Weymouth, NJ

The town of Weymouth was originally a shortcut to the sea from Long-a-Coming to May's Landing; Joseph Ball (one time owner of Batsto iron works) built the first iron furnace at Weymouth about 1754. About 1806-7 the first Quaker meeting house was built at Weymouth. In 1808, Ball sold the furnace to his nephew,Samuel Richards of Atsion, whose family would also come into possession of Batsto. In 1846, four years before the railroad reached Weymouth, a wooden tramway was built between Weymouth and May's Landing, but the furnace ceased operations by 1865. The workers who were still on site were permitted to remain in their homes rent free. The May's Landing Water Company eventually took over the land the houses stood on and tried to evict the tenants but lost, as by that time they had 25 years of rent free history with the land.

After Samuel Richard's death, his daughter Sarah Bell Richards inherited one half interest in Weymouth. After her sister Elizabeth Richard Bell's death, Sarah's husband, Stephen Colwell, purchased the remainder of the land. After the furnace was closed down, a paper factory took it's place.

In 1852, Stephen Colwell invested in a narrow gauge railroad with partners John Hay of Winslow and Dr. DaCosta. After his partners withdrew from the gamble, Colwell through a great deal more of his own money into the project, but after two years the road still had not been profitable and was purchased by Reading Railroad.

I have some information provided to me by a visitor to my site, [email protected], concerning the Watson Family of Weymouth as well.

Concerning some of the other early residents of Weymouth, the same document mentions the following:

• Mr. Jacob G. Campbell, a gentleman of retiring disposition, of high moral character plus outstanding ability and a lifelong resident, was supervisor over the farm, team drivers, transportation equipment, wood choopers, and charcoal burners.
• Mr. Melvin Morse, recently deceased, was bookeeper for several years beginning sometime in the late 70s. Mr. Morse was a citizen of the highest type and a man beloved by all whose privilege it was to know him
• Mr. Andrew G. Stewart was first employed as clerk in the store, and entered upon his duties sometime between the close of our Civil War and 1870. He was Post Master until the time of his death in the year 1933, covering an unbroken period of 54 years. After the resignation of Mr. Morse, Mr. Stewart was assigned the position of bookkeeper and general superintendent. Mr. Stewart was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. Politically, he was a democrat of the old school, and a firm believer in the Democratic Doctrine; that, in the matter of legislation, all laws passed and adopted should be with an eye single to "The greatest good to the greatest number."

According to a descendant of Andrew Stewart, above, the following were residents of Weymouth in the early part of this century, probably prior to the first World War:

• Walter A. Thacher (1871-1951). He was a surveyor by occupation.
• Harry G. Steelman (1868-1949)
• Howard Sharer. He was a farmer.
• Laura Colwell She lived in the gate house that led to the Richard's family home here.
• Fountain Gale (1872-1966). He was an overseer for the water power company in May's Landing. His son, Jim, (b. ca. 1902) ran a taproom on Route 322 in Weymouth.
• James P. McCoy (1832-1898). He worked as a handyman for Andrew G. Stewart, who was mentioned above.
• Other family names mentioned as being very common there in the early part of this century were Schenk (which was pronounced "Skank"), McCoy, and Marsh

The following marriage was recorded in the New Jersey Courier on February 10th, 1876:
M. E. Wolvert of Weymouth married Hattie Cramer of Wading River.
Currently this is all I have but more info is being gathered all the time, so check back often.

According to a visitor to this site, Stephen Desbro Johnson of Co. C. 11th NJ Vol married Mary B. Shinn in Weymouth in 1858 and raised eight children with her.

The following is excerpted from the 1870 Census for the Village of Weymouth, Hamilton Township but is by no means complete (yet):

House #	Family #	Surname	Given name	Age	Birthplace	Occupation	Real Estate	Personal Estate
187	175	Watson	James S.	37	Glasgo, Scotland	works in paper mill	$4600	$100
			Rachel	36	Edinborough, Scotland	keeping house
			Rachel J.	12	NJ	at home
			Eliza	11	NJ	at home
			James	8	NJ	at home
			Annie	5	NJ
			William	1	NJ
188	176	Estelow	John	57	NJ	sawyer		$100
			Sarah	42	NJ	keeping house
			Arwilda M.	17	NJ	at home
			Lenora	14	NJ	at home
			Ulysses S. C.	5	NJ	at home
189	177	Dunlap	James	40	Areshire, Scotland	works in paper mill		$100
			Margarett	43	Glasgow, Scotland	keeping house
			James	21	Glasgow, Scotland	works in paper mill
191	178	Murdock	Peter	49	Scotland	works in saw mill	$100	$1000
			Ellen M.	35	NJ	keeping house
			Jesse	15	NJ	at school
			Mary A.	8	NJ	at school
			Maggie	4	NJ	at home
			Walter	3 mos.(b. in April	NJ
194	179	Champion	Hannah	39	NJ	keeping house
			Emeline	16	NJ	works in paper mill
			Francis A.	14	NJ	works in paper mill
			Walter S.	9	NJ	at home
			James	7	NJ	at home
			Lincoln	2	NJ	at home
195	180	Estelow	James	30	NJ	works at paper mill		$100
			Bella	24	NJ	keeping house

Additionally, I have a portion of the Weymouth Burying Ground transcribed (not by me...a copy of someone else's transcription was sent to me by Terrie, who is the primary researcher for this part of the site.)

I recently came across this little article about a Weymouth resident in the 10 Mar 1905 issue of the New Egypt Press:

"Weymouth community has always been a part of Hamilton Township since
1813 when the Township was formed.  The Township was taken from parts of
Weymouth Township and Egg Harbor Township.  The area of the furnace at
the time of Hamilton forming was part of Great Egg Harbor Township.
Atlantic County was formed in 1837 so Weymouth furnace was part of
Gloucester County till then."