Research Library and

Mansion Hours:

Tuesday 1-4 PM

Second Saturday of

the Month 1-4 PM

Address

Historical Society of

Moorestown

Smith-Cadbury Mansion

12 High St.

Moorestown, NJ 08057

Phone

856-235-0353

Web Site

www.moorestown.

com/history

E-mail

historic08057@

hotmail.com

Published by

The Historical Society

of Moorestown

MARCH 2007

IN THIS ISSUE:All About Quilts (p. 3)Stephen Meader (p. 4)

Mrs. Franklin Speaks (p. 5)Smith Family Chairs (p. 6)

Historic Preservation (p. 8)Stewardship Ideas (p. 9)

Help Wanted! (p. 10)

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

OF MOORESTOWN

FRONT

PORCH

FROM

THE

View From the PorchThe holidays are behind us, but warm memories of the December Candlelight

Party at Smith-Cadbury linger on. More than 80 members attended and we extend our thanks to the event committee and especially to chairperson Kay Nicholson who prepared and donated the entire delectable spread and to Lynne and Bob Brill who quenched our thirst.

Days are getting longer now, yet the snowy scene outside my window reminds me that there are still many weeks before winter bows its head to spring. When I enter Smith-Cadbury Mansion and adjust the thermostat with the tap of a button, I often think of the families who resided there over the past two centuries before central heating. Even with six fireplaces, it must have been frigid at 12 High Street during the dark hours of winter. How did the residents keep warm? So many beautiful glass “window lights” to let in the sun during the day but let the heat escape at night. Were heavy curtains placed over the windows and around the beds to conserve every BTU? In winter, was anyone stuck sleeping in the second floor room that has no fireplace … a servant perhaps or the visitor that Franklin compared to a fish? I like to think it was simply an extra room used only in mild weather. Perhaps it was filled with the second floor bedchamber supplies? You can be sure that this mansion’s wealthy occupants enjoyed the warmth of coverlets, blankets and quilts. Quilts were a luxury because of the material, skill and time that was required to produce these practical and beautifully decorative works. Only a woman who had help running her home could devote much time to this needle craft. Even then, with poor winter light, most quilting was done from May till November. This spring the Textile Committee will treat us to a quilt exhibit from the HSM’s collection. One of the most outstanding is a signature quilt from the early 1800s. This quilt inspired members of the committee to create a

(continued on next page)

ANNUAL MEETINGThursday April 19th at 7:30 PM

SPEAKER: QUILTER EXTRAORDINAIRE BARBARA GARRETT

The Historical Society

of Moorestown

OfficersPresident

Ann Langerhans

Vice-Presidents

Julie Maravich

Cathy Ruff

Treasurer

Harry Koons

Recording Secretary

Lynne Brill

Corresponding Secretary

Gloria Senno

TrusteesMary Ann Alberti

Lynne Brill

John Coles

Ann Condon

Laura Cooper

Carmel Dorsey

Maureen Fries

Stephanie Herz

Sara Homer

Midge Ingersoll

Lisa Knell

Dolores Kocyan

Harry Koons

Ann Langerhans

Susan Mammarella

Julie Maravich

Joseph MacMichael

Nan Pillsbury

Diane Reid

Cathy Ruff

Gloria Senno

Ann Smolenski

BJ Tetlow

Wayne Urffer

Susan Zikmund

Jr. Trustee: Charlie Langerhans

NewsletterLisa Knell

Gift ShopSusan Zikmund

Maureen Fries

Library StaffStephanie Herz

Bill Archer

AcquisitionsDolores Kocyan, Ann Condon

2

(View From The Porch, continued)

21st Century signature quilt as a fund-raising project. Once finished the quilt will join our collection. There is still a little time to add your square and be part of history in the making.

To broaden our knowledge of historic quilts we will welcome renowned expert Barbara Garrett as our guest speaker at the Society’s annual meeting on April 19th. Well known and respected in her field, the word is to come early so you are sure to get a seat that evening. It is exciting to note that Barbara has offered to document our quilt collection, which will be wonderful information for our museum to have.

Also to look forward to is the beginning of May when Smith-Cadbury will be surrounded by the hundreds of flowering bulbs planted last fall by members of the HSM, William Allen Middle School Oasis Club, and STEM. For the second year our museum will serve as the hub of activity when we celebrate Moorestown’s unique architecture and beauty with a Porch Tour. On Saturday of that same week we will again honor our valued volunteers with an Appreciation Reception to be held in the garden. If you want to become more involved with giving your time and talents by volunteering, please check out our Help Wanted column.

In closing, you can see that the second half of our year will be just as busy and exciting as the first. Many new ideas are floating and plans are forming for next year. Please don’t forget to renew your membership and invite a friend or two to become a supporter.

Hope to see you “up at the house”!

Ann LangerhansPresident

Remember to Renew Your Membership

It’s that time of year again to renew or join the Society. This year our goal is to increase membership and with all of your help in spreading the word about our wonderful programs such as ghost tours, children’s crafts, gift shop, and exhibits ( just to mention a few), I have no doubt that we will be successful in our goal!

We have also added a new Student Membership for $10.00. Your renewal letters will be mailed to you within a few weeks and we look forward to receiving them back. Please be sure to include any area you maybe interested in assisting us in the Society. The house does not run itself and with your help, we can be sure to pass the history down to our future generations!

Sincerely, Laura Cooper, Chair-Membership

3

All About QuiltsWe welcome Quilter Extraordinaire

Barbara Garrett to our Annual Meeting We are excited to welcome expert quilter and quilt historian, Barbara Garrett

as the guest speaker at the HSM Annual Meeting on April 19, 2007. She will trace the history of quilt making from circa 1780 to 1940, using approximately 100 of her own doll quilts for demonstration. She will provide facts, stories, and myths about quilting and give information about the types of quilts, patterns, and fabrics that were popular in the various time periods.

Barbara has been quilting since 1969 and is partial to traditional patterns. She uses antique and/or reproduction fabrics and colors to recreate the styles and looks of the period from 1800-1940.

She became interested in quilt documentation projects in the 1980s and since then has worked actively on such projects in Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, Delaware and Franklin counties in southeastern and south-central Pennsylvania. She also enjoyed serving as a consultant to quilt documentation projects in Schuylkill County and York County.

Her work has been shown in various quilters’ publications as well as HGTV’s “Simply Quilts” show. She was also a featured guest in a “Simply Quilts” episode where she discussed Pennsylvania German quilts of the late 1800s.

She continues to spend much time attending symposia and conferences relating to the history of quilt making and especially enjoys quilt books that discuss the history of quilt making which have been the result of

documentation projects.

— Susan Mammarella

The HSM Signature QuiltThe Historical Society is making a signature quilt and you can be a

part of it. Signature quilts are a record of people and places — quilt

squares are signed by friends and family, usually to recognize a

significant event. You can become part of Moorestown History when

you buy a “block” and sign your name on the quilt square. The squares

have been made by Moorestown quilters and will be sold throughout

the year. Eventually, it will stand side by side with the historical

quilts at the Historical Society. Look for the blocks at Smith-Cadbury

Mansion gift shop and at other events throughout the year, or call the

Society at 856-235-0353 for more information.

Annual

Meeting

April 19th

at 7:30 PM

Do you know

what types of

quilts, patterns

and fabrics

were popular

during various

time periods?

Bricks on the Smith-Cadbury front porch are laid in

the “basket weave” pattern — there is also a quilt

pattern called “basket weave”

New Acquisitions Include Alfred H. Burr House

Photos and Moorestown Author Stephen

Meader Memorabilia The following is a list of donations that the Society has received since the last list was published in the December 2006 Newsletter. The list includes the Donor, our Accession Number, and a Description of the item(s). Many thanks to these thoughtful donors!

Mrs. Anna Burr Root Accession No. 2006-22 Copies of 17 photos, from 1860 to 2002, of the Alfred Burr House on East Main Street.

Mr. John H. Meader

Accession No. 2006-23 Materials pertaining to Moorestown author Stephen W. Meader: 1. a typed foreword and manuscript. 2. the published book, Keep ‘Em Rolling. 3. two letters exchanged between Stephen Meader and his editor. 4. three photos of Stephen Meader. 5. Stephen Meader’s 40+ page memoir.

Mrs. Denise Haines

Accession No. 2006-24 1. an 1818 shopping list from John Beagary, M’town resident, to a Philadelphia grocer. 2. July 17, 1810 issue of “The Newburyport Herald” with an article about a mineral spring near M’town. (see page 12) 3. photos of the Pew house, now demolished.

Mr. E. Eugene Fusco

Accession No. 2007-1 A large metal outdoor thermometer from the Hollingshead firm, 1956 or later.

Mrs. Jane Cleaver

Accession No. 2007-2 Three newspaper articles and numerous photos covering the founding of the Kiwanis organization, now defunct.

4

Alfred H. Burr house

at 37 E. Main St., circa

1937. Side view of house

in summer with striped

awnings extended on

side of house. One can

see the wrought iron

gate with supporting

stone pillar at front end

of driveway.

“Hans Froelicher and

his family were living

in Moorestown, and

Betty and I visited

them there, traveling

by ferry and trolley.

We liked the sleepy

little town and when,

in 1922, we learned of

a house for rent there

at a low price, we sold

our Ogontz Avenue

place and moved

across to Jersey. Our

new home was half

a double house on

Second Street, recently

renovated by Dr.

Emlen Stokes, another

of my Haverford

friends.”

— from The Personal

Memoirs of Stephen W.

Meader

Between 1920 and 1969, Stephen W. Meader wrote 44 books full of

heroes, history, and excitement including “Keep ‘Em Rolling”. Meader

moved to Moorestown in 1922 and wrote many books while living here

and working as a copy writer and lay out editor for Holmes Press.

To order Meader’s books go to www.southernskies.com

Step

hen

W. M

eade

r

5

Famous Historical Figure Visits MoorestownThe wife of one of the Founding Fathers paid a visit to the Historical Society of Moorestown

meeting held at the Community Center on October 19th, 2006. Deborah Read Franklin shared with the group stories about her life in pre-Revolutionary American society. Of course, her lecture would not have been complete without some remarks about her famous husband, the beloved Founding Father, Benjamin. Mrs. Franklin illuminated a side of Philadelphia’s most famous citizen that the history books have kept in the dark all these years.

With a pining look in her eyes, Mrs. Franklin described her first encounter with the man who would become her husband. She first encountered Benjamin on the very day of his arrival in the City of Brotherly Love. He was a young man of just 17 at the time. He looked rather disheveled as he made his way down High Street (now Market Street). He had just completed a long, arduous journey from Boston by way of New York and was looking worse for wear. “It was love at first sight,” she said smiling.

“Young Ben was carrying three large loaves of bread under his arms,” Deborah said. When she asked why young Benjamin explained that he offered a baker a few coins for “biscuits”, as was his custom in Boston. The proud baker was insulted, “This is a fine bakery,” the man indignantly replied. “We only sell fine bread here.”

“Well then give me this much worth of bread!” Benjamin retorted as he thrust the coins in the man’s direction. Young Ben was unaware that the economy in Philadelphia was different from that of Boston. He didn’t want to come across as provincial so when the baker handed him the three large loaves so he gladly accepted them.

The next time that Deborah saw Ben, she asked him what he did with all the bread. It certainly would have gone bad before he had time to eat it. (Mr. Franklin didn’t add his legendary girth until he was much older.) “I saw a woman and her young child who had been ship mates of mine. They were hungry so I gave the bread to them.”

Deborah also solemnly related the story of how devastated Benjamin was when his mother-in-law passed away. She had fallen into an open fire pit during a fit of apoplexy. This loss affected Ben greatly. It consumed him. He couldn’t accept the fact that he had founded the city’s first fire company, but was powerless to save someone so close to him from its dangers. But the horrible tragedy inspired Ben to “make things better.” He invented the Franklin Stove which no doubt saved countless lives from the ravages of fire. Although Ben had been unable to save his mother-in-law, his invention no-doubt saved an incalculable number of other lives. Mrs. Franklin said that prior to the invention of Mr. Franklin’s stove, the second leading cause of death among women in Colonial America was infection caused by burns.

Deborah concluded her narrative by saying that Ben was such a successful businessman that he was able to retire at the age of 42. At the time he happily told his wife: “Now, Debbie we can do all those things we never had time for.” Very shortly afterwards, the American Revolution entered into its incipient stages. Ben heeded the call of the new nation and went to England to fight against “taxation without representation.” Mrs. Franklin didn’t see her husband for the final ten years of her life. Sadly, she didn’t live to see the independence of the United States that her husband worked to hard to achieve. She passed away in 1774.

The character of Deborah Read Franklin was brought to life by historian and actress JoAnn Tufo. During the question period, Ms. Tufo was asked if she believed Ben Franklin truly loved his wife. After all, his reputation for popularity among the ladies of France was legendary. Ms. Tufo replied that Benjamin was a widower long before he went to Paris. In keeping with the theme of revealing elements of Franklin’s character not captured by the history books, she said that Ben also happened to be a songwriter. One of his works still extant is a tune he penned about Debbie. “What greater sign of love is there than when a man writes a drinking song about his wife?” she asked.

— by Kevin Stephany

With a pining

look in her eyes, Mrs. Franklin described her f irst

encounter with the

man who would

become her husband

6

Smith (as in “Smith-Cadbury”) Family ChairsA set of eight Chippendale-style chairs that once graced the dining room of the Smith

Cadbury Mansion was the highlight of an auction at the Doyle New York gallery on March 26, 2002.

According to the gallery, the chairs likely were made for Richard S. Smith and his wife Hannah (nee Burling) sometime after their marriage in 1775. They were constructed by a furniture-maker in Philadelphia, possibly Thomas Tufft, who was active there from 1772 to 1787. The chairs clearly were based on a design in Thomas Chippendale’s famous pattern-book of 1754.

Richard and Hannah Smith lived at the Smith-Cadbury Mansion from 1776 until Richard’s death in 1796. Prior to moving to Moorestown, Richard had served in the New Jersey State Assembly, representing Burlington. While in Moorestown, he served as a member of the New Jersey Convention which adopted the United States Constitution.

It was in 1778 when the Marquis de Lafayette was a guest of Richard and Hannah Smith at the Smith-Cadbury Mansion. It is probably fair to assume that the Marquis sat upon one of these chairs to dine!

According to the gallery, following the death of Hannah Smith in 1840, the chairs passed to her daughter, Hannah B. Smith Mott; upon her death in 1866, they passed to a son, Richard Field Mott; upon his death in 1891, they passed to a son, William Elton Mott; upon his death in 1945, they passed to a daughter, Katherine Mott Martin. Katherine Mott Martin died in 2001, and her estate offered the chairs for auction through Doyle New York. Remarkably, the chairs were never separated, and are sequentially numbered from I to VIII.

The pre-sale estimate on the chairs was $350,000 to $450,000. The realized auction price was $300,000, plus a buyer’s premium of $52,000. According to a representative of Doyle’s, the chairs were purchased by a Smith family descendant who wished not to be identified.

For more information about the auction of the Smith family chairs, visit the Doyle New York gallery website at www.doylenewyork.com/pr/americana/0203261/default.

htm#smith. The site also includes several photos of the chairs.

— by Wayne W. Urffer

The Historical

Society of

Moorestown

presents

PORCHES

REVISITEDa tour of

beautifully

dressed grand

porches

Wednesday, May 9, 2007From: 10:00 AM

To: 8:00 PM

$20 Admission to Porches;

$15 for Advance Ticket Purchase and Seniors 62+

FOR MORE

INFORMATION email: historic08057@

hotmail.com or visit www.

moorestown.com/community/tours

BOX LUNCHES ARE AVAILABLE

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS

IN ADVANCE AT: MOORESTOWN

COMMUNITY HOUSE &

SMITH-CADBURY

MANSION

The side porch at Smith-Cadbury

7

Correction to “Solving the Mystery of a Missing Church”Note that determining the history of a place is a process that starts with a question and consists of detective work,

patience, and an open mind. In our last issue (December 2006) we identified the Methodist Episcopal church shown in Figure 1, below, as formerly standing at 235 W. Main Street. We were informed by several knowledgeable members that it formerly stood at 53 E. Main Street, was demolished circa 1977, and is now the site of the Farmers & Mechanics Bank (Figure 2). The Methodist Protestant Church that formerly stood at 235 E. Main Street was demolished in 1969 and is shown in Figure 3. The Moorestown Bible Church (Figure 4) currently stands at 235 E. Main Street.

FIGURE 1. Methodist Episcopal Church

formerly at 53 E. Main Street

FIGURE 4. Moorestown Bible Church

currently at 235 W. Main Street

FIGURE 2. Farmers & Mechanics Bank

currently at 53 E. Main Street

FIGURE 3. Methodist Protestant Church

formerly at 235 W. Main Street

Historic House Plaques Make History Visible

House plaques help us to learn and understand the history of a place. Typically plaques are customized with the name of the original owner or early residents and the year that the house was built.

Is your house at least 100 years young? If so, you may be qualified to receive one of Stuart’s new plaques. Contact the Society about official requirements for this program.

Stuart Younkin holds one of

the fifteen new plaques he made

in the community wood shop at The Evergreens where

he is a resident

Think

Spring!

at the

The HSM

Gift Shop

Our new spring

items include:

brightly colored

pottery,

lovely summer

linens,

a new line of purses,

and new stationary

8

Citizens and Council Work Together to Stop Demolitions of Historic Properties

An ordinance establishing a Historic Preservation Commission was adopted by the Town Council in December 2006. The ordinance does the following:

Creates an Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) under the guidelines of the NJ Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL).

Establishes a designated local historic district and certain designated historic sites, as outlined and listed in Moorestown’s current Master Plan. This local district is equal to the present State and National Register District.

Grants regulatory power to the HPC over applications for demolition in two cases: if the structure is within the district or if it is one of the listed historic sites. This is the only regulatory power that is given to the HPC.

The HPC, at the request of the Planning or Zoning Boards, can advise on certain site plan applications which may affect listed historic sites or be within the his-toric district. The recommendations made by the HPC are advisory only. Renova-tions or remodelling to private homes and businesses would not be advised upon unless a site plan was required.

The HPC can make certain recommendations to Council concerning applications for Historic Preservation grants, changes in ordinances or zoning laws which may be detrimental to local historic preservation efforts, or may be inconsistent to HP goals as stated in the Master Plan, and may conduct educational seminars for residents and other special preservations-related events.

— Midge Ingersoll

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

We now have an ordinance in place to help preserve Historic Moorestown

If any of these issues

interest you, please

contact the HSM

at 856-235-0353

or historic08057@

hotmail.com and ask

for a consultation

9

The HSM/Smith-Cadbury

Stewardship Ideas corner

provides ideas on how you can help the HSM as well as yourself

HSM/Smith-Cadbury Stewardship Ideas

IRAs Last August, Congress approved the Pension Protection Act of 2006, a part of which authorizes any persons ages 70 1/2 and older, and owning an IRA, to contribute up to $100,000 directly from the IRA to public charities. These contributions must be sent by the custodian of the IRA directly to the charity(s) on or before 12/31/07. This is a marvelous method of helping a charity and is the most cost effective way in which to accomplish a person’s charitable concerns. The reasons are as follows:

a. IRAs may be funded by individual contributions that were deducted from income each year a contribution was made, and none of the internal growth inside the IRA was ever taxed. b. IRAs may also be funded with roll-overs from employer sponsored retirement plan(s) such as 401(k), defined benefit and/or money purchase pension, and profit sharing plans. All contributions to and internal earnings thereon in such IRA plans contain assets on which taxes have never been paid.

Thus, IRAs contain untaxed individual and employer contributions and earnings thereon, which, when directed by the IRA custodian to a charity(s), result in gifts made to charities on which NO

TAXES WERE OR WILL EVER BE PAID to the Federal and State governments. Deals like this don’t get any better!

For HSM readers who own Tax Sheltered Annuities, also known as 403(b) annuities, and government 457 plans, as well as the employer sponsored plans noted earlier, to take advantage of this law, they must first rollover funds from such plans to an IRA before a directed contribution can be

made to a public charity(s).

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES These vehicles are a guaranteed method of providing a payment for the life of one or two persons. In addition to the payment, the amount used to purchase the gift annuity generates a tax deduction, and a portion of each payment is received tax free. This a great way to make use of assets that are set aside to provide income, but with a much higher payout rate. As an example, a person at the age of 50 gets a payment of 5.3% of the amount contributed to

HSM. A person at the age of 60 collects 5.7% and at age 70 the rate of payment is 6.5%.

STOCKS, BONDS and MUTUAL FUNDS These can be transferred to a charity directly from a person’s brokerage account. In doing so, the person does not incur a taxable event, such as a capital gain. The reason is that the transfer to the charity is made in- kind. This means the stocks, bonds and/or mutual funds are not first sold by the person who owns them after which the net amount is gifted to the charity. They are transferred without being sold.

ANNUITIES These are insurance contracts which, if they have increased in value since date of acquisition, contain untaxed income. The transfer of such contracts to a charity does not trigger a

taxable event on the untaxed income.

REAL ESTATE Most real estate has increased in value, especially in the last decade. Such assets can be gifted to a charity and be valued at market prices, and, as such, will represent a gift valued at the current market price. Here again, when the gift is made. no taxes are incurred by the owner of the real

estate. a. For those folks who rely on real estate for income, a Charitable Remainder Trust can be

established into which the real estate can be transferred, sold and invested for income. The sale within the Trust does not trigger a taxable event. And, the owner gets a tax deduction for a portion of the value of the real estate transferred into the Trust. b. For those folks who eventually wish to give the real estate to their children, but don’t object to paying a charity the income generated by the real estate, a charitable remainder trust will allow all income produced inside the trust to be disbursed to charities for a limited period of time after which the asset can be transferred to the children estate-tax-free.

— Joe MacMichael

10

Membership NewsThe Moorestown Historical Society appreciates the continued support of its

members. We welcome the following new members:

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Brown, Jr. and Family Mr. and Mrs. Lee CozenPhillip FlandersLinda KempleGenevieve MacraeSusan and William NicholsonAnna Burr RootMr. and Mrs. Kenneth Walling

For additional membership information, please contact: Mary Ann Alberti at 856-764-9052 or Laura Cooper at 856-235-0353.

NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONNAME(S): ADDRESS: MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY:

Student $10 ___ Cadbury $25 ___

Friends of Research Genealogy $35 ___Founders Society $100 ___

Thomas Moore Society $500 ___1738 Society $1,000 ___

DATE: TELEPHONE #:

Make check payable to: Historical Society of Moorestown Mail to: Historical Society of Moorestown P.O. Box 477 / Moorestown, NJ 08057

Seeking Items

The Society is seeking items for an upcoming

exhibit:

Moorestonians in

Time of War

We are particularly looking for photographs

of people from Moorestown in uniform

or who did volunteer service during war times

(they can be from any war: the Civil War, WWI,

WWII, Vietnam, etc.).

If you have any items you’d like to contribute to the exhibit, contact Ann Condon at the Historical Society (856-235-0353)

or her email: a.condon@worldnet.att.net.

HELP WANTED We needs lots of help to keep the Historical

Society running throughout the year. Here is a list of jobs, big and small,

that we need to fill: • Hospitality – Coordinate or help with refreshments for

various events • Photography – Attends events and take digital photos for our

archives and publicity • Writers – People who enjoy writing and would like to see their

work in print or on our website • Communications Helpers – Folks to affix labels and/

or postage when a mailing is sent; bulk mail of newsletter quarterly • Researchers

– Assistance in our archives, Tuesday afternoons or Saturdays • Data Entry – Work

with the collections inputting information into our computerized records • Museum

Curators – Object and textile experts • Office Helper – Answer phone, file, open mail

• Docents – Trained museum guides • Activities – People who enjoy working on

various museum events • Accessions and De-Accessions – Work with our collections

• Exhibits – Help with museum exhibits • Fund Raising – Committee work •Legal – Professional advice • Oral History – Collect oral histories and oversee written

work • Housekeeping – Help with overseeing the cleaning of the museum and

stocking supplies for the house If you can help out, call Ann Langerhans at

856-235-5747 or email thelangerhans@yahoo.com

11

JUNE 2007

9 Second Saturday & Children’s Craft; Tours 1-4; Craft 1-3:30

JULY/AUGUST 2007

Smith-Cadbury closed for the summer, except by appointment

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

The glorious

Copper

Beech tree

in winter

(corner

of High

and Main

Streets,

just down

the street

from Smith-

Cadbury)

MARCH 2007

9 Exhibit: “Moorestown Quilts” — runs until April

10 Second Saturday & Children’s Craft; Tours 1-4; Craft 1-3:30

APRIL 2007

14 Second Saturday Tours 1-4

19 Annual Meeting & Program: Quilts

MAY 2007

9 Porch Tour

12 Second Saturday & Children’s Craft; Tours 1-4; Craft 1-3:30

Volunteer Appreciation Day and Luncheon

Historical Society of Moorestown

Smith-Cadbury Mansion12 High Street, Box 477Moorestown, NJ 08057

Non-ProfitOrganization

U.S. Postage PaidMoorestown, NJ 08057

Permit NO. 183

MARCH 2007

”To go to Colestown in those days meant very much

what going to the sea-shore means in these.”

In his book Moorestown, Old and New (first published in 1886), James C. Purdy writes that the mineral spring in Colestown was, “. . . on the road to Haddonfield. The road is not long; but in the bright summer weather, with the dust laid by recent rains, which yet have not been sufficient to accomplish mud, it is a way of delight. Indeed it would be difficult to select a more exquisitely beautiful drive.” (Purdy is describing the route of our present-day Kings Highway.) He goes on to describe the spring: “Here was a copious mineral spring, with an unfailing supply of water that smelled and tasted bad enough to commend it to the most exacting invalid. ... Sick people came in numbers to drink the waters; and whether it was because the waters were potent, or because the place was so lively and pleasant, ... many who came got better, and therefore many more came. It is a curious fact that almost any place which attracts invalids also attracts well people and speedily becomes a place of popular resort and fashionable gayety. So Colestown became, in a way, a center of pleasant social dissipation. The Fountain Hotel, as the sanitarium was called, was a frame structure of moderate proportions, but for that time was considered rather large than otherwise; and in ‘the season’ it was filled to overflowing with guests. ... To go to Colestown in those days meant very much what going to the sea-shore means in these.”

Buy the Book!

Read more about this “famous” mineral spring in Moorestown, Old and New, which can be

purchased from the Historical Society at the Gift Shop or through the mail (an order form is on

our web site: $24.95 for Members; $27.95 for non-Members). Purdy’s book is well-written and

contains a fascinating history of Moorestown and the region along with fold-out maps.

An issue of the Newbury-port (Massachusetts) Herald & County Gazette from July 17, 1810

published this item:

A Mineral Spring, the

medicinal qualities of which

are said to be very power-

ful, has been discovered on

the farm of George Githens,

Esq. in the district of

Colestown, Chester town-

ship, Burlington county,

New Jersey, about eight

miles from Philadelphia,

four and a half from Had-

donfield, and two and a

half from Moorestown.

The water is represented

to contain saline matter

and iron, which renders it

both diuretic and tonic, and

therefore generally useful in

disorders of the stomach.