What's Our Town History? - Vincentown Edition

           Vincentown was founded in 1758, but has gone by a few names in the past such as Quakertown, and Brimstone Neck. It was later named Vincent’s Town, but came to be Vincentown, because of Vincent Leeds; he was the most active out of his brothers, Philo and James, when they were all buying land. Vincent bought most of the land that Vincentown is built upon in 1743; however, additional land was purchased in 1758. Vincentown’s Post Office was granted its United States Postal Service charter in 1822. Its first Postmaster was Mahlon Sleeper, great nephew to Vincentown founder Vincent Leeds.

Religion

            John Brainard, celebrated missionary, built the first church of Vincentown in 1774. Later a second church, Quaker Meeting House, was built where the Grange now resides. A deed that’s dated in July of 1781 states that this land was bought from Vincent Leeds’ widow, Anna Stockton Leeds, for five shillings.

(Pictured: The Grange)

Education

            The Herbert School, “a select school” (private school), was established on Plum St in 1858 by a John G. Herbert. It educated students until 1898. He would also go on to establish the first free library in Vincentown on Main Street; he did this with his own personal book collection. The William K. Haines schoolhouse was established in 1861 on Race Street; however it was relocated in 1981 next to Allen’s Oil & Propane on Main Street. It’s named after its first schoolmaster William Haines. The Southampton Historical Society made sure that it was relocated back to its original location.

Town Hall

            The Vincentown Town Hall was established in 1884 and was originally only supposed to be a one story building. However, there was a deal that was struck with the Freemasons for a rental of a second floor. So, the second floor was built and it is still used for members of the Masonic lodge to meet.

Banking

            The bank that currently stands on the corner of Main and Mill Street began business in 1864. It had consistent business for 134 years. In that time, it has had six different names. In order they are: The First National Bank of Vincentown (1864-1963), Union National Bank (1963-70), South Jersey National Bank (1970-71), Heritage Bank (May, 1971-Sept., 1986), Midlantic Bank (1986-96), PNC Bank (1996-98). It was shutdown briefly in 1999 until 2001 when Sterling Bank took over. They still own this bank as of today.

Sources:

Southampton Township, New Jersey. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2017.

"Vincent Leeds." WikiTree: Where genealogists collaborate. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2017.