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—Bontnal,
I
voL. XVI.
“IMMACULATE VIRGIN, PRAY FOR US.” .
= _
PHILADELPHIA. JULY 15, 1888. NO.2ye,
-. pondence was carried on throught a mutual filend aud Bb risestie recervea tne
~ seeking him in a strange and foreign land,
SHANE'S CASTLE,
About one hundred years ago there stood in Waterford township, Glou-
cester county, N. J., by the north side of.a beautiful stream of water now
known as Clark’s or O’Neil’s branch, a eabin built of cedar logs, squared
and framed together, making a substantial and comfortable dwelling. It
was covered with cedar bark for a roof, so laid that it was impervious to
rain and storm, and the joints between the logs were so carefully filled with
clay that the wind and driving snow were effectually kept out.
It was large enough for two rooms and an attic, and with a stick chim-
ney at each end made a living and sleeping apartment. The floor was of
hard clay and the windows were mere openings in the logs and without
" glass. . Its site was about one mile south of the town of. Waterford, and
put a short distance from the Camden and Atlantic Railroad. It stood soli-
tary and alone in the grand old forest of cedar, oak and pine thereabouts,
no habitation beirg within miles of it when built, and it so remained for
many years after.) ° “~
- The builders and first occupiers were three Germans named Sebastian,
Ignatius and Xaverius Woos, who left their native country toavoid military
conscription, which was so tyrannically exercised at that time. In the
depths of the forest they were beyond the search of those sent tp arrest
them, yet preserved a means of communication from home for reasons that
will appear later oa, They were not entirely destitute, but brought with
them many articl:3 which added to their comfort and convenience, Near
their cabin passed ‘one of the Indian trails, aud where it crossed the branch
that led from the Delaware river toward the ocean; where travelled the
natives and who were their frequent visitors. Good faith in all their trans-
actions soon established the best of feeling between them and no fear of
injury was entertained by these strangers from the wild men of the forest.
‘This dwelling humble and unpretentious as it was, they called Shane’s
Castle, which name remained as long as one log rested upon another, bring-
ing with it many interesting traditions out of the long past. The exact
date of their coming is not known, but in 1760 they applied to the Council
of Proprietors to grant them title to the land where their habitation stood
and which they had selected for a home.
A tradition in the family has it, that Sebastian had made his own one
of “two willing hearts ” before he sought a home in America, and although
the parents of the pretty German girl opposed their wishes, yet she remained
true to her promise to follow him ‘* wheresoever he went. ”? A secret corres-
welcome tidings to venture across the sea for his house was built and all
things in readiness. Her absence from home was not discovered until the
ship had sailed that carried her to her lover, and all too late to prevent ber
The voyage was a long one, but he faithfully awaited for her arrival,
and although the vessel was far overdue yet he believed her true to her
promise and never despaired of her coming. At last the ship came to Phila-
delphia, and after the joy of their meeting was over, she told him she had
left her home penniless, and must be sold for a term of years to pay her
passage money, according to the law then in existence. Little did he heed
this, for his skill as a hunter and asa collector of furs and skins, had fur-
nished him with ample means, and soon the demand was paid and the next
day, according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church, she promised to
be his companion for life. .
In her journey to their future home she must bave been strangely
impressed with the stretches of primitive forest—the long, narrow and vor-
tuous road, the streams to be forded and the swamps to be crossed—the few
inhabitants and the strange costume and appearance of the aboriginees,
Xaverius and Ignatius, the brothers, were not unmindful of her approach,
and made her welcome by their kind words, as well as by the feast of good
. “Being above all things! mighty one!
Whom none can comprehend and none explore;
Who fil’st existence with Thyself alone,
Embracing all—supporting—ruling o’er—
Being whom we call God—and know no more!”*
On this spot it may well be said was the religious faith of the Roman
Catholic Church first proclaimed within the bounds of old Gloucester county,
and perhaps in West New Jersey. :
A few acres were cleared about the dwelling, planted with fruit trees
and shrubbery. The cattle pastured in the swamps and often returned at
night with deer accompanying them and were herded within a strong
enclosure to protect them from bears and panthers, which otherwise would
too often make a feast of the eelves and yearlings. The employment of the
men was in the cedar timber, working shingles and staves for the West
India market, .
A short distance from where the house stood, but on the opposite side
of the stream, a grave yard was established, which is still used for that pur-
pose, Without doubt the remains of the founders rest there, surrounded
by many of their descendants in the direct and collateral line, as well as
others who followed them into the wildness and settled near by, Many
stones are still standing, but are gradually falling into decay,
There is nothing to show that these German brothers were soldiers in
the revolutionary war, but it is not too much to say that they visited the
Hessian encampments and encouraged desertions from the service. Speak-
ing the same tongue it was easy to convince them that they were assisting
to conquer a people seeking to free themselves from political bondage and
endeavoring to establish a government where all men should be equal.
This appears in the number of Hessians, who after the battles of Trenton
and Red Bank deserted and settled in out of the way places—some not
many miles from where these men had made a home for themselves. They
erected cabins in the forest and after the war closed purchased land and be-
came good citizens, To these men many of the families in that region of
country can trace their lineage. * “
So far as known Ignatius aud Xaverius died single andthe two daugh-
ters of Sebastian who survived their parents became the owners of the estate.
Both remained on the property, one marrying Harman Myrose and the other
Eli Neild. The latter of these, with her husband and son and daughter, oc-
cupied the old castle for many years and only left it when beyond repair and
ready to tumble to the ground. Although part of2the estate remains as an
runeritance to one branch of the family, yet every vestige of the many tra-
ditions about the old place have passed into oblivion, possibly never to be
revived. How great the pity that so few care to cherish such remembrances,
which as the years advance, make them the more and more shadowy—unti
forgotten,
JOUN CLEMENTS,
Maddonfield, N. J.
From the Baptismal Register of Rev. Ferdinand Farmer, (Records of the
American Catholic Historical Society Vol., 1), we extract the annexed entries
confirmatory of the above, -
Paul Francis Xavier Waas, of Sebastian and Anna Mary Waas, born
Febuary 27th 1757, baptized April 17th 1759. Sponsors, Paul and Dorothy
Miller.
Anthony Ignatius Waas, of same parents, born Nov, 9th 1758, baptized
April 17th 1759, Sponsors, Anthony and Anna Mary (Protestant) Gabriel.
Mary. Waas, of Sebastian and. Anna Mary Waas, born January 14th
1760, baptized March 21stg176l. Sponsors: Henry Arnold and Magdalen
Tamin. ,
Mary Elizabeth Waas, of Sebastian and Anna Mary Waas, born April
17th 1762, baptized Agust.29th. Sponsors Henry and Anna Mary Fredder.
Francis’Joseph Waas, of Sebastian and Anna Mary ‘Waas, born Nov.
things set before her. There was no scarcity, for fish, flesh or fowl were in
abundance. Happy in her marriage the surroundings soon became familiar
and attractive, and she was content with her lot as cast in the wilds of
America, although far from friends at home and isolated from society, a8
but few passed that way jn those early times. .
‘About the middle of the Eighteenth century attempts were made to
utilize the bog ore 80 abundant in the swamps on the eastern slope of New
Jersey, and to accomplish that end furnaces were erected at what has since
been known as Batsto, Atsion and Weymouth. The operatives at these
forges were generally foreigners and adherents of the Roman Catholic
Church; true to the instincts and traditions of the religion missionaries
were soon sent out to minister to the spiritual wants of its followers wher-
ever known to be. To reach these places long and tedious journeys had to
be taken, which tested the energy and endurance of these faithful men
the greatest extent. On foot and alone through miles of the quiet an
onely forest they made their way, finding resting places a3 best they could
where night or storm should overtake them, The doors of Shane 's Castle
were always open to them and here those of the same religious persuasion
tmade them welcome. Here for many years religious service, according to
he tenets and forms of the Chureh, were had, and the few people living in
that region were invited to hear the gospel breaches
ir number was oc
natives who 8 Sree aneeeerstanding a word that was uttered, could see in
the deportment of the worshippers the sincerity and reverence that moved
them, Theyfonly{knew that the worsbip of the ‘*
unlike the’silent awe with which they regarded the
always about them in the mystery and grandeur of an unknown existence,
asionally increased by a few] other prominent stations.
white man’s God’? was
Great Spirit, which Was] which he wore at the battle of the Boyne.
8rd 1772, baptized April 12th 1773. Sponsors, Francis and Agatha Senner.
Anna Margaret {Waas, of Sebastian and Anna {Mary Waas, born
August 14th 1774, baptized April 16th 1775. Sponsors John and Margaret
Ridiger. :
These baptisms seem to have been administered at Philadelphia as
Father Farmer does not name anotber place as was his practice. Other
settlements of Catholics he visited as the Register shows but this at Water-
ford is not named. Shane’s Castle would indicate that an Irishman had oc-
cupied the Castle before the German Waas,—Ep. JOURNAL.
OO
AN EARLY IRISH CATHOLIO SETTLER IN
CAPE MAY!
Another of the early settlers was William Golding. He emigrated to
Cape May in or about 1691. He was an Irishman, and espoused the cause
of James against William and Mary, and fought as an officer at the battle
of the Boyne in 1690. ‘As he soon after came to America, he was most
likely one of those Jacobite Catholics that William, in his clemency, gave
permission to flee the country or abide the just indignation of the Protest-
ant authority for the part he took in said battle to promote its downfall,
He, with Rem, Garretson, Jocated 1,016 acres of land at Egg Harbor, now
Beesley’s Point, {le was one of the justices of the court, and occupied
He died about 1715, leaving but few descend-
ants, one of whom, his great-grandson, Rem, G. Golding, now past 80 years
old, lives near the first and original location, and has in his possession at the
resent time the sword with which his ancestor fought, and the epaulettes
Beasleys’ Early History of Cape May County, 1857,
PERSONAL,
Death comes to the gallant Sheridan
aud he at once prepares himself to meet
his Maker. He sends for his confessor,
makes his confession and receives the
last sacraments; his only concern at the
supreme moment ng only to make
The exampleof
such a death is more value to the present
generation than all the fame he achieved
on the Geld of battle, and makes him dear
to every Christian in the land. The
greatest calvary gene! of ancient or
modern times and the head of the United
States army prepares for death with the
simple faith of the humblest of Catholics,
remember an incident in his career
that was told us by the late Bishop Foley
of Chicago, He came to announce hi
approaching marriageand to take such
ste to perform that
solemn act as became a Catholic. He
said he wanted to make a good confes-
sion .He went to confession, not once or
twice, but three several times before he
would consent to receive Holy Commuu-
ion, When the morning came for him
re him
us the
ever
edified in his life.— Western Watch
—The Hibernian Record has a portrait
of M. F. Wilhere the National ‘Delega
of the A. H.O.. Portraits of b
ciate National officers are also given.
—We were delighted to meet in Inde-
pence Square on the morning of Fourth
of July Father Morgan the pastor of
Old St. Joseph’s. It was just the place
for -—in attendance at the Cele-
bration of the Declaration. ear
Father Horstmann was invited
not. Next year we hope Fath
will be selected. er Morgan
—Hugh McCaffrey Vice President of
e gue and President of the Muni-
cipal Council of Philadelphia resigned
we tri
the position.
—The Knights of St, John in annual
Convention at Louisville elected as Sec-
ond Vice Commander with the rank of
Major General, J. L. Herbert of Wash-
ington coloured representative of a
Branch of the orgauization,
Mr. McCaffrey will not resume
—Tie Freeland Tribune is a weekly
paper issued by Thomas A. Buckley,
President of No. 2u3 I. C, B. U. of
Drifton Pa.. Mr. Buckley is the editor
4 In the pi is he
“In politics the Tribune wil! be
mocratic, believing that the principles
of that party will best subserve thi
masses;””
—Monsignor Bessoines will not be at
the Boston C. T. A. U. of A. Conyen-
tion as he has gove on atrip to Europe.
—Fatber Weichmann bas resigned the
Presidency of the Indiana Total abstain-
ers, and William Heffernan of Wash-
ington n selected for that
position,
—Jobn A. Collier of Pittston retires
from the Presidency of the Pennsylva-
nia State Union of Total abstainers
after nine years service.
—Patrick Norton of St. Mary’s Iliber-
nian Society of Rochester N. Y, a mem-
bel Class A. & B.. was killed by being
struck by a locomotive. He had been
in the employ of the New York Central
R; R, for 40 years. He lived for several
hours after the accident and by God's
grace received the attention of two
priests, one of whom was on the train,
May he rest in peace.
—Father Conaty, President C. T. A;
U; of A. preached at the laying of a
corner stone of a church at Turner’s
Falls, Mass, on July Ist.;
—Fatber McCoy of Westboro, Mass,
by Miss
has had his portrait painted
Anne Kneeland.¢
—Ilon, A. M. Keily returns to Egypt .
July 28th,
—The Times of Chattanooga Tenn.
on July Ist issued a page paper. It
contained a two column sketch of the
03
so it may not be true that he been *
transfered to Nashville as we stated
in a New York paper and made mention
in last Journal.
—The church iu Chattanooga has a
claim of $25,000 against the Goverment
for damages done by the Federal army.
It is stated that every claim of Protes-
tant churches has been paid.
the latter at last meeting bgt the Gongs ————