Bits Of SJ - News From 1819 - 20

There was a man that was called, “Old Powell” that lived in Gloucester County. What made him so famous? Maybe it was his 21 sons by one wife! By the way, he did have one daughter. The remarkable thing about this family is that 17 of his sons served in the Revolutionary War-sure enough to be a record for any family. His dear departed wife’s tombstone reads, “Some have children, some have none, Here lies the mother of twenty-one”.

A new paper hit the printing press on September 23, 1819. It was called the “Columbian Herald” and was printed by Phillip Gray & Co. of Woodbury

On November 21, 1819, a meteor struck Salem County. It was said to be a foot in diameter and its tail lit the sky for eight or ten seconds. About two minutes after it disappeared an explosion could be heard. It was so large that it could be seen in Trenton, Norristown and Baltimore.

Big news on January 3, 1820 when Joseph Bonaparte’s (Napoleon’s brother) house burned to the ground

Pirates were still causing havoc along the waterways. Forty-three vessels were robbed and sixteen pirates were captured

A notice was published to create a new township to be called Centreville. It was taken from Pittsgrove Township and added to Cumberland County.

Some job opportunities listed were: ten wood cutters needed by Ephraim Lloyd, and an apprentice was needed to learn clock and watch making for Bacon Ware.

William Kelty posted a reward in the amount of six cents for the return of a runaway apprentice named Richard Vinsent.

The Salem County jail was housing ten men for bad debts.

To top it off, here are some marriages, maybe you will recognize someone: Adam Sickler to Harriett Brown, Thomas Dunn to Elizabeth Pedrick, Joseph Groff to Mary Adams, Elisha Waters to Rachel Hillman, Job Ridgeway to Rebecca Elbon, Abraham Johnson to Mary Conroe and Bacon Ware to Anna Jane Rumsey.

For more South Jersey History, visit our SJ History page.

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Author: Vickie Van Antwerp