Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-05-12

Croes. If the tradition is true he Is one OF
the most remarkable instances Of a self
made man on record. AS given in brief in
the history of Gloucester Co., "Croes was
an illiterate private in the Revolutionary
Army and became friendly with one Daniel
Coleman, who was drummer. The latter
gave him his first lessons in writing, with
coal on a drum head. After the war Croes
returned to Newark, and entered on a
course of study. While in the midst of
his theological studies he started on a jour
ney South, and at Philadelphia he was ad-
yised by Bishop White to come to Swedes-
boro where the Church had been for some
time without a rector. On his way thither
he called at a tavern, probably tThe Death
OF the Fox, " between Clarksboro and Berk-
ley in the barroom of which he found a man
In rags, considerably intoxicated, singing pa
triotic songs to crowd of loafers In him
Mr.. Croes recognized his old friend Cole
man. He at once proposed that he should
accompany him to Swedesboro and assist
him in his duties. The proposition was
accepted, Mr.. Croes divided his wardrobe
with him and they trudged on to this
place together. Here they found the new
school house as well as the present church,
and entered on their duties Mr. Croes as
rector, and Mr.. Coleman as conductor of
music, and both as teachers in the school, y
A few years later the former was the first
Bishop of New Jersey and the latter, hav-
ing studied law, was in 1920 made the Sec
retary of State of New Jersey. About 1900
Jonadab Lawrence was the teacher. In
1912 the school house was too small so
new building was erected; but prior to this,
application was made by the trustees for a
deed confirming the grant Of land previously
made, which was given, the following reso-
luton being adopted by the vestry of
Trinity Church. Resolved, that deed
for the property shall be given, reserving
the privilege of having the rector one of the
trustees, and of using the house for singing
school, prayer meetings, town meeting and
school is too recent to claim our attention;
although we can not pass on without
tribute to its present character and eff
cheney, and to the scholarship and diligence
of its teachers. Among its pupils, who have
distinguished themselves may be mentioned
the Rt. Rev. j. P. B. Wilmer, sometime
Bishop Of Louisiana, the Rev. T. c. STRAIT
ton, Governor Stratton and the Rev. DR..
Joseph Garrison.
To turn back again for moment to the
customs of cur ancestors. By the middle
of the eighteenth century the condition
had much improved, although the death
rate indicates most unsanitary way of liv-
ing. The register of burials is at times
long list of ohildren's names, and again
epidemics swept off great numbers. Small
pox was prevalent, and yellow fever not
unknown-thei Rev. DR.. Collins wife
dying of it in Philadelphia early in the last
century. But If our forefathers did not
know much about sanitation they had
learned something about the comforts of
life. Acrelius tells us that the houses were
good and we'll furnished. OF clothing he
says they have linen and cotton goods
broadcloth, etc. Plush is general, and
satin very widely used" They did not
starve, for we are told the meals are
cleanly and do rot consist Of great var
iety of food. Ham, beef, tongue, roast
beef, fowls, with clbbage set round about
make one meal. Roast mutton or veal,
with potatoes or turnips form another.
Another, still, is formed by pasty of
chickens or partridgss or lamb. Beef steak,
veal outlets, muttsn chops, or turkey,
goose or fowls, with potatoes set around,
with stewed green pas or Turkish beans or
some other beans, are another meal. Pies
of apples, peaches, cherries, or cranberries
etc., form another course. When cheese
and butter are added one has an ordinary
meal. No great variety you observe.
The people also had something to drink if
they desired. The sane observing author
gives careful descriptive list Of 48 differ
ent drinks, and AM afraid that it will
have to be admitted thlt all save four were
Intoxicating. The Names of many Of them
are familiar to-day, bui some are strange.
For instance one drink is called tSamp-
son, ? which turns out TO be warmed cider
with rum in it. Isee nj reason however to
suppose that the peoplelg generally, or even
commonly, were intemlerate. OF course
total abstinence societis were unknown.
Everyone drank, but Ehe liquors were
sound and taken in MODERATION do not
think therefore that it is necessary or even
possible to institute COMPARISON between
their time and our own, d their habits and
ours. Indeed I am moi here to moralize