This history of the neighborhood plays a vital part in the identity of its residents. If you have lived in the neighborhood for many years, the neighborhood history is a heartfelt reminder of days gone by. If you have just come to call the neighborhood home, it is a way to learn more about the new community you have joined. We would love nothing more than to be able to share the history of neighborhood name with all who reside there. If you are interested in writing a brief history of the neighborhood to share with the community, please contact us! |
- Pilesgrove Township HistoryThis township derived its name from James Piles, anciently a large landholder here. It is 8 miles long, 5 broad, and is bounded NE. by Woolwich, Gloucester co.; SW. by Mannington, and Upper Alloways creek; SE. by Pittsgrove, and NW. by Upper Penn's Neck. The surface is level, and soil clay and loam, and productive in wheat, rye, oats, and corn. Pop. in 1830, 2,150; in 1840, 2,477.
Woodstown derives its name from Jackanias Wood, an early settler. It is on the north bank of Salem river, 9 miles NE. of Salem. It contains about 100 dwellings, 6 stores, Friends meeting-houses, 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, and 1 African Methodist church. The lands in this region have been much improved within the last 12 years by the use of marl, which abounds here. In the marl-pits, near the village, sharks' teeth and the bones of the fossil crocodile are found. The public building shown on the left of the engraving is the Friends' meeting-house, a substantial brick edifice. The large tree in the road, fronting the dwelling beyond, now going to decay, was standing in the American revolution. According to tradition, a party of British soldiers once stacked their arms against its trunk. The township was principally settled by Friends. In 1726 a meeting was established at Woodstown by David Davis, and others. Sharptown, on Salem river, 2½ miles west of Woodstown, has a Methodist church and about 50 dwellings. Eldridge's Hill, 1 mile NE. of Woodstown, contains a few dwellings.
