Tag: West Jersey Ferry

One report shows that 61 people perished in the fire and 30 had survived. Others were reported either unaccounted for or missing.

In response to petitions from citizens, the State Legislature and County Freeholders authorized the building of a bridge and an extension of State Street to connect with Federal Street.

The selection of a site in Camden opened up another controversy: It was believed that the location of the Court House would have a large influence in ferry usage.

The West Jersey Hotel at Delaware Avenue and Market Street was built by the West Jersey Ferry Company in 1849. It was run by different parties through the ensuing years. Stephen Parsons operated the business from 1884 until his passing in 1890.

William Van Pfefferle, rose through the ranks of the Camden Fire Department and served as Chief of Department from 1950 to 1958.

Photos and excerpts about the West Jersey Ferry (aka Market Street Ferry) Depot

This ferry was established about 1800 by Abraham Browning, Sr., an intelligent and enterprising farmer of the territory now braced in Stockton Township.

John G. Hutchison was the superintendent of the West Jersey Ferry for more than 30 years and was a Camden “lifer.”

In the beginning Camden was just settlement of a few farms and a couple ferries to and from Philadelphia run by the Cooper Family.

William Joyce Sewell was born on December 6, 1835 in Ireland. Orphaned at a young age, he emigrated to the United States in 1851. He was for a time employed in mercantile business in New York City, made several voyages as a sailor on merchant vessels, afterward engaged in business in Chicago, IL. He moved to Camden NJ in 1860.

CHARLES ANGELO ACETO was born in Italy on April 16, 1891 and came to America with his father in 1900. He threw himself into his education and into becoming proficient in the English language. He went into the bus and taxi business for himself with one station wagon, and by 1924 was operating a fleet of eight buses, providing regular service between the Market Street ferry and Parkside.

Captain John G. Hutchison, the veteran superintendent of the West Jersey Ferry was laid at rest in Evergreen Cemetery this afternoon.