w, ich they in noctory begaŭ to at high water--by & T m. qua lues, for many years were knɔwa resj re tively as "London" and "York" bridges. The latter was situated in what is now the extension of Federal Street. There is no authentic record of its construction or appearance. Over it passed the road leading to Amboy and New York, and it remained in service until about 1800, when it was superseded by a solid causeway. London bridge was a substantial piece of stone masonry, with a wide arch, on the main road to Salem and the southern settlements. The year of its construction is not known, but it was standing in 1700, and was probably built between 1680 and 1690. There is no tradition of any previous structure on the site. In 1856 it was widened some feet to accommodate the increased travel, and then was to all appearances as solid as on the day it was built. In 1867, however, the banks of the Silver Lakes, a series of artificial ponds for milling purposes, about a mile to the southward, covering some two hundred acres, suddenly gave way, owing to longcontinued rains, and a sweeping torrent poured down toward the river. The opening of the bridge being quite inadequate to the sudden demand upon it, the foundations were quickly undermined, and a few hours sufficed for its complete destruction. This old landmark has been replaced by a wooden bridge of no pretension to picturesqueness, but the spot is still known as "London Bridge" to every urchin of the neighborhood who dangles his fishing line in the stream. A. M. G. FRIENDS IN BURLINGTON. BY AMELIA MOTT GUMMERE. (Continued from Vol. VII., page 376.) V. "The very garments of a Quaker seem incapable of receiving a soil; and cleanliness in them to be something more than the absence of its contrary. Every Quakeress is a Lily: and when they come up in bands to their Whitsun conferences, whitening the easterly streets of the Metropolis, from all parts of the United Kingdom, they show like troops of the Shining Ones."-LAMB. On the quiet evening of almost any summer's day one might have strolled down the main street of Burlington and seen many of these Quaker "Lilies" presiding at the teatable, which, according to the custom of that early day, was spread on the front piazza, if, indeed, the house boasted porch or stoop, and, wanting that, beneath some shade tree before the door. How must we mourn the death of that ancient, hospitable custom; when the "Lord of the Manor," as well as the most humble householder in town, sat in the open air, chatting with his neighbor, as each sipped his English tea, over which, as yet, no Boston parties had been held. Then they did not slink into dingy, back, north-side dining-rooms, and turn away the beggar from the door; but one could even run across the way at tea-time and exchange a bit of gossip, which only needed the stimulus of the mistress's voice to set it going down the street; and few souls, at that hour at least, could go hungry away from the door. True, there may have been some inconveniences about all this; but we cling with a certain loving reverence and fond indulgence to the manners and customs of our ancestors. Burlington by this time had changed its aspect, and begun to wear an air of prosperity and comfort. The grassy streets were now broad, well-trodden highways; large mansions of stone and brick had supplanted the early log huts of a halfcentury before; and the merchants of the place were sending vessels those of four hundred tons burden being ample ships in those days-to the West Indies, with which our ancestors at one period drove a lively trade. Owing, of course, to the utter separation of the colony during its early years from all outside interests, there were many intermarriages among the people. Many of these old Burlington. families are still on their native ground, though dwindling gradually away with the lapse of time. Among the old family mansions, with which Burlingtonians are familiar, is that built by Daniel Smith (whose name has already appeared in these pages) early in the eighteenth century, at the corner of Broad and High streets, now transformed into a store. The initials of Daniel and his wife Mary are in the gable end of the house [DM] with date 1733, which we are told by one of the family is an error, the actual date being much earlier. It is, very likely, a bungling restoration of 1703. The residence of Samuel Jennings at "Green Hill," three and a half miles out of town, also remains, being now used as a farm-house. His initials are cut on one of the doors. The house of Nathaniel Coleman, silversmith, on High Street, was altered in 1865. The weather-vane, which was then taken down, bore date 1722, and is now in possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The house on the corner of High and Union streets, occupied by the late William J. Allinson, is another old building, as the date (1731) on the gable testifies. Just opposite stood (until 1840) the old market-house in the middle of Union Street, built in 1794. M. In regard, however, to the meeting in Burlington, we must allow the minutes to tell their own story. No one is now living who can cast any light on the causes or effects of the meeting's action, beyond what we learn from their statements. There were no very stirring events at this time. In 6 mo. of 1738 a committee was appointed to "get the meeting-house repaired, and also get the horse-block repaired with a new one." 5th of 9 mo. 1739. "A motion being made that a lot of land in this town adjoining the burying-ground, belonging to Simon Smith, is to be sold, therefore this meeting appoints Ebenezer Large, Richard Smith, Sen., and Richard Smith, Junr., to inquire concerning the price, and likewise into this meeting's stock, to see if money can be spared to purchase the same, and report to next meeting." 3 of 10th mo. 1739. "The affair relating to the lot of land belonging to Simon Smith being resumed, the friends appointed to treat with Simon's attorney report, that they have treated with him about it, and have brought him to such terms as this meeting approves of, viz. as to the price of £37, and the same three Friends are desired to get it accomplished, and to get a deed made for it, to Richard Smith, Junr., Danl. Smith, Junr., Robert Smith, Joshua Raper, Joshua Barker, and Joseph Burr, in behalf of this Meeting, and the money to be paid out of this meeting's stock." 7 of 2 mo. 1740. As Richard Smith and Thomas Scattergood were formerly appointed to take care of the meetinghouse fences in Burlington, that appointment is now revived, and the said friends are desired to repair the fences as they shall from time to time see occasion, and endeavor to get the new purchased land made level." This lot is now occupied by the horse-sheds, which are on what was Simon Smith's ground. 2d day of ye 4th mo. 1740. "A minute came from our last Quarterly Meeting to this purpose, that considerable progress is made toward the reparation of the meeting-house that was burned in Burlington, and that there is occasion that money be speedily raised to pay for the material and workmanship in order that the same may be completed." What had been the cause of the accident we are left to conjecture; it is likely that the one on Broad Street is meant, although the Quarterly Meeting having so much care in the matter points toward the larger one on High Street, owned by that meeting. The close of the next month's transactions is one instance of their adjournment on Fair-day, alluded to before: "It being considered that the fair, which is usually a throng, hurrying time, falls out at the time that the next Monthly Meeting should be of course, therefore this Meeting adjourns till the second second day in next month." |