Ocean County , NJ History

Hunterdon Democrat 7 Jun 1881 A serious accident occurred on the Pennsylvania Railroad, at Bear Swamp, near Trenton, on Monday afternoon, to the fast train which leaves New York at 3:15, consisting of an engine, baggage car, Pullman car, and three other cars. It was caused by a misplaced switch; the engine, the baggage and Pullman cars passed over safely, but the three other cars left the track, one completely overturning and about a dozen passengers were more or less injured. One old lady, Lucretia Pennington, aged 81 years, died of her injuries about 6 o'clock. Mr. Augustus B. Ritter, of Philadelphia, was killed by the truck being forced through the bottom of the car.

Hunterdon Democrat 7 Jun 1881 "A serious accident occurred on the Pennsylvania Railroad, at Bear Swamp, near Trenton, on Monday afternoon, to the fast train which leaves New York at 3:15, consisting of an engine, baggage car, Pullman car, and three other cars. It was caused by a misplaced switch; the engine, the baggage and Pullman cars passed over safely, but the three other cars left the track, one completely overturning and about a dozen passengers were more or less injured. One old lady, Lucretia Pennington, aged 81 years, died of her injuries about 6 o'clock. Mr. Augustus B. Ritter, of Philadelphia, was killed by the truck being forced through the bottom of the car." I have been unable to locate Lucretia Pennington on any census, or in any other records.

New Jersey Mirror 19 Oct 1881 Benjamin Taylor, aged seventy, committed suicide near Recklesstown last week, by hanging himself. He was afflicted with a cancer on the face.

from the New Jersey Mirror 17 Aug 1881: A HEAVY SHOWER of wind and rain visited this vicinity shortly after five o'clock on Saturday afternoon. The day had been extremely hot, said to have been the hottest of the season, the mercury rising to 100 in the shade. The storm came up suddenly, the wind blowing a young hurricane, trimming dead limbs and some live ones from the trees and strewing the streets with them. The rain followed as suddenly and for some time the rain-fall was heavy, the lightning sharp and the thunder startling, indicating that the lightning had struck something near by. The shower was over in less than a half hour. Soon after the storm it was learned that the lightning had done fatal work on the road between Mount Holly and Lumberton. It appears that just as the shower was approaching, Isaac Fenimore, living near Lumberton, drove to the Mount Holly depot for Mrs. Blanche Short, engaged as a domestic in the family, who was waiting to be conveyed to his residence....

New Jersey Mirror 6 Jul 1881 John M. Anderson, aged about sixty-two years, and residing near Francis' Mills, Ocean County, committed suicide at an early hour on Friday morning the 24th ult.(June, 1881), by shooting himself in the abdomen with a shotgun. He had been drinking heavily of late and signs of delirium had been observed by his family.

From the New Jersey Mirror MAY 25, 1881 At Camden last week, James M. Allen, who it was alleged tried to establish a free love, Mormon, communistic and socialistic colony at Ancora, was arraigned for trial. He was accompanied by two women, said to be his wives, neither of whom is over thirty years of age, and one of his fathers-in-law sat beside him. One of the wives wore a neat suit of blue and the other wore a Bloomer costume. They were very affectionate toward each other and their joint husband . Allen said that he would act as his own counsel. The case was finally dismissed, on the ground that no breach of the law had been shown.

New Jersey Mirror 16 Mar 1881 Pursuant to an order of the Orphans' court of the county of Burlington, made at the December term, A. D., 1880, the subscribers, administrators of Livingston B. French, deceased, will sell at public vendue, between the hours of 12 and 5 o'clock, to wit, at 2 o'clock, P. M. On SATURDAY, March 19, 1881, At the hotel of Franklin Adams, New Gretna, the following Real Estate of said deceased, to wit: No. 1. A tract of Brush land near the Lemunyon place in Little Egg Harbor township, containing 93 12-100 acres. No. 2. A Building Lot on Main street, Tuckerton, near Charcoal landing, containing 1 11-100 acres. No. 3. A piece of meadow on Dan'st thoroughfare, adjoining William W. Cramer, containing 8 acres. No. 4. A tract of upland, lying on Bass River, adjoining James M. Darby, other lands of Livingston B. French, deceased, Adolphus H. Lamson and others, containing 11 acres. This lot has a landing upon it and will sold in two or more lots. Pa...

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 Mirror 17 Aug 1881: A HEAVY SHOWER of wind and rain visited this vicinity shortly after five o'clock on Saturday afternoon. The day had been extremely hot, said to have been the hottest of the season, the mercury rising to 100 in the shade. The storm came up suddenly, the wind blowing a young hurricane, trimming dead limbs and some live ones from the trees and strewing the streets with them. The rain followed as suddenly and for some time the rain-fall was heavy, the lightning sharp and the thunder startling, indicating that the lightning had struck something near by. The shower was over in less than a half hour. Soon after the storm it was learned that the lightning had done fatal work on the road between Mount Holly and Lumberton. It appears that just as the shower was approaching, Isaac Fenimore, living near Lumberton, drove to the Mount Holly depot for Mrs. Blanche Short, engaged as a domestic in the family, who was waiting to be conveyed to his residence....