VINELAND A NARRATIVE POEM BY BESSIE AYARS ANDREWS VINELAND NEW JERSEY 191 1 VINELAN r\ A NARRATIVE POEM BY BESSIE AYARS ANDREWS VINELAND NEW JERSEY 191 I out (Pwnn) J ^ INTRODUCTORY. Fifty years ago: Charles K. Landis, then a young man of twenty-eight, having had some experience in settling Haramonton, and desirous of establishing a new town on a much larger scale contracted with the owner, Richard D. Wood of Philadelphia, for a tract of 16,000 acres of wild land along the line of the recently opened Glass- boro and Millville Railroad. It was at the junc- tion of this railroad and Landis Avenue, that the Founder, on the Eighth of August 186 r, began the settlement of Vineland. Twenty-one years afterwards, when the wilder- ness had given place to a prosperous community with fertile farms and happy homes, Mr. Landis wrote an account of the beginning of this enter- prise, an interesting story of his efforts, trials and final success, which, after his death in 1900, was published. The writer of these verses has drawn upon this account for the facts relating to the early settle- ment, and has also traced the changes in South Jersey from its occupancy by the red men until the coming of Mr. Landis. The poem was written to commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of Vine- land, and was read by the author at the monthly meeting of the Vineland Historical and Antiqua- rian Society, Wednesday, January, it, 1911. VINELAND. When a wilderness or forest Covered this fair land, Oak and laurel fern and pine tree Grew in seeming sand, Came a man with an ideal And a vision too. Of a town with happy homesteads Where the forest grew. Saw he avenues and shade trees Where the oak held sway, Saw he church spires, schools and houses All along the way. Changed from nature's wilds to farm lands Yeilding good returns, Where for ages stood the pine tree Laurel and the ferns. T'was the same unbroken forest King Mahawksey owned; Heard and loved the solemn dirges As the pine tree moaned. Lived he in his home Washalla By the deep blue sea, Saw and loved the crested billow .Same as forest tree. VINELAND. Here he lived in peace and plenty Close to nature's heart, With his chiefs and tribal people Of himself a part. Yearly he with bow and arrow Left the salt sea air, Travelled northward to the mountains Of the Delaware. Marked a trail right through the forest. Chief Newsego led, Captured bear and flying reindeer With their stealthy tread. This same trail the northern Indians Travelled to the shore, To procure good fish and oysters For their winter's store. Once a year this tribal people Gathered in conclave. Men of medicine and wisdom Warriors and brave. Many timely feasts observed they Under heaven's dome, Some of them were sacrificial Some a "Harvest Home." Here they slept and dreamed and hunted In God's temples grand; Dried their clams and other sea fish On the river strand. VINELAND. lyoved the north wind, loved the south wind Feared the h'ghtnings flash; Heard the voice of the Great Spirit In the thunder crash. Soon the clouds began to gather — None like them before — First there came the cedar hunter, Then whale men to the shore. Sad their meiu this tribal people By aggressions made; Theirs the forest and the waters, Theirs the open glade. Then a final counsel held they Lasting many days, Seeking aid of the Great Spirit In their troubled ways. Near where counsel fire was burning Sat the old and wise, Chief Newsego rose among them Grave with tearful eyes, Pointing to the trail he told them Marked so plain and free From the hills will bring the pale face Onward to the sea Well he knew no sacrifices, Canticle nor dance, Wampum belts nor loudest warwhoops Would stay his advance. V I N E L A N D . Brothers we will travel westward E'er our race is run; There we'll find a place of resting, Near the setting sun. O'er the hills the tribes soon scattered, From the pale face fled; Left the forest, left Washalla By Newsego led. Then there came the old Swede settler With his fishing smack — Came where dwelt the Sewaposes On the Whatquenack. Built his church along the river — Maurice is the same — Sunken ship within its waters, Lives in river's name. Others say from old Prince Maurice River owes its name, Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau Gen'ral of much fame. Dutch and Swedes and Europeans Sought the red man's land, First known purchase from the Indians Was at Cape May strand. Soon the English took possession Of the middle zone; By discoveries of the Cabots Claimed it as their own. 8 VINELAND. Time passed on, the English "Griffin" Sailed the Delaware, Bringing Fenwick to his purchase, His divided share. Fenwick's tenth embraced our county- Cumberland we say — It was settled near the waters At an early day. But this side of Maurice river Forest ancient stood; Here and there a charcoal burner Living in the wood. When the founder of this borough Chanced to go this way. Saw this wilderness or forest Waiting for his day. Then he told his dearest mother Of his hopes and plan, How he'd change the old old forest, Into homes for man. Told her of the genial climate, Healthful balmy air. Short the snowy reign of winter. Sunny skies are there. Water pure as wells of Elim Where the palm trees stood, Can be found beneath the surface Sparkling clear and good. VINELAND. If I carry out my purpose Homes will soon appear; Ou each plot a habitation Built within a year. Homes with green sward all about them Shrubbery and shade; Garden beds with flowers of beauty Also will be made. Fertile farms of fruit and berry, Where stand forest tree. Will surround the business centre In my colony. Said he, that he knew for fruit trees Finest soil is found, In the oak lands of New Jersey T'is productive ground. Orchards, vineyards, miles of hedges, Avenues so wide; With a double row of shade trees Growing on each side. Art and nature mingling ever Beautiful t'will be; Vineland is the name I've chosen For my vine country. Free from taverns, I will make it — This my model town — Naught to tempt the coming settler Or to break men down. lo VINELAND. This stupendous undertaking. Clearing of this tract, Must be done by men of vigor, Sober men in fact, — For I never knew a pauper Made of sober men; They are ever always breediilg In a liqour den. Then I know how very sadly Liquor interferes. With the home and in the family Only bringeth tears, Happy homes and homes of beauty, I desire to see, Whether mansion or a cottage , Built by industry. Thus he spake and thus he reasoned From his very soul, With his vision and ideal Leading to the goal. Then his mother with devotion Listening to her son. Knew his plans would be accomplished Thought of Hammonton. Tlieu she gave him of her savings All she had in gold, Cheerfully, without a question None did she withold. VINELAND. Then he called in Penn's fair city On the owner there; Bargained with him for his wild land Prices must be fair. Pleased but cautious was the owner At this wondrous scheme. Changing his old Jersey forest — Was it all a dream? Then his wife she listened closely, As she heard him say, "Avenues for miles and broad ones Shade trees all the way." She then caution gave her husband, It is all in vain, "Richard thee had best be careful I think he's insane." Noway daunted still he sought him, Visits made each day; Wood suggested a beginning, Landis said "Ah nay," "Written must be my agreement We must contract sign, E're I start to build my city Or a road outline." Eager they consulted counsel But no gain thereby, Until Wood said "Mr. Landis Surely, we must try," 12 V I N E L A N D . "You write out such an agreement Suited to your mind, Bring to me and I'll peruse it Next day t'will be signed." Satisfactory he found it Changing just one word; Substituted wood for timber Which he much preferred . Thus was signed his own agreement, The transaction done — Just as war clouds dark were threat'nins Eighteen sixty-one. There he stood his plan perfected E're the work began, As a sculptor in the marble Sees his chiseled man. The first tree cut in the forest Fell by his own hand; Then the woodman's axe resounded Up and down the land. The same year the eighth of August Driven was first stake, It was done to mark the centre For a start to make. Trials had he sharp and bitter As the work progressed, Sometimes troubled, sometimes weary, As he oft confessed. V I N E L A N D . Millville people called him crazy, Where he found supplies; But he told them "you'll be gainers By this enterprise — "From these fertile farms and vineyards In ten years or more, Will be apples, grapes and peaches Offered at your door." Then from far famed old New England Came a settler here, Cleared his land and built a homestead In the forest drear. Others came and bought them small farms As the founder planned; Labored hard, and toiled and struggled To redeem the land. Vineland then had its Ijeginning. And in "sixty- four" Settlers came in larger numbers Than the years before. Yankees came with all their notions. Willing workers too, Built their churches, schools and houses On the avenue. Vineland's name became quite famous As a health resort. And it seemed that every nation Heard the glad report. V I N E L A N D . For the place grew just like magic Many taking farms, Came for health and came for climate Came for Vineland's charms. Came the weary worn out clergy, Tired professor too, Men of intellect and culture Seeking health anew. Came the tempted for a refuge. For no flaunting sign Of saloon or licensed places Stand with bold design. Time has made most wondrous changes Since the place began, Opened travel, linked the cities For the need of man. And to day the light of Vineland Like a beacon stands, With a bright and steady gleaming Over Jersey lands. And to day we thank the Founder For his vision clear; For his noble high ideal That he planted here. And to day we tell the stranger. Truthfully t'is so; Standing was the old old forest Fifty years ago. 15 DEC 80 1911 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS illllllllllllllllilillllllflllilllil 014 209 346 7"^ 1