Gaslight News May 2008 Historical Society of Riverton vol. XXXVIII, no. 3 (#132)

Founded 1970 Riverton, NJ 08075 Incorporated 1978 Phonograph demo and presentation May 5th The Historical Society of Collection started Riverton will meet on Monday,

May 5th, 2008, at 7:30 PM for with flea market find a general meeting and free Mr. Lewis bought his first Victrola at a flea program in the Media Center market in 1995 and was intrigued with the of Riverton School at Fifth and machine‘s mechanics. His interest and Howard Streets. collection has grown considerably since then, and he now also repairs and sells Riverton resident and phono- phonographs. He owns more than a dozen graph collector Mark Lewis phonographs of different sizes and makes. will present an informative and He will demonstrate several types of entertaining program on the phonographs during the presentation, Edison phonograph, history and evolution of the particularly those of Edison, Victor, and c. 1898 phonograph, along with recordings from Columbia. http://tmbw.net/wiki/images/a/ a0/EdisonPhonograph.jpg the years 1895-1945. A hands-on program In this issue It started with the “Wizard” This will be a hands-on program - not only MAY PHONOGRAPH Join us to learn more about the first will attendees be able to listen to recordings PRESENTATION phonograph which was invented in 1877 on the old phonographs, they will get the - PRISCILLA TAYLOR 1 by Thomas Edison in Menlo Park, New opportunity to operate the machines. A MAJOR Jersey and Eldridge Johnson‘s Victor –PRISCILLA TAYLOR FEATURE Talking Machine Company which was ARTICLE, established in Camden in 1900. COMPLETE IN I I I THIS ISSUE LLOYD CARPENTER GRISCOM: Lloyd Carpenter Griscom - GERALD WEABER, JR. 1 “An American Diplomat of the New Type” GENEALOGY Riverton is the proud home to a number of Griscom‘s resig- AND INTERNET famous authors, artists, captains of industry nation from his SEARCHING: A BEGINNER’S and politicians. One of the most adventur- post as United GUIDE: PART TWO ous families from Riverton may well be the States Ambassa- - MRS. PATRICIA Griscom clan led by Clement Acton and dor to . At 2 SOLIN his son Lloyd Carpenter Griscom. Both the age of thirty- IF WALLS COULD father and son became two highly success- seven Ambassa- TALK Lloyd C. Griscom ful and colorful international characters of dor Griscom http://www.old-picture.com/american- - PRISCILLA TAYLOR 5 the early twentieth century. served with history-1900-1930s/Griscom-Lloyd.htm distinction in diplomatic posts in England, A REPORT ON Hugh Williard wrote―An American Diplo- THE MARCH Turkey, Persia, , and Italy. mat of the New Type‖ for Putnam‘s Maga- PRESENTATION: - JOHN zine in 1909 two months after Ambassador MCCORMICK 6 See GRISCOM on 4

② THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RIVERTON PART TWO OF A TWO PART ARTICLE BY Genealogy and Internet Searching: MRS. PATRICIA SOLIN A Beginner’s Guide: Part Two Former school librarian, current Vice President of One day, about ten years after we had Piecing the puzzle of family history the Riverton Free Library bought our home at 406 Main Street, I Association Board, and From the Bible records that were left with HSR member, Mrs. answered a knock at our door. There I the house, I saw that Virgil MD Marcy had Patricia Solin has been found a gentleman who introduced himself presented the book to Alexander Marcy, a Riverton resident with by pointing to the historic sign on our Jr. on February 7th, 1884. But Alexander her husband, Barry and home – Dr. Alexander Marcy, Jr. House. Marcy was listed as Junior, so who was four children for over 24 He said, ―That‘s me!‖ which certainly years. Here is the Virgil and what of Alexander Marcy, Sr.? second installment of confused me as Dr. Marcy had passed Could I find any other information about her debut article for the away some sixty years before. Then he their family roots? My Internet search Gaslight News. explained, ―Dr. Marcy was my grandfather, provided me with a great deal of informa- and I grew up in this house. My name is tion, the primary sources for this history. Alexander Marcy Crowell.‖ He said he Please visit the Gaslight News‘ website, was a sailor and didn‘t know when he‘d gaslightnews.homestead.com. where active next be in the area to see his childhood links will take you directly to the websites friends or his home again, so he asked if I listed in the column at the end on this PHOTO BY PAT SOLIN didn‘t mind if he looked around. Yes, I article. 406 Main Street - former invited him to tour his former home. Marcy family residence The family Bible and information from the and now home to the Solin An unexpected visitor reminisces property deed stated that Alexander Marcy family. and sparks the author’s curiosity (Jr.) (b. 1859) married Mary Ann Mecray Marcy, as he was called, walked among (b.1864), date unknown, but that date my four children‘s scattered toys, and could have been when the Bible was gifted reminisced about the house. I told him in 1884. Mary Ann and Alex had five that the snowmen that he and his brother children, with two of the boys dying at the had drawn still remains under the wall- age of five, and the third boy at the age of paper in our bedroom, along with the childish graffiti, ―A. Marcy is a dope!‖ He three. Two children, Hannah Mecray told me of their Victory Marcy and Marjorie Sumner Marcy Garden, and how wonder- married and lived to adulthood. The ful it was to grow up in younger sister, Marjorie, married James Riverton. I told him that Gardner Crowell, Jr. Marjorie and we felt the same, and were Hannah inherited the Riverton house glad that we shared his (from the deed) after their mother died in home. It was a great visit. 1928, followed by Alexander Marcy in Since that time I have 1934 (from their Bible). Gardner and wanted to learn more about the Marcy family, the origi- Marjorie purchased Hannah‘s share and nal caretakers of our home. had a family of two sons while at 406 Main Street. We purchased the home from Mr. In the previous issue of Crowell in 1983. The Gaslight News, I described my Internet Gardner Crowell shares search techniques and my delightful oral history Marcy family and friends attempt to find public domain articles Mr. Crowell provided some insight to the about Alexander Marcy, Jr. and his family. family when we purchased the house. We I found a wealth of information about the were delighted that he shared a brief oral family and was able to construct a small but history about our house while touring each interesting insight to their history. of the rooms. For example, he mentioned

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RIVERTON ③ that a second floor balcony facing the marriage and U.S Census Records, which South side of the house was warm enough, can be highly reliable. It showed that Virgil even in winter, to be used by ―the girls‖ to M.D. Marcy was born Jan. 5, 1823 in Cold dry their hair. (He had converted it to a Spring NJ, whose father was Samuel S. bathroom). Just below that balcony was a Marcy, who was born in CT. Virgil, 26, wrap-around porch with a side entrance. married Mary Jane Bennett, 22 on Nov. Patients were to enter a waiting room that 19, 1848 in Cape May, NJ. Also listed was would be closed off from the house by their son, Alexander Marcy, born in 1859 pocket doors. This room was adjacent to in NJ (from 1880 U.S. Census), with Virgil Mr. Crowell‘s music room, where he had a being the head of the household. Virgil, 57 baby grand piano. However, Dr. Marcy was listed as being an allopathic physician had used that first floor turret room as his in Cape May. exam room. The call bell for ―next patient‖ remains on the wall. When Dr. To recap:  Samuel S. Marcy, born in CT, had a Marcy was able to afford it, he purchased The call bell for ―next the house next door, which became his son named Virgil. patient‖ remains on the clinic. The call bell, conveniently located  Virgil was born in 1823, was a doctor wall. ... The call bell… was on the floor under the carpet near where and married in 1848, Mary J. Bennett used to call for the ―Trusty the lady of the house would sit in the din- Servant‖ whose room was (b.1826). up the back stairs on the ing room, was used to call for the ―Trusty  Alexander, born in 1859, was a medical third floor, signified by a Servant‖ whose room was up the back student in 1880, living in Virgil Marcy‘s charming door knocker. stairs on the third floor, signified by a No, neither the bell nor the household. –This man was the previous trusty servant is currently in charming door knocker. No, neither the owner of our home! bell nor the trusty servant is currently in working order! working order! Now the timeline seems to get compli- cated, but interesting! At the same website Not only are oral histories one benefit of as above, another Alexander Marcy was being able to purchase a house from a long listed in 1878 as living in Camden at age 42 -time owner, but also the serendipity of and born in 1838, whose mother and finding ―lost‖ objects around the property. father were born in NJ. The New Jersey Over the years we have found old medi- Archives & Records Management NJARM, Virgil Marcy presented the cine bottles in the yard, a piece of stained Archives Collection Guides, found that a glass still edged in lead, an old sword, family Bible to Alexander medical certificate was issued to Alexander Marcy. Jr. on February 7th, pottery, a china toy, and even a delicate Marcy of Camden County, granted by the 1884. piece of a greeting card that had fallen Medical Society of NJ on January 27th, behind a fireplace mantel. These are just 1863. He, like Alexander, Jr. appears to a sample of our ―buried treasures.‖ be a doctor and practicing in the same After moving to The Evergreens in area, but a generation apart. Moorestown, Mr. Crowell passed in the  There‘s another Alexander Marcy who spring of 1986. was born in 1838, based upon the 1880 U.S. Census, in addition to Alexander Typical family records available ―Jr.‖ (b.1859). So what of the history of their families? What can we learn that is readily already  Alexander Marcy lived in Camden in on the Internet and available in public 1880; no profession listed at the age of records? 42, but had received his medical certifi- cate in 1863 at age 25. J. Gardner Crowell The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter  The RootsWeb site states that Alexan- discussed the upcoming Day Saints had excellent records about the der Marcy married Hanna(h) Ann 1976 Bicentennial with a family. These dates and names are from reporter in his living room at See GENEALOGY on 7 406 Main St.

④ THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RIVERTON from 1 Mr. Gerald Weaber, GRISCOM trip‘ to Central and South America. The past vice president of Griscom named trio‘s journey to South America began early the Historical Society of in the year of 1895 without a set itinerary Riverton, former editor ―Envoy Extraordinary and the Gaslight News, and Minister Plenipotentiary‖ and took them down rivers rarely traveled by Americans in the late 19th century. the webmaster of our Born in Riverton to an international ship- Web site, has again written a piece which ping magnate, Clement Acton Griscom, Davis tells a colorful story of their trip sail- will surely give readers Lloyd excelled in solving complex foreign ing from New Orleans, ―...bent on having a new appreciation of our trade disputes in the many diplomatic posts good time, and as many adventures as pos- rich cultural past. he served from 1899 to 1909. Lloyd C. sible.‖ One letter describes the Governor Griscom, as the Envoy Extraordinary and of Belize lending the three men boats to Minister Plenipotentiary to Japan, resolved explore the river region. a diplomatic incident created by American author and war correspondent Jack ―We struck a beautiful place today called London in 1904. London wrote several Livingston where we went ashore and pho- novels set during the 1897 Klondike gold tographed the army in which there was no rush including The Call of the Wild in boy older than eighteen and most of them ―Griscom is more under ten. It was quite like Africa, the aggravatingly 1903 andWhite Fang in 1906, among countless other books and short stories. homes were all thatched and the children leisurely but he all naked and the women mostly so. We has a most Assists author Jack London took lots of photographs and got on most audacious Griscom‘s close friend, Richard Harding excellently with the natives who thought we humor and talks Davis, a author, playwright were as funny as we thought them… and fellow adventurer, asked Griscom to Griscom is more aggravatingly leisurely but to the natives in negotiate with the Japanese government he has a most audacious humor and talks a way that fills after the arrest of Jack London who was to the natives in a way that fills them with them with arrested several times for taking photo- pleasure…‖ graphs of military operations. Japan was pleasure…‖ Davis remarked after sailing home from mobilizing for war with Russia and they Three Gringos in Venezuela, ―...there is not much more to believed London to be a Russian spy. By Venezuela by Richard tell except that I was never so glad to set Harding Davis means of his razor sharp logic Mr. my face home as I am now and even the Griscom capably negotiated a favorable roughness of this trip cannot squelch my resolution to the confiscation of Mr. joy. It seems to me as if years had passed London‘s camera. A humorous account of since we left and to think we are only three the Jack London incident is posted on the days off from Sandy Hook seems much historical society web site. too wonderfully good to be possible. Some Three Gringos in Venezuela day when we have dined alone together at A very personal glimpse into the life Laurent's I will tell you the long story of and character of Lloyd C. how Somers and Gris came to be deco- Griscom is available on the rated with the Order of the Bust of Bolivar internet site of the University the Liberator of Venezuela of the 4th of Virginia Library in the class…‖ letter collection, Adventures The South American exploits of Davis, and Letters of Richard Griscom and Somerset were published by Harding Davis, 1864-1916. Harper Brothers in 1896 titled "Three Mr. Davis chronicled his Gringos in Venezuela" as an illustrated adventures with his friends, account of a journey through Venezuela, Somers Somerset and Lloyd Richard Harding Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras and British C. Griscom, on a ‗leisurely Davis www.spartacus.schooln Honduras. et.co.uk/Jharding.htm See GRISCOM on 7

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RIVERTON ⑤

Priscilla Taylor, If Walls Could Talk President of the HSR, writes that this is the If your Riverton walls could talk, what I was thrilled to see a beautiful cursive last Gaslight issue until would they say? In many of our historic signature emerge beneath the paste - September. If you need houses, it seems that the walls hold vol- ―H. C. Ness, Paperhanger, 1908‖. to reach her over the umes of kept secrets - some that can help summer, she can be determine the date of our homes. I did a deed search on this house as well - found on the baseball Mr. Ness‘s signature helped to determine fields cheering on her When I purchased my first Riverton house when a structure first occupied my prop- freshman son. a few decades ago, we were eager to change erty. A search through Riverton‘s census of the home‘s décor to suit our tastes. The 1900 and 1910, however, turned up nary a previous owners had spent a good quarter mention of Mr. Ness. Although his per- century making improvements and were sonal residence remains a mystery, his rightly proud of their home. As newlyweds, talents as a paperhanger were in a demand however, we were anxious to update the as other Riverton homeowners have re- color scheme. ported finding his signature on their walls. With Thanksgiving approaching, our Earlier this year, I received a phone call decorating plan had a real deadline. Our from one of our members who purchased moment of truth came under the guise of a the residence of Professor Charles Cleve- Coddington's paint and wallpaper business, Riverton, rented wallpaper steamer. We took off land, one of the founders of Riverton. The circa 1920's. Could Mr. H. C. yards and yards of wallpaper in the kitchen house has an interesting history as it was Ness, paperhanger, be in this photo? and hall and were exhausted by the time moved from its original location on Bank we reached the dining room. But what to Avenue to its present site on Penn Street. our wallpaper weary eyes appeared but a scattering of signatures on the bare The new owner and his plastered wall! wife were in the process of taking down old wall- We were surprised and elated to find three paper when they were sets of hand-scrolled and dated signatures - surprised by what lay the earliest indicated 1925. We quickly underneath: a full-scale surmised that the signatures could belong drawing complete with to former owners of our dear house as the names and dates. Putting most recent signature was that of the per- the pieces of this puzzle son from whom we purchased the house. together fortunately was A deed search conducted later confirmed easy as HSR board our guess as the house was constructed, member Elsie Wright Hidden wall art discovered by purchased and occupied in 1925 - by one Waters grew up in the house. Elsie believes Mr. & Mrs. Ron Cesaretti, of the people whose signature appeared on that her mother, artist Lenore Wright current owners of Professor our dining room wall. (b.1885), drew the illustrations. Lenore‘s Charles Cleveland's house brother was Arthur Wright. The Wright Since we planned to use new wallpaper family moved into the house in 1888. on the wall, our decision regarding what to do about the signatures was easy - we So, there are secrets to the past in our old added our own scripts to the wall with our Riverton houses. Some are still waiting to purchase date, took pictures of the be discovered. The credo is not buyer signatures, and hung the new paper. beware, but buyer be aware! If you have a mystery on your Riverton walls, we‘d like Years later, after selling that house, my to hear about it. If you make a discovery, second Riverton house provided another please take a picture of your finding. discovery of delight. After steaming away layers of wallpaper in the master bedroom, –PRISCILLA TAYLOR

⑥ THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RIVERTON McDermott's Handy and Irish dancers get a hand from an appreciative crowd On March 17th the talented Kathy DeAngelo and PHOTO BY C. CARUSO Dennis Gormley collaborated with their daughter Emma, other musicians, and two spirited Irish dancers to deliver a St. Patrick‘s Day feast for the eyes and ears to those at- tending the free program at the Porch Club. –JMC –JMC Other PHOTO BY C. CARUSO treats Thank you to included Mr. C. Caruso Mrs. for generously Phyllis providing photo Rodgers’ coverage. famous PHOTO BY C. CARUSO scones. on the 3rd floor of Ray Banks‘ Barbershop, or what is Riverton reminisces now Zena‘s. His brother Paul kept a pony in the garage PHOTO BY GERALD WEABER Several readers pointed out that facing the alleyway called Church Lane. before Dr. Marcy occupied the Mr. McDermott finishes, ―When my grandmother left home now occupied by Mrs. the maternity home she came to live with my family at Patricia Solin, Dr. Rodgers 729 Cinnaminson St. in Riverton, also known as Irish treated patients from the clinic Row. We were very happy to have Grandmom living located next door at 408 Main. 408 Main St. with us. She was a great lady I can still taste her peanut Mr. Carl McDermott writes, ―...the article brought brittle, cookies, and homemade bread. God Bless her. memories of my own family.‖ He explains that he is Also, my Grandmother and Grandfather McDermott the youngest grandson of Rachael Rieger— his mother‘s lived at 721 Cinnaminson St. Couldn‘t have it any mother. In 1927 she and Dr. Rodgers had a maternity better. Carl Thomas McDermott—born at 721 home at 408 Main St. The entire 2nd floor was the Cinnaminsion St. 86 years ago.‖ maternity floor— one private room and a 3 bed mater- Mr. Norman Harris recalls that his father only earned nity room. There was also a delivery room and baby $5/week cutting down trees for an arborist and that room. Dr. Rodgers' office was on the first floor. Dr. Rogers treated them for allergies which they ―My mother and father, two brothers (Bill and Paul bartered to pay for with squabs that his father raised [Pudgie]) and myself moved in with my grandmother from his homing pigeons and rollers. Norman‘s around 1928. We had a private back steps to the 3rd brother, William, explains that his family had lost its floor off the kitchen and dining room. There was coal business during the Depression. The pigeon plenty of room and Grandmom was happy about it all, squabs were a delicacy that his mother prepared for now that she had my mother‘s help with the all of the the good doctor‘s dinner table. Rollers, however, are chores of a maternity home.‖ bred to fly like homing pigeons, except that they can spin and rotate in flight. The Harris Clan also had a He recalls that some of the babies born there were manure business at one point—no wisecracks out there! Harry Richard, the Farrell twins, and Harry Watson. Mr. McDermott‘s mother was also a hardworking Sounds like Carl and the Harris brothers have a few woman who was one of the first telephone operators in more stories to be told. The HSR invites you to share Riverton. The telephone office and the exchange was yours. - JMC

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RIVERTON ⑦ GRISCOM from 4 Navigation Company which included the The Griscom Family Tree rooted Red Star Line, owner of the infamous to the movers and shakers Titanic, and the long-established Inman Line. He contributed to the design of two The Griscom family tree is replete with of the world‘s largest and finest ships of the American leaders and adventurers. period- the and Paris steam Clement Acton and his son Lloyd ships. Lloyd‘s father was a director of the Carpenter Griscom descended from Pennsylvania Railroad, the Bank of North Andrew Griscom, a prominent Philadel- America and a member of the Union phia physician who came to America in League of Philadelphia. 1680 and purchased land located in South Camden. Andrew became an associate of Frank Furness designed Lower William Penn, the founder of Pennsyl- Merion family estate vania. Dr. Griscom‘s mother was Margaret Clement Acton, from Salem, New Jersey who was Acton descended from Thomas Lloyd, Deputy Griscom Governor and president of the council of Mother and Daughter (Mrs. and his Clement Acton Griscom, the colony of Pennsylvania in the late immediate 1850-1925, and Frances C. seventeenth century. family Griscom) Mrs. Clement, lived at his seen here, was known as Lloyd Griscom’s Frances Canby Biddle be- Dolobran- Lower Merion, PA home of estate, fore marrying. Daughter father connected Clement Acton Griscom Dolobran - Frances "Pansy" was her http://www.lowermerionhistory.org/photodb/web/ to shipping, html2/238-1.html designed mother's namesake and is banking, railroads by here in the process of be- flamboyant Philadelphia architect Frank coming a renowned female Lloyd‘s father Clement golfer. Furness, located in Lower Merion near Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Acton Griscom Haverford College in Pennsylvania. married Frances Canby Biddle during the early Lloyd C. Griscom married Elizabeth Clement Acton Griscom http:// years of the American Duer Bronson in 1901 at a wedding www.lowermerionhistory.org/ Civil War. Frances photodb/full/238-2.jpg in St. Margaret‘s Church in London Canby Biddle was the located between Westminster Abbey daughter of William C. & Rachel M. and the Houses of Parliament. His Biddle of Philadelphia. The Griscom‘s five sister Frances Canby was a bridesmaid children included Helen Biddle, Clement and Charles Crichton was Lloyd‘s best Acton, Jr., Rodman Ellison, Frances man. The strong bond and devotion Canby, and Lloyd Carpenter born in River- Lloyd had for his sister Frances ton in November of 1872. Lloyd‘s brother, endured throughout his life. Clement Acton, Jr., became manager of the American Line of steam ships and Lloyd C. Griscom passed the bar Lloyd C. Griscom and wife, married the daughter of General William exam to make asst. NYC D.A. only to Elizabeth Griscom http://www.old-picture.com/american Ludlow. Ludlow was on the staff of Major join Spanish-American War fight -history-1900-1930s/Griscom-Lloyd- wife-.htm General William T. Sherman in both the Griscom‘s diplomatic career began in 1893 March to the Sea and the Carolinas as a secretary to the U.S. Ambassador to Campaign during the American Civil War. the Court of St. James in London. His Clement Acton Griscom was born in 1841 desire for adventure and to study law and by 1888 he became one of the leading brought him home in 1894. Within a year shipping merchants in the . Griscom undertook his famous ‗Three He was President of the International Gringoes in Venezuela‘ tour of South America and upon his return entered law

⑧ THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RIVERTON school. He graduated from New York Law General John J. Pershing. He received the School and passed the bar exam in 1896. Distinguished Service Medal and was made The very next year Lloyd C. Griscom was Knight Commander of St. Michael and hired as an assistant district attorney by the St. George by Britain in 1919. City of New York at a salary of $2,000 per year. His legal career as a district attorney A New York Times article reported that http://www.centennialofflight.gov/ Lloyd C. Griscom was in a very grave wbh/loc_wb_pdf/pdf_files/1909- was brief as his next adventure took him to CF.pdf condition in Bryn Mawr Hospital following Lloyd C. Griscom, while Cuba to fight in the Spanish-American War. stomach surgery on April 2nd, 1912. A American ambassador to year later Griscom joined other noteworthy Italy, was passenger with Wilbur Wright on an 8 min- In the early twentieth century the United Americans like Mrs. William K. Vander- ute flight at Centocelle Field States was a rising imperialist superpower bilt, Jr., F. Ambrose Clark, and Frank N. near . http:// and Lloyd C. Griscom served his country Doubleday in building homes and trans- history.nasa.gov/monograph32.pdf as both soldier and diplomat. He enlisted forming the North Shore of in the Spanish-American War and served into the finest country estate section in the on the staff of Major General James F. United States. Wade in Cuba. During the same period Griscom‘s Philadelphia friend, Richard Lloyd C. Griscom—the newspaper Harding Davis, worked in Cuba as a war publisher and author correspondent for the New York Herald. Griscom regained his health and embarked The bold and romantic reporting style on a successful career in publishing before Davis employed helped to make Theodore his death in 1959. He owned several New Roosevelt and his "Rough Riders" volunteer York newspapers including The Nassau regiment a popular legend in America. Daily Star, the Great Neck Record and the Oyster Bay Pilot and later he served in Griscom a diplomat and Florida as the chairman of the Tallahassee ambassador, a decorated WWI Democrat. He authored several books soldier, and knighted by Britain including Tenth Avenue and published his When the autobiography, Diplomatically Speaking, war ended in 1940. Griscom headline above his declined a obituary in February of 1959 read, ―Lloyd military C. Griscom, Publisher, 86, Dies,‖ and promotion described the prominent Riverton resident and as a diplomat, lawyer, soldier, author and accepted publisher. He remained close to his sister, an ap- Miss Frances Griscom, whom he visited in pointment a Georgia hospital the day he suffered a from stroke and died. At the time of his death President he had two principle residences, the Luna McKinley ―Minister Griscom’s Plantation outside Tallahassee and in Garden Party‖ 1905 as the Secretary of the Legation at Constan- Syosset, New York. Dolobran Lower Merion, PA tinople. He went on to serve as a diplomat to Persia and later in Japan from 1902 to –GERALD WEABER 1905, then on to Brazil until his final ap- pointment as Ambassador to Italy in 1907. Griscom served his country again during World War I in France as a major of the 77th Division and later as a liaison officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel under

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RIVERTON ⑨ Free Internet resources may have ―For a complete history, you will genealogy application for you need to visit GENEALOGY from 3 Nov. 22, 1894, according to the Times, Dr. places, people, and libraries to Macray (b. Sept. 29, 1837) –note Marcy treated a servant girl who had tried variation on her last name -- on Aug. 24, to murder a child by fire here in Riverton. find the full story, 1861. They had two children, John W. The Marcys were travelers! At Ellis Island, but the Internet is Marcy (May 24, 1862) and Mary Ann Free Post of New York Passenger Records a great start. Macray Marcy (Jan. 8, 1864). This Mary Search, while searching for the last name, - Mrs. Patricia Solin Ann Mecray married Alexander Marcy, Marcy, I found records for Alexander, Jr. Their first daughter was named Mary M., Hannah, Marjorie and Virgil Helpful Websites Hannah Mecray Marcy after Mary Marcy, among others. They took ships to Ann‘s mother. Quebec, Cherbourg, Southampton, and for this Project Nassau. Search engine, Google Then I discovered yet another Dr. Marcy at www.google.com of South Jersey; Dr. Frederick Williamson The Genealogical Society of New Jersey‘s Marcy from DVPB, The Delaware Valley website lists Bible and family records, Centennial Register, Rhythm & Blues Society, Inc., a nonprofit housed at Special Collections and Roll of Ancestors at organization that researches local history. University Archives, Alexander Library, www.amrev.org Dr. F. W. Marcy, born in 1865 was ―the Rutgers University in New Brunswick. eighth of nine children born to Dr. Virgil The Church of Jesus I was pleased to find Record # 4671, a Christ of the Latter Day Maro Dow Marcy and his wife, the former copy of the records that I had sent to the Saints at Mary Bennett.‖ The site lists the children NJ State Library in 1983! www.familysearch.org in Cape May at that time as: Samuel, Alexander, Sarah, Alvin and Frederick W., Many book and medical periodical articles DVRB: The Delaware along with three siblings who died in attributed to Alexander Marcy and Valley Rhythm & Blues childhood. It states that Frederick‘s uncle, Alexander Marcy, Jr. are now digitalized Society, Inc. at Dr. Alexander Marcy, worked at The and available for free on the Internet. www.dvrbs.com Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ. Their topics included obstetrics, the need to exclude ―very nervous‖ children from Ellis Island, Free Post of The Centennial Register, Roll of Ancestors school (as noted in Health and Medical New York Passenger states Reuben Marcy, Sr. (1732-1896) Inspection of School Children 1912), the Records Search at served in the American Revolution as a treatment of intestinal perforation during www.ellisisland.org Lieut., 5th Co., 3rd Regt., 1775; Captain typhoid fever in the Journal of the The Genealogical Soci- 4th Co., 6th Battn., Colchester, 1776; CT American Medical Association (1901), ety of New Jersey at Militia. Alexander Marcy, Jr. is listed as a the surgical treatment of movable kidney, www.gsnj.org descendent. Notice: Alex and Mary Ann mosquitoes and health, and other health Marcy‘s fifth child was named Reuben. related issues of that time in history. New Jersey Archives & Alex‘s grandfather, Samuel, was born in Records Management Connecticut. With diligence and simple search NJARM, Archives Collec- techniques, one can find a wealth of tion Guides at The New York Times had several articles: information on the Internet. Be aware www.njarchives.org November 10, 1901 lists Mrs. Alexander that not all Internet sites are created Marcy of Riverton as Corresponding equally; some websites rely on verifiable The New York Times at Secretary to the New Jersey Congress of information and others on speculation. www.nytimes.com

Mothers; another from April 14, 1915, For a complete history, you will need to with Alexander Marcy, Jr. of Riverton as Roots Web: Finding our visit places, people, and libraries to find the Roots Together at being reappointed to the State Board of full story, but the Internet is a great start. www.rootsweb.com Medical Examiners by Gov. Fielder. On –MRS. PATRICIA SOLIN ⑩T HE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RIVERTON Post Office Box # 112 Riverton, NJ 08077 856-786-6961

C. 1920 IMAGE SCAN FROM ED GILMORE

Riverton Grammar School Foot Ball Team 1911 (as copied from the original by Wm. Henry Harris) BACK ROW 1. Tippy Pippinger 2. George M. Harris, Jr. 3. ? 4. Francis Cole 5. Leon W. Harris 6. David Kern 7. George Corner 8. Dunbar Hylton Principal Jygmeat (?) S. Seymel MIDDLE ROW 9. Frank Betz 10. Brud Clelland 11. Skeets McIlhenny Readers: 12. Gardner Crowell The HSR would like to gratefully acknowledge several gifts of items of historical value 13. Russell Hylton from individuals. From Mr. Ed Gilmore—several back issues of Gaslight News, vintage FRONT ROW Riverton advertising merchandise, and a Riverton School ledger. From Mrs. Nancy 14. Dewey Smith Washington—assorted RYC ephemera. From Mr. and Mrs. Gino Mori—a church 15. Ezra Lloyd bulletin and vintage July 4th ephemera. 16. Reds McIlhenny 17. Robert Hullings Do you have any pre-1950 photos, postcards, maps, ephemera, or recollections 18. George Steedle to share which you would allow to be highlighted in an upcoming issue or a future program? Please contact Mr. McCormick directly in order to make arrangements. 856-764-1551 [email protected] Gaslight News Photo courtesy of Mr. William H. Harris is a publication of the Historical Society of Riverton, and is published five times per year.  THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF RIVERTON Post Office Box # 112 Riverton, NJ 08077 856-786-6961 Priscilla Taylor President

Pat Brunker Vice President Nancy Washington Secretary Paul Daly Treasurer Bob Bednarek Membership Gerald Weaber, Jr. Website Aggie Kennedy Archivist John McCormick Editor E-mail: [email protected] www.gaslightnews.homestead.com