The Still Family and Burlington County

1. Charity 1775-1857 The Still Family and Burlington County Peter 1801-1868 James 1812-1882 William 1821-1902 By Joseph M. Laufer – Burlington County Historian

4. African American Historic Sites • Bordentown Twp. (Training Center) • 2.-8. Burlington City (Allen, Wheatleys, Cromwell, Island, Bethlehem AME, Friends Mtg., Wesley AME) • Westampton (Timbuctoo) • Mt. Holly (Woolman) • 11.-12. Medford (Still, Haines) • 13. Shamong (Charity Still) • 14. Evesham (Evans) • 15. Mt. Laurel (Jacob’s Chapel) • 16. Moorestown (Barcklow) • 17. Cinnaminson (Trinity AME)

5. Burlington Island, Delaware River, Burlington City

6. Records show a black presence here as early as 1664, making it one of the earliest places in New Jersey where a black presence can be documented.

7. The Quaker influence on the origins, colonization and development of Burlington County goes back to the arrival from England of the Kent at Burlington City in 1677 and the Shield in 1678 and the involvement of William Penn in the establishing of West Jersey in 1680. The philosophy upon which Burlington County was formed was derived from the Concessions and Agreements of 1677. The Concessions, written by William Penn (1644-1718) and other Quakers, guaranteed representative government, fair treatment of Native Americans and civil rights and religious freedom and protection for all inhabitants. William Penn “The Shield” in Burlington – 1678 … and current monument on banks of Delaware

8. Burlington County Quaker Meeting Houses • Active Meetings: • Mount Holly • Moorestown • Mount Laurel • Medford (Union St.) • Westfield • Cropwell • Crosswicks • Rancocas • Arney’s Mount • Mansfield Today there are 21 Quaker Meeting Houses in Burlington County -- some active, and some "laid down" (the Quaker term for being abandoned and turned over for other uses). Some communities have two meeting houses, as a result of the "Hicksite Separation" in 1827 -- a reform movement which created a splinter group which separated "Orthodox" from "Hicksite" believers. Fortunately, in 1952, the 300th Anniversary of the founding of Quakerism by George Fox in England, there was a reunification of all Quakers into one body of believers. • “Laid Down” • Bordentown • Burlington (Conf.Ctr) • Copany • Upper Springfield • Vincentown • Medford (Main St.) • Crosswicks (2) • Coopertown • Easton • Moorestown (School) • Colemantown

9. Burlington County was home to the world’s most famous Quaker – and one of the most articulate abolitionists in the country, thus setting the stage for the County’s prominent role in the Underground Railroad Movement.

10. The John Woolman Memorial – 99 Branch St., Mt. Holly John Woolman: October 19, 1720 – October 7, 1772

11. John Woolman (October 19, 1720 – October 7, 1772) was an itinerant Quaker preacher, traveling throughout the American colonies, advocating against conscription, military taxation, and particularly slavery. John Woolman came from a family of Friends (Quakers). His grandfather, also named John Woolman, was one of the early settlers of New Jersey. His father Samuel Woolman was a farmer. Their estate was between Burlington and Mount Holly .

12. Final days • Woolman's final journey was to England in 1772. During the voyage he stayed in steerage and spent time with the crew rather than in the better accommodations of the other passengers. He attended the London Yearly Meeting, and the Friends there were persuaded to oppose slavery in their Epistle (letter sent to other Friends in other places). John Woolman went from London to York where he contracted smallpox and died. • Woolman’s wife, Sarah Ellis Woolman • is buried in the Mount Holly Friend’s • Burial Ground. They married in 1749. • A son died in infancy; Daughter Mary lived to adulthood. • Works by Woolman • Essays • "Some Considerations on Keeping Negroes", 1753 • "Some Considerations on Keeping Negroes, Part Second", 1762 • "Considerations on Pure Wisdom and Human Policy, on Labor, on Schools, and on the • Right Use of the Lord's Outward Gifts", 1768 • "Considerations on the True Harmony of Mankind, • and How it is to be Maintained", 1770 • Book • The Journal of John Woolman, published posthumously • The Journal of John Woolman is considered to be an important spiritual • document, as shown by its inclusion in the Harvard Classics.

13. Woolman Mural at 49 Mill St., Mt. Holly, near site of his Tailor Shop there.

15. Burlington Friends Meeting House, 341 High St., Burlington City c. 1786

16. Burlington Friends MeetingSite of first anti-slavery tract written in the American colonies in 1688 Document prepared by Francis Daniel Pastorius of Germantown, Pennsylvania. It was read at the yearly meeting of the Delaware Valley Quakers at the Friends Meeting House on this site. That meeting house was replaced by the present structure around 1786. In addition to Indian Chief Ockanickon, black clockmaker Peter Hill (1767-1820) is buried in the burial ground to the rear of the meeting house. He learned the art of clock making from Joseph Hollingshead, Jr. He gained his freedom in 1795 and set up his own shop on High Street. Current Structure The first meeting house on this site at the time of the anti-slavery tract was an architecturally impractical hexagonal frame structure built in the 1600s.

18. Charity Still Shamong, New Jersey 1775 - 1857 • Born “Sidney Steel” on a plantation in Maryland • During late 18th Century married Levin, a free man • 1804 failed in attempt to escape from slavery with 4 of her children • Second attempt was successful – settled in Shamong with 2 children • Had 18 children: • - Peter Still of Burlington – 1801-1868 • - James – “Black Doctor of the Pines” – 1812-1885 • - William (youngest) – 1821-1902 - “Father of the Underground Railroad”

19. 206 Dr. James Still’s life is an amazing tale of the son of former slaves growing up in extreme poverty and becoming one of New Jersey’s earliest medical doctors. He was one of 18 children of slave parents. Dr. Still was a distinguished herbalist at a time when most doctors relied on often questionable, patent medicines. He had a large biracial practice. William Still

20. Home of Charity & Levin Still; Burial Ground Sawmill at Indian Mills – Birthplace of James Still

21. Historic Marker Located on Stokes Road in Shamong Township in front of Pine Belt Recreation Complex

22. An example of the quarters to which Levin and Charity Still would have been accustomed in their pre-emancipation days. Found throughout the small black enclaves in Southern NJ by free blacks and escaping slaves. Levin “Steel” purchased his own freedom (in Maryland) and changed his name to “Still” to protect his wife, who prior to joining him in N.J. , was still in Maryland with 4 children. Levin Still worked in Shamong’s Saw Mill

23. Rutland Court, Shamong (off of Stokes Road) Location of Burial plots of Levin and Charity Still

24. Heading towards the Still Burial Ground behind # 6 and 8 Rutland Ct., Shamong

25. George Flemming at the site of the graves of Levin and Charity Still on Rutland Ct. in Shamong.

26. Samuel Still points to the location of the graves of Levin and Charity Still on Rutland Court, off Stokes Rd. in Shamong.

27. Property of Samuel Still on Stokes Road, Shamong

28. George Flemming points to remains of Samuel Still’s home in Shamong

29. Laura Hart holding Gladys Stiill Cora Still holding William Still

30. Dr. James Still Black Doctor of the Pines

31. STILL, JAMESEarly Recollections and Life of Dr. James Still 1877 STILL, JAMES. Early Recollections and Life of Dr. James Still. [Philadelphia]: Printed for the author, 1877. 274 p. Port. Cloth. Autobiography of a Black physician in the rural Burlington County Pine Barrens. The work chronicles the African-American experience in Burlington County before, during, and after the Civil War. This is one of the classic works of Black New Jerseyana and a scarce and desirable book. Copies in fine condition are virtually unobtainable.

32. James Still: Early Life • Born: April 9, 1812 – Shamong • Born with two teeth! • Father, Levin, worked at the Saw Mill • First recollection @ 21/2 years : Shoes from Lumberton • Lived in a log house • Inspired to be a doctor when younger brother John was vaccinated by Dr. Fort • Began working at 8 or 9: chopping wood, picking huckleberries and cranberries. • Attended school in bad weather; worked in fair weather. • Best friend: Indian Job Moore • At age 10, helped his father deliver wood by Oxen Cart

33. Dr. Fort’s visits to the Still home inspired James to dream of becoming a doctor. He relates that the dream began when he witnessed the vaccination of his little brother, John Nelson. He often “played doctor” by imitating Dr. Fort vaccinating his siblings. Illustration by Francine Still Hicks, descendant of James

34. Levin Still was a strict father and he and his wife, Charity, used personal example and scripture to instill Christian principles into their daily living. Illustration by Francine Still Hicks, descendant of James

35. Teenage years • At 17 visited Philadelphia. • Became tired of his father’s strict parenting; decides to become bound to Amos Wilkins for three years. • Develops a drinking problem – but quickly decides to give it up completely. • Works at farming; dreams of becoming a doctor. • Deal with Wilkins was that James would attend school 1 month each winter for 3 years.

36. NJ State Archives photo “Amos Wilkins House, Lumberton-Medford Road near Cross Roads, Medford Twp., 1787 “ Photo from 1977 BCT article by Historian Lloyd Griscom. Dr. Still laments the death of Amos Wilkins in his autobiography. Wilkins is buried in the Union Street Friends Burial Ground in Medford. His tombstone reads: AMOS WILKINS DIED 1866 in the 76th year of his age The home of Amos Wilkins still stands on Route 561 in Fostertown (about 2 miles from Crossroads on the way to Lumberton). James Still, who was “bound out” to Amos from 1831 to 1833, would have lived in the workers quarters on the premises. The home was built in 1787. On several occasions, Wilkins loaned money to James for some of his real estate investments.

37. Brace Road School • Corner of Church and Ark Roads • Earliest of Medford’s one-room schools • James Still attended for 1 month during the winters of 1831, 1832 and 1833 (ages 18 to 21) • Teachers: Nathan Prickett; John Fowler; Sandeth Frazier. • “Drab, curtainless room with whitewashed walls, no maps, one or two reference books, a closet for books and another for lunch boxes.” • “Graduates” and leaves Fostertown in 1833 for Philadelphia at age 21 – works in glue factory

38. Over three winters, James attends the Brace Road School for one month while “bound out” to Amos Wilkins. Illustration by Francine Still Hicks, descendant of James

39. James Still attended for 1 month during the winters of 1831, 1832 and 1833 (ages 18 to 21) as a part of a 3-year* arrangement when he was “Bound Out” to Amos Wilkins. His father, Levin, was also given $100 and at the end of the “contract” James would get $10 and a suit of new clothes. * “3 years, 2months and 5 days”

40. Return to Jersey - 1834 • Does woodcutting and farming in and around Medford and Fostertown • 1835 marries Angelina Willow of Ellisburg; they bought a home at Crossroads; had a daughter, Beulah; then Angelina died prematurely in 1838 when James was 26. • James has a life-changing religious experience shortly after Angelina’s death. • Re-marries on August 8, 1839, Henrietta Thomas, a Vincentown girl living at the home of Robert Woolston. Three days later, his daughter Beulah died, one year after her mother. A son Jimmie was born in 1840. James is 28 • In 1842 his father, Levin, dies.

41. Home of Robert Woolston, Main St., Vincentown workplace of Henrietta Thomas, Still’s second wife.

42. Dr. James Still begins his practice by first distilling herbs and roots and selling them to pharmacies. He then began applying his remedies to local residents throughout the Pinelands of Southern New Jersey. Illustration by Francine Still Hicks, descendant of James

43. James Still’s Herbal Medicine In 1842, against the objections of his white neighbors, James buys a still for distilling sassafras roots and herbs of various kinds. He begins to peddle his essences throughout the pinelands via horse and buggy. • In 1843 he goes to Philadelphia – meets an old Quaker who tells him where to get a book on Medical Botany. For $1.00 he bought a Medical Biology book at a store at Fourth and Arch Streets operated by Doctor Thomas Cook. • A short time later he bought a second book for $1.25 which taught him how to make pills, powders, tinctures, salves and liniments and included instruction on practical physiology. • By 1845, James, at age 33, is brewing medicines in his basement and is besieged by patients from near and far, both white and black, for his famous cures.

44. A contemporary herb garden at Smithville Park H, B, Smith’s wife, Agnes, a contemporary of Dr. Still. was a physician who used herbs in her practice also.

45. 1847-1872 - 25 bountiful yearsAge 35 to 60 • Medical practice grows and prospers • 1849- Built a house at Crossroads • Pays debts and (1852) buys the Crossroads Tavern • 1855 - Travels to Canada; Builds his office • 1857 – his mother, Charity, dies • 1859 – Rebuilds tavern at Crossroads • 1861 at age 49, he is debt free • 1861 to 1865: Civil War (age 49 to 53) • 1867 – buys land in Southampton and Shamong • 1869 – Rebuilds house • 1870 – The first Still Family Reunion (7 of the 18) James, Mahalah, Kutturah, Samuel, Mary, Charles, William. • 1872 – Rebuilt Town Hall

48. CROSSROADS at MEDFORD Crossroads was the seat of government of Evesham Township until Upper Evesham (Medford) separated in 1847. It continued to serve as the seat of government of the new township for many years. In 1836 Dr. James Still purchased land at Crossroads and built a small home there in 1837. In 1852, he purchased the Schenck tavern next door to be used as a waiting hospital for out-of town patrons. He purchased the old Town Hall in 1868 renovated it and turned it into a double dwelling. Brace Rd. School Schenk Tavern Dr. J. Still

49. 209 Church Road (Rt. 616), Medford. Dr. Still’s office (1855) on the left; Third home (1869) on the right – Crossroads, Medford First home: 1836; Second home 1849; Third home (above) 1869

50. James Still Real Estate at Crossroads • 1836 – Buys a 2 acre lot at Crossroads from Isaac Haines ($100); Purchases unfinished home ($50) which Nathan Wilkins was building in the pines and moves it to Crossroads. • 1837 (March 15) – Moves into the finished house. Purchases 4 more adjacent acres from Ira Haines. • 1845 (49?) (April 24) – Buys 2 acres of road-front property in front of his home. • 1849 – Builds house (Materials purchased from Charles Haines; constructed by John Wiley and Edward Stackhouse) – 30 x 18, with old house moved to serve as back wing. Moves in Dec. 27. • 1852 (April 24) – Purchases Tavern for $1,975. • 1854 – Buys Thomas Cline property for $505. (After 18 years all properties now extend for half a mile on Church Road). • 1855 – Builds office next to his home (still standing!). • 1859 – Rebuilt Tavern • 1864 –Buys house and 4 acre lot on Church Rd. – 4 days later re-sells house and half acre to Sarah Dazey, a black woman. • 1868 – Bought 2 story brick Town Hall for $280 from the Township Committee. • 1869 – Rebuilt his home (40 x 20; Mansard roof – a “first” with running water) • 1872 – Remodels Old Town Hall into tenement houses (2 snug dwelling houses of 7 rooms each). • 1875 – Builds barn and corn crib on his Church Rd. property.