| CHAPTER FIVE
Full page map on page 80 showing Old Gloucester City circa 1860 Gloucester Enters the Industrial Era: colored pencil art by Janine Hill Industrial Growth Gloucester City, as an industrial community, developed through the efforts and vision of one man-David Sands Brown. Brown, an enterprising New England Quaker, began his career as an apprentice in a dry good firm in Philadelphia partially controlled by his brothers.Within four years Brown had assumed control of the company and began to pursue his idea of manufacturing his own goods rather than importing them from the mills in New England. Early in the 1840's Brown began to search for a suitable place to construct mills. He decided on a tract of land along the waterfront in Camden, but the Mickle family, who owned the property, refused to sell because they did not need the money. Brown found more than enough land in the peaceful fishing community of Gloucester to build his factories. In fact, he had to buy too much land, which forced him into the land development business. In 1844 construction began on the mills and by the spring of 1845 production was under way. To provide homes for the workers in the Washington Manufacturing Company, the official name of Brown's industry, Brown built "mill blocks," the oldest structures in the City today. He also built Washington Hall, across from which was the company store and the main meeting house of the community. By 1846 the community began to take shape surrounding the mills. Brown helped incorporate the Gloucester Land Company to sell building lots and sites for manufacturing purposes for the 150 acres of the land the company owned. The attraction used was that two steam cotton manufactories were already in operation. The deed issued by the Land Company contained an interesting clause that prohibited the owner to "vend, make, or sell, or permit or suffer to be made, sold, or vended, any malt or spirituous liquors except when required as and for medicine. " Prior to the coming of the mills, Gloucester had about 400 residents, one store, one tavern (Hugg's), one ferry (Hugg's) and one fishery. There were fewer than 50 dwellings in the entire community. Brown's company quickly developed the whole community and became the dominant economic force. As many as 40% of all the people in the community, regardless of age or sex, worked in the mills. The hours were long and the working conditions poor, but the company thrived. It survived strikes, recessions, a severe economic panic and the Civil War. Because it survived, Gloucester grew and prospered. The ferry reorganized and incorporated under the name Philadelphia Ferry Company. The Bleachery, built to bleach the material produced by the Washington Mills, opened in 1850, and in 1855 the city acquired its own bank. By 1870, the Washington Manufacturing Company had grown successful enough that other mills were established in the City. The Gloucester Gingham Mills were founded for the manufacturing, bleaching, dyeing, printing, finishing and selling of cotton, silk,wool, linen and other goods in 1870. The Ancona Print Works followed in 1871. Both new companies listed David S. Brown as one of its incorporators. In 1871, Brown took control of the Gloucester Iron Works, which were originally founded in 1864. In 1873 he was behind the formation of the Gloucester Gas Light Company and the Camden, Gloucester and Mt. Ephraim Railroad, and was chief officer of the Terra-Cotta Works. Brown died on July, 6, 1877, in Philadelphia. He never lived in the City he "created," choosing the cultural center for the basis of operation for his enterprises. His influence, nevertheless, was the single most important factor in the development of Gloucester City. What industry he did not directly provide developed because the mills required or supported it. When the mills had outlived their usefulness, the area had skilled artisans to attract other industries to come and provide more jobs. By that time Gloucester had become the City of Gloucester City, and was already living up to its motto "The City with the Prosperous Future." David C. Munn The Quiet Years For nearly sixty years following the change of the county seat to
Woodbury, Gloucester Town might easily be described as a sleepy fishing
village. The population During this Period of decline, three businesses continued operation. William Hugg's tavern was still the meeting place of the Fox Hunting Club and also attracted patrons with his excellent food. Farmers used Hugg's ferry to transport produce to the markets in Philadelphia. The ferry also brought Philadelphians to Gloucester Town for picnics, boating, hunting, fishing, berry picking, and other forms of recreation. The fishery which extended from the ferry wharf to Newton Creek was operated by the Harrisons and for several years was known as the "Champion Fisheries." In 1798, the Board of Freeholders of Old Gloucester County was incorporated. Two freeholders were elected from each municipality to serve on the board. Samuel W. Harrison and William Hugg represented Gloucester Town. The year before the incorporation was the last joint meeting of Justices and Freeholders. After November 24, 1797, they performed their duties separately. Life in Gloucester Town was simple and quiet most of the time. There were a few political controversies to add a brief spurt of excitement occasionally and five brief wars to make the young men leave for short periods of time. By 1820, ferry operators and real estate owners in the upper portion of Old Gloucester County, mainly those in Cooper's Ferry, displayed a great deal of unhappiness about the location of the county seat in Woodbury. An attempt was made to move the county government back to Gloucester but it failed. Businessmen who were hoping for an increase in business and property values were quite disappointed. There is some speculation that this failure eventually led to the formation of Camden County. Gloucester Town and a Portion of Gloucester Township were combined to form Union Township on November 15, 1831. Included in the new township with Gloucester were the present communities of Brooklawn, Bellmawr, Mount Ephraim, Runnemede, Barrington, Lawnside, and the larger part of Magnolia. During the 1830's Old Gloucester County began to disintegrate.
Atlantic County was created by the legislature in 1837. Property owners
and county officials were not satisfied that the boundaries were
accurate. Many spoke openly of the disagreement they had had for years
with the survey done by Samuel Clement in 1765. Finally in 1843 a new
survey was ordered. When the report was filed in 1847, the boundaries
established by Clement were confirmed. *** COUNTY AND STATE OFFICIALS (Inset page 83) Gloucester Town remained within the boundaries of Old Gloucester County after the county seat was moved to Woodbury. Many residents continued to be active in the political life of the county. The leading families can be easily identified by the records of governmental organizations. Minutes of April 5, 1715, (first time names were listed)--Freeholders: John Kaighn, Peter Long, John Ladd, Jacob Clement, Joseph Cooper, Jacobus Collins, John Shiooes. Justices: Richard Bull, John Juskook, George Lauzonal, John Rambo, Joseph Tomlinson. Clerks of the Board of Freeholders: Member of Congress Legislative Council of New Jersey (List of sheriffs, county clerks, county collectors, members of the assembly and judges can be obtained in The History of The Counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland Counties.) *** THE LOG SCHOOL (inset page 84) Formal education began for the children of Gloucester Town in the early 1800's with the construction of a log school. The school was built on the north side of the old road to the Salem Road where it curved south. If it were standing today, the school would be on Powell Street about 100 yards east of the railroad on the site formerly occupied by the Gallagher Brothers Coal Yard. Probably the most noted of the schoolmasters was James Dove, who carried on the educational standards of the famous colonial schoolmaster David Dove. *** Political pressure combined with population and industrial growth created the climate necessary to get action from the State Legislature to enact the law forming Camden County in 1844. When the boundaries for the new county were established, Union Township was no longer a part of Gloucester County. And thus began the confusion evidenced yet today by the media and many individuals. Gloucester Town (City) was now part of Camden County. The town had also lost out in, the voting for county seat. The last major change in boundaries prior to the incorporation of the city was in 1855 when Centre Township was organized and separated from Union Township. The men of Old Gloucester County did not know many years of peace from 1798 to 1848. A check of records reveals that men from the county took part in five wars as follows: Naval War with France 1798-1801: Adams, Brown, Clarke, Cook, Daniels, Goldsmith, Hickman, Langley, Mahoney, Peppard, Rossel, Williams, and Wood. Naval War with Tripoli 1801-1805: Bates, Burroughs, Collins, Cozens, Cooper, Fisher, Graham, Nixon, Peppard, Smallwood, Somers. War of 1812-1815 with Great Britain: nearly 400 served in the army in
addition to those in the Gloucester County Blues under Robert L.
Armstrong and Captain Naval War with Algiers 1815: two Coopers, Henry, Shute, Wood (navy); Richard G. Cheeseman, Dunlevy, Gibson, Winner, and Zane (marine corp). War with Mexico 1846-1848: (Gloucester Town only) William Stillings and John O'Donnell. At the end of the first four conflicts, the young men returning home found that very little had changed in the county. However, when the young ex-servicemen returned following the end of the Mexican War, the rural atmosphere of Gloucester Town was showing distinct signs of major change. Industry had come to the town changing the life style and the make-up of the community. *** VOTE FOR SEAT OF CAMDEN COUNTY (Inset page 84) Following the organization of Camden County, it was necessary to
select a county seat. Although there seems to be no official record of
the election held to select Woodbury as county seat in 1786, there is an
official record of the voting for county seat of Camden County held on
April 12, 1845. The vote by township is shown on the chart below. Camden--Camden 779, Newton 8, Gloucester 2, Union 1, Waterford 0 Totals Camden 1062, Newton 422, Gloucester 822, Union 33, Waterford 1 Camden has been the county seat since 1845 but there are now 37 municipalities in the county *** Fishing in the Delaware Fishing, for years one of Gloucester's early industries, kept the town alive and prevented Gloucester Town from becoming another of the Lost Towns of South Jersey. Fishing was important to the area from the days of the Lenni Lenape to the unfortunate polluting of the Delaware River. The shad was a staple of the Indian diet and was quickly adopted by the Europeans who came to settle. The Indians used a type of trapping method to catch the fish. After
locating a shallow spot at a bend in a creek or stream, the Indians
would construct a trap of stones, twigs, and vines. This was held in
place by stakes to form a V with the open end in the water and the point
near the shore. Several Indians would then wade into the water to drive
the shad into the trap by using tree branches to beat the surface of the
water. Once the shad were in the trap, the Indians would use a The first commercial fishery was built on land owned by Sarah Bull, according to the records of 1688. In a will, written in 1742 by Sarah Bull's daughter Sara, a fishery along the Delaware is listed as one of her possessions which she willed to the Harrisons. During the late 1800's the hotels that developed would attract customers by hauling in fish from their piers for the visiting patrons. Some of the fish caught by the old but still operating fisheries would be dried, smoked, or salt cured for sale during the winter when the river was frozen. At one time there were three fisheries operating in Gloucester Town.
The Hugg fishery extended from Clark's to Hitchner's Wharf. North from
Hitchner's Wharf to Newton Creek was the Champion fishery, mentioned in
the will as being given to the Harrisons. This fishery was purchased by
David Brown's Gloucester Land Company in 1848. The Clark fishery was
combined with Hugg's and operated by a member of the Hugg family until
1886 when it was leased to William Thompson The two methods of fishing used by the commercial fishermen in the 1800's were "seine" and "gill" fishing; both methods used nets. In order to use the seine the fishermen needed a gradually sloping sandy beach. Sixteen to twenty men would row out into the water and cast a net in a large circle. Using a windlass operated by horse and manpower, the net would be drawn into a tighter and tighter circle. Then the fish would be scooped into the boat. Only two men were required to use a gill net, which worked best at ebb tide. One man rowed the boat while the other released the net from a box on the stern of the boat. The fish were caught by their gills as the net drifted with the tide. The largest seine net was owned by the Thompson and Guy Fisheries in 1886. The net was 3420 feet long and 180 feet deep with lines over four miles long and could be used only at the horseshoe bend where the Delaware River and Timber Creek meet. The best known of the gill or drift net fishermen was Alexander Powell, who used the method for more than 50 years from 1828. His men operated the 360 foot net from Powell's house along the river to the cave at Eagle Point. The record catch of 3,500 shad in one haul took place at the Gloucester Fishery in May, 1890. The fishery employed between 60 and 75 men who worked under Captain Rice. Most of the men lived in the boat houses and cabins along the river and the creek. Shad are once more being caught in the Delaware River but the era of Gloucester's importance as a fishing town is gone forever. *** Photo captions for page 85 Hauling in the shad net *** Photo captions for pages 86 and 87 The early ferry had to use men at oars or horses on treadmills for
power. *** Use of Ferries Another business which continued operation through the more difficult years until manufacturing developed in Gloucester was the ferry. Until the early 1800's the wherries were owned by residents of Gloucester Town. John Reading, 1695; Elias Hugg, 1696; Matthew Medcalfe, 1705; John Spey, 1707; Dorothy Medcalfe, 1710; Joseph Hugg, 1722, William Hugg, 1742; and several others at various times were licensed and taxed by the county for operating wherries across the Delaware River to Philadelphia. After the Revolutionary War and the change of the county seat, the use of the wherry declined. Mayor Robert Wharton of Philadelphia re-established regular service between Gloucester and Greenwich Point when he became the first out-of-town operation in 1816. Mr. Wharton used a more modern type of ferry-horse treadmill boats-to replace the manpowered wherry. His son-in-law, Samuel Shoemaker, changed to team boats-one used six horses to power it-during the few years he operated the line for Mr. Wharton. In 1812 the first steamboat was introduced on the Camden to Philadelphia line, and in 1835 Robert Wharton Sykes put the steamboat to use on the Gloucester Ferry run. Mr. Sykes also instituted Sunday service from Gloucester Point to Philadelphia. The steamboats New Jersey (1835) and Fashion (1837) were followed by better and larger boats as Gloucester's reputation as a resort town spread. The New Jersey, first of the Gloucester steamboats, was destroyed by fire in 1856 while being operated by the Camden and Philadelphia Ferry Company. Other ferries of this period were the Commodore Stockton, Peytona, and Eclipse. About 1845 control of the ferry went to Captain Richard Loper, who began service to the Almond Street Wharf in Philadelphia. Captain Loper, well-known Philadelphian, incorporated the Philadelphia Ferry Company in 1850. He and his associates,William M. Baird and Benjamin F. McMurtie, moved the Gloucester Terminal to the foot of Jersey Avenue. On January 27, 1852, the ferry boat, the Buena Vista House, and the old wharf were sold at auction in Philadelphia. For a few years the new facilities were leased to Charles Stewart. Mr. Stewart and his partner Mr. Shailer started night service on August 7, 1854, while operating as the Gloucester Ferry Company. Two new boats, the Curlew and the Eagle, were purchased for the ferry run. Stewart's service was particularly good for the farmers who could now take produce to the market earlier and get a better price. Also during the 1850's, a ferry was operated from the Machine Shop Wharf in Gloucester to the Chestnut Street Wharf in Philadelphia by Messrs. Gaul and Albertson. Hourly trips between the two terminals were made by the steamboat Cricket. When the well-known Delaware River captain Wilmore Whilldon became a partner, Captain Loper took over the Gloucester Ferry Company again. However, in 1865, he sold his interest in the company to Mr. A. Heckman. Four years later William Farr inherited the shares owned by his father-in-law, Mr. Whilldon. during the years that Heckman and Farr owned the company, the ferry reached its peak of development. Two new boats, the Fulton and the Exchange were put into service and large waiting rooms were built at the terminal. During the 1880's, William Thompson's interest in the riverfront caused him to make an attempt to purchase the Gloucester Ferry Company but the attempt was unsuccessful. Mr. Thompson, making use of the old Hugg Ferry facillities, built a pier which extended into the river and ran an excursion line from Philadelphia to Gloucester Beach in competition with the other line. The extension of a sewer pipe, mandated by law, from Market Street into the channel of the river created docking problems for the Sylvan Dell, Sylvan Glen and the Twilight. Thompson then used Hitchner's Wharf to maintain his very strong competition with Heckman and Farr. William Thompson was finally able to purchase the Gloucester Ferry Company through use of a third party in 1888. In 1889 he gave farmers 24 hour ferry service which increased their prosperity and Thompson's profits. Soon it because obvious that increased capacity was needed to provide the service required by the increase in passengers coming to Gloucester for recreation. Consequently two-decked ships which could handle 1500 to 2000 passengers came into use on the Delaware River. The first two ships that were added were the Peerless, built in 1872, and the Dauntless, built in 1876. In 1893 the Fearless, the first propeller driven ferry boat, was added to the line. With the closing of the Race Track and the opening of the popular Washington Park which had its own ferry pier, fewer people used the ferry service to Gloucester. The main income once again came from the farmers taking produce to Philadelphia. The ferryboats were sold in 1823; the Gloucester Ferry Company was dissolved in 1923; the Gloucester Ferry Terminal was destroyed by fire in 1923. A business which had existed for 228 years came to an end. *** OBITUARY FOR A GLOUCESTER LANDMARK (Inset page 88) When the double-slip ferry-house was destroyed by fire, "Mourners" came from throughout the area to take a last look at the remains. The ferry had been extremely important to the farmers and many came to reminisce with the townspeople about the "years of the Gloucester Ferry." Snaking their way from the ferry down Jersey Avenue, south on Broadway past the toll-gate and beyond the creek into Brooklawn, the farmers wagons created a parade of produce which extended about a mile and a half. From the first spring picking, through the summer, and finally ending after the October Harvest, the lines seemed to remain intact. As soon as one of the three ferries left, wagons would move up ready to load the next ferry. Snitching apples, peaches, corn, or whatever was on the wagons was a common practice of the children who thought of it as a game. Throughout the night, people living along the route could hear the wagons rolling along the streets and the farmers calling to one another or shouting orders to their teams. Watching the lanterns swinging beneath the wagons gave the viewer the impression of thousands of fire flies breaking up the darkness of the night. The ferry was gone but the memories continue in the minds of many old timers who can recall those days of the Gloucester Point Ferry. *** Photo caption page 89 Spectators and firemen at the Gloucester Ferry after the fire in January, 1923. *** Industries of the Early Years Prowell's history book describes Gloucester Town during those years of decline as a "fishing town and a place for the meeting of clubs from Philadelphia and elsewhere. Multitudes visited it, but few remained. Farming, berrying, fishing and catering to the desires of pleasure seekers constituted the avocations of the few people who lived here during the ante-industrial period." Only a few of the descendants of the original settlers remained in the village near the river. The houses still occupied were the "Old Brick" ferryhouse at the Point, Powell's farmhouse at the foot of Somerset Street, the Plummer House at the north end of town, the Arthur Powell House at Sussex and Market Streets, the Harrison Manor near Newton Creek, the Ellis House at Third and Water Streets, the Redfield farmhouse on Charles Street, the Log School, a cluster of small houses in Pine Grove, and a few houses of those who worked on the ferry for the fisheries. According to the census of 1810, the population of Gloucester Township, which was a very large area of the county, was 1726. Of this fewer than 200 lived in Gloucester Town and the rest were living on farms and in other small villages scattered throughout the township. As fishing picked up in the 1820's, the population increased slightly. The census of 1830 credits Gloucester Town with 686 residents, but these are probably not accurate figures since the actual boundaries of the town itself were probably not observed by the census taker. More than likely the actual number of residents remained at about 200 until the 1840's. Fishing and farming accounted for the major portion of income in the
area. Farmers found the soil particularly good for grains and berries.
One special attraction of the area was the strawberries grown on local
farms. In late spring Philadelphians would come to Gloucester Town for
strawberries and cream and a day in the country away from the noises and
smells of the city. Strawberries also brought a very good price on the
market in Philadelphia. Many farmers also grazed cattle, mainly of the
dairy type, to supply butter and milk to area residents. As late as 1876
cattle grazed within town limits and hogs roamed loose in the streets.
The census of 1850 gives the number of bushels of wheat, rye, and Indian
corn grown in Gloucester as 72,557. *** Tribute to David Sands Brown (special section pages 90-91; includes photo) Although David Sands Brown was never a resident of Gloucester City, he did more to initiate growth and prosperity in the town than any other single individual. His belief in the potential this country had to become an industrial giant in the world and his foresight in realizing the contribution Gloucester could make to this growth were the prime factors in the birth of manufacturing in the city. Consequently, David S. Brown justly deserves any and all tributes paid to him by the past, present, and future generations of Gloucester City. Born on a farm near Dover, New Hampshire, on July 27, 1800, David S. Brown was the youngest son of Abigail and William Brown. The Browns could trace their ancestry to Henry Brown, who had come to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1639. William Brown had married Abigail Peaslee of Haverhill, Massachusetts in 1778 and the couple bought the farm on which David was born. Although of Puritan background, the Browns became members of the Society of Friends soon after their marriage. David was raised according to Quaker beliefs and standards of conduct. Because educational facilities were lacking in New Hampshire, David was sent to Massachusetts to attend school when he was ten years old. While riding on the stage to Boston, David made friends with Daniel Webster and they continued to be friends for life. After studying in Salem for about seven years, David went to Philadelphia to enter the business world with his brothers who were already established there. From 1817 to 1821, David worked for his brothers, and in 1821 he became a member of the firm of Hacker, Brown, and Company, dry goods commissioners. David continued to work his way through the company. Finally in 1830 the firm became David S. Brown and Company. In thirteen years he rose from worker to owner, clear indication of his business acumen. Convinced that industrial growth was absolutely essential if the United States was to prosper as a nation, Mr. Brown spent the next ten years studying the manufacture of cotton goods and planning his venture into the development of mills. His personal characteristics of leadership and determination helped him through those years, and in the 1840's his initial goal was realized. David Brown and his partners-the Messrs. Churchman, Ashhurst, Folwell, Mickle, Evans, Gray, Scull, and Siter-began operation of the Washington Manufacturing Company in 1844. Other factories involved in processes related to the manufacture of cloth followed. In 1865, Mr. Brown organized the Camden, Gloucester, Mount Ephraim Railroad to begin the diversification of his business interests. The Gloucester Land Company (1846), and the Gloucester Land and Improvement Company (1873) were organized by Mr. Brown. In the operation of the land companies, the religious beliefs of David Brown are quite evident. If the deeds to property sold by those companies were enforced today, a number of business establishments in Gloucester City would be forced to close. One clause in those deeds would eliminate all bars and packaged goods stores in the area approximately bounded by the river on the west, Burlington Street on the east, Cumberland Street on the South and the creek on the north. In addition to his interests in Gloucester City, Mr. Brown was president of the School of Design for Women in Philadelphia, which he founded in partnership with Mrs. Peter, wife of the British consul. He also raised capital from numerous friends and associates, and invested himself, for the organization of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It may appear that David Brown met only success in his lifetime but was not true. When David Brown and Company was unable to pay its creditors during the Panic of 1857, Mr. Brown reluctantly suspended operations. In April of 1858 he submitted a plan to his creditors which would eventually pay them in full with interest all monies owed by the company. The plan called for 75 cents to be paid on each dollar- 1/5 in cash on May 1, and 1/5 each three month interval for the next year with interest added. The remaining 25 cents would be paid in stock in the Greenwich Improvement and Railroad Company and the Gloucester Manufacturing Company or notes for two or three years with interest to be drawn on those companies.Within three years all debts had been paid with interest. Financial difficulties had to be faced during the Civil War when the mills had to be closed. Lack of cotton from the South and a shortage of men temporarily suspended production from time to time. After the war, Mr. Brown further diversified his business to avoid such problems in the future. David Brown's health began to fail in the 1870's. On March 4, 1877, he became a recluse in his own home. Death came to Mr. Brown on July 6, 1877. A resolution passed by City Council at a special meeting on July 7 read, "Whereas, Almighty God has removed to a better world our friend and benefactor, the late David S. Brown, therefore, be it resolved that we, in behalf of the citizens of Gloucester City, express our sensibility of the loss we have sustained. And resolved, that Mr. Brown was the leading spirit in establishing all the industrial institutions, and that he was the foremost man in furthering many interests in our town, the benefit of which will long be felt by our people. Newspaper Notice of Death The following article appeared in a Philadelphia newspaper at the time of David Brown's death: "The active life of one man rarely reaches so far in its measure of national progress as has that of the merchant and citizen whose death everyone laments. It embraced the entire period of transition, from dependence, almost abject, upon foreign countries, to industrial triumphs of the most complete and enduring character, and this was in itself the work of Mr. Brown's life, and its result was the crown of his labors. No degree of personal effort that such an occasion could call for was ever wanting; no risks that actual exertion of great works could involve were too great for him to take upon himself. It is easy to assume that a successful issue of the great undertakings of 1844 to 1870 was probable, and that therefore those took the responsibility at that time were not to be credited with unusual honors but, in fact, looking back to that period now, the wonder rather is that anyone should have been bold enough to stake everything on breaking up the foreign control of our markets-a work not fully accomplished until 1876. Honor is due to Mr. Brown for this long and faithful championship of domestic industry. To build up these industries as he did in a country without foreign competition would be a great distinction, but in fact, there has never been a greater struggle or more extreme difficulties than those encountered in the establishment of extensive manufactures during the twenty-five years of Mr. Brown's greatest activity. Yet the most unflinching courage, the most patient and indefatigable labors marked every year of his life, giving almost more than mortal strength to the business he had built up, and, at last, laying down his duties with extreme reluctance. It is not often that so much ability and courage are united in a man of daily business activity. It is easy to be driven from a great purpose by business necessities; it is easy to yield upon the ground that at the time it does not pay, but Mr. Brown never forgot the higher public purpose in the most extreme business trials, and although the end shows that such firmness is best, it is rare that persons tried in such emergencies see the higher interests as he did. In his manner, in his activity, in his persistence to go on and do more, Mr. Brown seemed little changed in 1870 from his daily life in 1850. Yet those twenty years had seen the battle of his life completely won, and himself not the least of the masters in the field. *** GROUND PLAN OF THE CITY OF GLOUCESTER (map page 92) *** Gloucester was also noted for its excellent tar and resin products from local forests. Farmers and other property owners found this to be another income producing product which required very little work. The pine trees were tapped and the raw liquid was sold across the river. As the port of Philadelphia grew, the demand for naval stores increased and the market for Gloucester's raw material also grew. A few people continued operating their "home industries," using available raw materials or supplying needed services. The tanner, the blacksmith, the wheelwright, and the brick maker were still able to find work in those declining years. However, the people who did the best commercially were the farmers, the fishermen, and Mr. Hugg, the tavern and ferry owner who profited from those who sought fun and frolic in Old Gloucester Town. The county buildings stood empty for a number of years. About 1820
the jail on Market Street above King was again hit by fire and totally
destroyed. The courthouse ruins on the southwest corner of King and
Market Streets were torn down in 1865. Frederick Plummer bought the
bricks to build a two story house The first indication that Gloucester was about to undergo major changes in life style was the construction of facilities for transportation of people and goods. The first rails reached Gloucester in 1838 and in 1842 the town paid for the Mercer Street Wharf to be built so ships could dock here rather than in Philadelphia. Industrial growth really began when David Brown and his associates decided to locate their new mill in Gloucester instead of Camden. On January 31, 1844, the State Legislature passed the law necessary to incorporate the Washington Manufacturing Company. Stock subscriptions were placed on sale by the commissioners named in the legislation and $260,000 in stock was sold on February 21, in the Cake's Hotel, Camden. At a stockholders meeting in March the following were elected to the Board of Directors: David S. Brown, president; John Siter, treasurer; John Worrel, William Woodnutt, Gideon Scull, Thomas Sparks, Lewis Ashurst, Mordecae Lewis, Charles Churchman, Samuel Simmons, and D.H. Flickwir. The mill was to be constructed on a ten acre lot between Mercer and Monmouth Streets, King Street and the river. Ground was broken on July 1, 1844, for a four-story building which would be 300 feet long and 50 feet wide. After the machinery was installed on July 1, 1845, it took only a few weeks to start the looms humming. Under factory manager Samuel Roby the looms began running on August 7. Manufacturing only white cotton goods, the factory employed 363 people to operate 320 narrow and 74 wide looms. Mr. Roby's career was short-lived and he was compelled to leave after, angry with him, the workers went on strike in 1848. Stephen Crocker and Henry West followed him. *** Descriptions of Gloucester 1834 vs. 1868 (inset page 93) Approximately ten years before the first mill was built in Gloucester, the town was described by Thomas Gordon in a book published in 1834. Gloucester, a small town of Gloucester Township, Gloucester County, on the Delaware River opposite Gloucester Point; contains a fishery, a ferry from which a steam boat leaves, about 20 dwellings, one store and one tavern. A town of nearly 100 homes and 400 people fifty years earlier in 1784 had been reduced to a small fishing village by the movement of the county seat. However, things were about to change. When the 1850 census was taken, Gloucester had a population of 2,188 as compared to 200 in 1840. The town had grown more than tenfold. However, the rural atmosphere of Gloucester was evident by the fact that pigs still ran loose in the streets. The New Jersey Legislature enacted a law in 1850 to make it illegal for swine to run loose in Gloucester, Woodbury, Woodstown, Swedesboro, Bridgeport, and Carpenter's Landing. Apparently the law was not enforced because several years later people were still complaining of the problem. Shortly before Gloucester was incorporated in 1868, John Barber and Henry Howe wrote this description: "Union is about 6 miles long, and 2 1/4 abroad; bounded N. by Newton, E. by Waterford, SE. by Gloucester, SW by Deptford and W by the Delaware River. The surface is generally level, and the soil highly productive in corn, wheat, grass, and vegetables. There are 3 schools, 105 scholars Pop. 3,773.There are two small villages in the township, YIZ.: Mount Ephraim, 5 miles SE of Camden, and Gloucester Point, 3 miles below Camden, on the Delaware, where there is a ferry." Population increased with industrial growth and by 1880 the census
counted 5,347 people living in Gloucester City. The growth of the city
must be credited to the foresight of one man-David S.Brown. *** In 1879 the machinery was altered so that colored dress goods could also be manufactured. Later the mill became known as the Argo Mill. After the mill closed and had been empty for a time, word spread throughout the town that it was haunted. Residents of the area, especially those living in the Mill Blocks, were convinced they could hear the looms and frequently heard voices of the workers singing. Because the Washington Manufacturing Company had been forced to buy more land than it needed, the Gloucester Land Company was organized. In order to obtain the ten acres desired, the company had to purchase 100 acres and ended up buying about 200 acres. John Siter and Sam Simmons were named trustees of the 62 acres bought from Frederick Plummer, 10 1/2 acres from Robert Sykes, and the land occupied by the Champion Fishery. The charter was granted in 1846 under the same officers as the Washington Manufacturing Company. The company was very generous to any church and to the city whenever land was purchased. They also encouraged those on limited income to buy land or make improvements in the properties by offering buyers excellent terms. There was one important stipulation involved in each sale. The buyer had to agree not to sell or make or consume malt or spirituous liquid. This clause was written into every deed. Gloucester began to grow in population as more new jobs were available. European immigrants were arriving daily in the United States, seeking relief from the economic, social and agricultural problems which hit various countries at this time. Row houses were constructed to accommodate the new people. The village of 20 or so houses in 1840 was rapidly becoming an urban area, a new town with many new faces and unfamiliar names. Gloucester was being reborn. The Gloucester Print Works, commonly known as the Bleachery, was incorporated in 1845 by David Brown, William Folwell, Philip Grey, Gideon Scull, William Baugh, Robert Walsh, and Charles Churchman. Constructed in 1850 and enlarged to accommodate machinery in 1855, the Bleachery was to conduct "manufacturing, bleaching, dyeing and printing and finishing of all goods of which cotton or other fibrous material forms a part." The plant complemented Washington Mill. A disastrous fire completely consumed the plant on September 14, 1868, but it was rebuilt by April 1, 1869. Employing 300 workers at 12 printing machines, the print works could turn out over 800,000 pieces of calico each year. Daniel Schofield, Archibald Graham, and Mr. Bowker were superintendents of the plant. Dissolved after seven years of business, the Gloucester Saving Fund and Building Association was organized in 1849. This first building loan and savings organization was chartered by Moses Boston, Westcott Lowell, Stephen Crocker,William Doughten, George Nichols, Charles Bernard, William Mulford, Jeremiah Banks, William Emery, and Joseph Cramer. *** Photo caption pages 94 and 95 Gloucester Town changed over a 100 year period from the 1840's to the 1940's as shown in these photographs: farm area in the late 1800's, Gloucester City in 1905 (looking east) from the Argo Mills tower; an aerial view in 1948. *** The oldest business in continuous operation under the same name is the Cedar Grove Cemetery incorporated in 1851. Dr. William C. Mulford, Jacob Morrell, and Stephen Crocker established the cemetery on eight acres of land on east Market Street. Many of Gloucester's oldest families own plots in this cemetery and the deeds date back to the 1850's. *** *** Also during the 1850's two companies which did not last very long opened factories in Gloucester. The Gloucester China Company was chartered by Jacob Sheetz, Abel Lukens, John Shultz, Peleg Savery, and Abraham Browning. The owners had planned to use the natural resources of the area to make porcelain, china, chemicals, drugs, and other articles which had clay, sand, and other earthy substances as the main ingredient. Actually most of the commodity produced was used to line castings at the Southwark Holloware foundry where Mr. Savery was the head foundryman. The company operated for about ten years. The other company was John Siter and Brother. For a few years the company made machinery used in the manufacture of woolen and cotton cloth. The 1860's was a period of little industrial growth. The factories established in the 1840's and 1850's faced some difficulties during the was years and there was little or no capital to invest in new business ventures. The existing companies struggled until 1865 when the war ended and business could be resumed at a normal pace. Two new companies did begin business during this decade but it was basically the decade of the small businessman and craftsmen. In 1864, Joseph Harrison of Philadelphia opened the Gloucester Iron Works and put John Mystrom, and inventor of a steel process, in charge. The company made excellent steel but was not successful. William Sexton and James Michellon bought the company and made shell casings for the government during the latter part of the civil War. These two men operated the company until 1871 David Brown and his associates took over. The original works were enlarged by the new owners: David Brown, president; James Michellon, secretary; Benjamin Chew, treasurer; William Sexton, superintendent; and Samuel Chew. The 300 men employed by the company could turn out 15,000 tons of iron pipe and other items. The products were sold from Maine to Texas and frequently were installed by specially trained employees. In addition to pipe, the company made gas meters, fire plugs, lamp posts, and other iron and steel items. Residents of the town were responsible for the other business which opened during the 1860's. Abraham Powell, Arthur Powell, and Joseph B. Ellis incorporated the Union Cemetery in 1860. The original three acre cemetery because two acres when the West Jersey Railroad came through. A School had been located on the property but had been moved father down the street. George Dickinsheets formed a partnership with lumberyard owner John Stinson in 1868 and thus founded a business which operated for nearly 100 years. Although this was not the first lumber company in town, it certainly was the most successful and the longest to operate. Other lumberyard owners were Frank Mulford, north side of Market Street, east of King Street before 1845; Henry Wilson and William Doughton, northwest corner of King and Market Streets with hardware store in 1849; Wilson, Doughten and William McCallister, partnership in 1854; McCallister, sole owner in 1858; McCallister and John Stinson, partners in 1866; Stinson and Dickinsheets, partners after McCallister died in 1868. The 1870's brought another tremendous growth spurt. It was during this decade that Gloucester made its greatest move in the industrial production field. Three new facilities opened and two nearly obsolete facilities were improved and expanded. By the end of the 1870's Gloucester City was firmly established as an industrial town. Although the companies of that period no longer exist, others filled the places vacated. The areas along the river and the creeks ave remained industrial areas.Within the city limits only four farms remained. The only farmers left were Henry P. Gaunt (Gant), Quitton Raesby, George Parker, and John M.. Pettit. The Gingham Mill, built south of Jersey Avenue in 1860 by Samuel Roby, was designed to produce rough gingham but did not meet with much success until 1870. In that year the factory was purchased and incorporated by David Brown. He was named president and his associates were Samuel Chew, secretary-treasurer; Henry West, director; Samuel Roby, Edward Bettle, William C. Shinn and George Janvier. Philip Fowler was hired as superintendent. Improving the factory to produce a finer, better quality, gingham was the first step taken to make this mill one of the best in New Jersey. Expansion began in 1871; and when completed, the seven buildings with nineteen annexes, wings, and out-buildings was two stories high, 208 feet long and 59 feet wide. The company employed 500 people-1/4 were men and the rest were women and children-to operate the 502 looms and to perform other jobs. Each year the company produced six million yards of goods. *** Photo captions page 97 Washington (Argo) Mills as it was in 1906 as seen from Ellis and
Monmouth Streets *** Learning of a new process to apply color to cloth being used in Europe but not yet in use in the United States, Harry Heyl went to David Brown to finance a new company to make use of the development. In 1871 the Ancona Print Works was incorporated by David Brown, George Heyl, James Moore, Samuel Chew, and Harry Heyl. Three hundred employees produced 600,000 pieces of muslin yearly, including the 'famous "Dolly Varden" design. Archibald Graham was manager of the plant. One of the few unsuccessful ventures of Mr. Brown's was the Terra Cotta Works he operated in the early 1870's. Later George Hammond tried unsuccessfully to make the company financially sound. However, it was Kehrer and Sons, who bought the factory in 1883, that made the company operate at a profit. It was first planned to use clay from a natural bed along the river. However, the fishery got an injunction to restrain the digging and the company had to get the needed clay from a site 200 miles away. Twenty men were employed to make the terra cotta pipe and turned out 8,000 feet of pipe each week. In 1872 the Gloucester City Savings Institution was chartered by David Brown, George Jamison, Henry Paul, James Michellon, Benjamin Chew, Henry West, William Sexton, Daniel Schofield, and Samuel Chew. The men who chartered the institution were not permitted to do personal business with the bank. After the original people had all severed connections with the institution, business went awry. In 1884 business was suspended and the institution placed in the hands of a receiver. The last business venture in Gloucester, of David Brown's, was the Gas Lighting Company of Gloucester. Mr. Brown, James Michellon, Henry Paul, Benjamin Chew, and William Sexton formed a company and were incorporated in 1873. The plant, located on Jersey Avenue above 5th Street, began operation on January 1, 1875. At capacity the plant could produce 60,000 cubic feet of gas for the city's street lamps and private consumers. The gas traveled through 3 1/2 miles of pipe to the 76 street lamps and other private users. When the Sugar Refinery ceased operations, Hugh Lafferty opened a new business on Market Street below King. The Gloucester Steam Engine and Machine Works opened in 1879. Using Mr. Lafferty's own designs and inventions, the company made machines used on sugar plantations and in sugar refineries. His excellent machines were used all over the world. *** The Washington Manufacturing Company, later the Argo Mills, opened in
1844 and was torn down in 1950 *** The 1880's opened with good times for Gloucester residents. Eight large companies were in operation in addition to the many small businesses.The city also was employing more people to service the town. Schools and churches were meeting the educational and spiritual needs of the residents. However, the city's principal employer for more than 40 years had not yet begun operations. The Welsbach Company incorporated in 1882 began in a three story building just off Ellis Street north of Essex. As the company grew, larger facilities were required and in 1910 the Welsbach Company took over the large, old Bleachery plant. At peak production the company employed 2000. Townsend Stites was foreman, general manager and Dr. Harlan Miner was the chief chemist. Originally the company manufactured only gas mantles but later expanded into a number of other related items. One product was advertised as an easy to install light. The package contained a mantle, chimney, and bunsen burner. Later a globe was added to the package. Indoor-outdoor arc lamps, hydrocarbon lamps, street lights, and thorium and cerium nitrate were among the products manufactured by the company. As the popularity of electric lighting increased and purchases of gas lighting decreased, the company attempted to change with the times. Gas cooking ranges, water heaters and refrigerators were manufactured for a few years. The company ceased all operations in 1938 and area was taken over by other companies. Another era had ended for Gloucester. There were a few companies which organized during those years of industrial development but which never began production. Richard Howell, Charles Robb, Joseph Porter, Thomas Ridgeway, and Benjamin Cooper incorporated the New Jersey Manufacturing Company of Camden-a very auspicious title for a company which never materialized. The charter contained a very unusual clause for 1845. It declared that all children under 16 employed by the company would be required to have at least three months of schooling a year. In 1855 the Union Manufacturing Company of Gloucester was organized. The company which was to manufacture flour, meal, barrels, and kegs was never chartered. The unusual feature of this company was its plans for the construction of a windmill on a lot between Monmouth and Bergen Streets, Broadway and the railroad. The most important industry in the 1890's was the resort industry which is discussed in Chapter Six. The close of the century was also the close of those early industries. The industrial patterns were changing and this would mean change for Gloucester City. *** Life in the 1800's The advent of the industrial age and "modern conveniences"
brought tremendous changes in Gloucester Town. The influx of immigrants
to fill the ranks of the labor force required by the new industries
brought about rapid growth from a small, fishing village to an
incorporate city. Streets which were only lines on a map became
realities within the 50 years of development. New house construction
required many skilled and unskilled laborers. This growth, however, did
not bring about rapid social, cultural, and economic improvement for the
majority of these workers. Every day life for the average person
remained very difficult. In many situations entire Since there were no child labor laws in the 1800's children went to work as soon as possible. In 1886 the average age of children working in the mills was nine years. These children were exploited by factory, farm, mine and mill owners throughout the world. Fortunately, Gloucester did not have the sweat shops found in the tenements of large cities, but young children did work in the mills of Gloucester under the same conditions as found elsewhere. No one cared very much about these poor conditions because the majority of the workers were Irish. At this time the Irish and blacks were looked upon in the same light-inferiors to be kept in their places. *** Illustrations, page 100 Ancona Printing Co. *** Working 10 to 14 hours a day, six days a week, children under 12 were usually paid less than two dollars a week. Older children could earn three or four dollars. In Gloucester the wages were about the same but the working day was set at 12 hours. Children worked at spinning machines, as bobbin boys (rolling bushels of bobbins), as oilers, or at moving supplies. The younger children stood on boxes to reach the machines so that their little fingers could get into places that larger fingers could not. If the child became tired or moved too slowly, the loss of a finger, hand, or any part of a limb could occur and frequently did. Sometimes a child would forget and bend over the machine to see where to place the fingers and hair would get caught. This would cause the hair and sometimes part of the scalp to be pulled into the mechanism. Older children would try to watch the younger ones closely to keep them awake and attentive. A number of studies were made to show the extremely harmful effects on health created by mill work. However, the people who could change the situation ignored the problem for many years. Employers frequently considered it their responsibility to keep the
children "virtuous, pure, and God-fearing." In this role, the
employers did not hesitate to use corporal punishment if it appeared
that the morals of the child were deteriorating. Consequently,
cat-o-nine tails were used by bosses if a child was too quick to joke or
too slow to work. After 12 hours of working under such conditions, it is
little wonder that a child was usually too tired to eat the evening meal
and fell asleep still *** Photo caption page 101 Coal is being unloaded from a barge onto a cart. This fuel was used to fire the boilers in the Washington Mill. The wharf was located at the foot of Mercer Street. *** Working conditions for women were somewhat better than those for children but certainly not on par with men. Of course, not many jobs were open to women. By 1850 women could teach, keep boarders, do needlework, become bookbinders or typesetters, go into household service, or work in cotton mills. The pay for 72 hours of work per week in the mills was three to six dollars. Teachers actually did not fare as well. The Union Township minutes for 1861 list the following contracts for teaching: from March 2, 1861 to December 31, 1861--female teacher $101. 60, male teacher $500; one full year--female teacher $300. Photographs of the period are a clear indication of the preference for women in various jobs because of the money saved by employers. In many instances young women worked only until marriage. Since many Gloucester families were very large, it was usually impossible for the woman to work until the children were in school or at work. Some of these women took in laundry and ironing or hired out as day workers to the wealthier families in town. Jobs for men were more varied and better paid. Men generally received more education or training in a craft and as a result made up the groups of white collar and skilled workers. A clerk with a high school diploma and perhaps some business school was paid $15 per week for 50 hours of work. Skilled workers received $12 a week for 60 hours of work. Those at the bottom educationally were the unskilled laborers whose wages were $1.25 to $1.50 per day or about seven to nine dollars a week. The basic problem faced by men with families was the absence of the many "fringe" benefits available today. Since there were no laws to ensure the safety of workers, to provide for unemployment compensation, to institute health plans, or to protect jobs from arbitrary termination, employers ignored all these factors. According to statistics 36 of every 100 mill workers died or were killed and before the age of 25. Women and children were hired and men dismissed because of the wage difference. What employer would continue to keep a man working as spinner at seven dollars a week if he could replace that man with a ten-year-old girl at $1.50 a week? Consequently, men lost jobs and this led to the formation of unions, strikes, and violence in many parts of the United States. Fortunately the violence was avoided in Gloucester during this period. Some men were able to get jobs in construction or possibly with local governments. In the 1860's a worker on roads in Gloucester was paid one dollar per day, typical of wages paid by governments at all levels. Workers of all ages faced the same conditions in the mills of Gloucester. Life was ruled by the mill bell. At 5:30 a.m. the bell rang to awaken the town. Workers washed, dressed, packed a breakfast and a lunch and walked to the mill. Then the 6 a.m. bell rang, gates and doors were closed. Being one or two minutes late for work meant the loss of an hour's pay. Each worker was given a 15 minute break for breakfast at 8 a.m. and a 1/2 hour lunch break at noon. At 6 p.m. the bell rang again and workers wearily trudged home. On Sunday the bell also rang to announce the times for Sunday School and various church services. The only holidays during those years were Christmas and the Fourth of July. The sixty to seventy-two hour week at low wages with no benefits or
protection created a climate for unions to begin organizing. One of the
earliest unions to organize and to fight for the rights of workers was
the Knights of Labor, which formed in 1869. In the 1870's they became
actively involved in politics and began to back candidates for various
offices, especially those at the federal level. They demanded an 8 hour
day, binding arbitration of grievances, a graduated income tax, and
equal wages for women. The Knights opposed child and convict labor and
the importation of contract labor. All these demands were very
attractive In order to meet the demands of an increasing population, the number of small businessmen increased. Gloucester also now had some professional people. Of course, there were the door-to-door itinerants looking for various jobs or selling numerous items. Perhaps the most needed but least respected was the chimney sweep. Usually a man and a boy would work as a team going from house to house performing one of the dirtiest jobs possible-cleaning soot from chimneys to avoid fires. The boy would be slowly lowered on a rope to clean the inside of the chimney with his brushes. The other person had the task of controlling the rope and cleaning up any mess made in the process. Other men performed services such as sharpening tools, scissors, or knives and doing odd jobs or minor repairs. Surely the quality of life was improving but it still had a long way to go. *** Gloucester Business Directory 1860 (inset page 102) In 1840 Gloucester Town had one store, one tavern, one ferry, and one fishery. Twenty years later small businesses had mushroomed throughout the town. A business directory of the period.lists the following: Jeremiah Banks and Son, grocery-King and Middlesex Streets *** Local business at 6th Street and Jersey Avenue *** Recipes (insets on pages 104 and 105) Stew Two pounds of any cheap meat (beef, mutton, lamb, veal) Cut all the fat from the meat and put it in a stew-pan, fry gently
for ten or fifteen minutes.In the meantime, cut the meat in small pieces
and season well with salt and pepper and then sprinkle over it two
tablespoons of flour. Cut the vegetables in very small pieces and put in
the pot with the fat. Fry them five minutes, stirring well to prevent
burning. Now put in the meat and move it about in the pot until it
begins to brown, then add the quart of boiling water. Cover, let it boil
up once, skim and set back where it will just bubble for two and half
hours, Add the potatoes, cut in thin slices, and one tablespoon of flour
mixed smooth with half a cupful of cold water, pouring about one-third
of the water on the flour at first and adding the rest when perfectly
smooth. Taste to see if the stew is seasoned enough, and if it is not,
add more salt and pepper. Let the stew come to a boil again and cook ten
minutes. For variety add dumplings. Cover tightly and boil rapidly ten
minutes longer. To Cook Salt Codfish The fish should be thoroughly washed and soaked in cold water for twelve hours. Change the water and put on to cook. As soon as the water comes to a boiling point, set back where it will keep hot but will not boil. From four to six hours will cook a very dry hard fish, and there are kinds which will cook in half an hour. If it was hung in a heated cellar till hard, it will never come tender. It is best not to buy more than will be used in a week or two. Like ham, bacon, and meat in general, it should be hung, not laid on a shelf. Stuffed Ham Soak a ten or twelve pound ham in cold water over night. In the morning remove the bone and fill with stuffing. Sew up the slit where the bone was taken out and bind the ham firmly in a strong piece of cotton. Boil slowly for two or three hours and cool in the bandage. When cold, remove the rind and brown fat. Sprinkle with sugar and fine crumbs. Bake about one hour in a very moderate oven and serve either hot or cold. Stuffing: One pound of pecans or chestnuts, one pound of mushrooms, six truffles, one slice raw ham, one ounce mustard seed, two cucumber pickles. Boil the nuts until they are tender enough to chop fine. Cut the truffles into strips and chop all the other ingredients. Season to taste with one-half saltspoon red pepper, one saltspoon allspice, one saltspoon cloves, two tablespoons parsley, one tablespoon onion and salt and add enough raw egg to make the whole into a soft paste. *** Women who stayed at home also put in a very long day giving more than
sufficient proof for the old saying-"Man works from dawn to setting
sun but woman's work is never done." Mother was usually up to start
the fire in the kitchen stove before the mill bell rang to awaken the
rest of the town, and she was not finished until all the work was done
and the family was in bed. Each day of the week was set aside for a
particular major task: Monday wash day, Tuesday-ironing, Wednesday
housecleaning, Thursday-mending, making clothes, chores not completed,
Friday-shopping, and Saturday-baking. In addition there were the daily
chores of cooking, Laundry day had become somewhat easier because the housewife no longer had to make the soap. Soap could be bought in bar form and after 1845 in powdered form. Early in the morning the large metal tubs would be filled with water and lifted on to the stove to be heated. The clothes had to be boiled first to get out dirt and kill germs. The tubs were then lifted off the stove and placed on a table or rack so the clothes could be scrubbed piece by piece on the scrubbing board. Following the scrubbing, the clothes were rinsed and hung outside to dry. Sometimes blueing would be added to whiten the clothes if it could be afforded. Most items, including sheets and pillow cases, were starched. The next day everything was ironed. Starched items had been
sprinkled, rolled in cloth, and allowed to sit over night to make
ironing easier. The iron was very heavy and was heated by sitting it on
the stove. In order to test the amount of heat, the housewife would spit
on the iron rather than raise blisters on the fingers. The iron cooled
very quickly so the housewife had to move rapidly if the ironing were to
be completed in reasonable amount of time. Since sheets, pillow cases,
underwear, Cleaning day meant a great deal of heavy moving. Every piece of furniture was moved, cleaned, and returned to its proper place; curtains were taken down and shaken out; windows were washed, inside and out, bare floors were scrubbed. Spring and fall house cleaning took at least a week because beds were taken apart, scrubbed down and mattresses aired before being put back; carpets were taken up, put over the clothes line, and beaten to get the dirt off; and curtains, doilies, and every possible item in the house were washed. There were some modern conveniences to improve the lot of the homemaker in the late 1800's. Running water inside homes replaced the outside or inside pump in the 1880's. Gas and later electric lighting made in possible for her to do some of the work at night and thereby get a few hours of free time on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The ice box-one type for summer use inside the house and another type for winter use outside the house saved the daily trip to the grocer and the butcher. She could now cut down the shopping to one or two days per week. About the turn of the century, packaged cereals came on the market and the housewife no longer had to cook cereal each morning. However, some things remained the same. Coffee beans were still ground at home as needed and cream was skimmed from the top of the milk as it rose. Fruits, berries, and vegetables were bought fresh and canned in the summer by the housewife for later use. Meat, fresh or smoked, was purchased from the local butcher. Convenience foods did not exist. Cleaning equipment was all hand powered-carpet beaters, mops, brooms, scrub brushes. Rag rug floor covering had layers of paper under them to collect dust and to protect floors. Beds had cotton mattresses which were much more comfortable than corn husks. Many of the everyday conveniences that today's residents take for granted were "new fangled inventions" in the 1880's. Some were eyed with great suspicion as the devil's work to make people lazy. Therefore, some of these inventions were slow to become popular while others quickly were added to the possessions of families. One major change within the houses was the installation of indoor bathrooms. However, this was an expensive project and meant that the majority of the people continued to use the outdoor privy. The mail order catalogue made it possible for working women and farm families to purchase necessary items without losing time from work or making long trips to larger cities. *** Recipes (inset on page 106) "Asparagus in Ambush" Have ready some small, light rolls-one for each guest. Cut off the tops to serve as covers; take out all the crumb and lay the rolls in the oven for their tops to crisp, Meanwhile heat a cup of milk to boiling point and pour it into two beaten eggs, beating well to prevent curdling; add a spoon of butter, cut in bits and rolled in flour, and the soft parts of two pounds of asparagus that has been boiled and cut fine. Stir the mixture, seasoning to taste; fill the roll, put on the tops and serve hot. Liver with Chestnuts Boil the livers from two fowls or a turkey. When tender, mash them fine. Boil one pint of shelled chestnuts until soft. Blanch and mash them to a smooth paste. Rub the chestnuts and liver through a puree strainer. Season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice and moisten with melted butter. Spread the paste on bread like sandwiches, or add enough hot chicken stock to make a puree. Heat again and season with salt, pepper,and lemon juice. Suet Pudding One cup suet, chopped fine; one cup sweet milk; two cups seeded raisins; one cup molasses; two cups flour; one cup currants; 1/4 cup each of citron, lemon, and orange peel; one teaspoon each soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Steam two hours. This is a very nice pudding, equal to plum pudding. If not wanted so rich, omit fruit entirely or use one cup raisins. Serve with any good sauce either hard or liquid. *** Recipes (Inset page 107) Jelly Roll One cup flour, one cup sugar, one and one half teaspoons baking
powder, three eggs well beaten. Mix in order given, beat well and pour
into a smooth, well-greased pan. Bake slow, spread jelly over and roll
it up. Have ready a smooth sheet of brown paper well dusted with powder
sugar, turn cake on it and spread quickly with jelly, which should be
broken with a fork if at all stiff. With a sharp knife, trim off all the
crusty edges and roll it by lifting one side of the paper. The cake will
break if Baked Macaroni One-half pound macaroni broken in pieces. Pour over boiling water, add a little salt. Boil hard 20 minutes; drain and put in a pudding dish and pour over the following mixture: Two tablespoons flour, two teaspoons dry mustard, one-half pound grated cheese, one pint new milk. Mix mustard and flour into a smooth paste with some of the cold milk, set the rest on the stove. When boiling, add flour, mustard and cheese; cook until it looks smooth, taking care pour over macaroni and bake until a nice brown. Twenty minutes ought to be enough. Be sure to use new milk as the cheese will cause it to curdle otherwise. Fried Cucumbers Slice; sprinkle with salt and pepper, dip in egg, then in cracker dust; fry brown. *** Other inventions which came on the market were the phonograph using wax cylinder recordings (1880's), the sewing machine (late 1890's), the coffee percolator (1869), and small items such as condensed milk, oleomargarine, and the safety razor. Some families quickly became families on wheels with the introduction of the bicycle-the type with the large front wheel. A very special dessert came into wide usage in Gloucester in the 1890's. Until "Coop" Wiltsey began selling ice cream on Saturdays, the only way to obtain this delicious frozen dessert was to go to Philadelphia on the Fourth of July-at least it seemed the only way. Businesses in town were also involved in change brought about by new mechanical devices. Typewriters came into general use in offices in the 1850's. At first only men were considered capable of learning to type because it was a machine. Later, learning to use the typewriter became an important part of a girl's education. Between 1870 and 1890, the adding machine, the cash register, and the fountain pen became common office equipment. Almost 100 years ago, Gloucester City of 1881 was listed as being second in Camden County in the number of telephones in use. There were 100. Services provided by the city increased during the second half of the century. Following the incorporation of the city, police and fire departments began, public schools expanded and other services were begun. In 1889 two important services were instituted that are still provided today. It was decided that Gloucester City was entitled to have its own letter-carrier because the population was over 5,000. Also during that year streets were lighted all night-from sunset till sunrise. A double set of carbons had been put in each lamp to make that possible. One of the best known men of that time was Mr. Riley. Each day he would go along the streets with a bag of carbons on his back. He stopped at every corner, lowered the lamp, and changed the carbon. Nature was not always kind to Gloucester during those years. A cyclone ripped through Camden County in 1885, causing one million dollars in damage. Quite a few roofs were lifted from buildings in Gloucester but no loss of life was involved.Winters were very severe but two have gone down in the history books. The blizzards of 1888 and 1898 are still remembered by the elder citizens of the area. The blizzard of 1898 set weather bureau records in this part of the country when the temperature dropped to 6° below 0° during this tremendous storm. Disease and epidemics also took a toll but of human life instead of property. These were the years before immunization and "miracle drugs." Twice the area was hit by a small pox epidemic-first in the early 1870's and again in 1878. Earlier in the century Asiatic cholera spread throughout the area in 1849 and in 1854. Of course, there were also periodic problems with the more common diseases of measles, mumps, chicken pox, influenza, and other respiratory ailments. The best known of the epidemics to hit Gloucester City was the influenza epidemic of 1918. Recently this type of flu has again been given national attention due to the possibility of a new outbreak of the swine flu and the federal program to immunize the entire population of the United States. The 1918 epidemic took a heavy toll forcing the closing of all schools and public buildings. Many Gloucester residents have vivid memories of that influenza epidemic. The medical and dental professions had made some progress during the 1800's. Schools had been established to develop a trained professional core of doctors, but methods of treatment were quite archaic. One of the most common treatments for various diseases was bloodletting, which was used until 1900. The two methods were cupping and using leeches. Doctors preferred this technique to treat pneumonia, apoplexy, congestive diseases, and other medical problems including heart attack and stroke. Surgery was more like inhuman torture until the 1860's. Since anaesthesia was unknown until that time, many died from shock. During the Civil War chloroform came into use. After 1865, physicians began to use chloroform for women having a difficult time during childbirth. Gloucester women of Irish background displayed great fear, created by superstition, about the effects of the fumes on the child and the mother. Stories spread of ugly monsters being born instead of normal babies. Many believed the mother and child would die. It took several years to convince the women of Gloucester City's working class that an anaesthesia was not usually harmful when properly given. Doctors' fees ranged from 25 cents for an office visit without medicine to three dollars for complete maternity care including a normal delivery at home. Many people were still wearing asafetide (gum resin) around the neck to prevent illness. Patent medicines had come on the market and several popular items of the day were made in Woodbury. Boschee's German Syrup sold for 75 cents a bottle and was guaranteed to relieve coughs. Although no ingredients were listed on the label, the syrup was recommended for patients with asthma, hemorrhage of the lungs and stomach, pneumonia, and other problems of this nature. Many people were still using various home remedies. Hospitals were just beginning to function during the late 1800's. Cooper Hospital, which recently celebrated 100 years of service to Camden County and South Jersey, was opened as the first major medical facility in the area. Gloucester City was quite fortunate to have a hospital close to the town and to have at least three qualified physicians practicing in the town from 1860 on. *** Opening of the New National Bank Yesterday (inset page 108) Yesterday the new Gloucester City National Bank was formally opened
for business and the officers and directors entertained a number of
invited guests. An excellent lunch was spread in the supper room of the
pretty bank building at the corner of King and Monmouth Streets. Many
prominent businessmen of Gloucester and other places were present and
all joined in the hope and confidence that the new institution would
have a successful career. The institution starts with encouraging
assurances of liberal patronage of the citizens of Gloucester. The
officers and directors are thorough and reliable businessmen, in whom
the people have the greatest *** WHILE PRAYING AGED WOMAN DIED (Inset page 109) Mrs. Letitia Wharton, of Gloucester, N.J. Found on Her Knees With Life Extinct; Sister of Former Mayor Death in a sudden form cut short the prayer of Mrs. Letitia Wharton, aged ninety years, one of the oldest residents of Gloucester City, this morning. She was kneeling beside her bed offering her morning devotions when she was stricken with paralysis. She died without uttering a sound. Mrs. Wharton was known to all the citizens of the New Jersey town. She was a sister of former Mayor James L. Hines, who died recently. She was beloved for her work in the name of charity and for her age was unusually active and bright. About two weeks ago, Mrs. Wharton was confined to the home of her niece, Mrs. Mary Edwards, 34 N. King St., with whom she lived, with an attack of grip. But her vitality was great and she seemed to have recovered almost entirely from her illness. When the family arose this morning, Mrs. Wharton was among the first to be dressed. She spoke cheerily to Mrs. Edwards and said that she would come downstairs in a few minutes. Mrs. Edwards went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and a short time later returned to her aunt's room to summon her to the meal. Mrs. Edwards saw that her aunt was on her knees at the bedside and not wishing to interrupt her prayers, tip-toed out of the room. She waited a reasonable time and then called to Mrs. Wharton. There was no response and then it began to dawn on the niece that something was wrong. She went to her aunt's side and looking into her face saw the deathly pallor. She felt her brow and found it cold. Then she sent for a physician who made an examination of the body and declared that death had been almost instantaneous due to paralysis. Mrs. Wharton's hands were clasped in reverent attitude and on her face was a smile of peace. Evidently it had been easy for her to die. (A newspaper story from 1894.) *** Despite all the difficulties of industrial life and the lack of progress in many areas, life was relatively pleasant for the majority of Gloucester's children. The streets were not yet clogged with traffic and could easily be used for games. One very popular game was played with a stick and a ball. It had been brought to this country by the English in the early 1700's and is now a major amateur and professional sport-baseball. Girls were rather confined in their activities, partly because of the clothing styles and partly because of the traditional role of women at the time. Dolls, doll houses, musical instruments and a few other items were used for playtime, and many books were read. Boys were permitted to be much more adventuresome. In addition to the ordinary activities of games, fishing, and sports, there were two slightly more daring things to do at certain times. As soon as the firebells ring in town, the boys would rush to the firehouse to perform an important duty--grab the ropes and pull the fire hose to the fire. Since the ropes were quite long, a number of boys could enjoy the experience of being a part of the fire company. But a more daring thing to do was to drink blood. Believing that to drink blood as it drained from freshly slaughtered cattle would prolong life, many boys would gather at the slaughter house at Broadway and Cumberland Street as soon as the cries of the cattle were heard. As the heavy, thick, warm blood would come out the trough and into the gutter, the boys would stoop down and drink it. This apparently developed from a local legend that a person would live to be 100 if the cattle blood was drunk. However, times were changing. More and more women were finding other roles in life. They were no longer limited to homemaking or similar jobs. The industrial revolution was creating another revolution--women's rights. The suffragettes were on the move, the temperance groups were showing their organizational strength, and reformers in every field were speaking up and being heard. Hoop skirts and six petticoats were being tossed aside for bloomers. Putting women to work in the factories gave impetus to the social changes of the 1900's. The Gibson girl may have been the standard for feminine beauty in the 1890's, but she would soon lose out to the crusaders for social reform. Many people have heard the expression, "Those kids look like
Coxey's Army," or words similar to that. Surely some wonder why a
group of children who put together a make-believe parade with pan drums,
small flags, and other assorted items would be described in that way.
The comparison goes back to 1874 when a group of ragtag, unemployed men
marched on Washington, D.C. Let by General Coxey, the army of desperate
men began their march on Easter Sunday. As they passed through towns,
the people gave them food and money. The communities along the route
provided rations and shelter in jails and public buildings. Many of the Accepted behavior in public was very conservative. Words used quite
openly today would never be uttered by decent people in the 1900's. Only
those of the very lowest class would have used legs, thigh, hip, belly,
corset, shirt, and a number of similar words when speaking with others.
Religion underwent a revival in the second half of the century. Many
evangelists, tent preachers, and established churches were gaining
converts. A major religious event took place on October 1, 1876, when *** Page 111 contains a tracing of a map of Gloucester "Union
Township" 1860 *** CHANGES IN TRANSPORTATION One necessary factor for the development of industry is an adequate transportation system to bring raw materials to the factory and to take the finished product to the market. Gloucester had a fine river front, some wharf development, and the beginnings of road connections throughout New Jersey. Another method of transportation linked to industrial growth arrived in Gloucester in 1836 with the construction of eight miles of the Camden-Woodbury Railroad. Chartered on March 1, 1836, by James Matlack, Joseph Ogden, Robert Armstrong, Jesse Smith, Joseph Franklin, John Fithian, John Watson, Charles F. Clark, Joseph Saunders, John C. Smallwood, Samuel Webster and others, the company was given the right to build a railroad not to exceed 65 feet in width. The legislature passed a supplementary act to allow construction of branches to Gloucester Point Ferry, Kaighns Point Ferry, and Haddonfield. These branches were never constructed. Another supplementary act was passed on March 1, 1839, which permitted an extension of the line to a point on Delaware Bay. But before this could be accomplished the company changed hands. On April 1, 1840, Henry Campbell and John Camp, the new owners, advertised the use of the new steam car on the passenger runs. Benjamin Wilkins was named superintendent of the road. Mr. Campbell petitioned the state legislature for a new charter in February, 1847. When the petition was granted on February 24, the name was changed to the Camden and Woodbury Railroad Company and authority was given to extend the line to Carpenter's Landing (Mantua). In the late 1840's the road was repaired and again changed ownership. Amos Campbell bought the line and eliminated the stream cars. The railroad became a horse-drawn railway. However, this did not work out to be a profitable business. Eventually the line was abandoned in 1850 and the tracks were torn up. Later the West Jersey Railroad followed the same basic route. Incorporated on February 5, 1853, by an act of the legislature, the West Jersey Railroad Company was to construct a line from Camden City through Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May counties to a terminus at or near Cape Island. The incorporators were Thomas Whitney, Lewis Mulford, John Mickle, George Ward, Samuel Movey, David Potter, E.L.B. Wales, Richard Thompson, Charles Elmer, Richard Holmes, Newcomb Thompson, Francis Buck, Benjamin Lee, Samuel Reeves, Abraham Browning, John Elkinton, Joshua Swain, Jr., Richard Wood, Benjamin Acton, Thomas Mills, Thomas Jones Yorke, Samuel Whitney, Mark Devine, and Daniel Estell. Despite the number of investors, the company was unable to raise sufficient capital and it appeared that the venture would fail. By purchasing 4000 shares of company stock, Commodore Robert F. Stockton saved the company and his display of confidence encouraged others to purchase stock. The Camden to Woodbury section of the line was completed in August of 1856 and the first passengers were transported on April 15, 1857. Eventually this line was involved in several mergers and is still used as a freight line today. Almost sole ownership in the next rail line to develop was vested in
David Brown, who wanted transportation to link the mills and bleachery
to the railroad and ferry in Camden and Philadelphia. Mr. Brown owned
the majority of the stock and put up the money for the construction of
the Camden, Gloucester, Mt. Ephraim Railroad, affectionately known as
the Peanut Line, to Gloucester in 1875 and to Mt. Ephraim in 1878. This
railroad had the distinction of being the narrowest gauge (2 1/2 feet
between rails) line in Eastern United States. According to the old
timers, the "Peanut Line" was not so-named because of its
size. It seems that passengers The following information was supplied by James Ackeroyd of Audubon: "The railroad made connections with the Philadelphia markets via ferry boats at Kaighn's Point. During cold winters when the Delaware River would freeze over, the ferries at Kaighn's Point would suspend operations. Passengers were required to go by horse car to the Market Street Ferry in North Camden which usually operated through most of the winter season. When finally ice conditions would stop ferry service, travelers to Philadelphia had to walk across the ice with their baggage. "Running from Kaighn's Point, the railroad proceeded through Third and Jefferson Streets. It then went south through what is the New York Shipyard to a point near King and Warren Streets.The industrial transportation needs around King Street and Essex Street were served by this railroad. It then followed the south shores of Newton Creek to Mt. Ephraim. Johnson Boulevard and Klemm Avenue now run parallel to this route. "Motive power for the C, G, and ME RR consisted of two steam engines both built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia. In those days the popular practice was to name engines as well as to number them. In this case engine Number 2 was named "James B. Michellon." It was of the American type having four pilot wheels and four drive wheels. Engine #1 was named the "David S. Brown." It was a freight switching engine of the type 2-4-2T. This "tank" locomotive had four drivers and two wheel trucks fore and aft. It was capable of running in either direction without being turned. "The narrow gauge line prospered for awhile but in 1877 Mr. Brown died, and after several up and down (financially) years of operations the railroad finally sold out. The Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railroad (a 3'6" narrow gauge) took over operations in 1885. Later, under control of the Reading Railroad interests, it was converted to the standard gauge that it is today (4' 8=1/2"). The line was extended to Grenloch in 1890. Until 1885, the C G and ME RR and the P. and A.C. RR were separate organizations; their only common object being a passenger station and crossing at Third and Bulson Streets in Camden. The P and A.C. RR Ferry connection sailed from the foot of Bulson Street, while the C.G. and ME RR's ferry sailed from Kaighn's Point. "Passenger service was quite frequent until the coming of the
Camden, Gloucester and Woodbury Railway trolley line in 1895. This new
line ran the entire length of the city (King Street and Water Street)
and took away much of the passenger patronage." *** Rates of Toll and Regulations to Travel on the Gloucester Turnpike
Road *** RESIDENTS SERVE DURING WAR BETWEEN THE STATES (Inset page 114) Prior to the outbreak of war between the Union and the Confederacy, Washington Hall was the scene of debates between Unionists and Copperheads (northerners who sympathized with the South). It was not unusual for the debates to turn into arguments, sometimes fighting broke out among the participants. Two days after fort Sumter was fired on the men of Gloucester were volunteering for duty. The Union Guards of Gloucester under Captain Joseph B. Stafford volunteered on April 15, 1861. The next day the Anderson Guards under Captain John P. Van Leer volunteered. About one half the eligible men of Union Township had enlisted before 1861 ended. In addition to those who served in various divisions of the army, a number of Gloucester men served in the navy. Occasionally officers would come to town to recruit men for Pennsylvania companies. In one instance, twenty enlisted in the 112th Regiment Battery B, Philadelphia 2nd Heavy Artillery in the winter of 1864. An indication of the number of men who served can be seen in the statistics of one small area of Gloucester. From the twenty-four houses that made up Bleachery Row, twenty-four men enlisted. The war meant more than men leaving for military duty. Residents attended patriotic meetings held on Mercer Street where a large flag had been raised. Peter McAdams sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and "The Red, White, and Blue." The people would listen to speeches then join in singing. The younger boys and girls would go down to King Street to watch Captain George Wilson drill his company in the mill lots between Hudson and Monmouth Streets. Of course, the young ladies of the town enjoyed this activity also. The various mills were also affected by the war since they depended on raw materials, especially cotton from the South, to maintain production. There was also a labor shortage with so many men away. Although women and children were employed by the mills, they could not fill all the positions. These factors meant that the mills were shut down from time to time bringing unemployment for many. The men of Gloucester, Union Township, had served well. Some had been captured and spent time in Confederate prisons. At least three had died. The organization of two Grand Army of the Republic Veterans Posts was necessary to accommodate all those who had served during the War Between the States. On November 13, 1880, the John P. Van Leer Post G. A. R. was formed and was followed by the formation of the John Williams Post G. A. R. on November 8, 1882. Each Memorial Day the veterans marched in the parade to honor their fallen comrades: William Bernard Campbell, William Groves, and Sergeant Patrick Reilly. Some years later The Sons of Union Veterans was organized to continue the tribute by marching in the parade, placing flowers on the graves of the veterans, and firing salutes. They proudly wore the Union Army uniforms and carried rifles of the period. Today a young man of Gloucester City is doing much to keep alive the history of those tragic years. As an active member of a unit which participates in the North-South Skirmishes, Carl Smith visits classes at Gloucester High to bring those years alive to the students. Dressed in a Union uniform and carrying the weapons of the day, Carl portrays a vivid picture of the 1861-1865 period as he discusses military strategy and the changes brought around by the war. *** Photo captions page 115 Early bank at King and Monmouth Streets Photo captions pages 116 and 117 Shown in 1907, the tool making company at Monmouth Street and the
river opened in the 1880's *** Functioning for the sole purpose of transporting people, the Camden, Gloucester, Woodbury Street Car Line was chartered in 1888. William J. Thompson built the line to carry people to the various recreational facilities in Gloucester City, Since Mr. Thompson owned a number of these facilities from 1870 until after the turn of the century, it was definitely to his advantage to get patrons to those facilities. Consequently the line's basic route connected the Kaighn's Point Ferry with Washington Park via King and Water Streets. From 1888 to 1893 the cars were pulled by horses and after 1893 were motorized. The line was taken over by the Public Service Corporation in 1900. During the manpower shortage in World War I, women became conductors on the trolley. One of these women was Kate Dougherty, who lived at 6th and Hunter Streets. Trolley service ended in 1923. Two reasons were given by the company for discontinuing service: strikes by conductors and pranks and damage by customers dissatisfied with service and zone fares. Buses soon took over various routes through town. Today a bus route of Transport of New Jersey follows part of the route of the old horse trolley. Public transportation by coach, ferry, railroad, and trolley soon
gave way to private motor vehicles. After 1900 roads had to be improved
and new ones constructed to handle the increasing numbers of cars,
buses, and trucks. The old toll roads or turnpikes became the state and
county roads. For many years plank roads made of 3" by 6"
hemlock rails placed 6" apart (the spaces between packed firmly
with dirt) and covered with a flooring of 3" planks were the
smoothest roads to travel over. On December 1, 1901, the first law requiring automobiles to be registered was passed by the County Board of Freeholders. Owners were to register the car with the clerk of the board and a speed limit of ten miles per hour was set as the maximum legal speed. The first license plates were issued in 1908, but it was not until 1913 that it became necessary to obtain a driver's license. No driver's test was given to obtain a license. The driver simply signed a statement that he knew how to operate a car. Apparently Dr. William MacLennan owned the first motor vehicle in Gloucester City. His car, a Thomson, was an open vehicle with a single cylinder which was started by cranking. In place of a steering wheel, there was a handle. For night driving a portable oil light was hung on each side.To warn people of the vehicle's approach, the driver pulled a rod in the floor. A large bell on the front of the car was attached to that rod and rang when pulled. Soon there were two cars in town. Dr. Maclennan sold the Thomson and bought an Apperson Jack Rabbit. A bright red Maxwell was the proud possession of Dr. Duncan Blake, Jr. The first Gloucester resident to own the Stanley Steamer was Dr. DeLapp. The increase of motor vehicles introduced a new business to the town-the servicing of the automobile. More than likely the first mechanic was Joe Van Hest, who was known for his skills with bicycles. Not only did he repair the various motor vehicles, he also enjoyed making improvements on them. No doubt he was the "father of the hot rod." The first automatic gas pump was installed in front of a store at Bergen and Burlington Streets. Because of the value of the pump, a wooden cover was constructed to encase it so the owners of the store, Clifford Orem and Clifford Budden, could protect it. Dr. DeLapp had a gas pump installed at his residence for his private use. Today it would be almost impossible to find a family that does not own at least one car. It would also be extremely difficult to find anyone who has ridden a trolley, a steam powered train, a stagecoach, and a ferry. The days of the excursion by train or boat have faded into memory how unfortunate for the present and future generations! *** GAF makes linoleum and photographic film Photo captions page 119 Perkins produces leather belts for industrial use *** Development of the Riverfront The 1900's were marked by great changes along Gloucester's riverfront and by industrial development in the city. With industrial growth came two important effects: greater diversification of industries and pollution of the river. Although the resort industry had begun to fade, the pollution of the river completely destroyed any possibility of revival in this century. The city had depended on three major industries-fishing, manufacture of cloth, and entertainment-for more than 100 years, but these were quickly replaced by a wide variety of industries beginning with the Welsbach Corporation. Rug mills, such as the Brislin Rug Company, located in Gloucester to take advantage of the large number of experienced mill workers. Shipbuilding, spurred by World War I, became a major occupation of city residents. Chemical companies, utilizing Gloucester's water supply, built plants along the waterfront. Paper mills, oil companies, and various small businesses recognized the outstanding facilities offered by the location and established themselves in Gloucester. By 1950 there were more than 55 active companies, in addition to numerous small businesses, one person operations, and professionals. Shipbuilding was the livelihood of many Gloucesterites from 1899 until 1967 when the New York Shipbuilding Corporation ceased operations. Other companies were the Pennsylvania Shipbuilding Corporation (Pusey and Jones) and the John S. Trumy Shipbuilding Corporation. Becoming known as one of the "Big Three" during the two world wars, the New York Shipbuilding Corporation was organized in early 1899 and ground was broken on June 15, 1899. The keel for the first ship, the tanker J.M. Guffey, was laid on November 29, 1900, and the completed vessel was launched on May 4, 1901. The construction continued in all types of weather because the owners had the foresight to build covered ways. Over the years, ownership of the yard changed hands several times. The company was purchased and reorganized by the American International Company in 1916, by Brown Boveri Electric Corporation in 1925, by Avco in 1935, and by Merritt, Chapman, and Scott (Wolfson interests) in 1953. The company name was also changed at different times until 1931 when it was formally incorporated under the original name-New York Shipbuilding Corporation. Several famous ships were constructed at the shipyard. Among the best known or most historical were the Washington, an armored cruiser and first navy contract; the Idaho and New Mexico, two of eleven battleships; the South Dakota, famous as "Battleship X" or "Old Nameless" during World War II; the Saratoga and Kitty Hawk, aircraft carriers; the Bonefish, a submarine; and the Savannah, a nuclear powered merchant ship. Many Gloucester residents were proud of the achievements of these vessels which they constructed. If the union held a reunion, hours of interesting stories of the men, ships, union, strikes, hardships, and triumphs could be obtained from former workers-male and female-still residing in Gloucester City and the surrounding area. The Pusey and Jones yard occupied the waterfront beginning at Water and 6th Streets. Four ships could be built simultaneously at the 1700 foot piers constructed by the company. While a number of residents were employees of the company during and after World War I, some localites have vivid memories of attending school in the office building while the high school (now the M.E. Costello School) was being constructed. One hundred years after Gloucester's industrial revolution the following industries were listed in a booklet published by the city in 1949 and were an active part.of the city's economic life: A. and W. Wolf Other large companies which were located in Gloucester between 1900
and 1950 were American Cyanamid, Lang Paper, Sherwin Williams Paint, and
Gloucester Wool Company. During the 1960's and 1970's several new
companies began operations in the city. A few companies (to indicate the
great diversity) are pictured in this chapter. Madame Marie Curie Visits Welsbach (inset page 120) [picture caption] Employees in the sewing room of the Welsbach Company worked under John T. McElhone, foreman, about 1900. With absolutely no fanfare and a high degree of secrecy, Madame Marie Curie visited the Welsbach Company in 1921 at the invitation of Dr. Harlan Miner. Madame Curie was on tour of the United States and was stopping in Philadelphia. Apparently she was quite exhausted from the extremely full schedule she had been following and was planning to reject, with regret, the invitation to tour the Welsbach facility. However, she changed her mind and made the trip to Gloucester. As she toured the building, workers were impressed by the small woman dressed in black who looked at everything with interest but in silence. What may at times have appeared to some as intellectual snobbery was really the shyness of a woman who was accustomed to working quietly in a laboratory isolated from people. She spent a short time at the company and returned to her hotel in Philadelphia. Madame Curie's work with radium and other radioactive elements was acknowledged by the awarding of two Nobel prizes to her. She received the Nobel prize in 1903 and again 1911. As a tribute to this outstanding woman scientist, Dr. Miner presented a small but valuable quantity of radium to Madame Curie to use in her research. *** Small businessmen and professionals have also prospered in Gloucester. The grocer, pharmacist, skilled craftsman, baker, doctor, dentist, and many others have found the city a good place to work or to serve and their numbers have increased over the years. Following is a list of small businesses and professionals found in a publication printed in the early 1900's: W.S.Hilliard druggist 305 Hudson The industrial life of the city has been long and varied. It has had its very productive years and its slump years. There have been strikes, recessions, and depressions along with periods of peace and prosperity. Through the difficult years the residents have held fast and have learned new skills required by the new industries that have replaced the old. (Editor's Note: Unfortunately there does not seem to be a list of all the individually owned and operated businesses in Gloucester City today. A business directory should be compiled and printed during 1976 to aid future historians.) Back to Chapter Four Back to Master Page of Book Links Continue to Chapter Six
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