Ocean County , NJ History

from the Trenton Times 28 Dec 1915 CANNON- In this city, on eh 26th inst., Sarah B., widow of Garrett Cannon, of Bordentown, N.J. The relatives and friends are invited to attend the services at the Christ Episcopal Church, Bordentown, N.J. on Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock sharp. Interment at St. Mary's Burlington, N.J. Friends may view the deceased at the residence of Mr. Clarence BIDDLE, No. 322 West State Street, Trenton, N.J., on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

from the New Jersey Mirror 23 Dec 1936: Weeks-Koster Wedding -- Miss Janice Elizabeth Koster, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leon A. Koster, of Green Bank, and Franklin Weeks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Weeks, of Somers Point, were married on Saturday evening, December 12th, at the Almonesson M. E. parsonage, by the Rev. C. Russell Nixon, a former pastor in Green Bank. Mrs. Weeks is a graduate of the Egg Harbor High School and of the Atlantic City School of Nursing. Mr. Weeks, a graduate of Hammonton High School, is employed by the Fischer Baking Company in Atlantic City. A reception and dinner was held on Sunday at the home of the bride's parents.

Tuckerton Beacon 21 Dec 1950 (in the Beach Haven section) By Mrs. Lee Thomas phone B.H. 3-5151 Hi all, here it is only one week til Christmas. The last minute rush is on, trying to get off the cards to people you forgot completely. Hoping they will get there in time. It is so nice to ride around and look at the houses all lit up at this time of year. This whole Island is right on the ball with Christmas spirit. Can hardly wait until Christmas Eve to put the tree up. Well, I had better get down to brass tacks now cause I still have a million and one things to do. John J. Thomas, Bills father, came down from New York Wednesday evening and stayed until Sunday. Mom and the girls stayed in the city this weekend to finish up the shopping. Mr. and Mrs. William Mac Reynolds of Idaho Ave., spent Sunday at their home. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gallagher of Beach Ave were also weekenders. Mr. and M rs. Al Salottolo of tennesee ave. were down for the weekend and have put up Christmas lights. I h...

New Jersey Courier 21 Dec 1917 Armsted Hutchinson filled his ice house with 6 inch ice on Monday; Henry Larrison filled his on Tuesday and George Hartshorn on Wednesday. Ellis Cox also filled his icehouse on Wednesday and James Larkin on Thursday. A.C. Hutchinson, Thomas Hartshorn and Charles Atkinson attended on Tuesday the cattle sale of Willaim Reid of Tennent. Ashton E. Clift and wife will entertain over the Christmas holidays, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Horner and children of South Amboy. Aaron B. Wainwright of Philadelphia was a guest of his father, Joel Wainwright, on Monday. Miss Emily Buck was a Sunday guest of her mother, Mrs. Harry Borden, of Jacobstown. Miss Florence Miller of Cookstown, Mrs. Clifford Horner and two children David and Edgar visited Friday with Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Horner.

New Jersey Courier 21 Dec 1917 The Cedar Crest school has been closed for the last few days E.W. Weimar was in Barnegat Monday last. Several of the people of Cedar Crest were in Barnegat Sunday last. Mrs. Lutts has been very sick John Conover returned to Elwood, after working for the C.C.O. & P. Co. for some time. Jno. Kilburn could not get to Cedar Crest Sunday, so his ass't Mr. Septor took his place. We had Sunday-school and church in the evening. Mrs. Susie Giberson, Mrs. Mick and Mrs. Lawrence Reeves of Whitings were here Monday last.

From the New Jersey Courier 19 Dec 1878: Capt. Joseph Townsend is a happy grandfather. Not that he has not been so before, but this time there is a difference, you know. Why not call it Joseph? Pitman Anderson drives a handsome sporting team of blacks. Mr. Samuel Ridgway is recovering slowly from his severe illness

According to the New Jersey Courier of 19 Dec 1878, "The post office was broken into on Friday night and robbed of $4."

From Lakewood Times and Journal, 17 Dec 1874 We notice the finger-boards indicating direction and distance are being placed up at the prominent points of public roads.

New Jersey Courier 15 Dec 1939 Commander Charles E. Rosendahl, former commandant of the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, has been promoted to the rank of captain. He is among 81 commanders who have been elevated. Commander Rosendahl, survivor of the crash of the dirigible Shenandoah in 1925, is regarded as the best informed man in America on the operation of lighter th an air craft. He is as present on sea duty as executive officer of the cruiser Milwaukee. He was given his present assignment July 9, 1938 according to Navy regulations that land and sea duty must be alternated to remain eligible for promotion.

from New Jersey Courier, 15 Dec 1900 James Harley Compton, formerly of [illegible] died at [illegible] of spinal meningitis on October 18th, aged 47 years. He was a druggist by profession and was in business at New Egypt for a number of years. He leaves a widow (who was the daughter of the late Rev. David McCurdy of the M.E. Conference) and one daughter. He had been eleven years a member of the M.E. Church. Burial at Windsor.

from New Jersey Courier 15 Dec 1900 Dr. James Palmer Cleaver, son of Mrs. C.P. Cleaver, died at the Palmer house, Lakewood, on Thursday morning. He was twenty six years of age. His health broke down four years ago when he was physician in the French hospital in New York, and he went to Texas. There his health was restored so much that he built up a large practice. But last winter he had a severe attack of the grippe from which he never recovered. He came north from Texas in June and has lived here ever since. The funeral services were held at the Palmer house Saturday at noon. Rev. D. L. Schwartz officiating. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Dr. Cleaver leaves a wife and two children.

from New Jersey Courier, 15 Dec 1900 Miss Edna Celest Buckingam, daughter of Mrs. M.H. Buckingham, formerly Lakewood, died on Tuesday of last week at the residence of her aunt in Bridgeport, CT. Miss Buckingham was 20 years of age and had been ill all summer.

From the New Jersey Courier 15 Dec 1939, Lakehurst section: Commander Charles E. Rosendahl, former commandant of the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, has been promoted to the rank of captain. He is among 81 commanders who have been elevated. Commander Rosendahl, survivor of the crash of the dirigible Shenandoah in 1925, is regarded as the best informed man in America on the operation of lighter th an air craft. He is as present on sea duty as executive officer of the cruiser Milwaukee. He was given his present assignment July 9, 1938 according to Navy regulations that land and sea duty must be alternated to remain eligible for promotion.

from New Jersey Courier, 15 Dec 1900 Miss Edna Celest Buckingam, daughter of Mrs. M.H. Buckingham, formerly Lakewood, died on Tuesday of last week at the residence of her aunt in Bridgeport, CT. Miss Buckingham was 20 years of age and had been ill all summer.

From the New Jersey Mirror 15 Jun 1921: The Mystery of the disappearance of the little Matilda Russo, the seven-year-old daughter of Mike Russo,a tailor, living at 113 East Second street, Moorestown, was cleared up on Friday when officers searching for the body of the child in the cellar of Lewis Lively, a colored man living next door, found the horribly mutilated remains of the child, buried three feet under the earth floor. All the clothes had been roughly torn from the body. Almost simultaneously with the finding of the murdered child Lively disappeared as completely as though swallowed up by the ground and he has succeeded in eluding the authorities thus far, although a countrywide search is being made for the arch fiend. The Little Italian girl was reported missing on Saturday night, June 4. The last seen of the child was between 7 and 8 o'clock that evening. It was supposed at first that she might have run away because she had been reprimanded by her mother for some trivia...

NJC 14 Dec 1917 Dr. Rogers gave a sermon at Cedar Crest church last Sunday evening and Monday evening; he also baptized six children of this place. J.L. Branson, Mrs. Eva Wright, her son, Harry, and Henry Sanders motored to Toms River Tuesday last. B.Wade was in Newark on Monday. E.W.Weimar was a Monay visitor at Barnegat. Miss Margaret Septor and Ella May Albertson were Sunday visitors at Earley's home in Whitings. J.L.. Earley was in Cedar Crest on Sunday. Mrs. Henry Britton had visitors on Sunday last. Jno. Conover was a Monday visitor at Tuckerton. A large box of candy was given to the Sunday school children by Messrs. Bangs and Weimer.

New Jersey Courier 13 Dec 1929 Mrs. Horace R. Wemple and daughter Miss Frances of Elizabeth and Beachwood returned recently from a visit of ten days in Great Barrington, Mass., where they were called by the death of Mr. Ralph Wainwright Pope, Mrs. Wemple's father. Mr. and Mrs. John Peterson of Cable Avenue spent a few days with their son in West Orange. Mrs. Melbourne Camillier, Jr. and Mrs. Frank Hill spent Tuesday in Asbury Park on a shopping trip. Arthur O'Dare of Brooklyn stopped at his cottage on Cable Avenue for the week end. He is having his front porch glassed in, Albert Neilson doing the work. Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Rheinhardt motored from Orange to spend a few days at their home here. Mr. Rheinhardt is goin gto build a house on Cable Avenue. Albert Ober of Oak St. motored to Trenton on business last Thursday. Richard Stern motored from Irvington to spend the week end at his home on Barnegat Blvd. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Koelihoffer have returned after a visit of sev...

New Jersey Courier 13 Dec 1929 Our folks are responding generously to the Community Christmas tree. The trustees of the Presbyterian church have kindly agreed to allow the tree to be placed on the lawn between the church and Union Avenue. For this year, the tree will have to be temporary, but the intention is to have a sutiable tree transplanted on the site, and make it a permanent observance. A committee of the Exchange Club is arranging for a suitable tree and it's lighting, also a candy treat for the children of the community, and the officers of the club are receiving donations to cover the necessary expense. It is desired that all folks understand that this is actually a community affair and not for, or by, any one organization. A.W. CARR and wife visited in New York Friday of last week. Archie F. MURRAY and wife were Saturday visitors to Newark. A card party was held at the home of Mrs. Annie WALSH Tuesday evening. The attendance was large and all thoroughly enjoyed the a...

from the New Jersey Courier, 13 Dec 1929 Santa Barbara, November 30--Carrying out his death bed request, the ashes of William Algernon Brackenridge, 71 years of age, retired senior vice president of the Southern California Edison Company, were strewn on the Pacific Ocean following cremation this afternoon. Brackenridge died in a local hospital after a lingering illness Friday night. During the past forty six years he has been connected with practically every great waterpower project in this country, Mexico, and Canada. He served on the board of consulting engineers making plans for the power development at Niagara Falls. He was appointed in 1904 by the Governor of New York to the advisory board of consulting engineers in charge of construction of the barge canal connecting the Hudson River and the Great Lakes. He came to California in 1909 to join the Southern California Edison Company. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Margaret Brackenridge and four children, Marian, Anne and Wil...

from the New Jersey Courier, 13 Dec 1929 (Lakehurst section) Our folks are responding generously to the Community Christmas tree. The trustees of the Presbyterian church have kindly agreed to allow the tree to be placed on the lawn between the church and Union Avenue. For this year, the tree will have to be temporary, but the intention is to have a sutiable tree transplanted on the site, and make it a permanent observance. A committee of the Exchange Club is arranging for a suitable tree and it's lighting, also a candy treat for the children of the community, and the officers of the club are receiving donations to cover the necessary expense. It is desired that all folks understand that this is actually a community affair and not for, or by, any one organization. A.W. CARR and wife visited in New York Friday of last week. Archie F. MURRAY and wife were Saturday visitors to Newark. A card party was held at the home of Mrs. Annie WALSH Tuesday evening. The attendance was large ...

from the New Jersey Courier, 13 Dec 1929 Santa Barbara, November 30--Carrying out his death bed request, the ashes of William Algernon Brackenridge, 71 years of age, retired senior vice president of the Southern California Edison Company, were strewn on the Pacific Ocean following cremation this afternoon. Brackenridge died in a local hospital after a lingering illness Friday night. During the past forty six years he has been connected with practically every great waterpower project in this country, Mexico, and Canada. He served on the board of consulting engineers making plans for the power development at Niagara Falls. He was appointed in 1904 by the Governor of New York to the advisory board of consulting engineers in charge of construction of the barge canal connecting the Hudson River and the Great Lakes. He came to California in 1909 to join the Southern California Edison Company. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Margaret Brackenridge and four children, Marian, Anne and Wil...

from New Jersey Courier 12 Dec 1878 The large residence of Mr. Cornelius Lawrence caught fire on Saturday evening last, about six o'clock, from a defective flue. Mr. Lawrence was returning from Toms River and on nearing the house discovered the fire on the roof. He quickly gave the alarm and this was the first intimation the inmates received of their danger. The neighbors saw the work of destruction going on and at once repaired to the burning building and saved all of the furniture, and in fact everything but part of Mr. Lawrence's wardrobe and that of his housekeeper, Mrs. Josephine Troy, who also lost some jewelry and $20 cash. The lost articles were in the attic. Hundreds of buckets of water were thrown upon the wagon house and corn crib which were thusly saved. I was informed by Mr. Lawrence that the building was insured for $1200 and that $2500 would be required to replace it.

From the Tuckerton Beacon, 11 Dec 1975 Mrs. Olive Bozarth, 87, formerly of Maple st., New Gretna, died Dec 5 at Ocean Point Convalescent Center, Somers Point. She was born in New Gretna and lived there most of her life. Her husband, Delvin, died 14 years ago. Among here survivors are a daughter in law, Mrs. Dorothy Bozarth. Burial was from the Wood and Kedz Funeral Home, Tuckerton on Dec. 9 and interment was in Hillside Cemetery, New Gretna.

from Tuckerton Beacon 11 Dec 1975 Mrs. Olive Bozarth, 87, formerly of Maple st., New Gretna, died Dec 5 at Ocean Point Convalescent Center, Somers Point. She was born in New Gretna and lived there most of her life. Her husband, Delvin, died 14 years ago. Among here survivors are a daughter in law, Mrs. Dorothy Bozarth. Burial was from the Wood and Kedz Funeral Home, Tuckerton on Dec. 9 and interment was in Hillside Cemetery, New Gretna.

from the New Jersey Mirror 9 Dec 1818 A violent gale from the southwest commenced about 10 o'clock last Saturday evening (December 5, 1818) and continued with little intermission until Sunday morning at sunrise. The damage to the port of Philadelphia was extensive. Nothing this severe has been experienced for twenty years

Press of Atlantic City 8 Dec 1992 Committeeman Louis Amato Jr. says the Cedar Run Group Home does not have proper security, is financially inefficient and should not be located in a residential area. Local officials, dissatisfied with a state plan for a citizens advisory panel to discuss public concerns over a Bamber Lake reform school, insist the facility should be closed. "I'm still dead-set against the facility out there. I'm still set on having it closed," Committeeman Louis Amato Jr. said. Amato claims the Cedar Run Group Home, in the pinelands near Carriage Road, does not have proper security, is financially inefficient for the state to operate and should not be located in the residential area. The committee members are also concerned the state might look to expand services at the facility as it is forced to find places to house juveniles who might be apprehended during crackdowns on carjacking. Amato, who is police commissioner here, and other members of the...

About 25 years ago, a string of New Jersey girls were brutally murdered. This page tells the story of the monster responsible. Richard Biegenwald's childhood was as volatile one. His father was an alcoholic and, by the time Biegenwald was 5 years old, his mother could no longer control him. When police were digging up the yard of her Staten Island home, Sally Biegenwald described her son as a hyperactive child. He was prone to lighting fires in his bedroom. Once, he ignited his bed and threw himself in the fire. At the age of 5, he was institutionalized and received shock treatment. He spent most of his childhood in New York state youth detention centers. One medical report said young Biegenwald had a death fantasy and suffered from night terror. He was released when he was 15 and began high school the next year. But about six months later, he dropped out of school and drifted through the South. Over the next three years, Biegenwald had several brushes with the law. In Nashville...

7 Dec 1917 E.W. Weimer, Charles Rowley and Benj. Wade of Cedar Crest spent their Thanksgiving at home in New York. Mrs. Lulu Saulman has been visiting her friends around for a few days. Edward Miller was in Toms River on Monday last. Dr. Rogers, who was in Philadelphia for a few days, heard of the Keswick Grover near Whitings, and took the opportunity to spend a few days there with the men. Also Mr. Kilburn, the Supt. of Cedar Crest Union Sunday school, had Dr. Rogers to come down to Cedar Crest and he gave a fine sermon. He also gave a sermon in the Cedar Crest church on Monday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Miller spent Thanksgiving at the home of their son, George Miller. Cleason Septor is now going to Camden for a few days. The Cedar Crest Union Sunday School gave a Thanksgiving entertainment on Thanksgiving eve. About 85 people were present. After the speaking and singing they had a treat of ice cream, cake and lemonade; after everything was over, the cake left over was put up for s...

New Jersey Mirror Dec 7 1881 Our report of the Williams-Ross murder case closed last week with the testimony of Mary Cromwell. The case was resumed on Wednesday morning. John Thompson, white, testified that he was at the party; saw no difficulty between Williams and Ross, but heard Williams say he was the best man in the house and would kill the first person who laid hands on him; afterwards heard him say he was going to kill the man who tore his coat. Thomas Joy and John Griffin both white, testified to being at the party but their testimony developed nothing important, except that Griffin heard Williams say he would kill the first person who laid hands on him. Wm. Johnson and John McCloe swore to threats by Williams at different times to kill Ross. James Howard testified to being present when Moss carried Ross out doors; Moss and Ross both fell; Ross lay on his back with his arms stretched out and witness stood at the left of him; saw Williams on the right side kicking Ross ...

From the New Jersey Courier 6 Dec 1900: Thanksgiving day passed off very quietly with us. Union services were held in the Methodist church. Rev. O.W. Wright of the Presbyterian church, preaching the sermon. The collection was given to the Methodist hospital at Philadephia. In the evening a "Yankee" sociable was held in the Presbyterian church and quite a number were present. The program consisted of readings, instrumental and vocal music and a guessing contest, after which enjoyable evening was spent. Ragamuffins as usual infested our town during the day and night, but the participants were mostly of the younger class. A representative of the Sanborn and Perris map company has been in our town the past week making a new insurance map. Among those home from Rider's business college at Trenton for holiday were Joe Storms, Win Predmore, Van Predmore, Clarence Harris and Arthur Ridgway. Among others visitors during the holiday we noticed Miss Nolia Pharo and Miss Emma B...

From New Jersey Courier 6 Dec 1900: The steam saw mill at Mannahawkin owned by William B. WILLS of Mount Holly, and recently destroyed by fire, will probably be rebuilt. The boiler, engine and planing machine were not badly injured. The woodwork of the bench and cut off saws and large sawing machine were destroyed, the line shafting and some of the pulleys were badly twisted. The loss is not so heavy as was first reported.

Press of Atlantic City, Dec 6 1990 HERBERT E. BAYARD, 68, of the Bamber Lake section of Lacey Township, died Wednesday at Community Medical Center in Toms River. Mr. Bayard was a self-employed carpenter in the Ocean County area for 37 years until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of the Lanoka Harbor Methodist Church and a past member of the Bamber Lake Fire Company. Born in Belford, he resided in Forked River before moving to Bamber Lake in 1972. Surviving are his wife, the former Alice Peake of Bamber Lake ; three sons, Lawrence, of Antioch, Calif., Gary, of Bayville, and Harry of Bamber Lake ; two daughters, Kerry Perkins of Cedar Run and Karen Duffy of Bamber Lake ; one brother, John Bayard of East Keansburg; three sisters, Alta Brown of Brick Town, Florence Wolchak of Middletown, and Dorothy Maggs of Wall Township; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

from the New Jersey Mirror 4 Dec 1822 On November 14, 1822, a healthy, middle-aged man, of the name of Jesse Cranmer, was digging a well near Tuckerton, and while in the act of sending out the last bucket of earth from the bottom, about twenty-five feet deep, the well caved, and enveloped him so deep, that before he could be extricated from his direful situation, he suffocated to death.

The state census for Ocean Co., NJ lists a section of Manchester Township called "Bakersville". I've never heard of this place before, and there were only three occupied homes in it in 1915. If you have any more information about this please send me an e-mail at klopeks@yahoo.com. The three families on the census in 1915 were as follows: GEORGE WITTERSCHEIR He was born in May of 1890, and worked as a farmer. He lived with his wife, Mary (b. Jan 1889), and son, George, Jr. (b. Nov 1908). A woman named Ada Darcy lived in the same home. She was born in May of 1900; her father was from England, her mother from New York. Charles Darcy, b. Jun 1893, also lived in the house. It's not clear how any of these people are related Charles worked as a farm laborer in 1930. IVINS COWAN He was born in Dec of 1880 in New Jersey. His father was from Massachussets, his mother from New Jersey. In 1930, he worked as a farm laborer. His wife, Olive, was born in Feb 1884. (Both of...

In addition to this site, I've also been working on a searchable index of newspaper articles from old NJ newspapers http://batsto.netai.net/Search.html

from the Industrial Directory of New Jersey, 1901, p. 24: ATCO, Camden County: On the Atlantic City Railroad, Central Railroad of New Jersey, and the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad. Station of each road in the town. Population 500. Banking town, Camden. Money order post office and telegraph station. Express service, Adams, United States, and West Jersey Companies. Tax rate, $ 2.38 Land for factory purposes bordering directly upon the line of the railroads ma y be had in any size plots, free of charge or at nominal prices. Water is pure and plentiful, the climate is healthful and free from malaria, and there is a good supply of labor, either male or female. One small factory building, floor area of 600 feet, with steam engine and boiler, will be rented for $ 10 per month or sold outright for $ 1500. These industries are now in operation E.H. Flood, manufacturers of window glass; employs 47 persons. John E. Hand, manufacturers of ship's compasses; employs 8 persons

These are some excerpts from the recors of John B. Ashmead, Mt. Holly undertaker; he started his business in Philadelphia (1844) and then moved to Mt. Holly in 1849. This list is the names of individuals who payed funeral expenses, and in some cases for whom they payed them. 12 Sept 1845 - Mr Samuel HARBIT of Salem, NJ , for sister Elizabeth. 19 April 1847 - John FORD - hearse to 1 1/2 miles below Woodbury, NJ. 29 June 1847 - Mr. TAYLOR (at Probasco) buried at Camden, NJ (New Town). 1849- 11 June - Mr. CASSADY - for his father 25 Aug - Mrs Martha MARTIN 12 Sept - Friends of the Rev. Wm. R. RODGERS 15 Sept - Estate of Joseph ALCHENS - deceased. 22 Sept - Charles STOY - for child 1850 - 24 Feb - William BROWNE - for child 26 March - William N. SHINN for Mrs. HORTON 3 April - Estate Mrs FENNIMORE, Geo. HAYWOOD, Executor April - James RODGERS - for Mrs WILLIAMS - taken to Crosswicks 25 May - Wm. M. RISDON - for daughter 3 June - Levy ATKINSON - for his child 15 July -...

from the Asbury Park Press 25 Nov 1991 FRANTISEK CINA, 60 of HOWELL TOWNSHIP, died yesterday at home. Mr. Cina, known as 'Frank', was a maintenance worker for Brockway Glass, Freehold, for 20 years. He was a communicant of St. Veronica's Roman Catholic Church, Howell. Mr. Cina was born in Czechoslovakia and came to the United States in 1969, settling in Howell. Surviving are his wife, Margit; his father, Frank Fabian, Chicago; three brothers, Joseph Fabian and Evzen Fabian, both of Toronto, Canada, and Rudy Fabian, Chicago; and two sisters, Clara Kalis, Toronot and Anna Cina.

From the Asbury Park Press 25 Nov 1991 MARY B. BOLTE, 66, of KEYPORT, died on Saturday at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. She was a communicant of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. Mrs. Bolte was born in New York, living in the Bronx before moving to Keyport over 40 years ago. Surviving are her husband, George P.; three sons, Christopher, John and Michael, all of Keyport; two brothers, John P. McGuinness, New City, N.Y., and George F. McGuinness, Bronxville, N.Y.; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. David J. Hodder and Son Funeral Home, Yonkers, in charge of arrangements.

"NOTICE OF SALE OF LAND IN THE TOWNSHIP OF LACEY, N.J. FOR UNPAID TAXES FOR THE YEAR 1920". BAKER, Frederick A. 5 lots, Cedar Crest Cedar Crest Orchard and Produce Co., 6807 acres, dwellings, barns and mills at Cedar Crest. (Cedar Crest Co. seems to have been the biggest employer in this town, and with what appears to be their failure, a lot of residents probably moved on, explaining the discrepancy in population from 1920 to 1930.) COHEN, Joseph H., 20 acres, Cedar Crest DALE, John, 2 acres and bungalow, Cedar Crest LEHTONEN, Lydia, 3 acres, Cedar Crest ( A Lydia LEHTONEN lived on W. 79th Street, Manhattan, in 1920, working as a private nurse in the home of Carl Mead. She was a Finnish immigrant, having come from that country in 1911. It seems unlikely she would have owned speculative land in Ocean County, but I suppose not impossible. In 1910, a 35 year old Lydia LEHTONEN shows up on W 48th St in Manhattan, also a Finnish immigrant. She worked as a servant in the ho...

The following article appeared in the New Jersey Courier on 14 Nov 1930: SIMMONS, KLAN FOUNDER, AND BELL, KLAN OFFICIAL, SAID TO BE NEW ORGANIZERS There is a story about the counties of Monmouth and Ocean, based on an account printed recently in the Asbury Park Press, that an effort is being made to create a new organization with the same aims and purposes of the Ku Klux Klan, but with different methods. The Press recently told of a meeting in that county addresed by William Joseph Simmons, founder of the Klan, and afterward deposed as its head, and by Arthur H. Bell, the Grand Dragon of New Jersey in the days when the Klan was in prosperity in the state. It was said that both these men talked on the new organization, the White Band. Residents of Lakewood Road, between Toms River and Lakewood, near where the cross road turns off to the Klan hall on Whitesville road, say that numerous cars traversed that road on Sunday afternoon, and from that it is assumed that Simmons and Be...

The 16 August 1882 issue of the New Jersey Courier has an article, which even it admits is only hearsay and may not be true, about the death on July 25th of that year of one Sarah Condon Pease of Piney Grove. I have not been able to locate where that place is, or was, although the article implies that it was somewhere in Ocean County. At any rate, it mentions that she was known all over the area as the 'most powerful witch' in South Jersey. She is not known to have had a husband, although she had two sons, John (who deserted the Union army during the war), and Henry. She was arrested in 1845 on a charge of witch craft brought by one James Cosgrove, although the case was dismissed for lack of evidence. A few months later, there was apparently another arrest. She died in July of 1882, and according to the article, a large number of people turned out for the funeral and subsequently looted her home. So far I have found no other evidence that anyone by this name lived anywhere ...

from the New Jersey Courier 21 Nov 1930 November 19--Addison Abramowitz entertained a few of his friends in honor of his fifteenth birthday on Tuesday evening, November 19. Those present were: Ernest Cramer, Martin Tolbert, William Gaskill, Kenneth Erwin, Lloyd Chadwick, Veldren Lewis, Howard Conover, Arthur Birdsall, Robert Griffin, William Aghjan, Marvin Cramer. An enjoyable evening was spent by all followed by refreshments.

New Jersey Courier 21 Nov 1930: Mr. and Mrs. JWm. Holloway and daughters were callers in Manahawkin Sunday. Roy Cox of Barnegat was in town Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. John Harbolt of Jobstown spent Sunday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Holloway. Arch Parker and friend of Parkertown were in town Wednesday. S.C. Haverley of Plainfield has been spending a few days with George Cranmer. Wm. Berry of Beach Haven was in town Friday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ridgeway of Barnegat were recent callers in town. Mrs. Sallie Penn, Marion and Dorothy Penn, of Waretown, were Friday afternoon callers on Mrs. Chas. Holloway. Wm. and Jack Wescott of Camden were in town Tuesday. Howard Wainwright of Waretown was in town Tuesday. Hill Corlis was in Sim Place Saturday. Mrs. Rogers of Bayville was a visitor in town Wednesday. H. King of Beach Haven was in town Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Genone and children of Chatsworth, were in town Sunday. Ellsworth Harris, Tracey Hitchner and Everett Hitc...

New Jersey Courier 21 Nov 1878 Samuel ROBBINS, a young son of Theodore ROBBINS, met with a severe accident last Thursday, by which one of his arms was broken. We learn that a horse which he was driving became unmanageable and ran away. Two other boys who were in the wagon with him were thrown out and were more or less bruised. This, we understand, is the seventh time the father has been called upon to have broken bones adjusted. A little daughter of Samuel GRAVATT, 18 mos. old, was severely scalded one day last week by upsetting a measure of boiling water upon itself which had been carelessly placed too near to the edge of the table by it's mother. The child was horribly burned about the face and body, but little hopes are entertained for its recovery

From the New Jersey Courier 21 Nov 1930: County detective Ellis Parker is making efforts to identify the remains of a man found in the woods in a swamp near New Gretna on Thursday. The discovery was made by two gunners, Raymond Jeffries and William Gill, of Pleasantville. The man had been dead a long time, ad only a skeleton remained. Death probably occurred before the forest fires last spring. The bones were charred by the forest fire and nearly all the clothing destroyed. Clues that might lead to an identification are meager: a pair of rubber boots, gold rimmed spectacles, tooth brush, safety razor, had and leather belt.

I've only once come across any reference to this place. It was apparently in Washington Township (Burlington County); years ago (ca.1996), I was looking at a poll book in the research library at Batsto, and came across a page for Piping Hill. In 1892, the following residents of the township listed their residence as Piping Hill: Arthur Miller Johnathan Ford George W. Ford Watson Ford In 1894, only George Ford listed Piping Hill as his residence. I still have no idea where in the township this actually was (or is).

" Are you thinking of Ong? Every night I think of Ong and of how he came to the pine woods long ago, hung his hat on a tree, and vanished from the face of the earth. I wonder... Was he devoured by bears or other wild beasts? Was he swept away by a flood or sucked up by a tornado? Was he murdered and dragged off? Did he, wanting to "disappear," leave his hat behind as a false clue pointing to foul play? Was he kidnapped by beings not of this earth? (I wonder, for example, about those "strange boot prints" reported at the finding of his hat.) Or did he stumble upon some hole in time and space, that led nowhere in this world but everywhere in another? Does he now live somewhere close by, where we can't see him? Which is the answer? From time to time, as I worry over this mystery of Ong's disappearance, I go into the pine woods and walk up and down, kicking over the sandy soil and calling out. It is always quiet there and very hot. Alone, I think of Ong and...

from New Jersey Courier 15 Nov 1918 Roscoe Conkling was in town Tuesday. J. Fields of New York was a Monday visitor. Mrs. Kate Falkinburgh and son Alton are visiting her daughter, Mrs. W. Bailey, at Barnegat City. Mrs. Tillie Steer of Philadelphia spent the week end with Mrs. Sallie Exel. Miss Martha Throckmorton has been spending a few days with Mrs. Harry Van Note. Mrs. Forrest Carter has been entertaining her mother. Mrs. A.J. Bugbee spent a few days with her mother in Camden this week. The First National Bank has erected a new flag pole alongside the bank, with all of the colors flying. Barnegat had a great celebration on Tuesday over the great victory. They had a parade by school children. Red Cross and all the prominent citizens of the town turned out in the grand march. After marching all through the town they stopped in front of the bank where a few addressess were made by Prof. W. Brown of the high school, Mrs. Sarah Hernburgh, J. Horace Sprague and Henry A. Tolbert,...

from the New Jersey Courier 15 Nov 1918 Collector and Mrs. Ernet L. Worth announce the marriage of t heir daughter, Gertrude Edith, to Charles P. Lippincott of Philadelphia. The bride is one of the popular young ladies of Bayville and Camden, a graduate of Toms River high school and Trenton normal, and has been teaching the past three years in the Cramer school, Camden. Mr. Lippincott is assistant cashier in the Fourth Street National bank of Philadelphia, and comes from a well known Camden family. The Ladies Aid Society will meet at the home of Miss Carrie Bonnell on Wednesday evening, Nov 20, at 8 o'clock. Coastguard James Brower is spending a few days at his home here. Mrs. A.B. VanWickle, Mrs. Annie Hess, Miss Mae Kelly and Fred Tappen of Asbury Park visited Devine Butler and wife on Sunday. Miss Ida Ward of Toms River spent Sunday with her brother, Geo. Ward and wife.

from the New Jersey Courier, 15 Nov 1918: Miss Jennie May of Jersey City returned home Sunday evening after spending a few days with Mrs. Ivins Clayton and family. Miss Lida Brower of Bayville spent the week end with Miss Rita Clayton. Rev. J.W. Stokes, wife and and Mrs. Wm. Bryant and wife of Cedar Grove spent Wednesday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Ivins Clayton and family

New Jersey Courier, 14 Nov 1930: Buy your own bathroom and plumbing fixtures on easy terms, I will install them for you at a surprisingly low figure for the winter months. Why not let me figure with you. Just drop a card to H.I. Wright, Box 61, Holly Park, Bayville, NJ

New Jersey Courier 14 Nov 1930 A diver who spent Thursday and Friday of last week trying to find the body of Dennis McElhinney, in the bay between Dutch's Inn and the Bay Draw, gave it up on Friday night and did not return on Saturday, having found no trace of McElhenney. The missing man, believed to have drowned, was last seen at Dutch's Inn, on Saturday, Oct 25, with a strong northwest gale blowing. It is understood, from the story told by his companion, that he had been drinking and was taken by George W. Alsheimer that day and cared for, till he insisted on leaving with his chum, about dusk, when the latter came back from a gunning point to see how McElhinney was getting on. What happened after that is a confused story. McElhinney is supposed to have fallen in the bay and to have drowned. The diver, Ray Hensen, on Thursday had a tear in the sleeve of his diving suit and so was in the water only about three hours. He waded about near Dutch's Inn dock. Next day he put ...

New Jersey Mirror 13 Nov 1851: It will be recollected by many of our readers, that about four years ago, a wealthy farmer named Ezra Roberts, living a short distance below Moorestown, was murdered and robbed near Camden. No clue could, at that time, be obtained of the perpetrator of the deed, but circumstances have recently transpired leading to the suspicion of a person confined in the State Prison. The person suspected of the murder of Mr. Roberts, is Job Cowperthwaite, Jr., who was tried and convicted at the last term of our Court, for shooting a Mrs. Vansciver at Moorestown. The report, it is said, originated from a declaration of the wife of Cowperthwaite, previous to her death, which occurred a short time since, and who had hitherto concealed it because Cowperthwaite threatened her life, if she disclosed the horrid deed. We know not what reliance is to be placed in this statement, but we understood at the time of Cowperthwaite's trial, that circumstances had come to light r...