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The Still Family and Burlington County

Charity 1775-1857. The Still Family and Burlington County. Peter 1801-1868. James 1812-1882. William 1821-1902. By Joseph M. Laufer – Burlington County Historian. Filming The Dr. James Still Documentary. Mount Laurel. Evesham. Tabernacle Southampton Shamong Woodland. Medford,

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The Still Family and Burlington County

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  1. Charity 1775-1857 The Still Family and Burlington County Peter 1801-1868 James 1812-1882 William 1821-1902 By Joseph M. Laufer – Burlington County Historian

  2. Filming The Dr. James Still Documentary Mount Laurel Evesham Tabernacle Southampton Shamong Woodland Medford, Medford Lakes July, 2009

  3. Each summer, students attending the four high schools of the Lenape Regional High School District, Lenape, Shawnee, Cherokee and Seneca, are invited to participate in an intensive Summer workshop in order to experience the making of a video documentary from start to finish. Wherever possible the documentary will deal with a topic of local historical interest and contribute to the historical archive of Burlington County. The students receive hands-on experience in the creative and technical skills associated with the making of a documentary film. They are coached in skills dealing with historical research, the identification of experts, and the crafting of interview questions. Under the guidance of the LDTV technical crew, they go on location shoots, gather B-roll (supporting video), manage lighting, sound, editing, graphic creation and much more. 

  4. The first documentary produced by the students was in 2004: “Reinventing the Wheel”

  5. LDTV 2009 Summer Workshop This past summer, the District once again invited students to participate in a workshop which was conducted over two weeks from July 13th through July 23. The goal of the workshop was for the students to produce a documentary about the life of Dr. James Still, “The Black Doctor of the Pines”, whose medical office still stands at 209 Church Rd, Medford, NJ.  Burlington County Historian, Joseph Laufer, was invited to work with LDTV and the students throughout the course of the workshop.  On the first day of the workshop, Mr. Laufer presented a lesson on the life of Dr. James Still so that the students would be familiar with and understand the scope of the documentary.  Instruction included an overview of the Black History of Burlington County and the geography of the county associated with this history. The remainder of the workshop dealt with the hands on production of the documentary both on site and in the LDTV studio. Student involvement continues today into the regular school year with students involved in the editing and post production phase of the documentary. It is expected to be completed by early spring.

  6. Interviewees • George Flemming, Historian, Author • Paul W. Schopp, Historian • Terrell Person, Pastor, Still Descendant • Edmund R. Gager, Local Historian, Author • Francine Still Hicks, Artist, great, great granddaughter • Brandon Hicks, Great, great, great grandson • Jay Watson, Deputy Director, NJ DEP • Jeannie Francis, Herbalist, Master Gardener • Joseph M. Laufer, Burlington County Historian

  7. LDTV Mobile Unit arrives at Dr. Still Office site for filming

  8. Locations for Filming & Interviews • Medical Office of Dr. Still – 209 Church Road (Rt. 616), Medford (Crossroads, opposite corner from WaWa). Now owned by State of New Jersey. • Historical Marker at site of Brace Road School, corner of Church and Ark Roads, attended by Dr. Still during the winter of 1832 (see autobiography). • Jacob’s Chapel, Rt. 612 (Elbo Lane) near Moorestown-Mount Laurel Road, Mt. Laurel. Tomb of Dr. Still in cemetery at rear of Church. • Site of Shamong Saw Mill, where Levin Still worked and where Dr. James Still was born. • Site of Still Family home in Shamong (Historical Marker) and graves of Charity and Levin Still – On Stokes Road, near Grassy Lake Rd. (marker at Pine Belt Recreation Complex). • Bear Swamp Preserve, Hawkin Road, Southampton Township - Property once owned by Dr. Still (Autobiography, page 158 – purchased in 1867). • “B Roll” sites along Church Road at Crossroads, Medford; Amos Wilkins Home, Rt. 561 at Fostertown, Still home on Madison Avenue, Mt. Holly; Robert Woolston home in Vincentown; Still property in Buddtown

  9. Charity Still Shamong, New Jersey 1775 - 1857 • Born “Sidney Steel” on a plantation in Maryland • During late 18th Century married Levin, a free man • 1804 failed in attempt to escape from slavery with 4 of her children • Second attempt was successful – settled in Shamong with 2 children • Had 18 children, the most famous of whom were: • - Peter Still of Burlington – 1801-1868 • - James – “The Black Doctor of the Pines” – 1812-1885 • - William (youngest) – 1821-1902 - “Father of the Underground Railroad”

  10. 206 Dr. James Still’s life is an amazing tale of the son of former slaves growing up in extreme poverty and becoming one of New Jersey’s earliest medical doctors. He was one of 18 children of slave parents. Dr. Still was a distinguished herbalist at a time when most doctors relied on often questionable, patent medicines. He had a large biracial practice. William Still

  11. Home of Charity & Levin Still; Burial Ground Sawmill at Indian Mills – Birthplace of James Still

  12. Author, Historian George Flemming interviewed at site of Sawmill in Indian Mills

  13. George Flemming, author of “Brotherton” at site of sawmill in Indian Mills. Levin Still worked here and James Still was born here. Site is located on Willow Grove Road, Shamong.

  14. Historic Marker Located on Stokes Road in Shamong Township in front of Pine Belt Recreation Complex

  15. An example of the quarters to which Levin and Charity Still would have been accustomed in their pre-emancipation days. Found throughout the small black enclaves in Southern NJ by free blacks and escaping slaves. Levin “Steel” purchased his own freedom (in Maryland) and changed his name to “Still” to protect his wife, who prior to joining him in N.J. , was still in Maryland with 4 children. Levin Still worked in Shamong’s Saw Mill

  16. Rutland Court, Shamong (off of Stokes Road) Location of Burial plots of Levin and Charity Still

  17. Heading towards the Still Burial Ground behind # 6 and 8 Rutland Ct., Shamong

  18. George Flemming at the site of the graves of Levin and Charity Still on Rutland Ct. in Shamong.

  19. Samuel Still points to the location of the graves of Levin and Charity Still on Rutland Court, off Stokes Rd. in Shamong.

  20. George Flemming points to remains of Samuel Still’s home in Shamong

  21. STILL, JAMESEarly Recollections and Life of Dr. James Still 1877 STILL, JAMES. Early Recollections and Life of Dr. James Still. [Philadelphia]: Printed for the author, 1877. 274 p. Port. Cloth. Autobiography of a Black physician in the rural Burlington County Pine Barrens. The work chronicles the African-American experience in Burlington County before, during, and after the Civil War. This is one of the classic works of Black New Jerseyana and a scarce and desirable book. Copies in fine condition are virtually unobtainable.

  22. James Still: Early Life • Born: April 9, 1812 – Shamong • Born with two teeth! • Father, Levin, worked at the Saw Mill • First recollection @ 21/2 years : Shoes from Lumberton • Lived in a log house • Inspired to be a doctor when younger brother John was vaccinated by Dr. Fort • Began working at 8 or 9: chopping wood, picking huckleberries and cranberries. • Attended school in bad weather; worked in fair weather. • Best friend: Indian Job Moore • At age 10, helped his father deliver wood by Oxen Cart

  23. Dr. Fort’s visits to the Still home inspired James to dream of becoming a doctor. He relates that the dream began when he witnessed the vaccination of his little brother, John Nelson. He often “played doctor” by imitating Dr. Fort vaccinating his siblings. Illustration by Francine Still Hicks, descendant of James

  24. Levin Still was a strict father and he and his wife, Charity, used personal example and scripture to instill Christian principles into their daily living. Illustration by Francine Still Hicks, descendant of James

  25. Teenage years • At 17 visited Philadelphia. • Became tired of his father’s strict parenting; decides to become bound to Amos Wilkins for three years. • Develops a drinking problem – but quickly decides to give it up completely. • Works at farming; dreams of becoming a doctor. • Deal with Wilkins was that James would attend school 1 month each winter for 3 years.

  26. NJ State Archives photo “Amos Wilkins House, Lumberton-Medford Road near Cross Roads, Medford Twp., 1787 “ Photo from 1977 BCT article by Historian Lloyd Griscom. Dr. Still laments the death of Amos Wilkins in his autobiography. Wilkins is buried in the Union Street Friends Burial Ground in Medford. His tombstone reads: AMOS WILKINS DIED 1866 in the 76th year of his age The home of Amos Wilkins still stands on Route 561 in Fostertown (about 2 miles from Crossroads on the way to Lumberton). James Still, who was “bound out” to Amos from 1831 to 1833, would have lived in the workers quarters on the premises. The home was built in 1787. On several occasions, Wilkins loaned money to James for some of his real estate investments.

  27. Brace Road School • Corner of Church and Ark Roads • Earliest of Medford’s one-room schools • James Still attended for 1 month during the winters of 1831, 1832 and 1833 (ages 18 to 21) • Teachers: Nathan Prickett; John Fowler; Sandeth Frazier. • “Drab, curtainless room with whitewashed walls, no maps, one or two reference books, a closet for books and another for lunch boxes.” • “Graduates” and leaves Fostertown in 1833 for Philadelphia at age 21 – works in glue factory

  28. Over three winters, James attends the Brace Road School for one month while “bound out” to Amos Wilkins. Illustration by Francine Still Hicks, descendant of James

  29. James Still attended for 1 month during the winters of 1831, 1832 and 1833 (ages 18 to 21) as a part of a 3-year* arrangement when he was “Bound Out” to Amos Wilkins. His father, Levin, was also given $100 and at the end of the “contract” James would get $10 and a suit of new clothes. * “3 years, 2months and 5 days”

  30. Return to Jersey – 1834(after brief stint in Philadelphia working in a glue factory) • Does woodcutting and farming in and around Medford and Fostertown • 1835 marries Angelina Willow of Ellisburg; they bought a home at Crossroads; had a daughter, Beulah; then Angelina died prematurely in 1838 when James was 26. • James has a life-changing religious experience shortly after Angelina’s death. • Re-marries on August 8, 1839, Henrietta Thomas, a Vincentown girl living at the home of Robert Woolston. Three days later, his daughter Beulah died, one year after her mother. A son Jimmie was born in 1840. James is 28 • In 1842 his father, Levin, dies.

  31. Dr. James Still begins his practice by first distilling herbs and roots and selling them to pharmacies. He then began applying his remedies to local residents throughout the Pinelands of Southern New Jersey. Illustration by Francine Still Hicks, descendant of James

  32. Herbalist and Master Gardener, Jeannie Francis, being interviewed by Shawnee student Ben Francis (no relation) inside the Still Office in Medford. Jeannie Francis during her interview.

  33. Historian Paul W. Schopp awaits interview alongside Dr. Still’s Medford Office. Historian, Paul W. Schopp Interviewed concerning Still’s extensive real estate holdings in Medford and his accumulated wealth at the time of his death.

  34. Edmund R. Gager Local Historian; Author; Farmer; Businessman Southampton Township

  35. Dr. James Still Black Doctor of the Pines Home of Robert Woolston, Main St., Vincentown workplace of Henrietta Thomas, Still’s second wife.

  36. Students gathering equipment on the porch of Dr. Still’s Office on Church Street, Crossroads, Medford. Jay Watson, Deputy Director of DEP awaits questions from Ben Fisher near Still Office in Medford.

  37. Burlington Co. Times, Feb. 2006 The Office of Dr. James Still is the first African-American historic site to be acquired and interpreted by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. The property was acquired in February 2006 through the Green Acres Program for $875,000. . It is an 8.8 acre parcel which was at risk of being demolished to make way for zoned commercial development. It is considered a “First Class Historic Site.”

  38. Jay Watson, Deputy Director of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, instrumental in saving the Still property in Medford through Open Space initiatives is interviewed near the Office of Dr. Still. Site of Still homestead adjacent to the Still Office on Church Road, Medford.

  39. 209 Church Road (Rt. 616), Medford. Dr. Still’s office (1855) on the left; Third home (1869) on the right – Crossroads, Medford First home: 1836; Second home 1849; Third home (above) 1869

  40. The Cemetery at the rear of Jacob’s Chapel on Elbo Lane in Mt. Laurel is the burial place of Dr. James Still Dr. Still died in 1882 This large tombstone marks the burial place of Dr. James Stiill, Black Doctor of the Pines.

  41. Jacob’s Chapel – African Methodist Episcopal Church Elbo Lane (Rt. #612) near Moorestown-Mount Laurel Rd., Mt. Laurel

  42. These commonly accepted dates have been disputed by some historians. Some say the church was built in 1867.

  43. Rev. Terrell Person, pastor, and direct descendant of Dr. James Still is interviewed by Ben Francis in Jacob’s Chapel, Colemantown on Elbo Lane, Mt. Laurel. From left to right, Shawnee H.S. student Ben Francis, Historian Paul W. Schopp and County Historian, Joe Laufer at Jacob’s Chapel.

  44. Artist and Still descendant* Francine Still Hicks of Palmyra is interviewed in the Colemantown burial ground behind Jacob’s Chapel. The tomb of Dr. James Still is in the background. *great, great granddaughter Brandon Hicks great, great, great grandson Francine Still Hicks

  45. Clarence Still & Joe Laufer Lawnside, NJ – Aug. 9, 2009

  46. 97 Madison Ave., Mt. Holly, NJ Home of Joseph Still, son of Dr. James Still, who practiced herbal medicine in Mount Holly.

  47. Students in the LDTV studio editing the interviews during post production.

  48. 2009 Workshop Participants (21) • Andrew Meghri CHS/2012 Marlton • Laura Wishart CHS/2011 Marlton • Ryan Flaherty SEN/2012 Tabernacle • John Panico SEN/2011 Tabernacle • Ciane Pringle LHS/2012 Mt. Laurel • Ben Francis SHS/2011 Medford Lakes • Lauren Carr SHS/2012 Medford • Chris Cramer LHS/2011 Mt. Laurel • Andrew Corkery LHS/2011 Mt. Laurel • Katie Benowitz SEN/2012 ShamongBrian Newbert CHS/2011 Marlton • Daniel Mulligan LHS/2013 Mt. Laurel • Meghan Swiatkowski SHS/2012 Medford • Jake Albano SHS/2011 Medford • Andrew Kerber SHS/2010 Medford • Jordon Murray LHS/2013 Mt. Laurel • Alex Clauss LHS/2011 Mt. Laurel • Katie Clauss LHS/2012 Mt. Laurel • Kara Tabor SHS/2012 Medford • John Wolgamot SHS/2011 Medford • Pat Nolan SHS/2011 Medford

  49. LDTV Staff • John Donaldson – Director, LDTV • Marc Sonsini • Rebecca Horn • D. J. Deeney

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