ISLAND HEIGHTS.
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Island Heights, near Toms River, was selected for a Summer resort by Rev. Dr. Graw, who conceived the notion that a camp ground near the sea ought to be found somewhere in this section. Being Presiding Elder, he traveled along shore looking for a favorable spot. At length he noticed what was formerly known as Dillon's Island; the location pleased him and he invited a few ministers and laymen to go with him and examine the site. All were pleased. He proposed that 25 or 30 persons unite as stockholders, buy the tract and proceed to develop it for the purpose of a camp meeting ground and Summer resort. His plan was agreed to, the land purchased and the company incorporated July 1, 1878. The directors chosen were: J. B. Graw, S. Vansant, G. H. Morris. C. E. Hendrickson and J. G. Gowdy. Rev. Dr. J. B. Graw was chosen President, W. W. Moffett, Vice President; G. R. Morris, Secretary, S. Vansant, Treasurer, and John Simpson, Superintendent. The certificate of incorporation, dated July 1, 1878, was filed July 2, 1878. Capital, $9,000; shares, $50. The Rev. J. B. Graw took 102 shares, amounting to $5,100, and the following subscribers six shares of $300 each: Chas. E. Hendrickson, Mount Holly; G. K. Morris. Mount Holly; Geo. B. Wight, Camden; Samuel Vansant, Toms River; Geo. L. Dobbins, Bridgeton; Joshua Jeffries, Camden; Annanias Lawrence, Millville, George Reed, Absecon; Ralph B. Gowdy, Toms River; Jas. G. Gowdy, Toms River; David H. Schock, Millville; Geo. H. Neal, Gloucester City; James M. Cassidy, Camden; amounting in all to $9,000.

At this time there were 172 acres in the tract proper, 154 acres bought of Mrs. A. S. Brinley and 18 acres of the Westray estate. Work was commenced at once; underbrush removed from about ten acres; two avenues partly opened; a pavilion built; seats arranged for camp ground; thirty camp meeting cottages erected and a hotel commenced; a wharf erected, and yachts and hacks chartered to take visitors to and fro. In August a camp meeting was held; on the 20th of August one hundred lots were sold, bringing $10,000, all of which went for improvements.

The Pennsylvania Railroad built a branch from their main line from Camden to Seaside Park to Island Heights in the Summer of 1883.

Island Heights takes its name from two sources; it originally was an island and vessels once sailed through a channel which existed on the north side. It is situated by a steep bluff sixty feet above the river. It was originally known as Dr. Johnson's island, being included in the patent granted to him in 1680. The next century it was known as Dillon's island, so called before the Revolution, probably for James Dillon, a somewhat prominent man about Toms River. It came into possession of John Imlay of Allentown, who, in 1794, sold it to Isaac Gulick. In 1797 Isaac Gulick and wife Abigail sold it to Abraham and George Parker. In 1799 they sold it to Abel Middleton of Upper Freehold.

A saw-mill was built on the stream from Long swamp, which in 1760 and thereabouts, was known as Jacob Jacobs' saw-mill.

Tradition says that during the Revolution Indian Tom had his wigwam on what is now Island Heights.

At the time of the whites first coming to this part of New Jersey, the vicinity of Island Heights was a resort for the Indians and they left behind them a memento which was noted among the whites for perhaps a century. This was the resemblance of the face of some large creature on the south side of a huge whiteoak which was two feet in diameter, cut by the Indians; the tree was also marked on other sides. The location of this tree is thus described in a survey for 189 acres, to Ebenezer Applegate, made in 1750; his beginning corner is described as "one chain northeast from Dr. Johnson's Long Swamp, the stream whereof runs into Toms River at the end of Dr. Johnson's Island, beginning at a whiteoak near two feet through, marked in several places and on the south side with the resemblance of the face of some large creature, supposed to have been done formerly by the Indians."

This whiteoak must have stood near the north-west corner of the island. This tree is referred to as late as 1793, in a survey of Kenneth Hankinson and Matthew Howell.

If this curious face was made with reference to the religious belief and worship of the Indians, as it probably was, it is suggestive of the great contrast between the worship at Island Heights now and at the same place two centuries ago.

The capital of the Island Heights Association was increased in April, 1880, when $21,000 was added to the original amount.

The Island Heights Hotel Association was incorporated January 19, 1888. Capital $50,000. Incorporators, Thomas D. Dilkes, Mary Tudor, William F. Lodge, John F. Vogle, Jr., and Howard D. Vansant.

The corner-stone of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Island Heights was laid August 29, 1882. The ceremonies were conducted by Rev. J. B. Graw, assisted by Revs. A. Lawrence, S. Thackera, J. O'Hara and John Simpson.

The church was dedicated August 17, 1884. Rev. W. W. Moffit, presiding elder, preached the sermon, Rev. Joseph Sawn was the pastor.

The edifice was thirty by fifty feet, surmounted by a cupola. It seated three hundred persons and the Sunday School room attached, seated one hundred.