BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP, Burlington County, NEW JERSEY HISTORY

Located on a web site about Burlington County, New Jersey at
http://www.rootsweb.com/~njburlin/

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Source: History of Burlington And Mercer Counties, New Jersey,
with Biographical Sketches; by Major E.M. Woodward and John F. Hageman;
Illustrated; Philadelphia: Everts & Peck. 1883; Press of J.B. Lippincott
& Co. Philadelphia

CHAPTER XXI
Bass River Township

Descriptive--Bass River is one of the southeastern border townships of
the county. It is bounded on the north by Randolph and Woodland
townships, on the east by Little Egg Harbor township, on the west by
Wading River, which separates it from Randolph township, on the south
by Mullica River. It was formed from Little Egg Harbor and Washington
townships in 1864, and derived its name from a small stream, called Bass
River, which rises in the north-easterly part of the township. The
township contains 47,245 acres of land, with a population of about 900.
In dimensions its greatest length is fourteen miles, its greatest
breadth is seven miles.

Natural Features--The general surface of Bass River township is 
undulating, with a few hills in its northern part. The soil is sandy and
gravelly, except in the southern part, which is alluvial deposit. A 
large proportion of this township is sterile and barren, and covered 
with a dense growth of scrub oak and pine. The township is watered on
its western boundary by Wading River and its tributaries. Bass River 
takes its rise in the northeasterly part of the township, and flows
through its centre and empties into the Mullica River. This river has 
been well known for the great number of rock fish or bass which has been
caught in its waters, and hence received its name from the earlier
settlers.  The original name given to it was Rock River, which
gradually assumed its present name.

The principal road running through the township is the one leading from
Tuckerton to Washington and from New Gretna to Penn's Place, Randolph
township. The roads, except in the southern part, are not well improved.
It has no railroad facilities, which, indeed, are not at present
demanded, owing to its sparse settlement.

Iron ore has been discovered in the township in large quantities, but
is not being worked at present.

With its cedar swamps and cranberry bogs in the northern part of the
township, its fertile lands and fisheries in the southern part, Bass
River township yields its inhabitants a good living.

****************************
MATHIS FAMILY

Early Settlement--It appears that the first while settler within the
limites of the township was an Englishman named John Mathis, who came
from Long Island in 1713. Shortly after, he in company with Moses Forman
and WIlliam Birdsall purchased from Daniel Leeds, one of the New Jersey
proprietors, a tract of land containing two hundred and fifty acres, at
that time called Biddle's Island, but now known as Daniel Mathis' 
Island.  Within a year after the joint pourchase, Moses Forman and
William Birdsall sold their interest to Mathis, who remained, and had 
the island cleared into a farm. From this time on, all his operations
appeared to be successful, and he went on purchasing tract after tract
of salt marsh, cedar swamp, and woodland until he owned many thousands
of acres.

In 1716, John Mathis married Alice Higbee, widow of John Higbee, and 
eldest daughter of Edward Andrews, the founder of Tuckerton. Mathis'
wife brought him a valuable personal property. She had the reputation
of being a "strong-minded woman," who was possessed of unusual business
talents, ordering and arranging her affairs with the utmost regularity
and good judgment, and it is also affirmed that she was a greater
speculator than her husband, and it was in a measure owing to her
influence and speculative passion that he became such an extensive
landowner.

Taking into consideration the age in which she lived, and also the
meagre opportunities for acquiring knowledge, she had a fair education.
She is decribed as a large, tall, and muscular woman, of a dark
complexion, with black eyes and black hair, which she inherited from her
father, Edward Andrews.

John Mathis' wife had two children by her first husband; these were
Abigail and Edward Higbee. Abigail Higbee was born the 22d day of the
5th month in the year 1713. She married Robert Leeds. Their children
were Solomon, Rebecca, and Mary.  Edward Higbee was born the 4th day of
the 6th month in the year 1714. He married and lived in Atlantic County
NJ.

John Mathis had six sons and one daughter, vix: Micajah, Job, Daniel,
Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Eli, and Sarah.

After John Mathis had got his island farm into successful operation, he
purchased eight hudnred and thirteen acres of John Budd, and on this
tract cleared a farm now known as the Frenches', or more properly the
Thomas E. French farm, on the east side of Bass River. His next
location and also formation of a farm was what is usually denominated
as the Enoch Mathis or Smith Mathis farm, which is situated on the west
side of Bass River, opposite his farm on the east side of the river. The
next far he established was which now constitutes the Arthur Cranmer
place, and also the Daniel Sooy farm. John Mathis was a large 
slaveholder, and employed most of his negroes in clearing uplands.
  It will be seen that at this time John Mathis had four farms carried
on under his superintendence, which he continued to do until his sons
married, when he deeded each one of them a farm and set them to work
for themselves. John Mathis was not only a farm and land speculator, but
he was a money-lender.  During the Revolutionary war he loaned the
government a considerable sum of money, but when pay-day came the 
government had nothing to pay with except Continental paper, which was
next to nothing. Mr. Mathis was compelled to take large packages of
worthless script, which was preserved in the Mathis family for
generations.  The war proved a ruinous thing to John Mathis' money
affairs, but did not interfere with his extensive real estate.

John Mathis was the first king's magistrate appointed in the township
then embraced in Little Egg Harbor.  He purchased his copy of the laws 
of New Jersey from Richard Smith, of Burlingotn, the father of Smith,
the historian of New York and New JErsey, in 1732. He was intimately
associated with the leading business men of his time, and was familiarly
known as Great John Mathis.

***************************

CRANMER FAMILY--In 1729, Stephen Cranmer settled at Bass River, on the
farm known as the Caleb Cranmer farm, which lies continguous to the
river. Stephen Cranmer was considered one of the wealthy men of Bass
River, and a man of considerable influence in the place of his adoption,
and for some generations his posterity were people of wealth and
influence.  The Cranemrs of New Jersey claim to be the descendants of
Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was burned at the
stake for his devotion to Protestantism by order of Queen Mary, at
Smithfield, England, May 21, 1556.

The Cranmers do not all spell their names alike: some have it Cranmer,
others Cramer, and still others Crammer, but the variation is easily
accounted for.  In old times most people had but little if any
learning, and orthography suffered in their hands.

William, Josiah, and probably Thomas Cranmer were the forefathers of
the Cranmers of Ocean County NJ, and John and Stephen were the ancestors
of the Cranmers of Burlington County, who settled at Bass River.

The Cranmers are noted (especially former generations) for being partial
to family names, it being a tradition among the family that there were
six Josiah Cranmers, all residing within a short distance of each other,
and in order to distinguish one from another they were denominated thus:
Old Josiah and Young Josiah, Big Josiah and Little Josiah, Over the
Creek Josiah and Poplar Neck Josiah. The descendants of Stephen Cranmer
were quite numerous, many of which still reside in the township, and
are classed among the more prominent farmers in Bass River township.

*******************

THE FRENCH FAMILY--At an early date there was a family by the name of
French who settled in the lower part of Burlington County, and it is
probable that Francis French Sr. was a descendant of this family. Some
time before the Revolutionary war, Francis French Sr. settled at Bass
River, and purchased a farm containing eight hundred and thirteen
acres of land of Benjamin Mathis, and turned his attention to tilling
the soil. He was twice married, his first wife being a French, and his
second wife was Phoebe, daughter of Jacob Cranmer. He had three sons,
Thomas, William and Jacob.  Thomas married Hannah Johnson of Atlantic
County NJ. Their children were William, Francis, Joseph, Thomas Jr.,
David, John, Rachel, Sarah, Ann, Mary, Abigail, and Elizabeth.

Capt. William French, as he is styled, has had two wives; his first wife
was Lavinia, daughter of Isaac Cranmer; his second wife was Phoebe,
daughter of Daniel Mathis (2d).  His family consisted of Hannah, 
Martin Van Buren, Livingston, Hiram A., Nelson, Ebenezer T., Mary Jane,
Matilda, and Arabella.

Hannah married and resides in Philadelphia; Martin Van Buren married and
resides at Jersey Shore, PA; Livingston married Sarah, daughter of Lloyd
Jones of Tuckerton; Hiram A. married Mary, daughter of Jesse R. Sears;
Nelson married Carolina Collins of Atlantic County; Mary Jane married
Josiah Hackett of Salem NJ; Arabella married Thomas Ballinger of
Medford NJ.

Second Branch (French Family)--Francis French (2d) became quite an
extensive landowner, and was a man of fine business qualifications. His
sons are the principal businessmen of Bass River township. He married
Ann, daughter of Daniel Mathis (2d). Their children were Thomas E.,
Daniel, Lewis, Burrows, Levi, Francis, Mary Ann, Phoebe, Leah, Ellen,
and Ann.  Thomas married Jane Gaskill of Tuckerton. Daniel married
Elizabeth Giberson of Atlantic County. Lewis married Mary, daughter of
David Cavilar.  Levi married Julia, daughter of Joseph Adams.  Francis
married Ella, daughter of Joseph B. Sapp.  Mary Ann married 
John Franklin Cranmer. Phoebe married Alfred, son of Joel Bodine.
Anna married Dr. Clark.

Third Branch (French Family)--Joseph French married Martha, daughter of
Josiah Cale. Their children were Maria, Eliza, Martha, Margaretta,
Mary, Josephine, Lavinia, and Emma.

Fourth Branch (French Family)--Thomas French Jr.'s first wife was
Harriet, daughter of Micajah S. Mathis. He married his second wife at
Jersey Shore PA, where he resides.

Fifth and Sisth Branches (French Family)--were David and John, who died
unmarried.

Seventh Branch (French Family)--Rachel French married John Lowland.
Their children were Thomas, Sarah, Asbury, Marshal, Henry, Elmira, 
Abbie and James.

Eighth Branch (French Family)--Sarah French married Charles Adams, of
Bass River Township.

Ninth Branch (French Family)--Ann French married Sylvanus Seaman, and
had children.

Tenth Branch (French Family)--Mary French married John Hewling, and
removed to the West.

Eleventh Branch (French Family)--Abigail French married George Allen.
Their children were Ellen, Hannah, Thomas, Achsah, Mary, Harry, George,
John William, and Joseph.

Twelfth Branch (French Family)--Eliza French married Lewis Giberson,
and had five children, respectively Hannah, Thomas, Sarah, James, 
and Julia.

*************************
THE LEAK FAMILY--Capt. John Leak, and Englishman by birth, came to
America at an early day and settled at Bass River, during which time he
followed the occupation of surveyor. He married Martha, daughter of
Samuel Rose, and took up his abiding-place at Bridgeport. His wife is
said to have been a very beautiful woman, and attracted much attention
by her beauty during her reign. John Leak became one of the leading men
of the township of his adoption, and it is said he "fared sumptuously
every day." Capt. Leak's children were Samuel, William, George, John,
Mary, Achsah, Phebe, and Martha.

Samuel Leak married Sarah, daughter of Micajah Mathis Sr. Their children
were John, Stacy BA., and others whose names we have no knowledge of.

John Leak married Rosanna Allen, and had children,--Sarah, Kesiah,
Mary Eliza, Martha, John, Amy and Phebe.

Stacy B. Leak married Hannah, daughter of Hezekiah Adams (2d). Their
children were William, John, Mary Ann, Esther, Achsah, Hezekish,
Abigail, and George.

William Leak married Catharine Loveland. Their children,--George, 
William, Catharine, Mary, and Elizabeth.

George Leak married Hannah Mathis.

Mary Leak married Joseph Allen, of Bass River.

Achsah Leak married Chalkley Cranmer, and after his decease she married
Joseph Spears.

Phoebe Leak married John Towers and had one daughter, Phoebe.

Martha Leak married Reuben Clark.

***********************
THE ADAMS FAMILY--Hezekiah Adams Sr. settled in Bass River township at
and early date, and purchased the farm now owned by his grandson, John
Adams.  Among his contemporaries Hezekiah Adams had the reputation of
being an honest man, which Pope says is the noblest work of God.  The
Adamses were people of a social, friendly, and pleasing address.
Hezekiah Adams had children,--Joseph, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Charles, 
David, Dorcas, and Mary.

Joseph Adams married and removed to the West.

Hezekiah married Margaret Humphrey. His family consisted of William,
Ellis, John, Joseph, Humprey, Enoch, Hannah and Phoebe.

Jeremiah Adams married Elizabeth Jenkins. They were the parents of
Reuben Adams.

Charles Adams married Hannah Jenkins. Had seven children.--Joseph,
David, Mary, Sarah, Dorcas, Hannah, and Rebecca.

David Adams married Mary Ann, daughter of Daniel Mathis (3d), and
became the proprietor of the present Bass River Hotel.

Dorcas Adams married Isaac Cranmer, son of Caleb Cranmer Sr.

Mary Adams married Caleb Cranmer Jr.

*********************
THE LOVELAND FAMILY--The Lovelands were natives of Connecticut, and
came to Burlington County NJ and settled in Bass River township
prior to 1800, and purchased a small tract of land, and commenced
farming.

Charles Loveland was a sea-captain, who sailed a brig and made voyages
to foreign ports. He married Mary Gleason, of Connecticut, and had
children,--Charles, Mary, Abigail, Elizabeth, Esther, Henrietta, and
Catharine.

Samuel Loveland married and remained on the old homestead. His children
were Samuel, Charles, Sarah, Jesse, Catharine, Jemima and Joana.

But few who bear the name of Loveland reside in the township.

***********************
THE SEARS FAMILY--Joseph Sears was one of Bass River's pioneer settlers.
The time he settled in Bass River TOwnship is not known. He purchased
a few acres of land and reared up a home. He was married twice. His
first wife was Catharine Carter, who was a granddaughter of 
John Cranmer Sr., of Bass River. His second wife was Achsah, widow of
Chalkley Cranmer Sr. His children were John, Haman, Louisa, Rebecca,
Mary, Chalkley C., William C. and Jesse R. Spears.

Joseph Sears was a sea-captain and followed the water.

*******************
TOWN ORGANIZATION--The act of Assembly establishing the township of
Bass River bears date Marhc 30, 1864, and the description embodied in
said act reads as follows: "All those parts of the two townships of
Little Egg Harbor and Washington, beginning at a point opposite the
mouth of Belangy's Creek, in the division line between Burlington and
Ocean Counties; thence running a northerly course up Belangy's creek,
the several courses thereof, to the main stage road leading from
Tuckerton to Bass River; thence a northerly course to the point where 
the line between the townships of Little Egg Harbor and Southampton
intersect the boundary line between Burlington and Ocean Counties; 
thence along the said line of Said Southampton township to Pappoose
River; thence down the same, several courses thereof, to its mouth;
thence down Mullica River to division line of Burlington and Ocean
Counties to the place of beginning."

**********************
CIVIL LIST
**********************
CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS
Levi French 1864-66, 1879-81; Joseph B. Cranmer, 1867-69; Z.M.P. Mathis,
1870-73; Daniel M. Mathis, 1874-76; Charles A. Cranmer, 1877-78;
John O. Mathis, 1882.

TOWNSHIP CLERKS
Chalkey C. Sears, 1864-65; Nathan Moore, 1866, 1868; Caleb J. Mathis,
1867; Joseph L. Hilliard, 1869; Robert F. McKeen 1870-82.

ASSESSORS
Caleb L. Adams 1864; Arthur H. Cranmer 1865-66; Daniel M. French,
1867-68; Caleb J. Mathis, 1869-70; Joseph French, 1871-72; 
William H. Mathis, 1873-81; David R. Adams, 1876-77; Levi French, 1878;
Chalkley S. Cranmer 1882.

COLLECTORS
Thomas E. French 1864; Daniel F. Sooy 1865-66; Jessie R. Sears, 1867-8;
Levi French, 1860-76; Joseph B. Lamson 1877-79; Mark W. Adams 1880-82.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
Jesse R. Sears 1864; Daniel M. Mathis, 1864-67, 1880-82; 
William J. Palmenteer 1864-65; William French 1865, 1869;
Thomas E. French,1866-68, 1870; Chalkley C. Sears 1866-67, 1871,
1873-75, 1878; Elihu M. Sears 1868; P.K. Mathis 1868-69; 
John S. Cranmer 1868-70, 1874-75; John O. Mathis 1870-71; 
Isaiah A. Allen 1871; Hiram E. French 1872; David W. Mathis 1872-75;
Joshua Green 1872-73; William W. Cramer 1876-78; Benjamin F. Headley,
1876-78; Chans. B. Cramer 1876; Levi French 1877; Daniel M. French,
1879; Richard S. Barlett 1879-82; Joseph B. Lamson 1880;
Eli Mathis 1880-81; William G. Cramer 1862

CONSTABLES
Caleb Mathis 1864; Charles A. Green 1865; Joseph Adams 1866-67;
Joseph B. Cramer 1868, 1878-82; Arthur H. Cramer 1869-77.

JUDGES OF ELECTION
Joseph B. Cramer 1864, 1867; Eli Mathis 1865-66; William N. French,
18--; John F. Cramer 1870-72; David R. Adams 1873; Jeremiah Mathis Jr.,
1874-77, 1882; James E. Cramer 1878-81.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
Nathaniel Moore, 1864; Joseph French 1869-70; Joseph L. Hilliard, 1870;
Eli Mathis 1874; Magor Mathis 1874, 1880.

OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
Levi Adams 1864-86, 1868; Eli Mathis Sr. 1867, 1889; Joseph Adams,
1872-74; Eli Algar 1875-82.

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SCHOOLS
*****************************
This township takes its rank among the first in the southern part of
the county as to her education facilities. There are five school
districts respectively,--Harrisonville, Union Hill, Bass River, 
New Gretna, and East Bass River, which are numbered 104, 105, 106, 107,
and 108.  The amount of apportionment from State appropriations,
$1414.80; amount of apportionment from surplus revenue, $85.20; total
amount recieved from all sources for public school purposes, $1500;
present value of the school property $2800. Whole number of children
of the school age residing in the district, 323; average number of
months the schools have been kept open, 8.4; average number who have
attended school during the time it has been kept open, 123; number of
males teachers employed, 3; number of female teachers employed, 2;
average salary paid male teachers per month $30.18; average salary per
month paid female teachers, $34.07

**************
THE FRIENDS' MEETING
**************
The Friends' meeting-house which stood for many years at Bass River
Neck, on the lower road leading from Bass River to Bridgeport, was
erected about the time of the Revolutionary war by the Friends of Bass
River township. At the time this church was erected there appeared to
have been a separation between the Friends of Tuckerton and those of
Bass River. The church at Bridgeport was resigned to the new 
denomination of Friends, or Hicksites, as they were called.

The members of the Hicksite branch continued to hold meetings in their
new church for several years, until many of the more leading spirits
removed to other sections of the county, and the Friends gradually
decreased in membership until there was no one left to go to this
little church except Lucy Ann Evans, and on meeting-days she would go
to the meeting-house and sit during the usual worshiping hours all
alone, herself being sole minister and audience. This practice she
kept up until her death, which occurred in 1834.

**********************
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
**********************
Although the Methodist Episcopal Church is fully a century old, not a
single record of its organization or later progress is extant.  The
historian was unable to find out from the pastor more than the present
membership and the erection of the present church. He has, however,
from other sources obtained a few facts regarding its early history.
A class was formed at nearly the  period of the Revolutionary war,
almost contemporaneous with the founding of the Friends' Meeting. No
church building had then been erected, and services were held in private
dwellings in the neighborhood. Soon after the class was formed they
organized themselves into a separate body and erected a church at
Bass River, where they continued to hold religious worship until 1850,
when the old church deemed inadquate to hold the congregation, which
had increased in membership. The present church is a frame structure,
situated at the roading leading from New Gretna to Red Tavern, and cost
$2500. It has a membership of thirty. The present pastor is Rev.
William Stately.

*****************************
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BASS RIVER
*****************************
Presbyterian services were first held in Bass River at the house of
Capt. Charles Loveland, later at the house of John Leaks, by Rev.
John Brainard, who visited this place at an early date. Services were
held in private dwellings and school-houses in Bass River for many
years, and in 1849 a lot was given by Joseph Cranmer, and the present
church was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars. The church
is of wood, and is situated at New Gretna, on the road leading from
Tuckerton to Washington.  The first stationed pastor was
Rev. William C. Davis, who remained here for several years.
The present pastor is Rev. Albert Worthington. The present
membership (1882) is fifteen.

*******************************
BURIAL PLACES
*******************************
There are three graveyards in Bass River township, all of which were
established by the different churches where they are lcoated. The 
oldester interment made in the township was at Bridgeport, which was
laid out at about the time the Friends' Meeetings were established
there. In this ancient city of the dead lie the remains of Lucy Ann
Evans, who departed this life in 1834. She was for many years a minister
of the Friends at Tuckerton.

The Methodist burial-ground at New Gretna was established many years
ago, and contains many old graves, of which nothing stands to mark the
last resting-places of the old pioneers who are interred there.

The Presbyterian graveyard, which is located at New Gretna, also
contains many graves, with only common field-stones stuck up to mark
the resting-places of some departed friends.

**********************
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS
**********************

New Gretna, or Bass River, as it was formerly called, is located in
the southeastern portion of the township, and is a small and somewhat
scattered hamlet. It contains one Methodist and one Presbyterian Church,
one hotel, one wheelwright shop, one blacksmith-shop, post-office,
four stores, and a few scattered dwellings.
  The hotel was erected in 1851, by Thomas French, who carried on the
business for a short time, and was succeeded by Franklin Adams, who 
purchased the property in 1856, and has carried on the business since.
  Among the early merchants of New Gretna was John Miller, who carried
on the business as early as 1812 for a period of years. He was 
succeeded by William Allen, who carried on the business for a period of
twenty-five years. Since that time there has been a succession of
merchants in New Gretna. The present merchant is Francis French.
  Adolphus H. Lansing erected a wheelwright-shop in 1856, and did quite
an extensive business in the manufacture of heavy wagons, which he
shipped to the Western States. The wheelwright business is still 
carried on by Mr. Lansing. Among the early blacksmith-shops in
Bass River was the one erected by Caleb Cranmer, who rented it to
John M. Cook, who carried on blacksmithing for several years. The
present blacksmith is Joseph Truax.  The post-office at New Gretna was
established in about 1853, with Franklin Adams as postmaster, which
position he now holds.  The office was formerly kept in a store
erected by Mr. Adams.  At the time he purchased the hotel property it
was moved to a building adjacent the hotel, where it is at present
located.
  The first physician to locate in New Gretna was Dr. P.K. Hillier,
in 1866, who followed the healing art for several years, and was
succeeded by Dr. Stanly G. Clark, and he by the present physician,
Dr. Moses W. Reeves.
 
RED TAVERN is a little hamlet situated about two miles northeast from
New Gretna, in a farming district. It contains one hotel and a few
dwellings. The hotel was erected prior to the Revolutionary war, by
William Davis, who carried on the business for several years. In 1816,
Recompense Darby became the hospitable host, and carried on the business
for a few years. Since Mr. Darby disposed of it the old tavern has
passed through many hands. In 1853 Francis Adams purchased the property
and carried on the business until 1855, since which time it has been
closed.

HARRISVILLE is a small hamlet situated on a branch of Wading River,
about seven miles from its mouth, in the northern part of the township.
It is the seat of a flourishing paper-mill. This mill was erected in
about 1834, by an incorporated compnay, and was operated under the
management of William McCarty. This company carried on the manufacture
of hardware manilla paper for about twenty years, at which time the
company dissolved, and the mill was closed for a short period. The
present operators are the Messrs. Richards, formerly of Philadelphia.
The number of hands required to run this mill is ten. The principal
shipments are made to New York and Philadelphia.

BRIDGEPORT is situated on Wading River, in the western part of the
township, and contains one hotel, post-office and a few dwellings.  The
hotel was first kept by Joseph Townsend in 1840, who carried on the
business for several years, and was succeeded by Robert McKeen, who in
connection with the hotel opened a store, and carried on the hotel
and store business until his death, since which time the business has
been conducted by his widow, Mrs. Catharine A. McKeen.
  The post-office is  kept by Mrs. Catharine A. McKeen.

************
INDUSTRIAL
***********
The principal industry carried on in Bass River township is 
ship-building. The first vessle built at Bass River was the brig
"Argo" which was built about 1800. She was built at Micajah Mathis Sr.'s
landing, on what is known as the "Francis French farm." Soon after the
building of the "Argo," Micajah Mathis built at the same place a large
sloop called the "Hope."  She was designed for the purpose of carrying
lumber from Egg Harbor to New York City. Since the construction of 
these two vessels ship-building has been carried on to a considerable
extent at Bass River. The principal ship-yards at Bass River are on
the Franci French place and Caleb Cranmer place.
  The cultivation of cranberries is carried on to some extent in the
township. There is a great amount of valuable cranberry soil within
its boundaries.
  Bass River Township is noted for its valuable winter fisheries.
  
The saw-mill at the head of the west branch of Bass River was erected
at an early date. In 1767 it was sold by High Sheriff Imbey, and was
then called Baker's mill, probably after its founder.  Eli Mathis Sr.
was the purchaser of the mill at sheriff's sale, and during the same
year Eli Mathis sold the mill tract containing twenty-one acres, and
also one-hald of the mill, to his brother, Micajah Mathis Sr., and it
is probable that these two men sold the mill and the twenty-one acre
survey to Ebenezer Tucker, who owned and operated the mill for many
years, until it was burned by the British in 1778.
  Page's saw-mill, as it is now called, was erected by Ebenezer Tucker,
in about 1800. This mill is located on the west branch of Bass River,
and has been in operation until 1881.
  Large quantities of wood, rails, and charcoal were formerly exported
from Bass River to New York and other cities.

(end)