History of Port Elizabeth, Cumberland County, New Jersey

In presenting this history of Port Elizabeth to our friends and the public, we desire to state that no stone has been left unturned to secure information from every available source. While we have endeavored to be as accurate as possible, there may be some errors. Should any be detected, we hope charity will be meted us rather than adverse criticism.

We desire to acknowledge our indebtedness and extend our thanks to Charles E. Sheppard, Esq., of Bridgeton, to Hon. B. F. Lee, of Trenton, to James Stewart, of Greenwich, Daniel Harris, Esq., Francis Lee, Col. J. Howard Willets, and to all other inhabitants of Port Elizabeth who have rendered us valuable assistance in the preparation of our work. Also to F. L. Godfrey, Esq., Clerk of Cumberland County, who furnished us information from his office, and to C. B. Ogden, who contributed the articles on the Civil War, Resources, and Centennial Celebration.

 

Table of Contents

General History 7
Early Settlers 9
Swedes' Church 9
Condition at the Time of Mrs. Clark's Purchase 11
Laying out of the Town Plot 11
Laying out of Glasstown 12
Laying out of Bricksboro' 12
Port of Delivery established 12
Roads 12
Meadow Company and Bridge 13
First Embankment on the River 13
Post-Office 13
Hotels 14
Schools 17
Methodist Episcopal Church 19
Methodist Episcopal Parsonage 24
Friends' Meeting-House 24
Presbyterian Church 25
Baptist Church 26
African Methodist Episcopal Church 27
Societies: Masons, Dorcas, Literary 27
Eagle Glass-Works 29
Union Glass-Works 30
Business Enterprises 30
Negro Exodus 32
Public Men 33
Sketch of Mrs. Bodly's Life 34
Civil War 36
Natural and Available Resources 38
Account of the Centennial Celebration 43
Centennial Poem 52

 

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On the 12th of March, 1664, King Charles II., of England, granted the whole tract from the Connecticut to the Delaware River to his brother James, Duke of York, who afterwards became James II.

Before he had taken formal possession of the country he granted, June 23 of the same year, all that portion of his territory lying between the Hudson and Delaware Rivers to John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret. The name New Caesarea, or New Jersey, was given to it at that time in honor of Carteret, who had been governor of the Isle of Jersey, and held it for the English against foreign invasion.