West-Jersey pioneer., 1867-12-27
Incipient Steps Taken-Progress of the
Moyement-The Survey-The
t -" Charter. 1854 nal

In order TO present correct history
of the preliminary movements and pro-
gress of the West Jersey Road, we shall
copy from the record of the West jersey
Road, the minutes of the various pre-
paratory meetings of those who were
most active in establishing it.
The first meeting was held at Salem,
on the 10th of April, 1852 Richard P
Thompson was chosen Chairman, and
Charles P. Smith, Secretary,-at which
committees were appointed to hold meet
ings with the view of arousing public
sentiment in favor of the road. This
meeting was well attended, comprising
gentlemen from Cape May, Cumberland,
Salem and Gloucester Counties. 1t was
ties interested, that convention of delegates be
held at Elwell's Hoteip the City Of Camden, on
Wednesday, the 18th day ofMay next
In accordance with this resolution, a
convention was held at the time and place
named. Delegates were present from
Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem,
Gloucester and Camden counties.
T Jones Yorke, of Salem, was appoint
ed Chairman, and Charles E. Elmer, of
Cumberland, Secretary The subject
was fully discussed, and several routes
advocated but, as there was much diver
sity Of opinion, the following resolutions
were adopted
RESOLVED That the whole subject be referred to
committee of three from the six lower counties who
are empo~ered to collect funds to employ acompet-
e0t engineer to examine the ntaa ad
and to make areport upon each to the committee
who shall call general meeting, and make the re-
port thereto. n ~ s aa1
RESOLVED, That the chairman appoint one from
each county now present. who shall select the COM
mittee contemplatedin the above resolution
The Chairman appointed 7. III. Dudley,
of Camden 7. H. Whitney, of Glouces-
ter; A. Q. Keasbey, of Salem; Charles
E. Elmer, of Cumberland; and r. s.
Ludlam, of Cape May
The Executive Committee met and ap-
pointed 7. H. Whitney President and
Treasurer of said committee
On the I'd of June, the Executive
Committee met, and selected Gen. VIM.
Cook, as the Engineer to make a super
fetal survey of the routes proposed, and
to estimate the probable cost of construc-
tion on each route, with the revenue to
be derived from each.
Accordingly, that gentleman, in COM
pany with Messrs. Whitney and Ward,
and the Hon. Richard P. Thompson, pro-
ceeded in the discharge of his duties,
passing through Woodbury., Glassboro',
Mil1vi11e, Cape May Court House, and on
to Cape Island. After spending some
days at the latter place they returned by
way of Dennis Greek, Bridgeton, Salem,
Woodstown, Mullica Hill, &C., on to
Camden. 1t may be proper to add, that
on the return of the surveying party they
were Joined Gen Potter, who accom-,
panied them to Salem.
On the 18th of November, 1852,
meeting called by the Executive Commit
tee convened at the Court House, in the
City OF Camden. Jonas Miller, of Cape
May, was chosen President, and E. Il.
Sanders, Of Camden, Secretary. T. H.
Whitney, Chairman of the Executive
Committee, presented the following Re-
port of the Survey by Gen. Cook. We
give it entire, as it has too important
bearing upon the history of the road to be
omitted. 1t will appear in our next issue.