John:
Since you are interested in Medford history, here is a letter that appeared in the pages of Mount Holly’s New Jersey Mirror in February 1875 about Meford’s earliest years:
MEDFORD AS IT WAS
Editor, Mirror:
I see every week in the Mirror something concerning Medford. Most of it is relating to the enterprising men of “the great city,” as some have termed it. Yet no one has given any description of it in former days when it contained twenty houses. A school-boy there sixty years ago, I well remember how it looked at that time; and will give a description. There were then only two streets, Main street and the Shinntown road, as it was called, and is now the pike that leads to Marlton. Where the bank now stands was a two-story frame house, the residence of John Stokes a cooper; where Isaac W. Stokes lives was a small one-story house belonging to the widow Jones. Jesse Thomas’ house was then the residence of William Jones’ a shoe-maker. Where Glover’s hotel now is, was a small one-story house of James Riley; William Stokes’ house was then a story and a half; where Caleb Stokes lived back of the two houses, the late Kitterah Riley built, stood an old two-story frame house of John Riley, who made cider and whisky; and two women were there murdered while at breakfast, by John Riley, son of John Riley. Below near the landing bridge were two small houses belonging to Mark Reeve; one was called “the salt-box house” in which Hugh Akins lived, the other was occupied by Jonathan Braddock. On the opposite side of the street, was a small shoe-maker shop in which Daniel Brown worked. Above that on the hill, where Edward Reeve lives, was Isaac Wilson’s, who had a tan-yard. Next to that was a small frame house where Isaac Garwood lived. Between these two houses, a lane led to the Friends’ Meeting-house. At the corner where Jacob Braddock lives, Lawrence Webster lived; he was a saddler and harness-maker; his barn was used for a market house, and Isaac Wilkins sold meat once a week. On the opposite corner of the Shinntown road, where Shivers’ hotel is, was a lumber yard of Mark Reeve. Adjoining that on Main street, where Lewis Branin is, Richard Reeve lived, and was a cabinet-maker. Next to that, on the corner of a small alley, Jane Shinn sold cakes; the house is now occupied by Oliphant’s girls. Near that was the Evesham Library. Farther on was a two story home, near where the late Dr. H. P. Ely built, which was owned by Joseph Huston, a blacksmith. Below, near Haines run, was a frame house belonging to Robert Braddock, who made pumps. Over the run on the opposite side of the street was Isaac Haines’ farm house. On the same side above the run some distance was the residence of Benjamin Haines, who was a farmer also. The house stood back from the street, being the same situation where Milton H. Allen’s boarding school is. Then came Mark Reeve’s store and house, now occupied by John A. Lamb. Going down the Shinn road, below the hotel we come to where J. Newbold Reeve lives, at that time Isaac Stokes. Next to that is a low frame house where Isaac Lippincott lived, now Elwood Dudley. Near that Nicholas Hoile, the property now belonging to the heirs of Priscilla Reeve. Some distance from there was Jane Sleeper’s house, which was rebuilt by Gideon Ferguson. Back of that was an old log-house of Edmund Haines. Beyond, back from the road a short distance, was Barzilla Braddock’s farm house, and a wheel-wright shop, now owned by Barclay Haines. On the opposite side of the road from Jane Sleeper’s, was the Friends’ Meeting-house, it being a low brick building forming an L. It was torn down, and the present one built in 1814. The Friends’ burying ground was on the west side of the yard; it is considerably larger now. Inside of the Meeting-house yard opposite to where the drive-way from Main street now is, there was a small burying ground for colored people. Now if Ben Ebon or Gus Slim can give a better description of the little city at that date, I should like to hear from them.
A NATIVE.
February 18, 1875
I hope you enjoy the read!
Best regards,
Jerseyman
