Ocean County , NJ History

 New Jersey Courier 28 Oct 1897

  Pine Barrens Fire of 1936 As reported in the pages of the  New Jersey Mirror , 27 May 1936 Five Killed, Many Injured in Greatest Forest Fires in the History of Two Counties / More Than 20,000 Acres Involved in Four-Day Conflagration in the Area from Chatsworth to Tuckerton and Manahawkin--2,000 Men Fought Fire / Men Were Trapped While Fighting In one of the worst forest fires in the history of Burlington and Ocean counties, the past four days, burning over more than 20,000 acres, five men lost their lives and many others were injured. The area involved includes the section from Chatsworth to Tuckerton. There also were fires east of Brown's Mills. Colonel Leonidas J. Coyle, state fire warden, reported last night that the fire was under control and practically extinguished, when a change of wind turned the flames back over the area already burned over. The dead are: Edward F. Sullivan, 19, of New Brunswick. Kingsley White, 38, of Whitesville. Stanley Carr, 23, of Farmingdale. John

from the Times Beacon 9 Jul 2003

New Jersey Courier 5 Oct 1876 Bass River has changed very little, during the last decade; yet increased attention to agriculture is manifest on every hand. Pretty farms, neat residences, and school houses that will compare favorably with localities much more pretentious, give evidence that the population is at once intelligent and industrious. The school house, associated with which are so many tender memories of lessons conned, and extreme elementary ideas worked in by the aid of old fashioned licking stimulators, seemed as of old, though, wearing a more modern appearance and a more euphoneous name than "Frogtown Schoolhouse." Miss Eva Robinson, a lady of desirable properties, is the present teacher, and I understand is doing a good work educationally. "Mr. Mark Adams has charge of the New Gretna school. Of course, we can say nothing about what he will accomplish until he has been at work for some time, but we know that his intelligence is sufficient to bring up his s

New Jersey Courier 2 Jan 1879

New Egypt Press 20 Dec 1923

KENYON, RACHEL A. from the New Jersey Courier 20 Sep 1918 Mrs. Rachel A. Kenyon, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Chew, of New Gretna, died suddenly on her way home from a visit with Mrs. I.L. Berry, in Mathistown. She was 55 years of age. At the time of her death she was a resident of New York City. Interment was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

FRENCH-HOUNSLEA from the New Jersey Courier 3 Jul 1879 At Tuckerton, by Rev S.S. Downs, Lewis E. French to Agnes J. Hounslea, both of New Gretna

Essie is buried in the Barnegat Hill Cemetery. Thus far, all I know of her comes from her obituary in the 23 Apr 1994 Atlantic City Press : ESSIE MAE (TALBERT) CALHOUN , 84, of Barnegat in Barnegat Township, died Thursday at Barnegat Nursing Center in Barnegat. Mrs. Calhoun was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Barnegat. Born in McCormick, S.C., she lived in Philadelphia and New Gretna before moving to Barnegat in 1952. She is survived by two sons, Stephen of Barnegat, and Marvin D. of Washington, D.C.; two daughters, Yvonne Calhoun Poston of Barnegat, and Lorraine J. of Trenton; a sister, Margaret Johnson of Duquesne, Pa.; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Tuckerton Beacon, 26 Feb 1920: Mr. Forest Cramer, of Atlantic City, and Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Cramer of Philadelphia, were week end guests of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Cramer. Mrs. Joseph McNeil attended the funeral of her sister in Baltimore last week. Edward Black, of Camden, is visiting Mr. and Mrs. George Cramer. Eugene Sears, of Philadelphia, spent the week end with his family. John Adams is visiting relatives in Tuckerton. Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Hickman have moved in the bungalow owned by James McAnney. Herbert Maxwell, of Jenkins, is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Post. Mrs. Harvey G. Cramer has been quite ill for the past week but we are glad to note that she is recovering. Mrs. Leonard Sooy was called to Stone Harbor on Tuesday on account of the illness of Mr. and Mrs. Adelbert Robbins. H.Z. Mathis, of Philadelphia, spent Sunday here with his family. Harold Gerew is at home with his family for a few weeks. A number of our people met for the school election o

Tuckerton Beacon 19 Feb 1920: A surprise party was held for Carlton Mathis on Saturday evening, February 14th, by his High School chums, in honor of his 14th birthday. The evening was spent playing games, singing and varioius forms of amusement, after which the guests were escorted to the dining room, which was beautifully decorated, to accord with the Valentine season. Among those present were Misses Addie Moroe, Minnie Mathis, Jennia Broome, Elizabeth French, Thelma Downs, Esther Sooy, Elizabeth Hickman, Marie Sears, M. Alston Adams, and Carlton Mathis. The grown ups consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mathis, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Mathis, Mr. and Mrs. H.Z. Mathis, Mr. and Mrs. C.G. Mathis, Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Gerew, Miss Rae Cramer, and Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Mathis. Eugene Mathis, of Brigantine, spent Monday here with his family. Joseph McNeil has returned home after spending a week away. Mrs. Mary E. Loveland received word on Tuesday of her daughter's death in Baltimore. The family ha

Tuckerton Beacon, 22 Jan 1920: Revival services are now in progress in the M.E. Church. Mr. John Abdell, of Camden, is assiting the pastor this week.He has charge of the music, which is being made a special feature of the meetings. Mr. and Mrs. Horace Cramer and Mrs. Earle Cramer visited Atlantic City on Saturday. The teachers in the public school have received notice to attend Institute at Mount Holly on Thursday and Friday of this week. Mr. and Mrs. John Wiseman are rejoicing over the birth of a baby girl. An epidemic of Grippe colds seem to be sweeping the town at th is time. We trust that all who are sick will soon get out again. Miss Rae Cramer of Beach Haven has been visiting friends and relatives here. Alvin McAnney was a Philadeplhia visitor on Wednesday. Mrs. Duncan Jones, of Jersey City, is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Asbury Mathis.

The following is reprinted from the Bass River Gazzette, Issue No.2, Oct 1998, with the author's permission: "Herrintown was used locally to refer to New Gretna. When used by a Clamtown (Tuckerton) resident it was a derogatory term, but New Gretna residents used the term proudly as "herrin" was important to the local economy for many years."

NEW JERSEY COURIER 26 OCT 1923 Rev. and Mrs. J.W. Stokes and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mathis motored to Phila. on Monday. Mrs. D.C. Mathis and Mrs. Ben Broome spent the day in Collingswood recently. Mrs. Al Lane and French and Walter Loveland of Camden, spent the week end with Mrs. May Loveland. Mrs. Jarvis Gerew spent a portion of last week with Mr. and Mrs. John Sprague at West Creek. Miss Mae Mathis is driving a new Ford. Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Loveland of Atlantic City spent the week end here. Mr. De Silva has returned to his home in Washington, after spending the summer here. Wm. Kestler has been improving his house with a coat of paint.

NEW JERSEY COURIER, 12 June 1914: Eugene Sears has accepted a position in the P.R.R. Station at Camden Mr. James Allen of Ocean City is visiting here. Joseph Gaskill of Atlantic City is visiting relatives here. Miss Laura Leek took the civil service examination at Toms River last Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. S.M. French entertained a few of their friends on Tuesday evening. Mrs. Carl Adams of Atlantic City is visiting her sister, Mrs. Joseph Mathis, jr. Mrs. Emma Van Sant of Atlantic City, is visiting at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Alma Cramer. Carroll and Forest Cramer of Atlantic City, were the guests of the Misses Georgie and Theora Cramer last Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Gerew of Cape May, are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. Gerew. Miss Montgomery of Atlantic City spent the week end with Miss Mary Mathis. Miss Earle Cramer is spending a portion of the week in Philadelphia. Rev. R.W. Hand and family are visiting relatives in Philadelphia.

The following Adams family info comes to me from a visitor to my site, ,Jmjcmink. He tells me that he has ancestors from Washington Township and provided this little family info to me: Franklin Adams was the husband of Mary Ann Mathis; he is buried in the Miller Cemetery at New Gretna. Franklin and Mary Ann had a number of children. They were: Willard Adams, who married Laura Falkinburgh Blanchard Adams Calvin Adams Alfred Adams Charlotte Adams Elizabeth Adams, who married Charles Deacon Eugene Adams Mary Adams, who married John Gray Alvah Adams Walter Adams an unnamed child, who apparently died in infancy Unfortunately, I was not provided with any dates for these individuals. Further information regarding this same family comes to us from another visitor, WendyL5971@aol.com. Additional information can be found at Wendy's Home Page. Descendants of Franklin Adams Generation No. 1 1. FRANKLIN ADAMS was born 1821, and died September 2, 1885. Franklin is buried in

From the New Jersey Courier 18 May 1905 Hot, with plenty of mosquitoes. W. Dayton moved his family to New Gretna last week. Machinist Smith of Elmer, is with us again for a few days. We are glad to notice the improvements being made on the Double Trouble road. Howard Lee is off duty on account of sickness. E.E. Thompson received an ugly gash on his left hand while working on the bench saw. It is rumored that Berkeley Township intends building a new school house. We are anxiously awaiting to hear the carpenter's hammer. Gertrude Estlow is sick with the measles. Dr. Jones was a Monday visitor here. Clarence Saulsman and Ralph Shaw spent Sunday with relatives in Forked River. Mrs. Johnston of Whitesville came in last Tuesday with a load of pigs. Fred Applegate spent a fortnight in Toms River. Mac McKenney is building an addition to his cottage. Warren Van Brunt is spending a short time at Forked River with his parents. J.L. Madison spent Sunday in Toms River.

Tuckerton Beacon, 8 Apr 1920: Mr. and Mrs. F.B. Helsman and Miss Helen Reed motored to Atlantic City Saturday. John Birdsall of Hammonton spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Mathis. Howard Johnson has purchased the H.E. French property and has moved his family from Atlantic City. We are glad to welcome them back. Mrs. Harold Gerew, who has just undergone and operation in the Atlantic City Hospital, returned home this week. We are glas she is improving so rapidly. Mr. Selig and family moved on the Schufer farm on Wednesday. Miss Helen Craig of Lakehurst is visiting Miss Margaret Adams. Rev J.D. Bills preached in the M.E. Church and held the First Quarterly Conference. Mr. and Mrs. Harry V. Mathis and Mrs. Lewis Loveland spent a few days in Hammonton this week. Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Cranmer of Philadelphia were week end guests of the former's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Cramer. Mr. and Mrs. James E. Cramer of Beach Haven spent Sunday with the former's mother, Mrs. Rebe

Tuckerton Beacon, 25 Mar 1920: Mrs. Lewis Loveland spent the week with friends in Atlantic City. Mr. and Mrs. John Stackhouse and family, of Warren Grove, are spending a few days with relatives here. Mrs. Thos. Cramer and son Paul, and Alexander Maxwell, of Atlantic City, visited friends here over the week end. The Knights of Pythias will hold their annual banquet in their hall on Main Street next Saturday. The members and friends of the M.E. Church are planning a reception in the church for Rev. and Mrs. T.O. Jackson on Thursday evening this week. Mr. and Mrs. D.D. Cramer motored to Atlantic City on Tuesday. Lafayett Gerew, of Atlantic City, has purchased the property which belonged to Thomas Cramer. Mrs. Earl Cramer has been on the sick list this week. We are glad to note that she is improving at this writing. Mrs. Jos. Hickman and son, Orville, motored to Pleasantville on [must be typo here, the line is left unfinished.] Maurice Gaskill was an Atlantic City on Monday.[note

NEW JERSEY COURIER 15 MAR 1918 Henry Parker and family spent the week end at the home of his brothers, William and Charles Parker at Beach Haven. Mr. and Mrs. William Reeves and son Elbert of Barnegat were recent visitors at the home of the latter's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Parker. Wm. Cramer and wife, Mrs. Cheeseman and William D. Wright, spent Sunday at New Gretna. The Ladies Aid met at the home of Mrs. Norwood Parker Wednesday evening this week. Harvey Parker is working at Elwood on the new munition plant.