Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-12-10


by brother of Richard Wood, Il native
of Bury, in Lancashire, England. Tbs
christian name of the brother of Richard
Wood is not known, but is believed to
be either Henry or Jonathan Little is
known of the history of the place from
its settlement to theRevolutionary period
During the Revolution Brigadier Gene
raj Silas Newcomb was stationed here
for a time in charge of 300 of the Safe
militia by order of Governor Livingston.
During the winter of 1777 Lord Corn
wallis was for time located here with
large body of British troops
We will now pass over another quar-
ter of a century, and we find the British
! lion again aroused, and again trying to
coerce his Yankee son into submission.
| At this time Woodbury. had grown to a
state of manhood and resisted his Ma
| jesty's demand by raising u company of
| infantry for the war of 1872, called
| 1.-THE Blues of Gloucester County" A
company of cavalry was also raised at
Woodbury. during the war of 1872, of
which the late Judge John Moore White
was captain.
In 1915 Woodbury. had not assumed
the dignity or proportions of a city, and
all there was of the town lay along on
either side of what is now Broad street,
except two or three houses down what is
now Delaware street. Although the
population was small, yet four taverns
seemed TO be necessary to accommodate
the travelling and local trade.
The quality of the religious element
of the town in 1915 was probably as
good as at present, yet the variety that
gives spice to many things was not as
great as now, there being then only the
Friends and Presbyterians to enjoy the
comforts of religion, while to-day there
are eight or nine denominations of Chris
tan worshipers.
The taverns in those days were places
Of resort for farmers at certain seasons
of the year, and for many of the settlers
on Saturdays or Saturday afternoons,
which were devoted to gather
any pecuniary benefit that might
arise therefrom, but to participate
in and enjoy the sport" Among the
sports of the pioneer were horse racing,
wrestling, QUOT pitching, and occasional
" a trial of the manly art" The prin-
cipal beverage in those days was New
England rum, known throughout this
section as Boston Particular" a bev-
erage that was harmless, yet quite ex-
hilarating in its effect
Woodbury. was incorporated as a bor-
ough in 1854, the population being at
that time about 1900.
Under an act of the Senate and Gen
eral Assembly of the State of New
Jersey, approved March 16, 1870, Wood
bury became a city, the first Council
meeting being held at the Court House
on the evening of March 21, 1871, at Z
O'Clock, when all members were present,
viz: John III. Broadway, Benjamin W.
Cloud, j. Palmer Fullerton, George Z.
Harris, John M. Henderson, Thomas h.
Joslin, Daniel J. Packer, Charles w.
Starr and Samuel W. Stokes. Two hum
dred years has made about the same inn
preston on Woodbury. that one decade
would make upon locality with like fa-
cilities in a new country at the present
day, for the reason that the pioneers
were not of the aggressive sort of people,
and the same trait of character has run
down through the veins of several gener-
ations.
WOODBURY. OF TO-DAY.
The handsome city of 400 inhabitants
is located on both sides of the Woodbury.
Creek, at the head of navigation, three
and one-half miles from the Delaware
River. 1t is located at the eastern ter
minus cf the Delaware River Railroad,
| the Swede6boro branch of the West Jer-
sey Railroad, and is traversed by the
main line of the West Jersey Railroad.
| 1t is only eight miles from Camden and
seventy-two from Cape May. Woodbury.
has been long noted for it's freedom from
/
| healthfulness, and is situated In the
centre of a thriving agricultural neighbor-
hood. 1t has never been doomed like
many mushroom towns, consequently its
| growth has been a steady and prosperous
| one.
| WATER AND SEWERS.
The public water system, supplying
the inhabitants with pure and wholesome
water, consists of pumping station and
a reservoir which is located on an eleva-
ton, about five miles southwest of the
city, and giving a head sufficient to
throw water over the highest building.
Woodbury. owns an efficient FIRE appa-
ratus, and an ample supply of hose.
A system of sewerage is now under ad-
yisement and the probabilities are that
another year will see the city completely
severed.
GOVERNMENT.
The government OF a town is subject
of the first Importance to its business in.
terests. The two are SO interviewer IN
mutual dependence that he would be
shortsighted, indeed, who would stoI
without making careful inquiry as tc
the honesty and economy of the public
administration. Security of person anc
property, and intelligent attention to the
ramified wants of n population, such as
that possessed by this section are mat
ters which, when neglected or violated
act as hampers on enterprise, repel cap
ital and break down the barriers upor
which the safety, convenience and ad
vancement of all depend.
BANKING.
Good banking facilities are afforded BY
two sound hduciary institutions, VIZ
The First National Bank, and the Farm
, ers' and Mechanics National Bank.
HOTELS
The travelling public is looked after b!
a number of first-class hotels that ranl
with the best in the State, chief o.
which is "The Newton"
PRESS
The press, which is ably conducted an'
well sustained, is represented by thre'
weekly newspapers: Democrat, Con
stitution and Liberal Press.
EDUCATIONAL
Liberal provisions for the education o
the young and their thorough prepari
4 ton. morally and intellectually, for &C
tive participation in the stern affairs o
| life. are absolute necessities, in fact, pre-
requisites to success in every field of ef
fort. The advantages and facilities o
Woodbury. in this department o
economy are unsurpassed by that of an.
other town in the State. and it il
happy commentary on the character o
the people that the schools both privat
and public are largely attends
and a degree of proficiency reached tba
telIs, better than words how faithful
: consistent and able are the efforts of th
. teachers.
CHURCHES.
Woodbury. has some Of the best buil
church ediiices to he found any where
The denominations represented are Bsp
, tist. Methodist. Roman Catholic, Pres
byteriaD, Episcopal, African Methodist
German Lutheran and Friends
LIGHTS.
The streets are principally lighted witt
, electricity owned by u private company
which also supplies dwellings, busines
I places and factories. The same compan,
owns a gas plant, which also furnishe