Salem County Historical Society
Genealogically Speaking...

Salem County Almshouse Death Records 1879-1926

  • Jun. 20—Lizzie Hewitt—Buried at Sharptown—25 yrs.
  • Jun. 25—Alexender Lancester—Col [no age]
  • Jul. 5—James Turpin—Buried at Alloway—70 yrs.
  • August 6, 1888=5 have died during the quarter
  • Aug. 25—John Miller—Buried Salem—62 yrs. [Obituary states he died August 16 and was 64 years old. National Standard, August 22, 1888.]
  • Aug. 30—Sallie Dickinson—[Buried] Canton—42 yrs.
  • Oct. 22—John Allen—Col—[Buried] Salem—65 yrs.
  • Oct. 30—Benj. (?Rempink)—60 yrs.
  • Sep. 29—Adam Nichols—[Buried] Alloway—71 yrs. [“Adam Nichols died Sept. 30, aged 78 years.” National Standard, ‘Alloway Jottings’ January 2, 1889.]
  • Nov. 3, 1888 - 5 have died during the quarter
  • Nov. 18—Bakin Ayers—75 yrs
  • Dec. 15—Ander Jackinson Newkirk—72 yrs. —[Buried] Daretown

1889 [Page 10]

  • Jan. 26—Anna Dodge—taking away [no age]
  • Feb. 18—George Parker—Co—taking away—74 yrs. [Died February 16, 1889. National Standard, February 20, 1889.]
  • Mar. 27—Henry Dobson—Co—taking away—104 yrs. [Died March 28, 1889 and 103 years old. National Standard, April 3, 1889.]
  • Apr. 26—Watsley Holms—68 yrs. [“Watsley Holmes, age about 64.” National Standard, May 22, 1889.]
  • Jun. 3—Anna Powell—38 yrs.
  • Jun. 10—John Hamilton—68 yrs.
  • Jun. 12—Rachel Fowell [Folwell]—78 yrs.
  • Dec 14—Deborah Dawson—84 yrs. [“Age about 79 years.” National Standard, December 25, 1889.]
  • Dec 19—John Dennelsbeck—taking—77 yrs.

1890

  • Jan. 5—George Caussey—Col—38 yrs.
  • Feb. 14—Henrietta Brown—95 yrs.
  • Mar. 18—Jane Ballenger—Taken away—65 yrs.
  • Jun. 27—Nansey [Nancy] Burns—104 yrs.
  • Jun. 31 [sic] —Mary Vanneman—90 yrs. [“…of Upper Penns Neck” Died June 30, 1890. National Standard, July 9, 1890.] To be continued

1887 [Page 8]

  • Feb. 26—Mary Kelley—60 yrs.
  • Mar. 12—Ellen Calahan—died takin away [no age]
  • Mar. 19—James Magill—82 yrs. [David Dickinson written in the date column, recorder?]
  • Apr. 22—Benjamin Clarke—80 yrs.
  • Jul. 3—Annie Brown—35 yrs.
  • Jul. 14—Daniel Hitchner—80 yrs. [“Daniel Hitchner was found dead in the road near the residence of Ebenezer Wright at what is known as the old Indian fields in Hell Neck by Robert Simons, on Thursday last morning. Thomas A. Maskell, Esq. on being notified, took charge of the remains and gave them a burial in Potter’s Field. Mr. Hitchner was about 72 years of age and had been for a number of years a pensioner of the county. About 3 weeks ago he was taken to the Alms House, but that institution being not conduced to his liking he packed his scanty wardrobe and procuring what few eatables there were at hand he started Tuesday for his old home, but was stricken with death while on his way.” Salem Sunbeam, July 22, 1887.]
  • Jul. 29—Henry—German—drowned—65 yrs. [“Drowned—Henry Myfort, a German, aged 68 years, in employ of Powell Smith, of Mannington, was drowned in the creek nearby on Friday last. Myfort and a boy went into the creek to bathe and getting beyond his depth and being unable to swim, was drowned. The boy rendered what assistance he could but was not able to save his companion.” Salem Sunbeam, August 5, 1887.]
  • Sep. 10—Frank Bond—Col [no age]
  • Sep. 16—John Wilmer—Col—takin away [no age]
  • Sep. 28—Margaret Casperson—75 yrs.

1888

  • Jan. 17—Martin Worth—74 yrs.
  • Jan. 18—Daniel Coones—Col—70 yrs.
  • Jan. 23—Jane Brown—20 yrs.
  • Feb. 16—Jefferson Ray—84 yrs.
    [Page 9]
  • Feb. 18—John Wiley—Col—72 yrs.
  • Mar. 13— Abner Crage—85 yrs. [Obituary states name as Abner Craig and a death date of March 12, 1888 and he was about age 72. National Standard, May 11, 1888.]
  • Apr. 18—John Lacy—70 yrs.
  • Apr. 28—John Johnson—74 yrs.
  • May 7 [18]88—5 have died during the quarter
  • May 10—Charles Hopkins—Col—75 yrs. [Obituary states he was formerly of Quinton and died May 11, about 72 years old. National Standard, May 16, 1888.]
  • Jun. 10—Henry Hess—72 yrs.

Manuscript #333 in the Society’s library is one of the Salem County Almshouse Record Books housed in the collection. This record book contains the names of deaths that occurred in the Almshouse between January 31, 1879 and March 3, 1926, and the births that occurred in the almshouse between July 13, 1891 and March 16, 1900.

The record gives the date of death, name and age of the deceased. In some entries the race, ethnicity and former residence of the deceased are noted. A phrase throughout is “taken or taking away” simply meaning the person was not buried in the almshouse cemetery. There are some entries that indicate the community in which the person was interred.

The names are transcribed as spelled in the record and appear in the order as listed. Questionable words and dates are enclosed in parentheses with a question mark; editorial additions or notes are in brackets.

Continued from Volume 49, No. 3, Fall 2004, page 38
Reproduction 18th-century Games

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