I just want to add to this a little so Folks in Camden know how much my Great Great Great Grandfather was tied into the West Jersey Ferry Company. One thing I can add is I myself have actually examined the Minute Books of the West Jersey Ferry Co. and found this entry: Resolution to Start building a boat under the supervision of John Hutchison by August. Dated July 13, 1864. This boat was probably the "America" built might have meant completed. I also am adding the Names of John Hutchison's children, you researchers out there who think children are only named after relatives, think again.... and read my family tree and the story of the West Jersey Ferry Companies Founders. Genge, Browning, Edward His children were: i. Angeline T. Hutchison ii. Jane Emma Hutchison (Died Young); Born Feb 18, 1852 in Camden, NJ. Died Apr 3, 1856 in Camden, NJ. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Camden, NJ. iii. James C. Hutchison (Died Young); Born Nov 5, 1853 in Camden, NJ. Died Sep 5, 1854 in Camden, NJ. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Camden, NJ. iv. John Grier Hutchison Jr.; Born Mar 6, 1855 in Camden, NJ. Died Mar 10, 1909 in Camden, NJ. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Camden, NJ. He married Clara C. Amon, ? . Born ? Dec 1858 in Camden, NJ. Buried in Evergreen, Cemetery, Camden, NJ. v. Benjamin H. Browning Hutchison vi. Catherine Virginia Hutchison; Born Sep 9, 1859 in Camden, NJ. Died Jul 19, 1901. She married Fox, ? . vii. Edward Browning Hutchison (Died Young); Born Sep 22, 1861 in Camden, NJ. Died Apr 16, 1863 in Camden, NJ. Buried in Evergreen, Cemetery, Camden, NJ. viii. Genge Browning Hutchison ix. Laura Hutchison (Died Young); Born Jun 26, 1865 in Camden, NJ. Died Jan 20, 1868 in Camden, NJ. Buried in Evergreen, Cemetery, Camden, NJ. x. George Hutchison; Born Oct 13, 1866 in Camden, NJ. Died Aug 22, 1918 in Camden, NJ. Buried in Evergreen, Cemetery, Camden, NJ. xi. D. Tenney Gage Hutchison xii. Frank Keeler Hutchison (Died Young); Born Nov 15, 1869 in Camden, NJ. Died Nov 8, 1870 in Camden, NJ. Buried in Evergreen, Cemetery, Camden, NJ. xiii. Laura M. Hutchison; Born Jul 27, 1871 in Camden, NJ. Died Apr 28, 1921 in Camden, NJ. Buried in Evergreen, Cemetery, Camden, NJ. She married John G. Howell. xiv. Mary L. Hutchison -----Original Message----- From: Vincent E. Summers [mailto:vsummers@nrao.edu] Sent: Saturday, September 26, 1998 4:46 PM To: Thomas H. Hutchison, Jr. Subject: Re: Hutchison Fantastic! This covers your relative very respectably. If you appreciate this info, please forward a copy to the NJCAMDEN-L@rootsweb.com page for others to share briefly. Vince THE WEST JERSEY, familiarly known as "The Market Street Ferry," extends from Market Street, Camden, to Market Street, Philadelphia, and is now, and has long been, one of the leading lines of transportation across the Delaware between the two cities. This ferry was established about 1800 by Abraham Browning, Sr., an intelligent and enterprising farmer of the territory now embraced in Stockton township. His father-in-law, George Genge, at that time had a board-yard at the foot of the street. Abraham Browning built a ferry-house on the south side of Market Street, on the site of the large store building of Taylor Brothers, on the corner of Market Street and Second. He also put up stables for the reception of horses and vehicles, as the boats at that time used on this ferry, as on all others on the Delaware, were small row-boats or wherries, and of insufficient size and capacity for the conveyance of market teams. Sails were used to propel the wherries when the wind was fair, and in the absence of wind, oars were applied; but if the winds were adverse and strong, the boats awaited until the Fates were more propitious. Farmers usually unloaded their produce and left their teams on the east side of the river, while they went to market or attended to other business in Philadelphia. Abraham Browning improved the accommodations for landing by adding sufficient wharfing. The original place of landing of his boats at the times of high tide, however, was near the site of his ferryhouse, a long distance inland from the present landing-place, all the land intervening being "made ground," in the language of the common populace. When he completed the erection of his ferry-house, Mr. Browning moved from his farm into it, and operated his ferry for about one year. Disliking the business, he had either as lessees or superintendents various parties, among whom were James Springer, Peter Farrow, Benjamin Springer, Wm. S. Paul and Edward Browning. He continued to be the owner of this ferry until the time of his death, in 1836. It then passed into the possession of his heirs, who conducted it as their property until 1849. It was long known as the "Browning Ferry." In 1849 a charter was obtained, as is evidenced by the following: "Whereas, Abraham Browning, Maurice Browning, Charles Browning, Edward Browning, Eleanor Browning and Catharine Browning now own the ferries between Market Street, in the city of Camden, and the city of Philadelphia, with the real estate, boats, ships and appendages belonging thereto, which property not being in its nature suscepble [sic] of division without great prejudice, and liable to embarrassment or inconvenience by death or other misfortune while thus jointly held, the said owners desire to be incorporated, that they may, with greater security to themselves and advantage to the public, improve said ferries." The name was the West Jersey Ferry Company, and Abraham Genge, Maurice, Charles and Edward Browning were made directors by the act, to serve as such until October following, when others were to be elected and the number of directors increased to nine. This was the second of the ferries to pass into the hands of an incorporated company, the Federal Street Ferry having passed into the hands of the Camden and Philadelphia Ferry Company nine years before and the Kaighn's Point Ferry to the South Camden Ferry Company three years later. The presidents of the company have been Joseph Porter, William Clark and James B. Dayton; secretaries and treasurers, Edward Browning, Isaac Porter, Amos Rudderow. Benjamin Sutton, was the first superintendent, taking charge in 1849, followed by Daniel Bishop, and in 1852 by Wm. Morrell, who remained until January, 1857, when John G. Hutchinson, who had been master-mechanic, was appointed and has since continuously held the position. When James Springer conducted the Ferry, in 1809, the boats landed within a short distance of the hotel on Front Street, but when the Browning heirs took charge, thirty years later, the shore was moved westward by wharfing, extending the slips and filling up the low ground until the site of the terminus of the old ferry is many hundred feet inland, and the timbers of the "Mariner," "William Penn" and "Southwark" lie buried under Delaware Street, where they were moored when no longer serviceable. In 1849 the company built the West Jersey Hotel, a large, handsome building, of which Israel English sometime afterwards took and retained charge until his death. When the company was incorporated there were three boats connected with the ferry, --"Farmer," "Southwark" and "William Penn." The first two were replaced that year by the "Mariner" and the "Merchant," much larger boats. The "William Penn" was rebuilt in 1856 by John Bender. The "America" was built in 1867. The next boat was the "Columbia," an iron boat, built in 1877, with iron wheel-houses, gallies, frames and engine-house, the first ferry-boat on this river so completely fire-proof. The "Arctic," in 1879, and "Baltic" in 1884, followed. These are almost twin boats, with improvements upon the "Columbia" and larger, the dimension of the "Baltic" being: Length of keel, one hundred and forty-five feet; of deck, one hundred and fifty-seven feet; beam, thirty feet; over all, fifty-four feet; with engines of forty-inch cylinder and ten feet stroke. They are all powerful boats and crunch ice of formidable thickness. There has been no mishap causing loss of life on this ferry since its establishment. In 1883 the Pennsylvania Railroad Company bought a majority of the stock and that corporation now controls the ferry. James B. Dayton was president for many years. The present board of directors is composed of Edmund Smith, president; William J. Sewell, Wilbur F. Rose, Wistar Morris, Maurice Browning, Peter L. Voorhees, John F. Starr, Edward Roberts, Henry D. Welsh. John F. Joline is secretary and treasurer, and John G. Hutchinson is superintendent. "Thomas H. Hutchison, Jr." wrote: > Sorry Vince I forgot about this one, don't see how I could its our family > block. John Grier Hutchison, b feb 17, 1827 in Delaware was a well known > Superintendant of the West Jersey Ferry Company. He invented the idea of the > Floating docks, never pat'd. it, but I thought hey why not. The ferry > companies of today use the same concept today. I am sure someone had to > write about this ingenious idea of his back in the 1800's. > > Thanks > Tom