SOURCE: “History of Burlington and Mercer Counties, New Jersey, with Biographical Sketches of Many of Their Pioneers and Prominent Men” by Major E. M. Woodward & John F. Hageman, 1883.

HOPEWELL BOROUGH HISTORY

(When this text was written in 1883, Hopewell borough (or village) was still a part of Hopewell Township.)

HOPEWELL. - Hopewell village is situated in the northeast part of the township, and contains two stores, three blacksmith-shops, one wheelwright-shop, one harness-shop, a saw- and feed-mill, four churches, a female seminary, a public school, a drug-store, three physicians, a lawyer, a newspaper, a shoe-shop, three halls, an agricultural store, a hotel, a saloon, and a livery-stable. The population is four hundred and two.

Peter Gordon kept a store here, in the last century, for a few years. His successor was John, known as “Priest,” Blackwell, prior to 1800. Blackwell kept his store in an old-fashioned building, well remembered by some of the oldest residents of the township, for about twenty years, and sold it to Dr. G. W. Case, who occupied it as a dwelling until 1830, when he built a more convenient residence. David Blackwell opened a store in 1806, and kept it thirty-five years. He was succeeded by Ralph Knowles, and he in 1870 by Nelson D. Blackwell, the present proprietor.

Jonathan V. Blackwell built a store on Main Street about 1863. About ten years later he was succeeded by John Q. McPherson, who sold the business to the present proprietors, Halcomb Brothers, in 1880.

The post-office was established July 4, 1825, with George Blackwell as postmaster. His successors have been Stephen Blackwell, James Ewing (in 1861), Charles Chatten (in 1868), and the present postmaster, H. V. D. Voorhees (in 1872).

Prior to 1800, Benjamin Blackwell kept a public-house in the village. About that date he was succeeded by his sop, Daniel Blackwell, who was the village landlord till 1840, when the house was converted into a dwelling.

The present hotel was a dwelling up to 1821, when it was remodeled by Col. Ira Stout, and opened as a public-house by his son, Simpson Stout, who was succeeded by George Blackwell in 1825. It thereafter had many owners and occupants until 1869, when it passed into the hands of the present proprietor, Edward M. Phillips.

Dr. George W. Case was the earliest resident physician of whom any knowledge is extant. He came about 1800, and practiced forty years. Dr. D. Y. Hyde came about 1856, and practiced until his death, ten years later. Dr. McDuffee was a resident physician about five years, and was succeeded about 1870 by Dr. J. A. Miller. Dr. R. M. Rankin has lived and practiced his profession here about five years, and Dr. E. C. Baker about four years.

The first harness-maker to set up a shop in Hopewell was Stephen Blackwell. His successors in the business have been Thomas Skillman, Sheppard & Pittenger, William Pittenger, C. W. Sheppard, and J. C. Harrison, who has conducted it since 1872.

Smith L. Scudder is a well-remembered shoemaker, who was the village Crispin until 1859, in which year James L. Ewing opened his shop. The latter and Nelson D. Blackwell are the present representatives of this trade.

James M. Stout was the first man who set up his forge and anvil in the village. He began business in 1842, employing a blacksmith. In a short time the shop was sold to Spencer S. Weart, who tore it down. The next shop was built by Enoch H. Drake, who hired a blacksmith. He was succeeded by Benjamin S. Lee, who bought the property, and later sold it to E. D. Wood, who leases it to George Staples, its present occupant. A shop owned by Miss Martha Phillips is occupied by S. S. Ege. The shop of Westley B. Merrill was opened in 1881.

About 1800 the first wheelwright-shop was opened by Benjamin Merrill, who continued the business till about1846. Enoch H. Drake built a shop about 1852. He was succeeded by Benjamin S. Lee, and the latter by E. D. Wood, the present owner.

The first drug-store was opened in 1874 by Farley Taylor, and after a few years passed into the possession of Messrs. S. A. & S. Sexton, who discontinued business in 1882. The drug-store of Dr. E. C. Baker was establshed in 1878.

John S. Vandike, attorney, began practicing his profession in Hopewell in 1879.

The Hopewell Herald. (See page 545.)