Bits Of South Jersey - Short Facts

Did you know?

James Fenimore Copper, the author of the now famous novels; The Deerslayer and Last of the Mohicans, lived in Bridgeton, New Jersey? He was born in 1789 and was one of twelve children.

Another famous Bridgeton resident was James Lawrence, Commander of the USS Chesapeake that was destroyed during the war of 1812. In his determination to not abandon the ship he coined a phrase that would later become the motto of the US Navy- "Don’t give up the ship".

Teflon was accidentally discovered by Ron Plunkett at the DuPont Chambers Works plant in Deepwater in 1938.

Before refrigeration, folks did not have many ways of preserving food. This all changed with the invention of the mason jar in 1858. John Landis Mason from Vineland can be thanked for the creation of home canning.

The Sweedes came to this country in the very early years of its birth. South Jersey became home to many as they settled along the Delaware. The oldest log cabin in this country still stands in Gibbstown. It was built around 1638!

Each new decade brings a new vocabulary of words and terms that are relevant to the time. New inventions such as micro-wave ovens, cell phones, and fax machines are a just a few of the new terms that will most likely be used as long as these inventions are still popular and not replaced by other gadgets. One lasting term or word that was first coined in 1919 got its name from Bader Field in Atlantic City. Since there were seaports why not airports? Thus, the word became part of the universal language to describe airfields.

South Jersey has contributed greatly to the world’s consumption of fast food. Take for instance the invention of condensed soup by the Campbell Soup Co. in Camden or frozen fruits and vegetables by Seabrook Farms in Upper Deerfield Township. These inventions changed the way we ate and lead the way for other “quick meals” for busy families.

For more facts about South Jersey history, check out our archives.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: Vickie Van Antwerp