Entered according to act of Congress, in 1897, by In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. PRESS OF THE STAR OF THE CAPE PUBLISHING CO.. CAPE MAY, N. J. "The History of Cape May County" is the result of many years of research, and the author hopes that it will meet with the approbation of the public. Some ten years ago the author began the keeping of a scrap book of Cape May county history, among other things, and this constant accumulation. of facts resulted, about a year ago, in a determination on the part of the author to prepare a history of the county, which would portray its gradual development and the progress of its people from the earliest times. The cause which led to its preparation principally was the fact that no history had ever before been published, excepting the sketch of Dr. Maurice Beesley, in 1857, which contained only fifty printed pages. The information obtained for this volume was largely supplemented from the collections of the New York Historical Society, the New Jersey Historical Society and the Pennsylvania Historical Society. Many facts were gathered also from the articles of Francis B. Lee, Esq., of Trenton, and the author has also been aided in his work by Colonel J. 'Granville Leach, of Philadelphia; County Clerk Edward L. Rice, and Mr. Aaron Leaming. The diaries of Aaron Leaming the first, of Aaron Leaming the second, and of Jacob Spicer the second have been perused and liberal extracts made from the same. The work of Dr. Beesley has been woven into this volume and proper credit given to him for every fact for which he is responsible. The county of Cape May has a most honorable history and the one aim of the author has been to tell the facts as he finds them and yet try to keep away from the dryness which characterizes such works. There may be errors in the volume, but the author has been very careful in the verification of dates and names. The different ways of spelling family names is caused by the literal copying of the records from which they are taken. If this volume serves to preserve to the people the history of the county, the author will feel that he has been repaid. for his efforts. LEWIS T. STEVENS. Cape May, May 15, 1897. Thy daughters' praise truth gladly speaks, The glow of beauty gilds their cheeks Their virtues fair adorn and bless Thy sons, a generous patriot band, Love loyally their native land, Their homes, and circling wave; And noble, honest men arise, I love to breathe thy healthful air; I love thee, for my friends are here, I love thee, for thou art my home, The golden chain of memory Still binds me to Cape May! Chorus: Cape May! Cape May! etc. Contents. Chapter I--The Indians and the Dutch Explorers.... 9 23 90 98 .106 116 132 143 Chapter XXI-The Decade Before the Rebellion....280 Chapter XXII-Opening of the Civil War... . 301 316 ..328 Chapter XXII-First New Jersey Cavalry. Chapter XXX-Cape May City... ... 393. .405 .429 |
