Moorestown Old & New: A Local Sketch

by James C. Purdy

Moorestown Old and New is an entertaining and informative story of Moorestown, New Jersey's early development as a community. It tells of the growth of the township, the history and genealogy of early residents, and of events related to Revolutionary days. Old houses and landmarks are described in detail. It also tells of the "lost village" of Colestown, anecdotes of stage-coach days, and the era of early railroad transportation. The origins of local religious groups, schools, and the establishment of the post office and newspaper are described. One chapter contains two complete deeds, dated 1695 and 1766, which illustrated how our present-day procedures for recording the sale of property are rooted in the centuries-old legal forms. Smith-Cadbury Mansion is the property and headquarters of the Historical Society of Moorestown. Its important role in Moorestown's history is chronicled in four chapters. The "Chester Township" chapter by Clayton Lippincott has been included to give historians, scholars, and interested readers a more complete picture of the residents of Moorestown who lived during the periods included in Purdy's Moorestown Old and New. Two maps and an index to the complete work are also included in the book. One map, drafted in 1876, encompasses the entire area of Chester Township, showing the names of the residents within the boundaries. The other map, drawn by M.O. Love in 1885, is limited to the "center of town," listing home owners for that year. The index will allow genealogists and others to refer to specific events, locations, and persons mentioned in the text.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 3, 2002

About the author

James C. Purdy (1837-1904)

Reviews

[Edward Janes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of several books on Moorestown I've recently read; this by Purdy covers more than the others the experience of Black life in the town in its early years. Of note, his important discussion is oddly parked in a chapter titled "A Dish of Old Gossip".

More generally Purdy's writing is maintains interest and well anecdotally documented though he lived in town only a few years at the time he constructed this piece. Learned a lot from this late 19th century perspective.