In regard to the origin of the name of Toms River, we have two distinct traditions; one alleging that it was named after a somewhat noted Indian, who once lived in its vicinity; the other attributes it to a certain Captain William Tom, who resided on the Delaware two hundred years ago, and who it is said penetrated through the wilderness to the seashore, on an exploring expedition, where he discovered the stream now known as Toms River; upon his return he made such favorable representations of the land in its vicinity, that settlers were induced to come here and locate, and these settlers named it Toms River, after Mr. Tom, because he first brought it to the notice of the whites.

While the writer of this, after patient investigation, acknowledges that he can find nothing that conclusively settles the question, yet he is strong in the belief that the place derives its name from Mr. Tom, for the following reasons: First- Though there was a noted Indian residing at Toms River a century ago, known as "Indian Tom," yet the place is known to have borne the name of Toms River when he was quite a young man; it is not reasonable to suppose the place was named after him when he was scarce out of his teens. Second- The position and business of Captain William Tom, was such as to render it extremely probable that the tradition relating to him is correct. Much difficulty has been found in making researches in this matter, as Capt. Tom was an active man among our first settlers before our West Jersey records begin, and information regarding him has to be sought for in the older records of New York and New Castle, Delaware. In his day Southern and Western Jersey were under control of officials whose headquarters were at New Castle, Del.; these officials were appointed by the authorities at New York. In his time Capt. John Carr appears to have been the highest official among the settlers on both sides of the Delaware, acting as Commissioner, &c. But at times it would seem that Capt. Tom was more relied upon in managing public affairs by both the Governors at New York and the early settlers, than any other man among them. In the various positions which he held, he appears to have unselfishly and untiringly exerted himself for the best interests of the settlers and the government.

He held at different times the positions of Commissary. Justice, Judge, Town Clerk and Keeper of Official Records relating to the settlements on both sides of the Delaware, Collector of Quit Rents, &c. As collector of Quit Rents and agent to sell lands, his duties called him throughout the Southern half of our State, wherever settlers were found, and in search of eligible places for settlers to locate. We find that Capt. Tom was continually traveling to and fro in the performance of his duties, was among the first white men to cross the State to New York, was on good terms with the Indians, with whom he continually must have mingled, and it is not at all unlikely in the performance of his duties, he crossed to the shore by Indian paths, so numerous and so frequented by the red men in his time, and thus visited the stream now known as Toms River.

As no outline of Capt. Tom's Life and services has ever been published, we give the substance of the facts found relating to him, not only because of its probable bearing on the history of old Monmouth, and that our citizens may know who he was, but also because it gives an interesting chapter in the history of our State. It will be seen that he was a prominent, trusted and influential man before the founding of Philadelphia, Salem or Burlington, or before any considerable settlements existed in New Jersey. In looking back to the past, it seems a long while to Indian Tom's day, but Capt. William Tom lived nearly a century before him. The following items are collected from New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware records:

Capt. William Tom came to this country with the English expedition under Sir Robert Carre and Col. Richard Nicholls which conquered the Dutch at New Amsterdam, (New York) August, 1664. Immediately after the English had taken formal possession of New York, two vessels, the "Guinea" and the "William and Nicholas," under command of Sir Robert Carre were despatched to attack the Dutch settlements on the Delaware river. After a feeble resistance the Dutch surrendered about the first of October of the same year, (1664). Capt. Tom accompanied this expedition, and that he rendered valuable service there is evidenced by an order issued by Gov. Nicholls, June 30, 1665, which states that for William Tom's "good services at Delaware," there shall be granted to him the lands of Peter Alricks, confiscated for hostility to the English. Capt. Tom remained in his majesty's service until August 27, 1668; during the last two years of this time he was Commissary on the Delaware. He was discharged from his majesty's service on the ground as is alleged "of good behaviour."

In 1673 Capt. Tom was appointed one of four appraisers to set a value on Tinicum Island in the Delaware. In 1674 he was appointed secretary or clerk for the town of New Castle, and he appears to have had charge of the public records for several years. In 1673 the Dutch regained their power in New York, New Jersey and Delaware, but retained it only a few months; after they were again displaced in 1674, Gov. Andross appointed Captains Cantwell and Tom to take possession for the King's use, of the fort at New Castle, with the public stores. They were authorized to provide for the settlement and repose of the inhabitants at New Castle, Whorekills (Lewes) and other places."

In 1675 some settlers complained against Capt. Tom, for molesting them in the enjoyment of meadow lands which adjoined their plantations. The settlers probably supposed because they owned uplands, they should also have the same use of meadow land without paying for the same. The Governor ordered a compromise. In 1676 he was appointed one of the Justices of the Peace and a Judge of the court. He sat as one of the Judges in an important suit in which the defendant was John Fenwick, the Salem Proprietor. Judgment was given against Fenwick, and a warrant issued to take him dead or alive. Fenwick finding it useless to resist, gave himself up, and was sent prisoner to New York.

Capt. Tom was reappointed justice and judge in 1677. Towards the latter part of this year complaint was made that the town records of New Castle were in confusion, and Mr. Tom was ordered to arrange and attest them. It is not improbable that ill health prevented him from completing this task, as we find his death announced January 12, 1678, coupled with the simple remark that, "his papers were in confusion."

From the foregoing and other facts that are preserved, it would appear that William Tom was about the most prominent, useful and trustworthy man among the settlers from the time of the coming of the English to his decease, that he enjoyed the confidence of Governors Nicholls, Lovelace and Andross, that his varied duties were performed with general satisfaction to settlers, Indians and officials, and we may safely infer that he did as much or more than any man in his day "towards the settlement and repose of the inhabitants" on both sides of the Delaware. It is no discredit to the name of Toms River that it should he derived from such a man.

In speaking of Capt. Tom's discovering Toms River, we do not refer to its original discovery, nor wish to convey the idea that he was the first white man who visited it. The stream was discovered by navigators fifty years before Capt. Tom came to America. They simply marked the stream on their charts without naming it. The fact that this river had been previously visited by the Dutch, was probably not known to Capt. Tom and the English in this day.