East Greenwich, NJ
Photograph of Angel Visit Baptist Church circa 1904
Gloucester County was the first county in America established by its inhabitants. The first page of the first Court book contains the following:
GLOUCESTER YE 28TH MAY, 1686
Imprimis That a Court be held for the Jurisdiction and limits of the aforesaid Tenths or County one Tyme at Axnamus alias Gloucester and another time at Red Bank…”
Gloucester County began with a meeting of the proprietors, freeholders and inhabitants who formally decided to organize a government and to establish a “Constitution of Gloucester Couny.” The colonial legislature which had been meeting at Burlington was not in session at the time and did nothing either to authorize the creation of the County or to interfere with its existence after it was organized. In 1692 the legislature recognized formally the existence of Gloucester County as a separate entity.
The County seat was at the City of Gloucester until moved to Woodbury during or about the time of the Revolutionary War. The first court was held in Hugg’s Tavern in Gloucester. [Betsy Ross was later married in that tavern; the building no longer exists].
When a new courthouse was to be built, Isaac Mickle of Mickleton and James Hinchman were the two commissioners appointed to erect it.
Gloucester County for many years extended entirely across the State and included all of Atlantic County and all of Camden County. The territory now in Atlantic County was not separated from Gloucester County until 1837. Camden County was not created until 1844.
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History of BERKLEY BAPTIST CHURCH, MT. ROYAL NJ |
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Berkley Baptist Church, photo by J. Brown April 2004 Berkley Baptist Church Rev. William J. Eberwein 177 Kings Highway Mt. Royal, NJ 08061 (856) 423-3725 HISTORY OF BERKLEY BAPTIST CHURCH From “East Greenwich Centennial booklet, 1881-1981” Berkley Baptist Church began as a Union Sunday School in 1852, in Mount Royal. Although a deed drawn up in 1853 specifically stated it was for a Baptist Church, it remained an interdenominational group until 1887, when the First Baptist Church of Berkley was organized with fifteen charter members. These charter members were: Rev. J.T. Elwell, Mrs. V.H.R. Elwell, Charles Test, Elizabeth L. Test, E.D. Meyers, J.S. Crawford, John Meyers, Annie Meyers, Emma M.S. Young, William S. Young, Mrs. Hannah LeDent, Mrs. Jane Dunning, Mary E. Strohm, George C. Fales, and Sara Fales. Prior to this church at Berkley [Mount Royal], those of the Baptist faith had to travel to Mullica Hill, a distance of 7 miles, by horse and buggy, in all kinds of weather, and a closer place of worship was much needed. Other denominations held services in this church for some time. The Zion Evangelical Church, now located in Clarksboro, held Divine Worship in the German Language, and organized here in 1879. The Berkley Baptist Church was officially recognized and admitted to the West Baptist Association in 1888, and the membership had grown to thirty by that time. On July 25, 1891, the church was legally incorporated taking the name of “The First Baptist Church of Berkeley.” The five trustees named in the articles of incorporation were: James A. Gould, James Hill, Edwin H. Dyke, George C. Fales, and David Hendrickson. In 1907, the church voted to raise funds for the “Up Building” of the church. This project consisted of raising the church building and constructing a basement to be used for a Sunday School, and also to install stained glass windows in the sanctuary. On September 5, 1907, the Mullica Hill church deeded the property to the trustees of the “First Berkley Baptist CHurch” in Mt. Royal. These trustees were: Charles Gunn, George Van Hook, Charles Hill, Joseph Hollis, and Charles Hollis. In 1910, gas lighting was installed, and in 1922 electricity replaced this gas lighting, In 1942 the church purchased new pews and a communion table and pulpit furniture. In 1952 the Bell family donated the present organ to the church in honor of Mrs. Sarah Dyke Bell, and in memory of Mr. George S. Bell Sr. Doorway – Berkley Baptist Church photograph by Janice Brown, April 2004 In 1957 an addition was constructed which consisted of a Sunday School annex, with folding partitions to close off six classrooms, a kitchen and rest room facilities. In 1961, the Charles Dyke property was purchased and renovated for a rectory. The interior renovation of the building was completed and ready for occupancy June 18, 1962. The Sweeten Family donated one and a half acres of land to the church for a parking lot. The area was graded and surfaced with gravel in July 1961. The first pastor was the Reverend J.A. Elwell, and the pastor in 1980 was the Reverend Richard Bennett. The Berkley Baptist Church is located along Kings Highway, just south of the Mt. Royal intersection. |
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History of “COLONIAL CEMETERY” aka St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Cemetery King’s Highway, Mt. Royal, NJ |
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Photograph of St. Peter’s Cemetery sign Mt. Royal, NJ – taken by J. Brown in April 2004 This cemetery, located near the crossroads in Mount Royal, New Jersey is called by several names, including “Colonial Cemetery,” and also as St. Peter’s Cemetery. The deed for the church property in Mt. Royal was given by Uriah Paul, November 29, 1770 and was sold to Edward Evans of Philadelphia; Robert Friend Price, Esq., Isaac Inskeep of Deptford Township; Thomas Clark, Timothy Clark, Jonathan Chew, Jesse Chew, Joshua Paul, Thomas Thompson of Greenwich Township; George Van Leer, Esq., Jacob Jones and Samuel Tonkins of Woolwich Tonwship, managers and trustees, for six pounds, for one half acre of land for a church and burying ground on Salem-Gloucester Road [now King’s Highway] in Greenwich Township [now East Greenwich Township], and is recorded in the County Clerk’s office. The foundation for the original St. Peter’s Church Berkeley were laid out as early at 1765 and “stood on the old burial ground at Berkley.” In addition to the above list, Dr. Botto Otto Jr. was one of the church’s earliest members. Â Path to St. Peter’s Cemetery, Mt. Royal NJ Taken by Janice Brown – April 2004 Some of the earliest burials here are recorded starting in 1810, including that of Laurence Shuster (no date); 1811: Joseph Chatham’s child, Mr. Hilsey’s child; 1812: Sarah Cooper, Micahel Stout, Hugh Haines, Joseph Meyers, Mary Fennimore, and Child of Ines Fowler. SEE A LIST of BURIALS and Gravestone inscriptions for this cemetery! (TEXT FILE) One known revolutionary war soldier is buried here, Abram/Abraham Jones who is listed in the old St. Peter’s burial records, “1842, April 20 Abram Jones, Revolutionary Soldier, age near 81 yrs”. [A copy of the book “The History and Records of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at Berkley and Clarksboro,” which includes all known burials and tombstone inscriptions, along with baptisms, confirmations and other church events is available from the Gloucester County Historical Society for a small fee.] See a list of some veterans buried here, with photographs of a recent Memorial Day flag placing. Susan W. wife of Ralph B. Cowdy and daughter of William D. Tonkin born Jan 8, 1834 died May 11, 1853 (list of those buried says GOWDY, but it looks like COWDY) William C. Tonkin Born April 25, 1790; Died February 4, 1855 Elizabeth A. wife of William C. Tonkin Born Dec 25, 1803 Died March 22, 1878 John Tonkin Co I 3d NJ Infantry, Died Jan 16, 1890 — cannot read 2nd stone Brown Family tombstones Chubbuck obelisk Joseph Wolfe tombstone William, George, James and Elizabeth Brown George W. Tonkin, Co K 9th Regt NJ Vol., March 1, 1831 – Feb 12, 1901. |
The town pump and Hannold’s wheelwright shop in Mount Royal in the early 1900’s. Mr. Hannold, the wheelwright stands in the door.
[Note: this is probably Charles Holmes Hannold] Photograph graciously donated by Pete Miskofsky
In those early days, boats were the main means of transportation, and because of its location near Mantua Creek, this area was considered a thriving settlement. Transportation was by boat, on horseback, or on foot. The charter of the old Gloucester-Philadelphia Ferry provided for horses and foot-passengers-no mention of carriages. Carriages did not come into general use until after the Revolutionary War. At that point, the now named Berkley was a stagecoach stop where weary travelers found food and lodging at the Berkley Hotel.
Created and maintained by Janice Brown
