 |
 |
| Carney's Mill at Laytons Lake The beautiful and placid residential area of Laytons Lake was once a busy center of life in Salem County during Colonial times. It was the location of a grist mill, built in 1850 by Thomas Carney. the wheat and corn raised by the farmers of Upper Penns Neck for several miles surrounding were ground there for over a century In an account of the history of the mill about 1905 stated; When the mill was sold by the Thomas Carney heirs, Hanna Carney, who became the wife of Robert G. Johnson, was not of legal age , Mr. Johnson brought suit in the Supreme Court and recovered his wifes's share. The mill was sold at commissioners sale, as the property of Anthony Wardell's and Hanna Carney Johnson's heirs in 1826 and purchased by Luke Dancer. Borden Dancer got the mill property by the division of his father's estate 1848. Carney's Mill was in operation until a steam mill was built in Pedricktown by Alexander Justice. The published article traces the ownership to 1899 when, Robert N. Vanneman, Sheriff, sold the property to Joseph A. Lloyd . the article also mentions that Lloyd tore down the stone structure in 1903 to make way for a new barn.. |
| Carney's Mill |
 |
 |
 |
| The Alexander Justice Steam Mill and J. P. Sweeten Store Penns Grove Neighbors to the north. Oldmans township split from Upper Penns Neck in 1881 for political reasons. In that area known as Pedricksburg, now Pedricktown, Alexander Justice set up a steam mill in the late 1880's to grind grain into feed and flour. because of this more modern equipment the old Carney's Mill at Layton's Lake ceased production. In 1805 a road was laid out from Pedricksburg (Pedricktown) to the land mark known as Forked Hickory and was the junction of the Pennsville-Pedricktown Road. Oldmans Creek once experienced great activity as a shipping port. Auburn was the head of navigation on the creek. At one time there were 14 wharf's between Pedricktown and Auburn, 100's of 1000's of baskets of produce were shipped out of this creek. In the early 1900's the Army Corp of Engineers dug 9 cut-offs, both shortening and straightening the length of the creek between New Bridge and Auburn. In1860 Mr. James Sweeten began the business in Center Square. He moved to Pedricktown in 1870. This store was located across the street from the present store. (Now a parking lot). A location that in 1796, was the Quaker Friends Meeting House. The building was razed in1901. The store, through the years was past on to J. Preston Sweeten, whose Grandmother made all the clothing that was sold in the store. In 1891 James Sweeten built the home and place of business across the street. He was also the first President of the 1st National Bank of Pedricktown. In 1900, J. Preston Sweeten's Father and Uncle operated the business in Pedricktown together with another store in Penns Grove. When the uncle became ill and went out west, James and his son Preston P. Sweeten managed both stores. After working from 7-10 James would drive a horse to Penns Grove to settle affairs. The store was open daily until 10pm. (Saturday 11pm) up until 1910. They would go to Philadelphia to buy merchandise, having it shipped in by rail or on the Wilson Line which was faster and cheaper. When Governor Woodrow Wilson toured Salem County in 1911, he stopped in front of the store, and it is said that, people inside wanted to meet him, but were too shy to go out, so the Governer went in to greet them. Sweeten's Store was loaded with merchandise during WW I. Merchandise was taken by the truck load to sell to the Penns Grove merchants who were having trouble getting goods. The store had kerosene tanks and was the first in town to sell gasoline. even the garages bought from Sweetens. J. Preston took over management in 1927, his father continued to help out until his death in 1940. J. Preston eventually converted the store to self-service with modern shelving, but still butchered only prrime meats that was delivered to them in quarters. They sold approx. 10 quarters of beef a week. the store remained a gerneral store until approx. 1970 and carried an array of goods; hardware, greeting cards, sundries, paints and oil lamps. When the store was sold in 1970, it ended one of the oldest family businesses in New Jersey spanning 110 years. |
 |
| Today's Sunbeam Sept. 12,1975 ROGER PEDRICK,OLDMANS FOUNDER, HEADED PROMIENT LOCAL FAMILY Data for this Cushing & Sheppard article is attributed to Wm. H. Pedrick & Thomas Shourds 1883. The Delaware River washed Oldmans Twp. on the west, recieving several tributaries which rise central part. Oldmans Creek flows along the northeastern, northern and northwestern borders, from the eastern extremity of the twp. to the point where the stream is lost in the Delaware, Ash Creek is a tributary in the northern part, which has its source in some small streams rising north and west of Pedricktown. The Delaware Shore Railroad crosses Oldmans southwesterly, terminating at Penns Grove in UPN and the various portions of the twp. are connected with each other and points beyond by a convenient number of good wagon roads. That portion of Oldmans lying contiguous to the boundary between it & UPN was early settled by the Swedes. Those portions bordering the River and Oldmans Creek, and extending inland were purchased by early English land holders and imigrants. John Haddon, a Friend, resident in England, bought four thousand acres off John Fenwick, extending from Salem Creek to Oldmans Creek, and lying partially within the present twp. limits bordering on Pilesgrove. Haddon never came to America, but empowered John Estaugh, who married Elizabeth Haddon to have this property resurveyed in 1733, Estaugh sold fourteen hundred and fifty acres to Harman Richman about the same time, and the balance of the tract was disposed of a short time afterwards, and the whole was subsequently transferred to different later comers. Roger Pedrick, the progenitor of the numerous Pedrick family of Oldmans and other portions of Salem County & New Jersey, came from St. Paul's Parish England in 1662 and located near Salem. The Indians burned his cabin. In 1675 he purchased of John Eldrige one thousand acres of land on Oldmans Creek in the present twp. The consideration was only five pounds, or two and a half cents per acre. The tract embraced the present site of the village of Pedricktown. The only son of Roger was named John, and he inherited the entire purchase, which was yet unbroken at the time of the death of the pioneer, leaving it to be divided between six sons and two daughters. Elihu Pedrick, grandson of John & William Somers, the paternal and maternal grandfathers of William H. Pedrick Esq., of Pedricktown became the owners of as much of the tract as had not been sold at the time they assumed possession. By them, their heirs much of the land has been sold, but William H. Pedick, Esq., now owns 130 acres of the orginal purchase of Roger Pedrick, it having been owned in the family two hundred and seven years. The Somers family were comparatively early settlers and some members of it have been prominent citizens. Edward Mecum, Cornelius Copner, Thomas Lambson. Thomas Baldwin, and William Hewes were among the first English emigrants who purchased lands in the upper district bordering on Oldmans Creek. Hewes purchased a large tract direct from Penn in 1689. It was surveyed by Richard Tindall, in accordance with an order of James Nevil, of Salem. His Great-grandson Hezekiah Hewes was a cabinet-maker and undertaker in Salem as early as 1870. George Clark's ancestors probably first located in Gloucester County, but he became a large landholder in the vicinity of Auburn. Thomas his son, was born in 1742, and married, Deborah, daughter of Thomas Denny. George, one of their sons, located on his father's property near Auburn. John Scull is supposed to emigrated from Holland to America about 1660, and located on Long Island. His son John Sscull, located at Great Egg Harbor as early as 1690. Gideon Scull Jr., his grandson came to the site of Auburn, Which was more than sixty years known as Sculltown, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, dying in 1825. He had nine children. Sarah James Scull was born in 1759, and died in 1836. Thomas Lambson and Thomas Baldwin have been referred to as among the pioneers. Thomas and Ann Lambson came to America in 1690, and are supposed to have located near Salem Creek in what is now UPN. They had numerous children, many of whom became well known in Oldmans Twp., and had their residence within its borders. Thomas Baldwin did not remain in Salem County, Soon removing to Chester County, Pa. The last race of red men who inhabited the wilds of what is now Salem County died in this twp. in 1828 or 29. He was known as Indian Tom, and lived in a cabin at the north end of Bradford's Swamp. Samuel Lynch and his neighbor, S. Pedrick, both of whom were boys in 1776, believed that Indian Tom was unintentionally left when a child, upon the removal of his tribe from this section. " An Act for the divisions of the township of Upper Penns Neck, County of Salem , and to create a new township of the same, to be known as Oldman's township," was approved Feb.7,1881. The following officers were elected for l881-82; Twp.Clerk, Asa Turner; Judge of Election, John Hampton; Inspectors of Election, Robert Pedrick, Joseph Horner; Assessors, James Sweeten, Benjamin Straughn; Collector, Samuel Hunt; Commissioners of Appeal, Thomas Weatherby, William Pedrick, David Taylor; Chosen Freeholder, Edward Green; Surveyors of Highways, William Mattson, Denman Layman; Constables, John Hewitt, William Titus; Township Committee, Alexander Justice, Jacob Stiles, Benjamin Chesseman; Overseers of Poor, John Hewitt, William Titus; Pound-keepers, Silas Pedrick, Abraham Curry. Pedricktown, the largest village in this township, was named in honor of the pioneer Roger Pedrick. The first store was kept by Hudson Springer from early in the present century until about 1838. He was succeeded by Ira Bradshaw. In 1844 Bradshaw was succeeded by Samuel Bassett, he by William Gregory, in l846 and Gregory by Daniel Lanplugh. In 1860 Lamplugh built a new store opposite Odd Fellows Hall. His successors there have been William Biddle, Charles Plummer and James Pedrick, who keeps a restaurant. Benjamin Pedrick occupied the old store after Lanplugh's removal was succeeded by Stephn Straughn, William Allen and others until the establishment passed into ownership of James Sweeten,Ten years ago, and so remained until 1882 when Sweeten was succeeded by G. Spitzer. After removing from the Lamplugh store, Charles Plummer built a store, which he has since occupied. The first blacksmith was John Dennis, who was succeeded by Reuben Pedrick, and later by Alfred Stetsler, black smith and wheel wright. Thomas Pedrick and Charles Saxton were early wheelwrights; Joseph Pedrick is a present well known representative of that trade. Joel Haines was an early tavern-keeper. Among his successors, Samuel Lynch, John Somers, John Sooy, and Samuel Bond. There has been no liquor license granted in Pedricktown for any length of time since previous to the war, and consequently tavern-keeping there has long been adbandoned. The oldest building has been destroyed by fire. Pedricktown contains about 100 dwellings, a school-house and hall, two churches, several stores, shops, and business-places, and a flouring-mill doing a large business. Much produce is shipped to Phila. Auburn is located on Oldmans Creek in the extreme southeast part of the twp. It was formerly known as Sculltown, in honor of the Scull family who were property-owners and leading citizens there. It contains one store, a coal yard, a school-house, and about 50 dwellings and a population of a little over 200. The first store was opened at an early date by, Gideon Scull who was succeeded by his son David about 1825. Among the best-remembered early merchants at the old stand was Samuel Bolton, who kept a lumber-yard in connection with the store, along with others. The Sculls early built a blacksmith-shop, which was rented to various occupants. James Hoffman, Samuel Lott, the present blacksmith at the old forge is Robert Alcorn. Joseph Poulson occupies another blacksmith-shop of later erection |
 |
| Delaware Ordnance Depot Pedricktown The 1532 acre Military Base located just north of Penns Grove/Carney’s Point, was situated along the banks of the Delaware River. Purchased by the government in 1918 for the purpose of handling the storage and export of high explosives, smokeless powder and loaded ammunition. These materials were for shipment overseas and considered too dangerous to handle through the Port of Philadelphia. The original site, known as the D.O.D. was constructed at a cost of $3,400,000. This cost included the construction of 93 permanent type magazines and the necessary river front docking facilities. After the Great War (WWI), Depot expansion included; ammunition storage magazines (145), Fire House, Living quarters and Maintenance Shops etc. The primary function of the 1800 civilian workers on site during World War II was the handling and inspection of munitions which included work in the development of rockets and grenades. In 1946 the Depot became a Sub-Depot of the Raritan Arsenal and acted in addition as a back-up storage point for Picatinny Arsenal, Frankford Arsenal and the Aberdeen Proving Ground. The name was then changed to Delaware Storage Activity, and the main function consisted of the modification of 75mm shells and anti-personnel mines and a number of various projects. The site was placed on standby status in 1958 and all ammunition was removed. In 1959 the site became known as the Philadelphia Air Defense site. At the height of Site’s development there were 13 miles of railroad, 32 miles of roads and approximately 287 buildings and structures and docking facilities. Not to mention the Ordmont housing facility just south of the Site. Note. Information taken from the “Oldmans Bicentennial Booklet”. |
 |