SPAN OF A CENTURY, 1828-1928
100 YEARS IN THE HISTORY OF CAMDEN AS A CITY
Compiled from notes and data collected by Charles S. Boyer, President Camden County Historical Society. Published by Centennial Anniversary Committee of Camden, New Jersey. Additional Photos and Notes by Phillip Cohen in 2003.
Want to see more? Check out the Span of a Century series.
The first election in New Jersey of Members of Congress by Congressional Districts, instead of at large, was held in 1843. The First District comprised Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, and Atlantic Counties. Camden County had not yet been created, and was still a part of Gloucester County.
The first nominee sent to Congress by the voters of the First District was Lucius Q. Elmer, of Cumberland County, his majority being about 300 votes in the district.
On March 18, 1843 delegates were elected to a Constitutional Convention in pursuance to an act of the legislature passed February 23, 1843. Abraham Browning and John W. Mickle were chosen to represent Camden. The Convention met in Trenton on May 14, 1844, and completed its labors, filing a copy of the new Constitution was held August 13, 1844. The new Constitution was adopted by a vote of 20,276 in favor to 3,526 against.
“A Buffalo Hunt” was held in Diamond Cottage Park in 1843. It was widely advertised but later pronounced by the newspapers of the day a “most egregious humbug” which “ruined several acres of corn and furnished sale for any amount of rum and other drinkables which make men mad.”
Leave a Reply