The township of Brick was originally established in the same act creating the County of Ocean, approved February 15, 1850. Its bounds were thus described:

So much of the township of Dover as lies north of a line running east from a point where the line between the townships of Jackson and Howell meet the Dover township line; thence a straight line to Polhemus' mills, on the south branch of Kettle creek; thence along said creek to the bay; thence across the bay to the sea, and all those parts of the townships of Howell and Dover included in the following boundaries, viz.: Beginning at Manasquan inlet and mouth of Manasquan river; thence up the middle of said river to the first bridge over the same: thence westerly to a corner on the south side of said river, near the old bridge; thence a south-westerly course till it strikes the road leading to Jackson's mills; thence along said road till it meets the line between Jackson and Howell townships; thence along said line to the Dover township line; thence a straight line to Pohlhemus' mills, on the south branch of Kettle creek; thence along said creek, the several courses thereof, to the bay; thence across the bay to the sea; thence along the sea to the place of beginning.

The first town meeting of the inhabitants of the township of Brick was by the above act directed to be held at the house of Richard Burr, Burrsville, on the second Tuesday in March, 1850.

The act establishing the township of Ocean was approved April 13, 1876, and thus defines its bounds:

All that part of the townships of Union and Lacey, in the county of Ocean, lying within the following boundaries, that is to say: Beginning at the sea and running, first, north sixty-seven and a half degrees west to the mouth of Little Horse Neck Creek, known as the north fork of Lochiel branch; thence, second, westerly up said branch to the bridge on the main shore road leading from Barnegat to Waretown; thence, third, north fifty-seven degrees west to the north side of the Hezekiah Soper old house standing on the westerly side of the old main road: thence, fourth, north seventy-eight degrees west to the Pancoast road; thence, fifth, westerly along said Pancoast road to a stone on the north side of said road on the east line of a tract of land containing about one hundred and seventy-five acres now belonging to Samuel Birdsall, said stone being twenty-one chains easterly from where the middle of the Barnegat straight road to Cedar Bridge crosses said Pancoast road; thence, sixth, north sixty-seven and a half degrees west to a point where the road Leading from Millville to the Barnegat and Cedar Bridge straight road intersects said line; thence, seventh, northerly to a point where the Jones road crosses the Wells Mills road; thence northwesterly on or along said Jones road to the south line of Lacey township; thence, eighth, easterly along the southerly line of said Lacey township to the mouth of oyster creek; thence, ninth, south seventy-seven degrees, forty-five minutes east to the sea; thence, tenth, along the edge of the sea, crossing Barnegat inlet to the beginning.

Stafford was set off from the lower part of old Shrewsbury township in 1749. The patent creating the township was issued in the reign of George II., and is now preserved in the office of the County Clerk at Toms River. It is the oldest public official document relating to the present county of Ocean. It is on parchment with the great seal of the Province of New Jersey affixed. The following is a copy of

George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, &c. TO ALL to whom these presents shall come GREETING KNOW YE that we of our especial Grace certain knowledge and meer motion HAVE Given and Granted and by these Presents DO Give and Grant for us our Heirs and Successors to the Inhabitants of the South western part of the Township of Shrewsbury in our County of Monmouth in our Province of New Jersey Within the following boundaries (to wit) BEGINNING at Old Barnegat Inlet and from the North End of the Beach lying to the Southward of the said Inlet, running over the Bay North forty-six degrees West five Miles and thirty-seven chains to the Mouth of Oyster Creek and then West Eleven Miles and Seventy chains to Pine tree in the South West plain in the Old partition line of East and West Jersey formerly run by George Keith thence bounded by the said Old Division line South Nineteen degrees East Nineteen Miles and Sixty Chains to the south Stationary Point of Division between East and West Jersey at the Main Sea North Easterly to the place of Beginning according to the plan hereunto annexed to be and remain a Perpetual Township and Community in Word and in Deed to be called and known by the name of the Township of Stafford. AND we further Grant to the said Inhabitants of the Township aforesaid and their Successors to choose annually two Commissioners of the High Ways, one Overseer of the High Ways, one Overseer of the Poor, one Assessor, one Town Collector, and one Constable for the Town aforesaid and to have hold and Enjoy all other Privileges Rights Liberties and Immunities that any other Township in our said Province do or may of right Enjoy. AND the said Inhabitants are hereby Constituted and appointed a township by the Name aforesaid. To HAVE HOLD AND ENJOY the Privileges aforesaid to them IN TESTIMONY whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made patent and the Great Seal of our Province of New Jersey to be hereunto affixed. WITNESS our Trusty and well beloved JONATHAN BELCHER ESQR: our Captain General and Governor in chief in and over our Province of Nova Caesarea or New Jersey and Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor and Vice Admiral in the Same &c. at Burlington the third day of March in the twenty third year of our Reign A. D. MDCCXLIX.

"The Plan annexed" is on paper, and has but a fragment left. It begins with the words: "The Bounds of Stafford Township in Monmouth county, and ends with the date February, 10 1749-50. It is in a different hand writing. The Patent is on parchment, and the chirography is beautiful.

The endorsement on the back reads: "Let the Great Seal of the Province of New Jersey be hereunto affixed.

To the Secretary of the Province of New Jersey.

"Recorded in the Secretary's Office in Burlington in Lib. A A A. of Commissions fol. 305 &c. J. Read, Regr.

The name Stafford was probably given through the influence of James Haywood, as the Haywood family was an ancient family of Staffordshire in England.

Benjamin Paul was born at Deghton, Mass., and descended from William Paul, who came from England in 1635. Luke Courtenay, it is said, was born in England and came to this country just before the Revolution.

During the war (in December, 1780,) a shocking calamity occurred at Manahawkin, by which several lives were lost. A dwellinghouse owned by William Pidgeon, on what was once known as the Haywood place, took fire and burned down. Captain Isaac Andrews lived in the house. His two daughters, one white hired man and two colored men were burned to death, so rapid was the fire, occasioned by a high wind. Six persons in the house managed to escape, but without apparel. Mr. Pidgeon at the time was ill in the house, and got somewhat burned, but leaped out of a second-story window and was then taken to a neighboring house; he was taken worse from excitement, and caught cold that night, having been removed in his shirt, and died a few days after.

James Haywood, said to be from near Coventry, England, bought land in Stafford in 1743, and is frequently named subsequently in deeds, and he also was the chief man in building the old church, originally a free church, but subsequently known as the Baptist church. Thomas, George and William Haywood are named between 1760 and 1770 and subsequently Reuben, Thomas and Job Randolph, Nathan and Seth Crane, Louis Pangborn, Luke Courtenay, David and Thomas Johnson, Benjamin P. Pearson, Benjamin Paul and Zachariah Southard were settled here previous to the Revolution, and bore an honorable share in that war. The Randolphs probably came from Middlesex, and Cranes, Pangborn and Pearson from Essex.

The late William Aumack, who long lived at Cedar Creek, built, about fifty years ago, the old storehouse at Manahawkin, in the upper part of the village; he was father of John Aumack, now of Toms River, Ex-Sheriff B. F. Aumack and Elijah and other children, and he sat up some of his sons in business here, and they carried on an extensive business for a number of years in merchandise, charcoal, etc. After them Henry C, and Horton Gulick had the stand. Among their successors in the same stand were Randolph & Abbott, Allen & Son, Joshua S. Lawson, Charles M. Sloan, Sprague & Oliphant, Alfred Brown, I. M. Inman, Lewis B. Peckworth and Peckworth & Bros., who in 1880, sold to Charles H. Cranmer.

Manahawkin seems to have been one of the earliest settled places in Ocean county. The name is said to be from Indian words signifying good land or good land for corn. The name was anciently written Mannahocking and Manahocking.

Among early settlers was Nicholas Brown, who died about the beginning of 1724. He came from Burlington and was the son of Abraham Brown, who came to that county from Monmouth and was of Rhode Island origin. Nicholas Brown had wife Elizabeth, and sons Abraham and Joseph and daughters.

The act creating this township was approved March 17, 1874. The bounds of the township are thus set forth:

All that part of the township of Stafford contained within the following bounds: Beginning at a stone in the main highway leading from West Creek to Mannahawkin, in a north-easterly direction one hundred and ninety-five chains and forty links from the middle of West Creek mill stream; thence runs, first, north forty-five degrees west, by a straight line to the Burlington and Ocean county line; thence, second, bounded by and following the said line between Burlington and Ocean counties, in a south-easterly direction to the Atlantic Ocean, and thence running in a north-easterly direction to a point south-east from the place of beginning.

The first town meeting in Eagleswood was fixed to be held at the house of George Gaskell, West Creek, on the second Tuesday in April, 1874.

West Creek was one of the earliest, if not the earliest settled places in the present county of Ocean. The name was anciently given as Westeconk or Westecunk, an Indian name, probably signifying "a place to get meat or eatables," and indicating that this was a place of resort for oysters, fish, clams, etc. Among the first settlers at West Creek was Gervas Pharo, son of James and Ann, born in Lincolnshire, England, 3 mo. 15, 1675. He came to this country with his parents in the ship Shields, in 1678. His father died in 1688, when he was only 13 years old. He was left, by his father's will, two or three tracts of land, one of which, in Springfield, was the one on which his parents resided. In 1706 he sold this to his brother-in-law, Richard Ridgway 2d, and not long after moved to West Creek. In 1701 he married at Hempstead, L. I., Elizabeth Willetts, daughter of Hope and Mary, of that place. The same year Richard Ridgway, 2d, married Mary Willetts, another daughter of Hope and Mary, who are described then as of Jerusalem L. I.. Gervas Pharo died in 1756, leaving an only son named James, from whom descend the Pharos of Little Egg Harbor and Ocean county. Members of the Willetts, or Willis and Cranmer families were also among early settlers.

Lacey township derives its name from General John Lacey, who, in the Summer and Fall of 1809, built at Ferrago the first forge and also dwelling houses, barns, stables, etc., there; and bought large tracts of land in that vicinity. In 1810 he applied for authority to have a road laid out from Forked River Landing to Ferrago and thence on to Hanover Furnace. In September, 1810, the Supreme Court appointed as Commissioners three men from Burlington county and three from Monmouth. From Burlington, the men appointed were Eli Mathis, Daniel (Mathis?) and John Irick; from Monmouth, John Haywood, James Edwards and Abraham Woolley. The return was dated October 13, 1810. The length from Forked River Landing to south end of the dam at Ferrago was eight and one quarter miles, less three chains; four rods wide from Hanover to Forked River landing.

This road, the well known "Lacey road," was run out by John Black, at one time President of the Mount Holly Bank, who, when a young man, followed surveying.

In 1740 there was a landing on the north branch of Forked River and a cart-way from swamp to the landing is named in a survey of that year.

Robert Hulett and Moses May had dwellings near Goodluck between 1740 and 1750; there was at this time at Forked River, a bridge over north branch and also an "upper bridge." A new causway was also then built. In 1748 James Holmes bought 70 acres of land near Robert Hulett's house.

Samuel Worden, or Warden, as it was recorded, had salt works at Forked River in 1754. Between 1750 and 1760 Peter Peshine had dwelling on north branch, and John Towson or Tozer, in 1750, had dwelling between south branch and Oyster Creek; about the same time John Bird lived between Forked River and Goodluck. In 1770 Benjamin Allison lived between middle and south branches of Forked River. James Mills took up land near bridge on north branch, 1780-90, and had a public house on the site of the present Lafayette House. John Winnow or Winner at same time had dwelling between north and middle branches, west of main road, on the place owned in late years by Daniel Chamberlain, deceased.

Thomas Parker and Francis Letts together bought land on Cedar Creek in 1792; and Thomas Parker bought, in 1805, fifty acres between north and middle branches. About this time his son Anthony settled at Forked River, near where the Riverside hotel now is.

At Cedar Creek, among persons who early took up land were Gabriel and David Woodmansee, sons of Thomas. David owned the Judge D. I. C. Rogers place. They were settled here at least as early as 1749. David's sons, Samuel, James and Gabriel, settled between Stout's Creek and north branch of Forked River.

Thomas Potter, Sr., and his son, Thomas Potter, the friend of Rev. John Murray, were settlers at Goodluck about 1750.

John Holmes, called "the Elder," took up land near the Upper Mill, Forked River, 1759 and '60; and another John Holmes, who married Catharine Brown in 1764, lived at the mill before and during the Revolution. Samuel Brown, brother of John Holmes' wife, had a place on south branch of Forked River. After the war he moved to Mannahawkin.

Caleb Falkinburg took up land in 1803 between Forked River and Stout's Creek. His house was on the place owned by the late Captain Joseph Holmes.

The first settlers of Lacey generally located some distance east of the main shore road, and not far from where the uplands join the meadows. Their dwellings in this vicinity were generally situated about in a line from the old Captain Benjamin Stout farm, east of Goodluck Church, across Stout's Creek, by the Joseph Holmes and James Jones places, and thence to the south side of Forked River, by the old James Chamberlain or Ezekiel Lewis place, and James Anderson's; then across Oyster Creek, by the old Camburn homestead. And the original main route of travel along here appears to have been by these places. Then the little north branch of Forked River, now known as Bridge Creek, had a bridge over it, and there was a ferry across Forked River, nearly opposite the old Wells swamp, at the place still called "The Ferry" by old residents.

A century ago, the most noted residents appear to have been: David Woodmansee, who lived on the place now owned by Judge D. I. C. Rogers; Thomas Potter, who lived on the farm east of Goodluck Church; Samuel, James and Gabriel Woodmansee, sons of David, who lived on the James Jones and Joseph Holmes farms; Samuel Brown, who lived on the old Wright place on south branch of Forked River; and John Holmes, who lived at the upper mill, Forked River.

Rev. John Price, who was made Major after the war, moved to Goodluck two or three years before the war ended. There was a tavern at Goodluck before the war, and one just over Cedar Creek during the war.

The act establishing the township of Lacey was approved March 23, 1871, and its bounds are thus described:

"All that part of the townships of Union and Dover, in the county of Ocean, contained within the following boundaries, that is to say: Beginning at a point in the line between the counties of Ocean and Burlington where the southerly and easterly line of Manchester township meets the same; thence, first, along said township line in a north-easterly direction to a point where the road from Giberson's mill to Dover Forge crosses said township line; thence, second, easterly along said road to Dover Forge; thence, third, south-easterly along Guise's road, by Dover Forge pond, to the middle of Cedar Creek; thence, fourth, along the middle of Cedar Creek to its junction with Barnegat Bay; thence, fifth, on a course due east to the Atlantic Ocean; thence, sixth, southerly along said Atlantic Ocean to the north side of Barnegat Inlet; thence, seventh, on a course westerly to the mouth of Oyster Creek; thence, eighth, westerly along said Oyster Creek to where the road from Waretown to the head of Factory or south branch of Cedar Creek, known as Stout's Road, crosses the same; thence, ninth, westerly in a straight line to the head of said Factory branch, on the division line between Dover and Union townships; thence, tenth, south-westerly along said division line to the county line of Burlington and Ocean; thence, eleventh, along said line north-westerly to the place of beginning."

The first town meeting was appointed to be held at the house of Martin Hall, at Forked River, on the second Tuesday in April, 1871.

Ferrago came into possession of Reuben Rockwell, a native of Vermont, who came to what is now Ocean county about 1843. Mr. Rockwell was informed that the milldam was unusually costly, as near $10,000 was expended on it.

The ore in the place had some years before been exhausted, and Mr. Rockwell and Joseph Austin, who was connected with him, procured ore from up the North River, probably near Fishkill.

William Hurry, of New York, became owner of the Ferrago tract, which, with other lands bought by him, composed about 10,000 acres owned by him. He named the place Bamber, in remembrance of Dr. John Bamber, of Barking, in Essex county, England, from whom his mother was descended.

Ferrago forge was built in the Summer and Fall of 1809 by General John Lacey, who, about the same time erected dwelling, barns, etc. It is said that Lacey also owned an interest in Hanover Furnace. He wished to establish a road from Hanover Furnace, by Ferrago, to Forked River landing, and as it would run through two counties, he had to apply to the Supreme Court to have commissioners appointed to lay out the road, which was done September 10, 1810. The commissioners made their return October 13, 1810. The road was to be four rods wide from Hanover Furnace to Forked River landing.

The name Ferrago is from the Latin word ferrum, iron.

The act creating the Township of Manchester was approved April 6, 1865, and it thus defines its bounds:

All that portion of the Township of Dover, in the county of Ocean, lying and being within the boundaries as follows: Beginning in the middle of the channel of the north or main branch of Toms River, at the southerly boundary of the township of Jackson, and running thence down the middle of the channel of said branch to where it unites with Ridgway branch. Thence to a stake in the main stage road from Toms River to the village of Manchester, which stake is the dividing line between lands of A. P. Stanton and the lands of James Brown, and running thence in a straight line to a point on the line between Burlington and Ocean counties, distance two miles easterly from the centre of the track of the Delaware and Raritan railroad; thence north-westerly along the dividing line to the south-easterly line of Plumsted township. Thence along the south-easterly line of plumsted and Jackson townships to the place of beginning.

The first town meeting was designated to be held at the house of Ridgway Taylor in Manchester.

Solomon and Job Ridgway bought land on west side of north branch of Toms River, four miles above Schenck's mill, in 1762, and other tracts at different times. Ridgway's sawmill is frequently named 1790 to 1800.

Ridgway's sawmill appears to have originally been built by James Hepburn and Stephen Pangborn before 1751, as surveys speak of Hepburn & Pangborn's mill, now Ridgway's.

Vanhorne's new sawmill is named 1749; in 1753 Mat. Vanhorne's sawmill place and Vanhorne's brook are named. Mat. Vanhorne's bridge over Davenport is named 1760. In 1795 Tice Vanhorne's branch, Tice Vanhorne's and Tice Vanhorne's old sawmill are named.

Wheatland is on the New Jersey railroad, near the Burlington county line.

Debby Platt place was a noted hotel where the road from the shore forks, one going to Hanover, another to New Egypt and a third to Collier's Mills. It is since known as Boyd's hotel.

Ferrago Station is on the New Jersey Southern railroad, and on the road from Ferrago or Bamber to Hanover.

Buckingham derives its name from John Buckingham, a native of Connecticut, who in early life settled in Eatontown, Monmouth county, and subsequently removed to the village of Manchester. From thence he moved to the place now known as Buckingham, where a steam sawmill and two or three dwellings had been put up which he purchased.

The Pine Land Improvement Company, for improving lands along the railroad between Manchester and Lakewood, was incorporated December 25, 1883. The incorporators were John E. Howell, New York; Charles C. Lathrop, Newark; Charles D. Morrow, Newark; J. R. Mallory, New York; John Torrey, Monmouth Beach.

The postoffice at Manchester was established in October, 1841, and Henry L. Bulkly was the first postmaster. The next was Peter D. Kneiskern, appointed September 30, 1842. He held the office for a number of years. William Torrey was postmaster about 1853-4.

Union sawmill, built by or before 1750, was probably at Manchester, and from it Union branch derived its name.

The Revolution seemed to have thrown many sawmills out of business, and this mill must have suffered with others.

A century ago Manchester was known as Federal Forge, and then as Federal Furnace.

A forge was erected here about 1789, it is said, by David Wright and Caleb Ivins. "The old Federal House, which was built for the use of David Wright's forge," and "Federal Company's coaling house," and "David Wrights coaling ground" are named in surveys between 1795 and 1800. Federal furnace was built not long before 1800 by John W. Godfrey, of Philadelphia. In 1815 Federal furnace was owned by Griffith Jones and I. Holmes. In surveys 1830 and thereabouts "Dover furnace, late Federal furnace," is named. (Dover forge was on Cedar Creek.)

In 1764, in a survey to D. Knott on Hurricane, reference is made to "the edge of the place where the Hurricane wind passes through the swamp." This seems to imply that it was thought Hurricane derived its name from the hurricane wind.

Nathan C. Whiting, from whom Whiting derives its name, came from New Haven, Conn., to Ocean county about 1852, and purchased an extensive tract of wood land and erected a saw-mill, and engaged in the lumber business. After about twenty years, he sold out his interest and returned to New Haven, where he died April 28, 1884. He was a son of Deacon Nathan Whiting, editor of the Religious Intelligencer of New Haven.

Phoenix Forge, a short distance below Federal, was built by Jones & Wood, and at first was called Lower Forge. It was burned down and rebuilt, and hence the name of Phoenix.

Mr. Benjamin. Snyder, of Lakewood, says that Samuel G. Wright once owned Federal furnace, and after him came Benjamin B. Howell, and then his sons, Henry and Lewis Howell, who put up another stack.

William Torrey has an order sent by General Washington, in his own handwriting, to Mr. Torrey's father, who was a Colonel in the Revolution, and he also has two swords which belonged to his father. Colonel Torrey was present at the execution of Major Andre.

Mrs. Torrey, wife of William Torrey, when a little girl, sat at the bedside of Tom Paine. His room she describes as filthy; a barrel for a table, a three-legged stool for a chair, a dilapidated bedstead, etc. He had on a red nightcap.

The village of Bayville, Ocean county, was formerly known as Potter's Creek, The name was changed to Chaseford, after Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury. From this it was changed to Bayville.

Among ancient settlers of this township was John Grant, who was among taxpayers 1764, and who is frequently named in ancient records. John and Joseph Platt were also taxpayers 1764.

Thomas Potter, father of the Thomas who was the friend of Rev. John Murray, bought land in what is now Berkeley in 1756, and at other times.

John Williams took up land in the middle of last century and owned sawmills, etc.

The township of Union was originally established by an act approved February 7, 1846, entitled, "An Act to set off from the townships of Stafford and Dover, in the county of Monmouth, a new township to be called the township of Union." Its bounds were thus described:

"Beginning at the sea, and running, first, a due west course to the southerly point of Harvest Point; thence north forty-five degrees west, crossing the bay to the main meadows; thence north-easterly along the edge of the same to the mouth of Gunning River; thence up said river its various courses to the mouth of Fresh Creek; thence up said creek its various courses to the north line of a tract of land known as the Fresh Creek lot, now owned by the heirs or devisees of Samuel G. Wright, deceased, and others; thence westerly along said line to the westerly end thereof; thence north fifty-two degrees and fifty minutes west along a line known as the Ogden line, to a stone, being the second corner of a tract of land known as the Ogden tract, standing on a course north ten degrees and twenty-one minutes east, eight chains and seventy-five links from a large stone standing on Par's cabin knowl; thence north-westerly to the north-west corner of a tract of land that Joseph W. Pharo purchased of the executors of Samuel Pharo, deceased; thence north fifty degrees west, one hundred and eight chains and twenty-seven links to a stone in the west line of Sonman's patent; thence north seventy degrees west to the Burlington county line; thence up and along said county line to intersect with a due west course from the head of the main southerly branch of Cedar Creek, known as Factory branch; thence down and along said branch and creek to the bay; thence a due east course to the sea; thence southerly along the edge of the same to the beginning."

The act was to go into effect on the second Tuesday of March, 1846.

The first annual town meeting of the township was ordered by the above act of the Legislature to be held at the house of Benjamin Predmore, Waretown, on the day appointed by law for holding annual town meetings in the other townships of the county of Monmouth, and afterwards at such place in the township of Union as the inhabitants of said township shall determine.

As long as the township of Union preserved its original bounds the town meetings were usually held at the same house.

In 1871 Lacey was set off from Union. In 187G its bounds were again lessened by the act creating the township of Ocean.

The act creating the township of Berkeley was approved March 31, 1875, and its bounds are thus defined:

"All that part of the township of Dover, in the county of Ocean, contained within the following boundaries, that is to say:

"Beginning on the south-west corner of the township of Dover at a point where the road from Giberson's mill to Dover Forge crosses the easterly line of the township of Manchester; thence, first, easterly along said road to Dover Forge, said road being the boundary line between the townships of Dover and Lacey; thence, second, southerly along Guise's road by Dover Forge pond to the middle of Cedar Creek; thence, third, easterly along the middle of Cedar Creek to its junction with Barnegat Bay; thence, fourth, on a course due east to the Atlantic Ocean; the above metes and bounds being the division line between the townships of Dover and Lacey; thence, fifth, northerly along said Atlantic Ocean to the south side of old Cranberry Inlet; thence, sixth, on a course westerly to the middle of Toms River at its junction with Barnegat Bay; thence, seventh, westerly along the middle of said Toms River and up the north branch to the Toms River and Manchester Railroad; thence, eighth, along said railroad to the east division line between the townships of Dover and Manchester; thence, ninth, southerly along said division Line to the place of beginning."

The name Berkeley was selected for this township by the late Samuel H. Shreve, formerly Surveyor and Civil Engineer of Toms River.

John B. Larner is said to have purchased the tract known as Barnegat Park, west of Bayville, Berkeley township, in the Spring of 1887. It was designed to have lots sold to army and navy officers and their friends. About fifty lots had been sold by July following.

Thomas Placide, a well-known actor, resided in Berkeley, on south side of Toms River, not far from the County Seat. He was of a family of actors, his father, mother, brother and two sisters having followed that profession. His brother had been a great sufferer from a cancer, and he became a victim of the same complaint, and it so preyed on his mind that in a fit of desperation he took his life July 20, 1877. He was 69 years of age.

The oldest monument in Berkeley is on the old Anderson place, near Dover Chapel. On it is inscribed: "Here lies the body of William Cheamlin. He died December 18, 1759, aged 36 years." The name Cheamlin was probably intended for Chamberlain.

Mary Worth, living in the southern part of Berkeley, reached the advanced age of 106 years. She died March 5, 1873.

The first settler on the Soper place, between Waretown and Barnegat, according to the late Jeremiah Spragg, an aged citizen of Barnegat, was John Perkins, whose daughter married James Spragg, father of Jeremiah. Mr. Perkins came from England during the old French war and located near Soper's landing, and subsequently sold out to Joseph Soper, ancestor of the numerous Soper families in this vicinity and elsewhere. The first house built on the beach opposite to Waretown, according to Mr. Spragg, was by Thomas Rogers. It was located near the inlet, and in it lived Rogers, and also James Spragg, father of Jeremiah; and during the Revolution they witnessed many exciting scenes, such as shipwrecks of war and merchant vessels, and contests between the British and Americans in efforts to capture crews and cargoes. The first Soper in New Jersey was Thomas Soper, who landed in West Jersey in 1678. The old members of this family had a tradition that they were of Huguenot descent. The Ocean county Sopers descend from Henry Soper, who settled at Huntington, L. I., in 1666. His son Richard came to Middlesex county, N. J., and his son Joseph came to Barnegat.

On Monday evening, January 12, 1857. a meeting was held at Temperance Hall, at Barnegat, for the purpose of forming a Barnegat Masonic Cemetery Association. Captain T. W. Falkinburg was chairman, and James Bodine secretary. The following persons were the original associates: Charles I. Errickson. Timothy W. Falkinburg, James Robinson, James Bodine. John W. Bennett, Nathan S. Cranmer, Joseph H. Townsend, Edwin Salter, Thomas Edwards, Joseph Anderson. Alexander S. Letts, Stephen Conklin, James W. Collins, Jr., Levi Cranmer, Charles Soper, William Errickson.

The Association was incorporated under the act relating to cemeteries passed by the Legislature in 1851.

The following persons were elected as trustees at the first meeting: For one year, Charles I. Errickson, James Robinson; two years. T. W. Falkinburg, Joseph Anderson; three years. James Bodine, John W. Bennett.

The annual meeting was fixed for January 15, 1857.

The certificate of incorporation of this Division was recorded March 10, 1853, and signed by Job F. Randolph, W. P., and Gabriel M. Inman, R. S. The lodge was instituted some time before this, probably about 1849. For a time they held their meetings in an upper room or hall prepared for them, and also used for other purposes, in the Temperance House, kept by Gabriel M. Inman.

Barnegat Lodge, Knights of Pythias, No. 71, was incorporated January 20, 1887. Incorporators Ira S. Cranmer, Thomas Bamford and Joseph O. Elbertson. trustees.

Mariners' Lodge, No. 150, F. A. M., was organized February 7. 1881. It had been working under a dispensation granted May 5, 1S80.

The Town Hall at Barnegat was completed about January, 1871.

The Masonic Cemetery contained 127 burials up to July 4, 1872.

The forge at Burrsville was established about March, 1808, by John Lippencott. It was subsequently bought by Barzillai Burr and John Butcher, and was once known as Butcher's forge. Burrsville derives its name from Barzillai Burr.

In 1808 John Lippincott bought land of Proprietors described as on "south side of Metetecuuk, near Indian stage, and near road from new bridge over Metetecuuk to Cedar Bridge." He also bought, subsequently, numerous tracts near Metetecuuk river and Kettle Creek.

The Postoffice at this place was established about 1839 or '40, and called Metetecunk, and so continued down to about 1884, when the P. O. Department changed it to Burrsville. B. H. Fielder was the first Postmaster; among his successors was Hon. A. O. S. Havens, the second member of the Assembly from Ocean county.

The M. E. church at this place was dedicated December 29, 1878.

This place holds the key of the mainland at the northermost extremity of Barnegat Bay. On July 25, 1883, ground was broken for the erection of the office of the Company. At this time a number of lots had been sold and several cottages contracted for.

A Postoffice was established at Bay Head in the Summer of 1882, Julius Foster, Postmaster.

The Bay Head Land Company was incorporated September 6, 1879. Capital $12,000. Incorporators David H. Mount, Rocky Hill, Edward Howe, Leavitt Howe and William Harris, of Princeton.

This quickly developed Summer resort may be said to have contributed largely to the current of popular favor now bestowed upon this portion of Ocean county. It is situated at the head of Barnegat Bay, from which it takes its name of "Bay Head." There are about 286 lots in this tract, 50x100 feet in size. Its present population is seventy-five. The improvements in 1882 comprise 20 new cottages, and all the other improvements in a resort in the process of development. A sea wall has been put in, roads built and graded, &c. The prospects for the future are flattering, new houses being rapidly built. Bay Head Junction adjoins this tract and conforms with its survey.

This beautiful property lies south of Bay Head on the peninsula beach, bounded on the east by the Atlantic ocean, on the west by Barnegat Bay. Considerable money has been laid out in improvements of this tract, of which the grading and complete laying over of the entire beach with heavy fertile inland soil may be mentioned. This tract was first brought into notice by the New Jersey Sea-Shore Land and Improvement Company, under the management of Capt. John Arnold, of Point Pleasant, whose energies awakened much interest in behalf of the place. Quite a number of fine cottages are already upon it, and many more in contemplation.

The Kettle Creek post office was established about 1834 or '5 and Mary Kelly was postmistress.

Kettle Creek was anciently known also as Fishing Creek.

James Fullerton had a patent for land beginning at north cape of Kettle or Fishing Creek and Dr. John Dalrymple had tract adjoining.

Among persons who took up land from the proprietors in its vicinity were John Forman 1742-5; William Brinley 1742; Benjamin Woolley 1747; Richard Stout 1747; Ebenezer Applegate 1750; Abraham Schenck 1755; Annanias Gifford 1756; David Knott 1761-1770; Delancey and Cuyler 1763; James Parker 1764; John Allen 1766. Among other persons who owned land here about or before this time were Thomas Tilton, Samuel Hulett, Joseph Potter and John Chambers.

There was a saw mill built on Kettle Creek about 1740 and probably by Ebenezer Applegate, as in 1761 his "old saw mill" is referred to. It is presumed that this Ebenezer Applegate was a son of Jacob, as in the tax list of 1764 "Ebenezer Applegate son of Jacob" is the only Ebenezer named. Between 1740 and 1750 bridges were over branches of Kettle Creek, one of which was built by Benjamin Woolley and Job Cook. In 1764 John Allen had a saw mill on north branch.

Tunis Denise took up considerable land in 1755 and thereabouts near Meteteconk and had saw and grist mill. It is possible that from him may be derived the name Tunes, one of the branches of Kettle Creek. In 1815 Silvenus Bills owned the Tunis Denise mills.

Michael Ortley, whose name is noted in connection with land on the beach, took up land in 1818 between north and south branches of Kettle Creek.

About the latter part of last century John Havens, Senior, bought dwellinghouse and land of John Allen and John Havens, Jr., bought dwelling and land of James Allen and in 1800 took up a tract from proprietors between Kettle Creek and Reedy Creek, near head of latter.

James Runnals lived south side Metetecunk 1745.

Point Pleasant is a name applied to a semi-peninsular tract of land in Brick Township, Ocean county, rapidly becoming studded with resorts. It constitutes the northern extremity of the county, and is bounded on the east by the Atlantic, on the north-west by the beautiful Manasquan river, and on the south by the Meteteconk river and the head of Barnegat bay. The distance across the neck of the semi-peninsula (between the Meteteconk and Manasquan rivers) is nearly two miles, while its ocean front stretches for three miles along the beach. Point Pleasant is a fertile tract, with well wooded undulatory hills interspersed with lakelets, and faces a part of the Manasquan river with a bluff. It is reached from New York by the New Jersey Central railroad and also by the Freehold and Jamesburg branch of the Pennsylvania railroad; and from Philadelphia by the Philadelphia and Long Branch railroad.

Some 18 or 20 years ago Point Pleasant was an unimproved, undeveloped tract, till taken hold of by Capt. John Arnold, seconded afterwards by no less energetic allies, and the result of his and their energy and enterprise is now seen in fine cottages, schools, churches, stores, hotels and boarding-houses standing on well laid out streets and avenues, where formerly rabbits and reptiles were wont to burrow. At that time the population did not exceed 12 families who had houses fit to live in; and ingress from or egress to either Philadelphia or New York implied forty miles by stage, and the loss of a whole day for the single journey. Point Pleasant now has Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Presbyterian churches; graded, public and private schools; two Postoffices and railroad stations as mentioned, and numerous hotels and boarding-houses. Its chief attractions are those presented by the ocean, Barnegat bay and Manasquan river, affording facilities for boating, fishing, crabbing, bathing, gunning, &c., its shady groves, and pure sea air.

Arnold City is the most northerly of the new resorts referred to under Point Pleasant. The tract comprises 300 lots, 50x100 feet, with avenues 70 feet and streets 60 feet in width. It is named after Captain John Arnold, the pioneer of this beautiful section of our coast. The improvements already mentioned under Point Pleasant, include the resorts. This tract is a part of the Arnold farm, purchased by Robert M. Worthington, who is associated with Brighton, a flourishing new Summer resort in Monmouth county. By his able management of the Arnold tract most of the entire property has been disposed of to classes who are calculated to improve it. On this property are a station and roundhouse of the New Jersey Central railroad.

Point Pleasant City is the name of a Summer resort adjoining Arnold City. It is one of the first tracts taken up and laid out for a Summer city by the sea at Point Pleasant. It has received increasing patronage from seaside seekers, who have purchased lots and are building Summer homes upon them. The "Resort House," and other hotels and boarding-houses attract large numbers during the hot Summer months.

This property is the last remaining beach tract immediately connecting with the main land on the New Jersey coast. It lies north of Bay Head. It contains 190 lots, and offers the same advantages and attractions as the other Point Pleasant resorts.

In the Spring of 1878 this company bought the John Forman property, consisting of 250 acres. The officers were John L. Murphy, President, James Buchanan, Secretary, J. Hart Brewer, Treasurer.

Their first purchase extended from the ocean back to the old Squan road, and down to near the head of Barnegat Bay. Streets were laid out fifty to sixty feet wide.

The company was incorporated Oct. 22, 1877. capital $50,000. Incorporators, J. Hart Brewer, Charles H. Skirm, John L. Murphy, James Buchanan and William Cloke.

The Stafford Forge Cranberry bog is quite a noted one, and usually very productive. In 1877 Mr. Daniel R. Gowdy, the owner, had 300 pickers employed.

John Lawrence of Manasquan sold 232 acres in 1727 to Thomas Tilton of Shrewsbury.

Osborne's Island is now owned by Dr. Fuller of New York. As the river channel runs south of it, it belongs to Monmouth.

Joseph Lawrence was a son of the first William and became possessed of 4-7ths of his father's estate above and below Manasquan river.

The Thomas Cook place at junction of the river was bought by Thomas Cook, Sr., of Walter and Mary Curtis 1782.

The first Thomas Cook named above had children Thomas, Richard and Sarah who married Thomas Shearman.

The Curtis family owned at one time most of the land around Point Pleasant. The first of the family were step-sons of Joseph Lawrence who married a widow Curtis. Joseph Lawrence lived just over the river in Monmouth on the Col. James Osborne place.

The island in the river was once called Hartshorne's Island and then Osborne's Island. Samuel Osborne is named in this vicinity in 1754.