; and to his daughter Mary Budd, and his daughter Rose JBudd, one hundred pounds each, with all the rest and remainder of his property to his widow Susanna Budd; leaving his widow and his oldest son John Executors. In March 1698 John Budd renounced the Executorship, and Susanna (the widow) proved the will and took possession of his effects. 49 The oldest daughter Mary, married Dr. John Gosling, who resi- ded in the City of Burlington. The issue of this marriage was one son, John, and from whom the family of that name in these parts have come. In view of his going to the Island of Barbadoes in 1685 John (the father) executed his will, and from which voyage he never re- turned. The widow Mary, subsequently married Francis Collins, who removed from Gloucester County and resided with her in Bur- lington. The children of this marriage were John, who married Elizabeth Moore ; Francis married Elizabeth ; Mary married Thomas Kendall, and Samuel. The direct and collateral branches of this family are numerous in Burlington County and through West Jersey. In September 1G99 Susanna Budd by her deputy, Thomas Gardiner, the Surveyor General, resurveyed the above named tract of land on the east side of Pemberton, and made it contain 2,000 acres, and on the eleventh day of July 1701, she sold the land to John Garwood and Restore Lippincott, who soon after made division of the same, John Garwood taking the north end and Restore Lippincott taking the south end, and which now embraces the easterly part of the town of " Hampton Hanover," or Pemberton. William Budd devised his 500 acres on the east side of Thomas Budd's 2,000 acres, to his daughter Ann, who married James Bing- ham, who conveyed the same after a resurvey thereof to Peter Bard by two deeds of conveyance, one of which bears date January 14, 1722, for 550 acres, and the other bears date June 10, 1723, and conveys 430 acres, making in all 980 acres sold by James Bingham and wife to Peter Bard. William Budd located the land on the west side of the Main street of Pemberton, November 2, 1683, which laud he devised to his sons William, Thomas, John and James. This survey extends with Thomas Budd's to " Mount Pisgah," and along the Indian purchase embracing 500 acres of the same, but most likely covered three times that number of acres. As early as the year 1699 I find the name of "Hampton Hanover" marked upon an old plan of the town, but well preserved, em- bracing all of William and Thomas Budd's land in around Pem- berton. The lands on the south side of Rancocas creek at Pemberton were located for Lady Rhoads, Samuel Barker and Thomas Wright, in October 1693, by Daniel Leeds deputy Surveyor, extending nearly from the north to the south branches of the Rancocas, one survey containing 3,120 acres and the other 1,200 acres, covering as did 4* 50 Thomas and William Budd's surveys on the north, some of the best agricultural districts in the State. William Budd about the same time located on the south side of the north branch of Kancocas, which he conveyed to John Woolston, one of the first settlers in Burlington county, and who arrived at Burlington in 1677. John Woolston married Hannah Cooper, a daughter of William Cooper in 1681, and died in 1713, without making any will, and under the laws then existing in the colony his oldest son John, inherited all his real estate. He however left two other sons, Joshua and Michael, most probably children by his first wife; as John Woolston was married in 1684 to Eliza Borton, then only three years after his father married Hannah Cooper. John Woolston conveyed to his brother Michael part of the above land inherited from his father, and which embraces most of the land between Pemberton and Birmingham Mills, on the south side of Bancocas creek, containing about 700 acres. Joshua Woolston the son of John was never married, and sold his land to his brother Michael, April 15, 1726. Michael Woolston died 1753, leaving five children, three sons and two daughters, Joseph, Joshua, Braz'ila, Letitia, who married Isaac Hinchman, and Ann, who married Lev" Briggs. But let me return to my subject, " Pemberton and its early history !" William Budd the oldest son of William (the first) was devised by his father, the lands on the west side of Pemberton, being part of the 500 acres surveyed to his father in 1693, and in the year 1723 died, leaving the following issue: Thomas, William, David, Susanna, Rebecca, Abigail, Elizabeth, Anna and Mary. Thomas married Rebecca Atkinson in 1723 ; William married Susanna Cole, (daughter of Samuel Cole, of Gloucester county,) in 1728; David married Catharine ; Susanna married Jacob Gaskill in 1625; Anna married Kendall Cole in 1744 ; and Mary married Shinn. William Budd devised to his son David his land on the west side of the Main street where the present mill now stands, and he David Budd by separate deed, dated December 1st, 1752, conveyed to Patrick Reynolds (a millwright,) Robert Smith and Daniel Smith, each one-quarter of a quantity of land, sufficient for the erection of a grist mill and saw mill, together with some town lots and other privileges, retaining one-quarter part for himself, by whom the mills were built; which bounds as described by David Budd are in three deeds, and still retained at the old mill seat. From that time forward the town of " Hampton Hanover" con- tinued to improve, and the name of " New Mills " was by common consent substituted for the old title. 51 Patrick Reynolds who owned one-fourth and built the mills at Pemberton in 1752, was a native of Ireland, and a resident of " Bridgeton " at that time. His son Thomas held a colonel's com- mission during the Revolutionary War, his first wife being Mary Brian widow of Jacob, she being an heiress, the daughter of John Ritche, a merchant of Aberdeen, in Scotland, and Aon his wife. Ann Ritche, the mother of Mary Reynolds, was the niece, and one of the residuary legatees of George WiUock, a'so a native of Scotland, who settled at Perth Amboy, was ore of the early pro- prietors of East Jersey, and located many tracts of valuable land. At the death of Ann Ritche, the title to all her valuable tracts of land passed by descent to her three daughters. Magdaline who married John Leonard ; Elizabeth who married James Laurance ; and Mary who married Jacob Brian, and at his death married Thomas Reynolds. After the death of Mary Reynolds, (by whom there was no issue,) Thomas Reynolds married Elizabeth Budd, the only daughter of David Budd, who was a large land holder and owned one-quarter of the " New Mills." By this last wife Thomas Reynolds had two daughters ; Catharine who married Smith S. Osborn, and Antice who married John Lacy. At the time of the Revolutionary War there were three brothers and one sister named " Pemberton,'' residents of the colony of Pennsylvania. John, Israel, James, and Mary, who married John Kirkbride. The three brothers were all wealthy and influential citizens of Philadelphia, members of the Society of Friends, and occupying high positions in that Society. Their grandfather, Phineas Pemberton, a prominent member of the Society of Friends also, emigrated from a place called Aspul, in Lancashire, England, soon after William Penn obtained his charter for Pennsylvania, and located a tract of land on which he settled in Buck's county, adjoining Pennsbury Manor, nearly opposite and little below Bordentown, where William Penn was frequently entertained before he built his Manor house at Penns- bury Manor. John Pemberton was a Public Friend, and died at Pyremsunt, Germany, in 1795, while on a religious visit to Europe. Israel Pemberton, another brother, resided I think in Philadelphia, and was an extensive locator of land in some of the lower counties of this State; particularly in Gloucester, now Camden and Atlantic counties. His surveys were principally made between 1739 and 1767. Some surveys were also made in the name of his sister, Mary Kirkbride, generally near those made to her brother Israel. John C. Pemberton, the Rebel General, who commanded the Confederate forces at Vicksburg, where he surrendered to General 52 Grant's greatly superior forces, July 4, 1863, was a native of Phila- delphia, and a grandson of one of the brothers of John or Israel Pemberton, before named. James Pemberton, the last of the three brothers, was also a Public Friend, and one of the largest shipping merchants in Philadelphia. He first married Sarah, a daughter of Daniel Smith, of Burling- ton, (by whom I think there was no issue,) and after his death which occurred about 1770, he married Phoebe. He deceased in Philadelphia in 1809, aged 85 years, leaving two daughters, one of whom married Anthony Morris, of Washington City, D. C. Daniel Smith's will bearing date November 24, 1768, in which he gives to his daughter Sarah, wife of James Pemberton, thirty-five tracts of land, mostly in Burlington county, one of which was 10£ acres in the village of " New Mills," which he purchased of Robert Smith in May 1757, which piece of land embraced a large portion of the three village lots, and James Pemberton securing through his wife Sarah, the fee to all those several tracts of land, sold the lots in Pemberton to sundry persons under ground rent deed, by which many of said lots are held until the present time. In the autumn of 1826, some of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of " New Mills," conceived that it would be advantageous to the place to have the village incorporated and accordingly made application to the Legislature for an act for that purpose entitled, " An act to incorporate the village of " New Mills " into a borough by the name of the Borough of Pemberton, which name was selected at a public meeting of the inhabitants out of respect for and in honor of James Pemberton, above named. "Pemberton" then has had an existence for one hundred and seventy seven years. For sixty-two years it was called " Hampton Hanover." For seventy-four years it passed by the name of "New Mills," and for the last forty-one years it has been incorporated as the " Borough of Pemberton," which act has date December 15, 1826. As a matter of curiosity to some of our younger members, I will read a copy of an old return of a public road leading from Pem- berton to the Delaware river, as laid out by Surveyors one hundred and fifty-five years ago : "December 30 and 31, 1712." " Then laid out one public common highway of four rods in breadth, beginning at John Garwood's land ; thence as the path goes by James Shinn's; thence as the path goes to a run of water by the corner of William Budd's fence; thence through the fenced land in the old path to Thomas Atkinson's ; thence along the path by Josiah Gaskill's ; thence as the path goes to Josiah Southwick's 5 o and Edward Gaskill's ; thence along the path as it is marked to Thomas Bryan's fence; thence as it is marked over a corner of Thomas Bryan's field and along as it is marked over a corner of Lydia Horner's field; thence along by Thomas Bryan's ditch; thence as it is marked to pine swamp ; thence along the path as it is marked to a run of water by Revel Elton's field ; thence as it is marked over said field and over a corner of George Bliss's field, and a little field in Joseph Devonish's land till it meets the old path; then along the same as it is marked to the westernmost side of John Wills' land ; thence along the old path, and as it is marked in the township of Willingboro' to the Salem road ; thence along the same over the bridge to the upland ; thence as it is marked by Ralph Cowgill's house; thence as it is marked to Ferry Point. Laid out by us the day and year above written. Thomas Raper, Joshua Humphries, John Wills, Commissioners." January 7, 1868. The annual meeting of the Association was held this day at the West Jersey Hotel, Camden, N. J., the President the Hon. William Parry, in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The report of the Treasurer was submitted and approved. Robert B. Mitchner, of Pittstown, Cumberland County, N. J., was elected a member and reported the " mark " to be used by him as a Surveyor. George W. Hancock, of Atco, Camden County, N. J., was elected a member and reported his " mark.'' J. Simpson Africa, of Atsion, Burlington County, N. J., was elected a member and reported his " mark." The law in regard to the settlement of disputes of boundaries of land by arbitrators being again discussed the committee was con- tinued. The manifest difference of the several instruments as developed at the last meeting at Woodbury, by the experiments upon the 'points' at that place established bylaw ; Samuel P. Chew, Esq., was requested to prepare a paper upon that subject, and read the same before the Society at the next meeting. William Parry, (President,) was appointed to prepare and read before the Society at the next meeting a history of the early settle- ments in the neighborhood of his residence (Cinnaminson, Bur- lington County, N. J.) 54 This being the annual meeting the following named persons were elected as officers for the ensuing year : President, Hon. William Parry. Vice Presidents, William Haines, Belford M. Bonham, Simeon Cook. Treasurer, Clayton Lippincott. Standing Committee, Ezra Stokes, William Dyer. Secretary, John Clement. Adjourned. August 11, 18G8. A stated meeting of the Association was held this day at the West Jersey Hotel, Camden, N. J., the Hon. William Parry in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The Treasurer reported a deficiency in the funds and was ordered to notify delinquents. Barclay White, of Jobstown, Burlington County, N. J., was elected a member and reported his " mark." Howard White, of Juliastown, Burlington County, N. J., was elected a member and reported his " mark." Mr. F. W. Earl, on behalf of the committee to procure a law allowing disputed boundary lines to be settled by arbitration, reported that the passage of such a law could not be had, and the committee was discharged. Mr. F. W. Earl reported that the law in regard to Surveyors writing deeds under certain penalties was repealed. Mr. Samuel P. Chew, and Mr. Parry, (President,) were granted further time to prepare the papers they were each appointed to read before the Society. Charles Stokes, Esq., of Bancocas, Bulington county, N. J., con- tributed a paper upon the early settements about Burlington city, N. J., which is valuable and interesting, and was read by Mr. Parry. A vote of thanks on behalf of the Society was extended to Mr. Stokes, and the Secretary was directed to inform him of such action. John Clement, Secretary. Adjourned. 55 A PAPER Read before the Association of Practical Surveyors of West New Jersey, at the meeting held August 11th, 18G8, prepared by Charles Stokes, Esq., of Rancocas, Burlington county, N. J. Although the history of the grants and early settlements of New Jersey, may be familiar to the general reader, yet it may not be amiss to give a brief review of some of the more prominent features. The early settlers upon the Hudson and Delaware rivers, were Dutch and Swedes, who established governments of their own. But in about 16G4, the British government claiming right by virtue of discovery, reduced the whole country under their control; and King Charles II, by letters patent bearing date the 20th of March, 1664, granted unto his brother, James, Duke of York, 'his heirs and assigns, "all that part of the main land of New England, beginning at a certain place called or known by the name of St. Croix, near adjoining to New Scotland, in America: and from thence, extend- ing along the sea coast unto a certain place called Pemaquid, and so up the river thereof .to the furthest head of the same, as it tendeth northward; and extending from thence to the river Kimbrquin, and so upwards by the shortest course, to the river Canada, north- wards; and also all that island or islands commonly called by the name or names of Matowacks or Long Island, situate and being towards the west of Cape Cod, and the narrow Higansetts abutting upon the lands between the two rivers, there'called or known by the several names of Connecticut and Hudson river ; together also with the said river called Hudson river ; and all the land from the west side of Connecticut river to the east side of Delaware bay ; and also several other islands and lands in the said letters patent, men- tioned together, &c, &c. The Duke being thus seized, did by his deeds of lease and release, dated 23rd and 24th of June, 1664, in consideration of competent sum of money, grant and convey unto John, Lord Berkley, Baron of Stratton, one of the King's Privy Council; and Sir George Carteret, of Saltrum, in the county of Devon, Knight, and one of the Privy Council, and their heirs and assigns forever, all that tract of land adjacent to New England, and lying and being to the westward of Long Island and Manhattan Island, and bounded on the east part by the main sea, and part by Hudson River ; and hath upon the west, Delaware bay or river, and extendeth south- ward to the main ocean as far as Cape May, at the mouth of Dela- ware bay ; and to the northward as far as the northermost branch of the said bay or river of Delaware ; which is in 41 degrees and 40 minutes of latitude, and crosseth over thence in a straight to Hud- 56 son's river, hi 4! degrees of latitude; which said tract of land is hereafter to he called Nova Cesaria or New Jersey ; and also all rivers, mines, minerals, woods, fishings, hawkings, huntings and fowlings, and all other royalties, profits, commodities and heredita- ments, whatsoever to the s\id lands and premises belonging or in anywise appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances in as full and ample manner as the same is granted unto the said Duke of York, by the before recited Letters Patents. Berkley and Carteret, being thus sole proprietors of New Jersey, in order to promote settlement of their Province, agreed upon a Constitution or Fundamental Law, for the government of such as should purchase their lands and settle there. The provisions were considered liberal for that period. Establishing liberty of con- science, subject however, to the maintenance of a ministry, such as the General Assembly of the Province should constitute and appoint by their enactment. The General Assembly and Legislative power to be chosen and constituted partly by the people and partly by the proprietors. This was the first Constitution of New Jersey and continued in force until the Province became divided in 1676. Under this Constitution there were many settlements in the eastern part of the Province ; but few in the western part. Philip Carteret, being first Governor. About 167-5, Lord Berkley conveyed his one moiety or half part of the Province of New Jersey, to John Fenwick, in trust for Edward Byllinge, and his assigns. In 1675, Fenwick, with two daughters and many servants, (two of whom, Samuel Hedge and John Adams, afterwards married his daughters,) together with other passengers. Edward Champness, Edward Wade, Samuel Wade, John Smith and wife, Samuel Nichols, Richard Guy, Richard Noble, Richard Hancock, John Pledger, Hipolite Lefever, and John Matlock, all masters of fami- lies, in the ship Griffith from London, after a good -passage, landed at a "pleasant rich spot situate near Delaware," by him called Salem. This was the first English ship that came to West Jersey, and none followed for near two years, owing perhaps, to differences or difficulties between Fenwick and Byllinge in regard to the afore- said trust. This difficulty between Fenwick and Byllinge, by the good offices of William Penn, being settled to mutual satisfaction, Byllinge assigned his interest in the Province, being nine-tenths part thereof, to William Penn, Gawi i Lawrie, and Nicholas Lucas, for the .benefit of his creditors, being all he had left to satisfy their claims. The assignees or trustees aforesaid, divided the one moiety or half 57 part of West New Jersey into one hundred shares or parts, yet un- divided or held in common with Carteret ; and soon sold a consid- erable number of shares or parts to different purchasers, who thus became proprietors, according to their purchases in common with them. But in order to make sales and induce settlement, it soon became evident that terms and conditions should be agreed upon and established. Men in good living and in the enjoyment of the comforts of civil- ized life, would not readily yield these and expose themselves to a long sea voyage, and a wilderness life with a race of men esteemed savages, without an assurance that their condition or the condition of their posterity would receive commensurate benefit. Accordingly the trustees or assignees aforesaid, together with many who by purchase had become proprietors agreed to, and signed what were termed " the concessions and agreements of the " Proprietors, Freeholders and Inhabitants, of the Province of " West New Jersey, in America." Previously to this however, a division of the Province had been effected by the trustees and Carteret, in such way as to give the western part of the Province by the name of West New Jersey to those who held under Byllinge and Fenwick. The division line as stated by the trustees in a letter to Richard Hartshorne, dated London, 26th of 6th mo., 1676, runs from the east side of Little Egg Harbour, straight north through the country to the utmost branch of Delaware river ; with all powers, privileges and immunities, whatsoever. The division having been thus effected, the concessions and agreements aforesaid, were issued, and became the fundamental law for West New Jersey, and by the said letter to Richard Harts- horne, as there spoken of says : "We lay a foundation for after ages to " understand their liberty as men and Christians, that they may " not be brought in bondage, but by their own consent. For we " put the power in the people ; 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 at an Assembly there, " to make and repeal laws, to choose a governor, or a commissioner, " and twelve assistants, to execute the laws during their pteasure ; " so every man is capable to choose <3r be chosen : no man to be " arrested, condemned, imprisoned or molested in his estate or lib- " erty,butbytwelvemenoftheneighbourhood; no man to lie inpris- *' on for debt, butthathis estate satisfy as farasit will go, and besetat " liberty to work ; no person to be called in question or molested " for his conscience, or for worshiping according to his conscience ; " with many more things mentioned in the said concessions." A reference to the concessions and agreements themselves, to be 58 found in the Surveyor General's office, at Burlington, will repay the patriotic reader, and show the care of our worthy predecessors to establish a platform guaranteeing to all who might settle in this Province, and their children after them — both civil and religious liberty. So comprehensive and perfect are the forms of government, and the rights of the people as laid down in these concessions; that it may well be doubted whether we have in any one thing improved in the theory and principles as established at that early day. Indeed, it might seem that they have served for a model for our state and general governments in the formation of their Constitutions. With regard to religious liberty, I cannot well withold the guar- antee as set forth at large, as follows: Chapter XVI. "That no man nor number of men upon earth, " hath power or authority to rule men's consciences in religious " matters. Therefore, it is consented, agreed and ordained, that no " person or persons whatsoever within the said Province, at any " time or times hereafter, shall be anyways upon any pretence " whatsoever, called in question ; or in the least punished or hurt, " either in person, estate, or privilege, for the sake of his opinion, «' judgment, faith, or worship, towards God, in matters of religion ; " but that all and every such person and persons, may from time 11 to time, and at all times, truly and fully have and enjoy his and " their judgments, and the exercise of their consciences in matters of religious worship throughout all the said Province.'' These and other kindred provisions, induced many persons to emigrate and settle this then wilderness country ; considering the rights and privileges guaranteed, as sacred and inalienable as the titles to their lands. Jn 1G77 the ship Kent, Gregory Marlow, Master, being the second from London, arrived at New Castle, the 16th of 6 mo., O. S., and and brought 230 passengers. Among them were Thomas Olive, Daniel Wills, John Kinsey, John Penford, Joseph Helmsley, Rob- ert Stacy, Benjamin Scott, and Thomas Foulke, who together with Bichard Guy, who came in the first ship, were made Commission- ers, and sent by the Proprietors with power to buy the lands of the natives ; to inspect the rights of such as claimed property, and to order the lands laid out ; and in general to administer the govern- ment pursuant to the concessions. These Commissioners in pursuance of authority thus derived, (and also by a Commission from the Duke of Yorks' Governor Andros), proceeded to make purchases of the Indian natives as fol- lows : from the Rancocas River to the Assunpinck ; from Timber Creek to the Rancocas ; and from Oldman's Creek to Timber Creek ; and from the Province line opposite the uppermost head of the Assun- 59 pinck, to a point near the uppermost head of the Rancocas and Tim- ber Creeks, as run and agreed upon by the Indians and Commis- sioners. The Deed from Rancocas to Timber Creek bears date 10th of September, 1677. From Oldman's to Timber Creek 27th of Septem- ber, 1677. From Rancocas to Assun pinck 10th of October, 1677. By the consideration paid for the lands between Oldman's and Timber Creek, we may judge of the rest— and which was 30 match coats, 20 guns, 30 kettles, and one great one, 30 pair of hose, 20 fathoms of duffields, 30 petticoats, 30 narrow hoes, 30 bars of lead, 15 small barrels of powder, 70 knives, 30 axes, 70 combs, 60 pair of tobacco tongs, 60 scissors, 60 tinshaw looking-glasses, 120 awl blades, 120 fish-hooks, 2 grasps of red paint, 120 needles, 60 tobacco-boxes, 120 pipes, 200 bells, 100 jews-harps, 6 anchors of rum. The Commissioners (appointed by the Proprietors met in London, before the sailing of the ship Kent, in 1677,) purchased lands of the natives, and laid a part of it out for purchasers, and administered the government pursuant to the grants and concessions. This continued however but for a short time, changes were made in the mode of constituting the legislative power, and the commis- sioners becoming weary of their onerous duties in a country pos- sessing but few of the comforts of civilized life — some of them left and returned to England. And to prevent confusion — and preserve some system in so im- portant a matter as title to lands, the Legislative Assembly assum- ed the management of the location of lands to themselves— much after the manner first intended by the Proprietors. That is, the Legislative Power to manage their landed interests also. This continued until about 1687, or about 10 years, when the As- sembly declined the further superintendence of the interests espe- cially belonging to the Proprietors, and signified to them, that they might choose a convenient number of themselves to transact their own business. In pursuance of this decision of the Legisla- tive Assembly, on the 14th of February, of the same year, the Pro- prietors met at Burlington, and choose and elected eleven persons of themselves to act for the whole, for the next ensuing year. This continued for one year, when it was agreed that 9 would be a more suitable number, when an instrument of writing in form of a Con- stitution, was signed by the Proprietors, providing for the election of nine of their number who should by the name of the Council of Proprietors, manage the interests of the whole. On certain days in the counties of Burlington and Gloucester yearly, and every year they are chosen by the Proprietors, five at Burlington, and four at Gloucester. The first election under the new regulations, appears to have been 60 held by the Proprietors in a body for the whole State, at Burling- ton, on the 14th of 12th month, A. D. 1G87 ; and the following persons were elected, viz: Samuel Jennings, Thomas Olive, William Diddle, Elias Farr, Mahlon Stacy, Francis Daven- port, Andrew Robeson, William Hoyden, John Heading, William Cooper, and John Wills. About seven years previously to the permanent establishment of this Council of Proprietors, when the government and proprietory interests were conducted by the same body of men. The Proprie- tors in England, having chosen E. Dyllynge, Governor, and who in his turn appointed Samuel Jennings, his Deputy, who called an assembly, by whose joint action enactments were made, and regula- tions for location of lands established, a part whereof it may not be improper to notice in this place, which commences as follows : Forasmuch as it hath pleased God to bring us into this province of West New Jersey, and settle us here in safety, that we may be a people to the praise and honor of His name, who hath so dealt with us, and for the good and welfare of our posterity to come. AVe the Governor and Proprietors, freeholders and inhabitants of West New Jersey, by mutual consent and agreement for the pre- vention of innovation and oppression, either upon us or our pos- terity, and for the preservation of the peace and tranquility of the same ; and that all may be encouraged to go on cheerfully in their several places ; "we do make and constitute these our agreements to be as fundamentals to us and our posterity, to be held inviolable ; and that no person or persons whatsoever, shall or may make void or disannul the same, upon any pretence whatsoever." Then follows various laws or regulations, intended to promote the welfare of the province, (thirty-six in number), and requiring eight days. Among these was one directing that ten men from Burlington, and ten from Salem, should be appointed to lay out and clear a road, from Burlington to Salem', at the public expense. Hence the Salem road, (so called). The Commissioners under date of the 14th of 11th month, 1681, and who were nominated, elected and chosen by the general free assembly, Proprietors and Freeholdors of the province of West New Jersey, for the purpose of settling and regulating of lands, &c, among other things did provide, " that the Surveyor shall measure the front of the river Delaware, beginning at Assunpink Creek, and from thence down to Cape May, that the point of the compass may be found for the running the partition lines betwixt each tenth." " That no person or persons shall take up lands on both sides of a creek, to one settlement, except the Commissioner for the time being, shall see good cause for their so doing." 61 11 That no person or persons shall have more than forty perches front to the river or navigable creek, for each and every one hun- dred acres, except it falls upon a point so that it cannot otherwise be avoided ; and in such cases it shall be left to the discretion of the Commissioners then for the time being." These and many other regulations being agreed upon, were sub- scribed by the Commissioners as follows : Samuel Jennings, Gov- ernor, Thomas Olive, Robert Stacy, Thomas Budd, Daniel Wills, Thomas Gardiner, and Benjamin Scott. Fenwick, to whom a conveyance had been made in trust for Byllynge as aforesaid, executed a long lease to two persons by the name of Eldridge and Warner. And Byllinge having assigned his interest in West New Jersey, to William Penn, Garven Lawin, and Nicholas Lucas. The affairs of the province becoming complicated, were at length settled in such way as to allow one-tenth part to Fenwick, nine-tenths, or ninety hundredths parts being as of the estate of Byllynge. The Councils of Proprietors were instituted to manage this last, or Byllynge interest. Fenwick having claimed his tenth to be laid off for him at Salem, and being also ambitious to act as sole Proprietor, did not at first come under the regulations of the General Council. But this being accomplished, a Proprietor residing within the Fenwick tenth, was frequently elected as one of the council. During the early years of the settlement of West Jersey, (.here ap- pears to have been much irregularity in the mode of making sur- veys. Fenwick not only undertook to grant manors and lands, but to establish a separate government. But none of his grants for specific tracts or parts of land were recognized as valid, except the land and marsh laid out for Salem Town. Grants by him and his executors, and by his assigns of undivided rights were received by the council to the extent of his ten dividends, as a sufficiet founda- tion for warrants of survey. Many of them were not presented to the council, and were not recorded in the office at Burlington ; but are found in Bevil's Book of Surveys, in the office of Secretary of State, at Trenton, and appear to have been made under direction of James NevillFenwick's, Secretary (and afterwards agent of William Penn) a large Proprietor in his own right, and as one of Fenwick's Executors ; others are contained in Leeds' Book of Surveys — also in Secretary's office at Trenton. A dividend of each Proprietor's share was first fixed at five thou- sand two hundred acres— but this was soon enlarged to twenty-five thousand acres. Fenwick arid his assigns were credited with ten. Six additional dividendswere made, making in the whole thirty-five thousand acres to each Proprietor. The owner of a fraction being entitled to his proportionate part. 62 These dividends would make for the whole amount of lahds in West Jersey, three millions and five hundred thousand acres, much more than is found within its boundaries. But a large number of rights have never been claimed, and it is not known who are en- titled to them. Neither is it known, the actual number of acres which have been located ; and in many cases the same lands have been covered by different surveys. It was intended at the first settlement to run out the province into ten parts, called tenths fronting on the Delaware river. But this does not appear to have been carried out only to a limited extent. Counties having been established, and taking the place of tenths, as better suiting the convenience of the settlers. It appears that Burlington county included two-tenths, Gloucester one, and Salem one, making four, and besides these does not appear. In the election of the Council of Proprietors to have the care of the Proprietors interests and the location of their lands, it appears to be the established usage, (the origin of which is unknown) That the Proprietor of a thirty-second part of a hundredth or full pro- priety — has the right to vote, and also the right to be elected a member of the council. The owner of a specified number of acres of unappropriated rights; but having no interest in an undivided remainder has no right to vote. Many of the original Proprietors never came into the province, and no heirs nor assigns having claimed their rights. It is believed the number who now claim, as full Proprietors does not exceed twenty, while others hold a fractional part down to a one thirty- second part. It appears that in or about the year 1G77, there were two compa- nies formed in England, each taking one tenth of the whole, or ten proprietory rights, and according to the dividend aforesaid, would allot to each of these companies three hundred and fifty thousand acres. One of the companies was formed in Yorkshire and one in Lon- don. Each accordingly appointed commissioners to locate its tenth. Joseph Helmsley, William Emley, and Robert Stacy, commissioners for the Yorkshire Company, chose from the Falls of Delaware down ; and this was called thefirst tenth. The London Commissioners consisting of John Penford, Thomas Olive, Daniel Wills, and Benjamin Scott, who chose for the tenth at "Arwaumus," called second tenth, about where the town of Gloucester now stands ; and were about to make provision to settle there. Whereupon the Yorkshire men proposed to the London men that if they would fix by them they would unite in settling a town. All being of the religious order known as Friends or 63 Quakois, as indeed were all or nearly so of the original proprietors and settlers, it was but natural that the London Company should embrace the offer of their Yorkshire Friends, and join in the settle- ment of the town. Accordingly a site was fixed upon for the town, and a surveyor by the name of Noble, who came in the first ship, was employed to make division of the land between the two companies, and which was done by running out the main street from the river Delaware as now opened. The Yorkshire Company to take on the upper, and the London Company on the lower side of the street. The main street thus laid out and established, the Commissioners continued Noble, the surveyor, to lay out ten lots ; one for each of the proprietors, of nine acres each, ten on the upper side of the street, and ten on the lower side of the same. Among the early settlers in the neighborhood of the town, now the city of Burlington, were Thomas Olive, of Willingboro, in England, and who was one of the early Governors of the province. Daniel Wills of Northampton, in England, one of the commission- ers and Governor's council. William Peachy, William Clayton, John Crips, Thomas Eves, Thomas Harding, Thomas Nositer, Thomas Famsworth, Morgan Drewitt, William Penston, Samuel Jennings, William Hibbs, Samuel Lovett, John Woolston, William Woodmancy, Christopher Saunders, Thomas Stokes, Robert Powell and Samuel Jennings. It is thought that many of these after a short stay emigrated to Pennsylvania— then about to be settled, under the auspices of Wil- liam Penn, and his wise and benevolent government, while others remained, located land, raised families and contributed by their industry and virtues to build up a community which has exercised an influence for good to the piesent day. Among these we may particularize as follows: Thomas Olive located a large tract of land on the north bank of the Rancocas river and built a grist mill on a stream of water now known as Mill Creek, in the township of Willingboro, a little below the bridge over the creek of the Beverly and Mount Holly turnpike road. The township of Willingboro is supposed to have taken its name from Willingboro in England from whence Thomas Olive emigrated. Thomas Olive from the time of his arrival in 1677 to his decease about 1692 was one of the most useful in the province. He officiated as commissioner in laying out lands, legislator, governor, member of the Council of Proprietors, justice of the peace, and also as a minister of the gospel among Friends— having been imprisoned and otherwise a sufferer for his religion in England, and by his conduct both public and private merited general love and esteem to the last. In his conduct as a magistrate he often heard the parties ; 64 he sitting on a stump in his meadow, and seldom failed to settle their differences without much expense and generally to satisfaction, being more desirous to accommodate matters than promote liti- gation. The property in Willingboro located by him remained pretty much together without division notwithstanding sundry convey- ances until near the decease of Solomon Ridgeway, who was the late sole proprietor up to 1790. A large part still remained in the name of Ridgway, until quite lately, Benjamin Ridgway, grand- sou of Solomon, having conveyed to four different persons a part to each, of the original tract, comprising together four or five hun- dred acres. SAMUEL JENNINGS. Perhaps no one person exercised more influence in moulding the early institutions of the province than he. Likewise he filled all the civil officers of state up to Proprietory Governor ; was eminent as a gospel minister among Friends ; was fearless in defending and advocating civil and religious liberty ; was Speaker of the General Assembly at the time of their memorable controversy with Lord Cornbury, Queen Anne's cousin, and by her appointment Crown Governor of New Jersey, and by his intrepidity contributed much toward having him removed and Lord Lovelace substituted in his stead. He located much land and among the several tracts was a large one about two miles south-easterly from Burlington, upon which he erected a mansion and made it a dwelling for himself. This has long since passed out of his family and was subsebuently owned by Dr. Parrish, now deceased, who made some repairs to the old mansion and made also an addition thereto. The building was frame, of large and strong timber, which is still sound and with proper care may endure many coming centuries. The building is in a state of good preservation, and will well repay a pilgrimage of the antiquarian capable of appreciating Samuel Jenning's services in the cause of liberty and self-government— it being as is supposed the last remaining habitation of any of the early Governors of the American provinces. Samuel Jennings had but three children who were all daughters and who married three brothers by the name of Stephenson. A part of the original tract of land connected with the homestead still remains in the family and name of Stephen- son. DANIEL WILLS. Located five hundred acres of land on the north side of Rancoca3 river, and having emigrated from Northampton in England, and being conspicuous in the early settlements as commissioner to locate land, and as one of the Governor's council, it is thought he con- 65 tributed to give the name to Northampton township where he lived, and the river upon which he located, the latter being for many \ears known as " Northampton river." About 1698 he went to Barbadoes to look after the estate of his deceased brother William, where he died and was interred in the Friend's burial ground on that island. The oldest son J tmes, married Elizabeth Cooper, daughter of William Cooper, of Pyne Point. The sen of Daniel settled at Eyer3towu, Burlington county, and left a large family of children. John Wills, another son, settled on Rancocas river, on the location before named, and had eleven children. John and James, two of his sons, settled in the northern part of this State. Hope married Freedom Lippincott. Jane married Samuel Eves. Elizabeth married Samuel Lippincott. Ann married Jonathan Ladd. S.irah married Joshua Lord. Rebecca married William Tomlinson, and Mary, who also married, but to whom it is not now known. Daniel, another son of John, is the person through whom the "Wills," who reside on the original location on the Rancocas, and now owned by Aaron and Daniel Wills, trace their lineage, being the sixth generation in the name, and the land but one transfer by deed. JOHN CRIPPS. John Cripps appears to have been a useful and influential man, and in 1681 located three hundred acres in terms as follows :=•' Sur- veyed then for John Cripps, one parcel of land abutting on Ranco- cas creek southward, and from a certain white oak tree marked with I. C. It stretches itself northeast and by east two hundred and eighty -four rods to a black oak marked I. C. Then northwest two hundred and seventy rods to another black oak marked as afore- said, from which by a south, southwest course, it reaches the said creek again through a swamp, wherein grows store of Holly, to a white oak by the creek marked as before, within which tract of land is a mountain, to which the province east, south, west and north, sends a beautiful aspect, named by the owner thereof Mount Holly." JOHN WOOLSTON. John Woolston, settled in the town or city of Burlington, and at his house was held the meetings for worship of the Friends in the early settlements. He was a worthy citizen, and ancestor of numer- ous and respectable descendants in the county of Burlington. He married Hannah, a daughter of William Cooper, of Pyne Poiut, now Camden city, opposite Philadelphia. S6 THOMAS STOKES. Thomas Stokes, one of the first settlers, had four sons and two daughters, as follows: — John married Elizabeth Green, and settled on the north bank of Rancocas river on the farm the most part cf which is still in possession of his descendants. Charles Stokes aud Israel I. Stokes' lard having been transmitted by will from father to son, Charles being the fourth and Israel I. the fifth generation in succession. Thomas Stokes married Deliverance Horner, she deceased, aud he married Rachel Wright of Long Island. He settled in Water- f nd township, Gloucester county, and had a large family of children, who by marriage are connected with the Ma tlacks, Haines, Lambs, Cowperthwaites, Conrows, Hinchmans, Hillmans, Pines, Brown- ings and Collins. Joseph Stokes married Judith, a daughter of Freedom and Mary Lippincott, and after her decease he married Ann, the widow of John Haines. He settled in Chester township, Burlington county, and had fourteen children. His daughters intermarried with the Coles, Goslins, Aliens, Roberts, Evans, Morgans, Rogers, and Chambers. The present Doctors Stokes' of Moorestown, Burlington county, are of this division of the family, and the name has become numer- ous, not only in New Jersey, but in several other States of the Union, from the foregoing three brothers. The name of the fourth I am not able to discover, but tradition says he settled in North Carolina, and from this branch the name is quite numerous. THOMAS HARDING. "^ Thomas Hardinglocated two hundred and fifty acres on the north side of Rancocas river. He was conspicuous as a Friend, was im- prisoned in England for his religion, and the first meeting estab- lished at Rancocas for worship was held at his house. I have no account of the family he left. After his decease, his executor, John Wills, sold his farm to John Stokes, son of Thomas aforesaid. This being the only deed for a large part of the farm to the present day, it having descended from father to son, by will as aforesaid. JOHN PAINE. John Paine located two hundred acres on the north side of the Rancocas for Thomas Green, between lands of Daniel Wills and Thomas Harding, which was first settled by John Stokes, whose wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Green, and where a son of Thomas afterwards owned and resided. 67 Immediately below the Stokes' farms or the Rancocas we find the following locations:— One of 325 acres to William Evans, one of 2i0 acres to Robert Hudson, one of 600 acres to Thomas French, one of 68 acres to John Roberts, one of 100 acres to Thomas Eves, and one of 636 a'*res to Thomas Olive, and who married Mary, a daughter of Daniel Wills. The last named surveys extended from the Ran- cocas to Olives mill creek. Some six or seven hundred acres of the Evans, Hudson and French's locations as aforesaid, were conveyed to William Frank- lin, son of the celebrated philosopher, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, about the time of the commencement of the Revolutionary war. He was appointed Governor of the Province by the Crown, and made the place his residence; enclosed between one and two hundred acres with a ditch and fence for a park, where he had a large number of deer. In about 1776. his loyalty to the mother country brought him into collision with the legislature or convention sitting at Burling- ton, and not summoned by his authority. And as a consequence he was arrested at his dwelling at the Park, by order of the Conven- tion, and taken before them ; and after a time banished to Connec- ticut, and from there was sent, or permitted to go to England, and never returned to this country. In England, he made a deed for the above property to his son, William Temple Franklin, who took possession of the same, known as Franklin Park, and so continued to be known to the present time. Since then, however, the tract has been divided, and is now owned by some ten or dozen persons. The old Gosernor's mansion was destroyed by fire some twenty- five years since ; and a new one erected nearly on the same site, is now owned and occupied by Richard Buzby. Adjoining Daniel Wills' survey of 500 acres on the Rancocas river, and up the river, or easterly, John Borton located 125 acres. John Wolman located 150 acres adjoining, Walter Humphreys located about 400 acres, and Barnard Devonish located 400 acres, and John Stokes, an English proprietor who never cameto this country, loca- ted 150 acres conveyed to and settled by Thomas Stokes, (his brother), and the common ancestors of the Stokes family aforesaid. Thomas Gardiner also located 229 acres, and then a location of acres, the owner not ascertained, except Anthony Elton, who ad- joins Gardiner's survey, but the dimensions of Elton's survey not known. Adjoining Anthony Elton, and about forty chains from the creek easterly, Walter Clark and Anthony Cook located one thousand acres, and adjoining Clark and Cook on the north, Samuel Jennings located a survey to the east of Clark and Cook, and extending 68 partly to the north branch of Kancocas river, a survey of 500 acres was taken up for Mary Perkins. Easterly and southeasterly of Mary Perkins survey and bounding on the north branch of Ranco- cas, Richard Fen i more located 90 acres. In the same direction, but not extending to the Rancocas, Laurance Morris located 50 acres, and easterly of the two last named surveys, John Cripps took up his Mount Holly survey as before named. EDWARD CATHERAL. About the year 1684 Edward Catheral had surveyed to him 300 acres of land fronting on the Delaware river, including the lower part of Edgwater as now laid out by the Mandersons. It is pretty clearly ascertained that the old Dunks ferry tract, upon which the city of Beverly in built was located by John Wills, and the survey contained about 300 acres of land ; a different per- son, however, from John, the son of Daniel Wills, as heretofore referred to. On the decease of John, the proprietor of thi-= property, he left one son and several daughters. It is understood one mar- ried Joseph Fenimore, who became the owner, and in this name it descended from father to son for several generations. The name of the ierry was derived from the owner of the oppo- site or Pennsylvania shore, by the name of Dunk. This ferry was long known as the best crossing for horses and wagons upon the whole Delaware river, not even excep ing Philadelphia, and so continued until the introduction of horse and steam boats, some sixty years since. SCOTT and BIDDLE. Benjamin Scott and William Biddle located jointly— 635 acres bounded by the Delaware river, by lands of William Heulings on the upper side, and William Peacheeon the lower side. This tract of land is situate above the city of Burlington. It is believed that all, or nearly all the foregoing persons were Friends, or people called Quakers. They early instituted meetings for public worship in different sections, and most of which remain to the present day. The early records of their business meetings afford matter for in- teresting research, not only as regards their church affairs, but as a means of tracing genealogies and neighborhood matters, for it was here their controversies were settled and not in the courts of law. 69 January 5, 1869. The annual meeting of the Association was held this day at the West Jersey Hotel, Camden, N. J., the Hon. William Parry, Presi- dent in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The report of the Treasurer was submitted, approved and filed. Josiah F. Peacock, of Medford, Burlington County, N. J., was elected a member and reported his " mark." George E. Gaskill, of Mount Holly, Burlington County, N. J., was elected a member and reported his " mark." William Arratt, of Glassboro', Gloucester County, N. J., was elected a member and reported his " mark." William House, of Salem, Salem County, N. J., was elected a member and reported his "mark." George H. Harker, of Wrightstown, Burlington County, N. J., was elected a member and reported his " mark." James Lippincott, Esq., reported the death of Amos J. Maple, a member of the Association, which was ordered to be entered in the proceedings. . William Arratt, Esq., reported the death of Benjamin C, Downs, a member of the Association, which was ordered to be entered in the l •roceedin° r s. On motion of Mr. Irick, the Secretary was ordered to have all papers read before the Society, to this date, as well as the proceed- ings of the same printed in pamphlet form ready for distribution at the next meeting, and the Treasurer was directed to assess a tax of two dollars on each member, to defray the expenses of tne same. Mr Parry, (President,) read an interesting paper before the Society, upon the early settlements of Cinnaminson Township Burlington County, N. J., for which a vote of thanks were extended to him, and the same was ordered to be published. Mr. Arratt was appointed to prepare and read before the Society at the next meeting, a history of the settlement of Vineland Clayton Lippincott, Esq., was appointed to prepare and read before the Society at the next meeting, a history ol the first settle- ments about Moorestown, Burlington County, N.J. This leing the Annual Meeting, the following persons were elec- ted Officers for the ensuing year: President— Hon. William Parry. Vice Presidents-Simeon Cook, William House, William Arratt. Treasurer— Clayton Lippincott. Standing Committee- Henry J. Irick, John H. Doughty. Secretary— John Clement. 70 It being deemed expedient that the Society should have some place suitable for their meetings where the papers of the Associa- tion and all matters of historical interest might be received and safely kept; a committee was appointed to make inquiry in this regard. The President appointed the following members: Henry J. Irick, James Lippincott, Clayton Lippincott, Ezra Stokes and John Clement. Adjourned. John Clement, Secretary. 71 CINNAMINSON TOWNSHIP. The following paper upon the early history and settlement ot Cinnaminson township was read before the West New Jersey Sur- veyors' Association at their annual meeting, held in Camden, on the 11th instant, by William Parry, Esq. Cinnaminson Township about which I was appointed to report is of recei.t date, being set off from the township of Chester, in the county of Burlington, N. J., by an act of the Legislature, passed March 15th, 1860, by a line extending from Rudderow's Bridge over the south branch of Pennsaukin creek, to the bridge over Hackney's Run, near the Rancocas creek, by which it is bounded on the east, and by the Delaware river on the norlh, and the Penn- saukin creek on the west, and is drained by two other streams on which there are several mills for the manufacture of flour and lum- ber, running northward to the Delaware river at convenient distan- ces from each other and the creeks, so that all parts of the township are well supplied with streams, and a gently undulating surface between them to carry off the water. Being about three miles in width and over five in length upon the river front, contains about ten thousand acres of land, mostly sandy, early and very productive. It is well adapted to raising grain, vegetables and choice fruits, and immense quantities are grown here for the Philadelphia and New York markets, carried on sloops, steamboats and turnpikes; and the Camden and Amboy Railroad, connecting the two greatest cities in the Union, pitsses through the whole length of this township, rendering unusual facilities to the inhabitants, whose number now exceeds three thousand. There are several towns of considerable importance, such as Westfield, Riverton, Bridgeborough, Progress, Palmyra and Pennsaukin. There are four post offices, churches, stores, and mechanics of all kinds, amply sufficient to supply the requirements of the neighborhood. Lying and situate on the river and between the two creeks, there are twelve miles of navigable tide water front, on which there are numerous wharves for the landing of heavy articles, such as coal, lumber, lime, manure, and other fertilizers, affording excellent accommodations to the farmers and fruit growers, who do not fail to embrace the opportunities within their reach, as will appear from the report of some of their crops. The premium crop of corn yielded one hundred and three bushels per acre, and forty bushels of wheat per acre have been grown. 72 The soil and climate are admirably adapted to the growth of fruits. Sixty acres of peaches have been grown on a single farm. Apples, pears and cherries flourish finely, and even small fruits are very profitable. Within the last five years there have been grown in this township over ten thousand bushels of strawberries, three thousand bushels of raspberries, and five thousaud bushels of culti- vated blackberries, making in all eighteen thousand one hundred and fifty-four bushels of those three berries, which brought for the growers thereof $95,043, as the reward for their labor. For the earlier history we must refer to the township of Chester from which Cinnaminson was taken, as before stated. The river front of this township was formerly called Cinnaminson, the In- dian name for sweet water, there being many sugar maple trees growing there, to tap which the Indians came from the interior of the State, in early Spring, to draw the sap, Cinnaminson, or sweet water, and carry it home to mix with their food. About thirty years since when the post office was established at the village of Westfield, there being an office of that name in Last Jersey, it became necessary, according to the good regulations of the post office department, to adopt some name not used for the same purpose in any other part of the State, and Cinnaminson being free from that objection was agreed upon, and thus the ancient title to the shore will be perpetuated through the post office and township to future generations. The name of Westfield being taken from the location of the first school house built there by the Society of Friends, in Thomas Lippincott's West Field, at which there were ample provisions made for the education of the youth ; not only the children of Friends, but colored children, and others of the neighborhood freely partook of learning to qualify them for business, long before the establishment of a public school system by the State. Some of the first settlers of this State located on and between the two branches of Pennsaukin creek, which forms the south-west boundary of both Chester and Cinnaminson township. William Matlack, the ancestor of the principal families of that name now residing here, came fiom Notinghamshire, in Great Britain, in the ship Kent, Captain Gregory IMarlow, with Thomas Olive and Daniel Wills, which ship came to Sandy Hook near Perth Amboy, and thence to Chester, on the Delaware river, the 16th of 6th mo., 1677, where the people left the ship and went up the river in small boats to the place where Purlington was after- wards built, then called Chygoe's Island, from an Indian Sachem who lived there. The town of Burligton being laid out the fol- lowing autumn by a surveyor named Richard Noble, who came over two years previous in the ship Griffith, from London, and landed at Salem in 1675, being the first English ship that came to 73 West Jersey. He was employed by two companies called respec- tively the Yorkshire and London Companies, in honor of the places from whence they came, who having agreed to settle near each other and unite their strength in building a town, had Main street run as now opened from the river. The Yorkshire Company hav- ing their lots run off on the east and the London Company taking theirs on the west of said Main street. Hence the names of the two bridges on either Bide of Burlington, viz: Yorkshire and Lon- don Bridges. William Matlack was the first man of the company that put his foot on the said Island. He served four years with Thomas Olive, and being a carpenter, helped to build two of the first frame 1 ousea in Burlington, one for John Woolston, and the other for Thomas Gardener, which were finished in the summer of 1678, and in which Friend^ held their religious meetings, until after the decease of Thomas Gardner's widow, when they built a brick meeting house. He also assisted Thomas Olive to build his water mill on his plantation in Willingborojgh, near Kancocas river, which was finished in 1680, being the first water mill that ground corn for the new settlers. He married Mary Hancock, in the sixteenth year of her age. — She came from Brayles, in Warwickshire in old England, in the ship " Paradise," Captain Evele, on the 7th of March, 1681. Her brother, Timothy Hancock, came with her and paid the passage money, so she came in free. On the 14th of November, 1682, William Matlack located one hundred acres ; Timothy Hancock located one hundred acres ; John Roberts located two hundred and eighty-seven acres, in the second tenth, now Burlington county, adjoining each other, and between parallel lines extending from the North to the South branch of Cim- issick (alias Penisaukin creek), which name is derived from the Indian town or settlement located thereon, called Penisaukin.— The boundaries of one of those tracts as taken from Revell's Book of Surveys may illustrate the manner of locating lands : " Surveyed then for John Roberts one tract of land laying at an Indian town called Penisaukin, between two branches of Cimissick creek, beginning at a black oak for a corner at the more North branch ; and runs thence south-west ninety eight chains to a red oak marked for a corner at the more south branch ; then up by the said branch twenty-nine chains to a white oak for a corner ; thence north-east ninety chains to the said north branch to a white oak for a fourth corner, so down the said creek to the corner fhst aforesaid. Surveyed for two hundred and eighty-seven acres." Timothy Hancock's one hundred acres being eleven chains in width was located next above John Roberts ; and William Mat- lack's one hundred acres of the same width, was located next above Timothy Hancock's land. 74 William Clark in 1684 took up one hundred acres between the two branches of said Penisaukin creek, lying on the lower side of John Roberta' track. Much care was observed by the early settlers to maintain friendly relations with the Indians. John Roberts, Timothy Hancock, William Matlack and others, the first who set- tled at Puiisaulcin, apprehended it would be advantageous to them and their families, to have the friendship and good liking- of the Indian natives, who were at this time many, and they were but few, took care to purchase from them by deed, that good understand- ing, being as follows: " Know all people, that I, Tallaca, have had and received from John Roberts, with the consent of the neighborhood at Penisaukin, one match coat, one little runlet of rum, and two bottles of rum. — In consideration whereof I, the said Tallaca, do hereby grant, bargain and sell unto the said John Roberts, Timothy Hancock, and William Matlack, all those plantations at Penisaukin, promis- ing forever to defend the said John R< berts &c, from otl er Indi- ans laying any claim thereto. In witness whereof I the said Tal- lnea have hereunto set my hand and seal, the twelfth day of April, 1684. Witness, Tallaca. [Seal.] Nackontakene, QlJEIECKOLEN, NOTTHOMON, GlMIESS Jacobyh, Falikn Chess, Thomas Eves." Some of the old Indian deeds are still preserved, and are quite in- teresting to look over, showing how rude and simple an instrument was sufficient to bind both parties before they became educated to the tricks of trade. The following notice of the early settlement of Burlington by the English, written by Mary Smith, a Friend, who arrived with the primative colonists when she was only four years of age, may not be out of place here, viz: " Robert Mifiin and Ann his wife, living in Notinghamshire, England, had one daughter born there 2d mo. 4th, 1674, named Mary, (the writer of this account, who married the first Daniel Smith of Burlington,) after that they had a son called Robert. Some time after it came into their minds to move themselves and family into West Jersey, in America, and in order thereto they went to Hull, and provided provisions suitable for their necessary occasions, such as flour, (fine,) butter, cheese, with other suitable commodities in good store. Then took their passage in the good ship the Shields, of Stockton, with Mahlon Stacy, Thomas Lambert, and many more families of good repute and worth. And in the voyage there were two died and two born ; so that they landed as many as they took on board. 75 And after about sixteen weeks sailing or on board, they arrived at Burlington in the year 1678, this being the first ship that was ever known to come so high up the Delaware river. The ship Grif- fith, which arrived in 1675, having stopped at Salem, and the English that came in the ship Kent, in 1677, landed lower down the river at Chester, and were gotten up in small vessels to Burlington before us, and were so consented to by the Indians. "Then they landed and made some such dwellings as they could for the present time; some in caves, and others in palisade houses secured. The Indians were very numerous, but very civil, for the most part ; bought corn and venison, and sold the English for such things as they needed, so that the said English had some new sup- ply to heip their old stock, which may well be attributed to the good hand of Providence, so to preserve and provide in such a wilderness. "The first comers with the others that came near that time, made an agreement with the Indians for their land, being after this man- ner: "From the river to such and such creeks; and was to be paid for in goods after this manner: "Say so many match coats, guns, hatchets, hoes, kettles, two full boxes, with other materials, all in number as agreed upon by both Indians and English." When these goods were gotten from England, and the Indians paid, then the above mentioned people surrendered some part of the land to settle themselves near the river — for they did not dare to go far from it at first. I must not forget that these valiant subjects both to God and their King, did buy their land in old England before they entered upon this agreement, and after all this, did submit themselves to mean living, taking it with thankfulness, mean and coarse; as pounding Indian corn one day for the next day ; for there was no mill except some few steed mills, and we thought so well of this kind of hard living, that I never heard them say, "I would I had never come," which is worth observing, considering how plenti- fully they lived in England. It seems no other than the hand of God, so to send them to pre- pare a place for the future generations. I wish they that come alter, may consider these things, aud not be like the children of Israel alter they were settled in the land of Canaan, forgetting the God of their fathers, and following their own vanities, and bring displeasure instead of the blessing of God upon themselves, which fall and loss will be very great on all such. Now to return to Robert Miflin, and his wife, after they came into this land ; they had one son called John, and in the year 1681, they had another called Will>am, and in the year 1684 they had a daughter called Johannah ; Robert and John died young. It may 76 be observed how God's providence made room for us in a wonderful manner in taking away the Indians. "There came a distemper, (this was the small-pox, brought among them by the colonists, which, from the manner of treatment, by sweating and then j lung- ing into cold water, was very fatal,) amongst them so mortal, that they could not bury all the dead. Others went away, leaving their towns. It was said that an old Indian King spoke prophetically before his death, and said. '■The English should increase, and the Indians decrease.'' " Thomas Wallis in 1695 located 250 acres of land, including his former settlement on the north side of the north branch of Penisau- kin creek, adjoining lands of Thomas French, Josiah Applegate, Thomas Hooten and John Adams, on the 10th of April, 1697, in company with others, purchased the Canoe swamp. On the 9th of Decern her, 1702, a town meeting was held at his dwelling-house, and occasionally for several years thereafter ; he being frequently elected to fill important positions in the township. By his will he devised three several tracts of land to his wife, Ann, during her life-time, and three to go to his brother, Robert Wallis ; said land was afterwards re-surveyed to said Robert Wallis's two daughters, Margery Webb and Esther Banks, who sold and conveyed it to Thomas Coperthwaite, for £270. Thomas Wallis was one of the trustees named for half an acre of ground set apart for a burying place, Pennisaukin, in the township of Chester, dated 30th of 9th mo., (Nov.,) 1G92. Said burying place is now within the bounds of William Haines' farm, on the north branch of Penisaukin Creek, a little above the Moorestown and Camden turnpike road, and in 1824 the inscription on a tomb-stone was visible, as follows : "Who are't thou art that passeth by, Look on this place, see how we lie. And for thy soul be sure care take, For when death comes 'twill be too late." Also, on the other side, "for the'memnry of Thomas Wallis, who died wealthy, 1705." And on another stone, T. W., 1705; said stones having been used for building purposes, but little trace of the old burying ground can now be found. Phillip Wallis. the great, great grand-father of John Wallace, Senior, now living in Cinnaminson, came from England, and does not appear to be connected with Thomas Wallis, of whom mention has been made. Phillip Wallis was born in 1666, purchased land of Judiah Adams and Charles Steelman, on the northeast side of Pennisaukin creek near the river Delaware, built and dwelt thereon, and left it to his 77 children, a portion of which is still held and occupied hy said John Wallace, Sr., who was the son of Thomas Wallace, deceased in 1832. Thomas Wallace was the son of John Wallace, who was the son of the aforesaid Phillip Wallis, who died 2mo., 20th, 174G, some years hefore the erection of St. Mary's church at Colestown, in 1751, at which place his remains now rest; where they were first interred does not appear by the record. Freedom Lippincott located several tracts of land on Penisaukin creek, married Mary Wills, and lived at the ferry on Ancocas creek where the public highway was marked out in l(>82-3 from Burling- ton to Salem, and had the following named children : Samuel, Thomas, (who married Mary Haines,) Judith, (who mar- ried Joseph Stokes,) Mary and Freedom. Thomas Lippincott, the second son of Freedom and Mary Lippin- cott, purchased by deed, dated 8th mo., 24th, 1711, of Thomas Steven- son, a tract of Jand in the present township of Cinnaminson, begin- ning on the northeast side of Pennsaukin Creek, a little above the forks, now called Ford Landing, and corner to R >bert Stile's land ; thence by the same north sixty-eight degrees, east seventy-eight chains; thence north, north-west by the head lines of the farms, fronting on the said Pennsaukin Creek, seventy-four chains to the head line of the Cinnaminson farms, fronting on the Delaware river ; thence along said line, north sixty-eight degrees, east sixty-eight chains to Sweedes' Run, or Pompession Craek, (which last line I have had occasion to run this winter and find the course now bears north sixty-five degrees, thirty minutes east;) thence up Pompession Creek the several courses thereof to the corner of Joseph Stokes' land ; thence leaving said stream and running by several lines, the general course of which is a southwesterly direction to the aforesaid Penisaukin Creek ; thence down the several courses thereof, to the place of beginning; containing ten hundred and thirty-four acres, besides the usual allowance for highways, extending from Pennsau- kin Creek to Sweedes' Run aforesaid. The said Thomas Lippincott was married to Mary, daughter of John and Esther Haines, of Evesham Township, 9th mo., 1711, and settled on thesaid tract of land where were born to them Nathaniel, 5th mo., 2d, 1713, married Mary Engle; Isaac married Hannah Engle; Th< masmarried Rebecca Eldridge ; Abigail married Thomas Wallis; Esther married John Roberts. The said Thomrs Lippin cott was a useful man, and repeatedly elected to fill important offices in the township, in the years 1715, '17, '22, '25, '26, '38 and '43. Died 5th mo. 9th, 1757. Nathaniel Lippincott, eldest son of Thomas and Mary, married 4th mo., 1736, Mary, daughter of John and Mary Engle, and re- 78 moved to settle in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and had several children, John, Caleb, Seth, Grace, and others. John Lippincott, eldest son of Nathaniel and Mary, married Anna, daughter of John and Hannah Matlack, and settled at the dwelling place of his grandfather, Thomas Lippincott, first men- tioned ( ,n the aforesaid ten hundred and thirty-four acre tract, and had children as follows; Abigail, who died young; Thomas, born 14th of 11th mo., 1756; John, Barzilla, and Aquilla. Thomas Lippincott, eldest son of John and Anna, married 14th of 2d mo., 1782, Lydia, daughter of Joseph and Rachel Burr, and settled on a part of the ten hundred and thirty-four acre tract, devised to him by his father's will, and had children as follows: Anna married Henry Warrington ; Joseph Burr married Hepza- bah Roberts; Seth married Miriam Williams; John married Sarah Starr ; Marmaduke and Charles. The grand children of Seth Lippincott, still hold the farm on which he formerly resided, being a part of the aforesaid tract, the balance having been disposed of to other parties; the writer of this article now holding over two hundred acres of it. Much of the foregoing has been obtained from a hasty inspection of some of the papers, preserved by Asa Matlack, during his life time, who was a close observer of passing events, and collected many items very interesting and instructive to inquiring minds, ■wishing information on local matters since the first settlement of our country. There may be found the records of the first town meetings, measures taken for the establishment of schools, churches, and places of worship. The history of families' births, deaths, mar- riages and settlements. The location and boundaries of our hinds, and much other matter that well repay a more careful examination. 79 August 10, 1869. The Stated Meeting of the Society was held this day at the West Jersey Hotel, Camden, N. J., at 10 A. M. The Hon. William Parry in the chair. The minutes of the .last meeting 1 were read and approved. Freedom C. Lippincott, Esq., of Marlton, Burlington county, was elected a member, and reported his "mark." Daniel L. Pine, Esq., of Camden, Camden county, was elected a member, and reported his "mark." Samuel P. Chew, Esq., read a lengthy and interesting paper upon the differences of the magnetic needle, as used in practical survey- ing ; discussing the question in an able and exhaustive manner; also, suggesting many advantageous changes in the mode of manu- facture and use. The thanks of the meeting were extended to him. The Secretary reported the printing of the "Proceedings" to this time, Which same were distributed among the members. William Haines and B irclay White, were each appointed to pre- pare and read before the Society at the next meeting, a paper touch- ing the early settlements of the neighborhood wherein they reside. The committee to procure a suitable room for the meetings of the Society, reported progress, and was continued. Adjourned. John Clement, Secretary. 80 Meeting of Surveyors, January 4, 1870. The annual meeting of the Association of Practical Surveyors of West New Jersey was held on this day, at the West Jersey Hotel, Camden, N. J. The Hon. William Parry, President, in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. James Wills, Esq., of M.irlton, Burlington County, was elected a member. J>hn Girdiner, Esq., of Mount Lnurel, Burlington County, was elected a member. Jacob H. Yocum, Esq., of Camden, Camden County, was elected a member. The Treasurer, Clayton Lippincott, Esq., submitted his report, which was read and ordered to be filed. B irclay White, Esq , read an interesting and valuable paper upon the Early Settlements of Springfield Township, Burlington County, N. J., which was ordered to be published. The thanks of the Society were extended to him. On motion it was resolved that the next stated meeting of the Society be held at Davis ' Hotel, Mount Holly, Burlington County, N. J., (August 9th,) and that each Practical Surveyor have there his compass, to be tested upon the points of the True Meridian, established according to law at that place. William Haines, Esq., submitted and read his observations on the effect of the Aurora ±:orealis upon the magnetic needle on the morning of the third inst., which paper w as ordered to be filed and published. The thanks of the Society were extended to him. " During the time of the Aurora, which occurred on the morning of the third day of the Eirst month, 1870, the mercury standing at 31 i degrees, the evening previous having been marktd by a very strong wind from the southwest, the following observations were 81 taken by William Haines, Practical Surveyor, at "Cedar Lawn Farm," near Clarksborn, Gloucester County, N. J., viz: The bearing of a certain object at a time when the Aurora was very vivid in the northwest At u.30 A. M. was N. 30 degrees 32 minutes W. " 6.30 do. 4; X. 31 " 7.25 do. (< N. 32 " 8.30 do. a N. 32 " 9.40 do. it N. 32 " 10.40 do. u N. 32 "11.40 do. ■ ( N. 32 " 12.00 noon 30 , near the long bridge in the Northern liberties, Philadelphia, supposed to have occurred in attempting to give her horse water, where it was very deep. That wis then the direct and only road to Philadelphia." Her sister, Johanna, married John Sykes who while a boy, emigrated with his father, Samuel, and grand father, John Sykes. The latter died soon after landing, being very aged. John Sykes the younger, died 10 mo., 1771, aged 90. He was the father of Anthony whose son Thomas, was the father of the present Georjre Sykes. Mary Smith, Johanna Sykes and John Sykes have each left short but interesting narratives of their moving to this country. The first may be found in Watson's Annals of Philadelphia ; the latter in the original, are in the posse sion of George Sykes. Richard was twelve years one of the Council, and died in 1750. Richard Smith son of Samuel, was elected a member of the As- sembly for Burlington, in 1730, and died while that body was in ses ion at Am boy, Nov. 9. 1751, having represented Burlington in Assembly twenty years. Dr. Franklin's paper, the Pennsylvania Gazette of Nov. 21, 1751, says: " Last week died Richard Smith, Esq., of Burlington N. J, and was buried in Friend's burial ground in that city, in whom, the character of a generous good-natured, hospitable man, true patriot, and good christain, were so truly blended, that he lived beloved, and esteemed by all who knew him, and his death is lamented as a public loss by the people of that province." One of his descendan s in a letter to a triend I since published i says : " Richard Smith carried on an extensive eomuur.-e from the old city of Burlington, in \essels built by himself, some of his sons act- ed for him as super-cargoes to the West Indies, &c. In front of the late Bishop Doane's residence on Green Bank, are the remains of an old wharf, from which probably went all the produce then ship- ped f.om Burlington, to distant parts. This wharf was Richard's, there his ships were built, and from it in one of his vessels his son John, sailed as super-cargo in 1741. at the early age of 1!), having a mind, as he says, to see the Island of Barbadoes, and to know the manner of living at sea, and to survey the wonders of the Lord in the deep, and having my Fathers consen' so to do." Richard Smith married Abigail Raper, 8 mo. 211th, 1719. Samuel their eldest son was author of that valuable and standard work, Smith's history of New Jersev. 91 John the second son, married Hannah daughter of James Logan, the well known friend, and most trusted counsellor and representa- tive of Wm. Penn and was made a member of Assembly for Phil- adelphia, in 17")0, when twenty-eight years old, contrary to his ex- pressed wishes, which led him towards the quiet of private life. Having accumulated a competency by commerce from Philadel- phia, he retired t ; his paternal property at Burlington, and pur- chased of Gov. Franklin for a country seat, Franklin Park with its tenants of deer, situated near the now village of Rancocas. Eliza, married Wm. Dillwyn a merchant of Burlington. William Lovet Smith, the third son of Richard, married Mary surviving child of Daniel Doughty, was a merchant at Burlington, afterwards settled at Bra m ham in Springfield as before mentioned. Other children of Richard Smith died in minority, and Richard married and settled in Burlington. William Lovet Smith during the latter part of his life, built on the southerly portion of B ram ham, that building long known as the "Redhouse," which was destroyed by fire some twenty years since, there he died in 1794, leaving children. Daniel Doughty married Elizabeth Schooley ; Samuel, married Abigail Schooley; Anne, married John Gill, Sr., of Haddontield. Abigail, married John Earl ; Mary married Brazilla Burr ; William Lovit married Eliza daughter of Gen. John Lacey. Bra m ham is still owned by a descendant of William L. Smith. John Osborne located 300 A, adjoining Godfrey Hancock, and John Day's surveys, about 1(594; and January 13, 1699, sold the same to Eleazer Fen ton, whose widow Elizabeth afterwards married Samuel Goldy, and conveyed said tract to Thomas Bran- son, by deed dated January 29, 1707. By record in Revel's book of surveys remaining in the Secretary of State's office, in Trenton, we find there was surveyed for William Biddle, at Oneaoickon 8 mo. 1686, 270 A of land, and in 4 mo. 1689, one tract of 230 A. and two other tracts containing together 323 A, making altogether 823 acres, adjoining lands of Hannaniah Gauntt, John Days, Peter Harvey, Charles Read, Samuel Barker, Daniel Leeds, Michael Buffin, John Browne, and John Shinn. William Biddle is included in Smith's list of settlers from Eng- land, who arrived at Burlington about the year 1678. He made several locations of land in different parts of the County of Bur- lington, including Biddle's Island in the Delaware River. His selection of land was marked with much judgment, generally proving to be among the best. 92 Burlington Quarterly Meeting when first set up in 1682, was held at the house of William Biddle, and so continued until 1711, when it was held alternately at the meeting houses in Burlington and Chesterfield. "Oneaniken" referred to in several of the above locations, was evidently an Indian village, but I have been unable to ascertain with certainty its position, other locations beside these, extending some five miles, mention the name, which is variously spelled, but no doubt all refer to the same place. There has been, an Indian village on the Sandy ridgeof land now owned by John Chambers, about half a mile south-east of Julius- town, its name has passed into oblivion, but its position could be distinctly traced a few years ago, when not covered by timber. Adjourned. LRpFe'15