Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 2

6B GC COURIER-POST, Thursday, October 26, 2006 GLOUCESTER COUNTY COMMUNITIES- www.courierpostonline.comcommunities Legend of Penns Grove tavern is surrounded by mystery ON THE WEB Thomas Dnrnhm inr i iiii ri "After being widowed, Catherine married John Diver. She and her two sons continued operating the tavern at Helms Cove, but in 1836, the Walker sons (found religion) at a Methodist revival held in the old Cove School House." Federanko-Stout says the two reportedly decided to stop selling alcoholic beverages immediately. "The following morning, they and a company of new converts gathered around the tavern sign with plans to chop it down," she says. "Daniel Vanneman, one of the early Methodists who sponsored the revival, suggested they dig the sign up, 'lest it sprout Federanko-Stout says the house was severely damaged by fire in 1871, but its exterior was saved and the interior was rebuilt. On March 8, 1879, the house and property were sold at a sheriffs sale to Garnett Summerill.

The house and lot were purchased for $1,000, and an additional 118 acres went for another $7,000. Helms Cove Tavern remained in the Summerill family until the present owner, Hoyt Mason, purchased it. He is continuing its restoration. Thomas A. Bergbauer is a retired Courier-Post copy editor and can be reached at (856) 346-0371 tbergbauerveri- or through Communities, Courier-Post, P.O.

Box 5300, Cherry Hill, NX 08034. -1 The tiny borough of Penns Grove can easily trace its roots to the 1600s. Names like Boon, Summerill, Helms, Carney and Walker surface in all the records at the Historical Society of Penns Grove and Carneys Point. They were some of the families who contributed to the growth of the fishing village, which was noted for its shad and sturgeon. Penns Grove, which was incorporated in 1894, was carved out of Upper Penns Neck, a large tract of land that can be traced to a 1600s deed left by William Penn.

Oldmans Township, incorporated in 1881, was also a portion of the tract. Today, the remainder of Upper Penns Neck is Carneys Point. One of the most notable landmarks in Penns Grove is Helms Cove Tavern, on East Maple Avenue. According to society records, it was constructed in 1732. "Much mystery and folklore surround this beautiful Colonial structure," says Donna Federan-ko-Stout, a historian and the author of the Postcard History Series on Penns Grove and Carneys Point.

She says what was once the tavern is reportedly the oldest standing house in the borough. The house sits in the southern part of Penns Grove, in a section known as Helms Cove a name that appeared on maps before the name "Penns Grove" did. Andrew Helms and his wife, Catherine, owned 250 acres of Chain hoist and dolly in exchange for something of comparable value. Call Jim at (856) 456-8623. Tutoring service by college liberal-arts professor in exchange for professional massage.

Call (856) 745-2185. New carpeting in exchange for a week's stay in North Carolina's Outer Banks or Ocean City, Md. Call (609) 970-2991. Firewood, split and delivered, in exchange for landscapinggardening equipment, hunting equipment or something of comparable value. Call (856) 912-2532.

Toy trucks, roughly 12 inches, metal and plastic, in exchange for silver coins or political items, such as pins, buttons, ribbons, etc. Call Anthony at (856) 854-2299. Bartering uciyuauui History ground in the cove. But the house was not built by the Helms family. According to records, it was constructed for Andrew Boon by one of his ancestors, a member of the Walker family.

The land and house were acquired in 1758 by Andrew Helms from his wife's father, John Mounson. Before it became Helms Cove Tavern, records show it operated under a variety of names such as Hoover's Tavern, Walker's Tavern, Diver's Tavern and Boon's Tavern. Information further shows that Helms applied for and received a license to keep a tavern and ferry on his property in 1771. Federanko-Stout says the tavern was reportedly damaged during the Revolutionary War, but there's some mystery surrounding that claim and no real evidence to support it. As the legend goes, a small naval battle was fought in the Delaware River, in the section between Helms Cove and Delaware's Christiana Creek.

"The tavern is said to have been hit by a cannonball fired from the British frigate Roebuck on May 8, 1776," Federanko-Stout says. The legend says two English Professional painter, for home or office, in exchange for legal services, autos, furniture, musical equipment or dental services. Call Steve at (856) 343-2509. Used oil tank, 275 gallons, in exchange for best offer or chippershredder. Call (856) 589-6099.

Carpentry or handyman work by carpenter in exchange for good-running, dependable work truck or vehicle. Call Joe at (856) 373-3396. Tutoring in physical science, chemistry or physics in your home by a state certified teacher in exchange for something of comparable value. Call (856) 596-6098 or e-mail Naic98Excite.com. Recumbent bicycle, home built, in exchange for something of comparable value.

Call (856) 596-6098 or e-mail Home improvements in exchange for Thanksgiving weekend at a www.pennsgrovehistory.com a history of Penns Grove nonball under the south window of the second story," the historian says. Claims were made that the ball was found and saved, but its whereabouts are not known, she says. "Some say the ball is somewhere in Maryland after a (Helms descendant) took it there," she explains. Federanko-Stout, who conducts walking tours in Penns Grove, has many tales to tell about the old brick building, which today is privately owned. "Late in the evening of Feb.

25, 1784, a dying Andrew Helms was visited by pastor Nicholas Collin of the Swedish Lutheran Church," she says. "Pastor Collin administered communion to the ailing Helms, and Helms died the next day." The funeral service was held in Helms' home, and Collin noted in his daily journal that "the day was terribly cold," Federanko-Stout says. The historian then relates a legend about how the building's days as a tavern ended. "After the death of Helms, the tavern was passed down to a granddaughter, Catherine Hoover. She later married Michael Walker, and they had two sons, Robert and Francis," Federanko-Stout says.

velopment, recruiting andor business auditing help in exchange for concrete andor carpentry work. Call Martha (856) 456-9433 or (609) 932-9800. Two or three weeks at the N.J. shore in exchange for light yard cleanup and cooking. Marilyn and Thomas Waters.

Call (856) 582-7927. Cherry-finish bedroom bureau andor solid wood 36-inch door in exchange for fixing a Lazy Susan lower kitchen cabinet. Call (856) 768-0316. Cut down trees, including three 30-plus-foot high walnut trees, in exchange for you keep the wood. Call (856) 265-7731.

Owner of remodeling company willing to trade home or farm projects in exchange for deer-hunting privileges on private land. Call Bob at (609) 820-9705. Bathroom renovation, replacement windows, experienced handyman in exchange for dental il AL SCHELLCourier-Post Helms Cove Tavern in Penns Grove is one of the most notable properties in the borough. warships were engaged by Patri- on May 8 and 9, and a cannon-ot ships called row galleys ball from the British ship sup-that were sent down from the posedly hit the house. Philadelphia area.

The engage- "It was reported that the ment was said to have occurred home bore the mark of the can- shore house or a car or a motorcycle. Call Ron at (856) 222-9242. Firewood in exchange for cutting down and removing oak trees. Call (609) 670-5525. Side-by-side Kenmore refrigerator, 4 years old, in exchange for landscaping, plumbing or electrical work.

Call Jim at (856) 770-5404 or (856) 404-0032. Land sailer, homemade with purchased sail, good for a field or beach, in exchange for something comparable in value. Call (856) 742-0853. Las Vegas time share, two floating weeks available, in exchange for professional landscaping, rug installation or drywall installation. Call (856) 265-9488.

Land In gated Pennsylvania mountain community in exchange for land on West Coast or Florida Sarasota area or farther south. Call (856) 228-6846. Two building lots, Cape Coral, Fla. CMMIIrjrarji3(3i3 QfligfMiEffl iGffiD TN I i 5 iL- one on a lagoon with bulkhead; the other with fruit trees in exchange for building lots in South Jersey or a South Jersey house of equal value to the lots. Call John at (856) 939-4540 or (856) 939-4949.

Side-by-side refrigeratorfreezer, waterice dispenser, one year old, in exchange for very light body work and paint Job on Dodge Dakota pickup truck. Call Wayne at (856) 981-5284. Weight bench and accessories plus various free weights in exchange for solar hot-water system repairs or something of comparable value. Call (856) 728-2989. Five inside hollow doors of various sizes, prehung with door knobs, some new, some used but in good condition, in exchange for solar hot-water system repair or something of comparable value.

Call (856) 728-2989. Personal coaching (executive, leadership, career), business-plan de 7 I 1 A daily We private 'i-lL Respecting individual independence at all levels of care. 1 Vi I I work. Call Colleen at (856) 428-3000. Man with car will run errands and do minor repairs in exchange for home-cooked meals or something of comparable value.

Call Andy at (609) 230-2436. Deed to a time share in Orlando, in exchange for in-ground pool repairs. Call (856) 848-3323. Sportsspace cards and memorabilia in exchange for Morgan, Eagle or Peace silver dollars or any gold coins. Call Anthony at (856) 983-2900, ext.

2022 (days) or (856) 740-4902 (evenings). If you have an item or a service to barter, send to Communities, Bartering, P.O. Box 5300, Cherry Hill 08034, attention: Dolores Reichert. Please be sure to include your full name and address. For information, call Dolores at (856) 486-2668, or fax to (856)663-2831.

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