First Camden National Bank & Trust Company
Established 1812
This bank traces its roots back to June 16, 1812 when Camden’s first bank was incorporated. It was known as The State Bank at Camden, and retained that name until June 2, 1865, at which time it became a National Bank and its title was made The National State Bank of Camden. This bank did business until the late 1920s at the corner of North 2nd and Market Street. The National State Bank of Camden merged with the First National Bank under the name First National State Bank on July 1, 1922.
On July 1, 1927 another merger took place, this time with the Camden National Bank, the new and large institution now being known as First Camden National Bank & Trust Company. The President of the new institution was F. Morse Archer. A contract was awarded December 1927 for the construction of the new bank building for the First Camden National Bank & Trust Company, to be erected at Broadway and Cooper Street, at a cost of approximately $825,000.
By nature of the bank’s presence in the community, the bank’s President was an important person in Camden’s affairs. Presidents through 1950: William Rossell — James Sloan — Richard M. Cooper — John Gill — Israel W. Heulings — Heulings Lippincott — F. Morse Archer — Henry Knepper.
When the bank celebrated its 130th anniversary in 1942, directors included David Baird Jr. and Congressman Charles A. Wolverton. Another long-time director was Edward Roberts, who served for 35 years, prior to his passing in 1928.
On September 15, 1969, First Camden National Bank & Trust Company was renamed as South Jersey National Bank. On May 1, 1972 the bank left Camden and moved to 600 Kings Highway in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. On May 1, 1974 this bank was renamed as Heritage Bank National Association. On April 18, 1987 it was again renamed, and was then called best known as Midlantic National Bank. This bank shut down on September 7, 1996.
Southwest Corner, Broadway & Cooper Street, Camden NJ — December 2002
National State Bank of Camden — 1915
National State Bank of Camden — 1915
National State Bank Advertisement
1915 Camden High School Purple & Gold Yearbook
The NATIONAL STATE BANK OF CAMDEN
HEULINGS LIPPINCOTT, President — F. MORSE ARCHER, Vice-Pres. & Solicitor — A. D. AMBRUSTER, Cashier — STANLEY C. KIMBLE, Asst. Cashier
FOUNDED 1812 — Capital $500,000 — Surplus $500,000 — Deposits $5,000,000
Directors: Heulings Lippincott — Edward Dudley — Richard H. Reeve — Edward Roberts — Israel Roberts — John H. Perkins — Henry H. Lippincott — John T. Dorrance — F. Wallis Armstrong — William D. Sherrerd — A. D. Ambruster — Cyrus H. K. Curtis — Robert H. Comey — Ralph L. Freeman — F. Morse Archer
Bank Directory
Camden Courier-Post — March–
Report of Condition — National State Bank of Camden, March 7, 1916
National State Bank
Camden, N. J.
HEULINGS LIPPINCOTT, President
F. MORSE ARCHER, Vice President
A. D. AMBRUSTER, Cashier
S. C. KIMBLE, Assistant Cashier
J. T. FRAZEE, Notary Public
Directors: Heulings Lippincott — William D. Sherrerd — Richard H. Reeve — A. D. Ambruster — Edward Roberts — Robert H. Comey — Israel Roberts — Ralph L. Freeman — John H. Perkins — F. Morse Archer — Henry H. Lippincott — Killam E. Bennett — John T. Dorrance — Walter P. Sharp — F. Wallis Armstrong
Philadelphia Office, 223 Market Street — H. B. Lippincott, Agent — A. P. Rutherford, Notary Public — Discount Day, Tuesday
REPORT OF THE CONDITION OF THE Camden National Bank, At Camden, in the State of New Jersey, at the close of business March 7, 1916.
RESOURCES. Loans and discounts (except those shown on 6)…… $1,327,319 51 Overdrafts, secured …..$329 61 Overdrafts, unsecured….. 129 06 458 67 U. S. bonds deposited to sec. circ. (par val.)…$100,000 00 U. S. bonds pledged to secure U. S. deposits (par value)…. 25,000 00 U. S. bonds pledged to sec. postal savings deposits (par val.)…. 45,000 00 Prem. on U. S. bonds 7,700 00 177,700 00 Secur. other than U. S. bonds (not includ. stocks) owned unpledged: Stocks, bonds, etc. Fedl. Reserve Blk. Bank stock…… 16,899 84 Subscription to stock of Federal Res. Bank..$12,000 00 Less amount unpaid…. 6,000 00 6,000 00 Value of banking house (if unencumbered)…..40,000 00 Furniture and fixtures….. 5,000 00 Real estate owned other than banking house 48,948 08 Net amt. due from Fed. Res. bank……87,297 33 Net amt. due from banks, res. agts. in N.Y., Chicago and St. Louis..$14,452 67 Net amt. due from res. agts. in other reserve cities……388,382 38 402,835 05 Other checks on banks in the same city or town as reporting bank…. 16,782 75 Outside checks and other cash items……$121 65 Frac. currency, nickels and cents…….. 2,962 26 3,083 91 Notes of other national banks…… 4,275 00 Federal Reserve notes…… 3,096 80 Coin and certificates…… 84,574 75 Legal tender notes…… 38,787 00 Redemption fund with U. S. Treasury and due from U. S. Treasurer…. 5,000 00 Total……$2,705,136 03
LIABILITIES. Capital stock paid in…… $100,000 00 Surplus fund…… 100,000 00 Undivided profits…..$70,771 57 Less cur. expenses, int. and taxes paid 7,783 10 62,988 47 Circulating notes outstanding…… 97,097 50 Due to banks and bankers (other than listed in 28 or 29)…… 50,408 97 Dividends unpaid…… 350 00 Demand deposits: Individual deposits sub. to check…$40,779 14 Certificates of deposits due in less than 30 days…… 215 00 Certified checks…… 2,035 85 Cashier’s checks outstanding…… 116 93 U. S. deposits…… 25,000 00 Postal savings deposits…… 42,081 25 Deposits requiring notice but less than 30 days…… 1,384,062 92 Total……$2,705,136 03
State of New Jersey, County of Camden, ss: I, ELIAS DAVIS, Cashier of the above-named Bank, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true, to the best of my knowledge and belief. ELIAS DAVIS, Cashier. Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 13th day of March, 1916. J. HARTLEY BOWEN, Notary Public. Correct—Attest: JOHN W. DONGES, JO. C. DANENHOWER, HERBERT C. FELTON, Directors.
Camden National Bank
Camden, N. J.
FRANCIS C. HOWELL, President
HERBERT C. FELTON, Vice President
ELIAS DAVIS, Cashier
Directors: Francis C. Howell — John D. Glover — Herbert C. Felton — James W. Halley — Rudolph W. Birdsell — John C. Danenhower — Howard M. Cooper — Dr. John W. Donges — Isaac Ferris — Elias Davis
Philadelphia Office, Southeast corner 2nd and Walnut Streets — Discount Day, Wednesday
War Work Director Named
Philadelphia Inquirer —
F. Morse Archer, president of the National State Bank, is to direct the Camden drive for the war work fund. Former Judge William T. Boyle and William J. Strandwitz are the vice chairmen; Walter J. Staats is the treasurer and E. A. Stoll and David S. Rush, Jr., are the directors. The work in Camden city is to be done in six districts and the captains are E. G. C. Bleakly, James H. Long, William L. Hurley, F. B. Wallen, Wilbert Pike and Volney Bennett. Camden county’s quota is $227,500.
Banknote Issued After Merger, 1927
This banknote was issued shortly after the July 1, 1927 merger
First Camden National Bank and Trust Company
Camden Courier-Post —
FIRST CAMDEN NATIONAL BANK and TRUST COMPANY
Trust—Banking — Interest Accounts — Oldest and Largest in South Jersey — Safe Deposit — Investment Counsel
BROADWAY AND COOPER ST., CAMDEN
Downtown Branch: Broadway and Sycamore — Philadelphia Branch: 223 Market Street — Main Office Open Saturday Nights 7 to 9 — Broadway and Sycamore Office Open Friday Nights 7 to 9
Bank Teller Is Held for Shortage of $2000
Camden Courier-Post —
Alleged to have embezzled approximately $2000 from the South Camden branch of the First Camden National Bank and Trust Company, a former teller was held in $3000 bail by U. S. Commissioner Wynn Armstrong yesterday on a Federal warrant.
The accused man is Nelson Lamar, 36, of 445 Kaighn Avenue, an employee of the bank for 17 years. He waived a hearing and was committed to the county jail in default of bail, pending action by the federal grand jury.
The Directors
Camden Courier-Post —
The Directors
A. D. Ambruster — S. C. Childs — Edward B. Humphreys — Edward E. Shumaker — F. Morse Archer — Elias Davis — Henry H. Lippincott — Frank C. Somers — David Baird, Jr. — Burleigh B. Draper — Albert C. Middleton — Frank L. Starr — Ralph D. Baker — Isaac Ferris — William T. Read — J. B. Van Sciver, Jr. — Killam E. Bennett — Le Roy A. Goodwin — Wm. W. Robinson — Lawrence M. Verga — Rudolph W. Birdsell — Eugene F. Haines — Charles W. Russ — Oliver C. Willits — William T. Boyle — William D. Sherrerd — Charles A. Wolverton
The Officers
F. MORSE ARCHER, President — BURLEIGH B. DRAPER, Vice-President — ISAAC FERRIS, Vice-President — A. D. AMBRUSTER, Vice-President & Trust Officer — JAY KNOX, Asst. Trust Officer — S. C. KIMBLE, Cashier
THEO. THOMPSON, Assistant Cashier — ORLANDO M. BOWEN, Assistant Cashier — WM. K. COOK, Assistant Cashier — JULIAN K. POTTER, Assistant Cashier
Interior of Broadway & Cooper Street Bank
Interior of Broadway & Cooper Street Bank — March 3, 1933
Vocational School to Remain Open
Camden Courier-Post —
Freeholders Also Rescue Farm Aid Bureau and Home Extension Service
By approving issuance of a $20,000 emergency note, the Camden County Board of Freeholders yesterday afternoon assured continuance of the Camden County Vocational Training School and maintenance of the Agricultural Demonstration Bureau and Home Economic Extension Service until December 31.
To bring this about, the board voted to take advantage of a new state law permitting them to either refund present bond issues due or declare a moratorium on paying-off maturing bonds for three years.
Being relieved of the obligation of paying off maturing bonds, the board decided to continue the work of the school and two bureaus. The board voted to allot $16,500 to the school, $1700 to the agricultural bureau and $1500 to Home Economics. The school was scheduled to close this month. The two bureaus were closed February 1 despite protests from thousands of citizens. The resolution authorizing the move was introduced by Horace G. Githens, Republican floor leader.
“This will assure continuation of the school at least until the end of the year,” said Githens. “We have always been of the opinion that these three functions of the county government are essential and should be continued without an increase in the tax rate.
“When, however, the county budget for 1933–34 was being considered, it was honestly determined that the money would not be available. At that time our legislative delegation suggested the possible relief through legislative action. These matters were therefore held in abeyance.
“Now we are happy to be in a better position. The legislature adopted or assured the adoption of bills sponsored by our Camden legislators which will make available to our county sufficient money to provide continuance of the three agencies without increasing county taxes.”
Refunding to Be Sought
Resolutions set forth that $330,000 worth of bonds mature this year and $2,352,000 in 1934 and that the board cannot see its way clear to meet these obligations. Therefore the bondholders will be requested to agree to refunding these bonds, the first installment to be made in five years and the balance not later than 10 years. C. C. Collings and Company were named agents for the bonds and the First Camden National and Trust Company depository.
If the bondholders refuse to agree to this arrangement, the board will declare a “holiday” and defer payments for three years.
When the board passed its resolutions regarding the school and two bureaus, Mrs. Marion R. Gilpin, president of the Camden County Council of Parents and Teachers, thanked the members. She had led a fight several months against ending the activities of these branches of the county institutions.
Petitions signed by 10,406 residents of Camden and 13,689 living in the county were withheld when the board announced it intended to reopen the two bureaus and keep the school in operation for the balance of the year. Fifty-three civic groups, clubs and Parent-Teacher Associations were included in the protest.
Mrs. Verga Appointed
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga, vice chairman of the state Republican committee, was named to the board of supervisors for old age relief for a five year term over the objections of Minority Leader George Brunner, of the Fourteenth ward.
Brunner said that because of her political position Mrs. Verga could not be expected to give impartial relief into which politics might be injected.
Alexander P. Schuenemann, Republican, jumped to his feet to defend Mrs. Verga, saying Brunner’s remarks were in the nature of charges against her.
Brunner replied that he would make the same objection if a prominent Democrat were being considered and for the same reasons.
County Engineer Beal M. Shucker was authorized to ask the State Highway Commission to match $25,000 appropriated by Camden County for the purchase of rights of way for relocation of the Haddonfield-Berlin road to skirt Gibbsboro.
Bids were rejected for the Church Road bridge, Colestown, because one was in error. The road and bridge committees were authorized to re-advertise for new bids.
A communication from the Camden County Medical Society asked the board to transfer the Department of Labor from the hall at Fifth Street and Taylor Avenue to more adequate quarters in the new court house annex. The society said the Workmen’s Compensation Bureau is housed in unfit quarters which are far too small. The letter was referred to the property committee.
Contract Awarded
The Had-Col Construction Company was awarded a contract for the reconstruction of River Road from Springfield Avenue to the northeast end in Pennsauken township on a bid of $14,633.
After passing a resolution of sympathy on the death of Edward Holloway, former custodian of the court house and city hall, the board elected Thomas Dickinson, Jr., acting custodian, at no increase in salary over what he received as assistant.
Brunner protested. He said the office of assistant custodian should be abolished as an economy measure.
Dr. Leslie H. Ewing, director of the board, replied the county was saving money by naming Dickinson as acting custodian without drawing the salary given to Holloway.
Hospital Bids Asked
The Lakeland central plant and asylum committee was authorized to advertise for bids for furnishing the new hospital for mental diseases. They will be received at the hospital board room on June 28.
In a communication to the board, Wayland P. Cramer, county director of emergency relief, thanked the board for the quarters provided in the court house annex and for the cooperation of the board. He thanked the leaders of both political parties “for not permitting any phase of human suffering to become ensnarled with political expediency during the present crisis.”
First Camden National Bank Celebrating 130th Anniversary
Camden Courier-Post —
Institution Started Business at Second and Market Streets in 1812—16 Years Before City Was Incorporated
By OSCAR MAGNUSON
First Camden National Bank and Trust Co. is celebrating its 130th anniversary today.
There are no special exercises to commemorate the reaching of another milestone by the oldest bank in South Jersey.
The bank, which started business at Second and Market streets June 16, 1812—16 years before the City of Camden was incorporated—will observe its birthday with “business as usual.”
It will be “business as usual,” too, for the president of the institution, F. Morse Archer, who is the seventh head of the bank. Archer will mark his 25th year as president of the bank next January.
Aided City's Growth
In the years that have elapsed the bank has been a factor in the development of the city, the county, the state and the nation. As it has through the years, the bank today is bending every effort to help the nation in its trying hour.
As the bank has grown in importance, so has the city. Sixteen years after the incorporation of the bank Camden’s population was only 1143—that’s when the city was founded in 1828. The last census, that of 1940, gave the city’s population as 117,777.
When “First Camden” began business there were only two banks in New Jersey—the Trenton Banking Co. and the Newark Banking Co.
Second street was then known as Queen street, and two properties were bought for $4300 for the new bank. On June 16, 1812, the board of directors held its first meeting in the banking house.
During the first year of business the director became impressed with the need for establishing an agency in Philadelphia, and a branch was opened in what was then known as Church alley in Philadelphia. At that time there were only six banks in Philadelphia.
In 1862 the bank came to the aid of the government and loaned it $100,000 at 4 percent interest.
Long Tenure For Presidents
Presidents of the bank since the incorporation have been William Rossell, James Sloan, Richard M. Cooper, John Gill, Israel W. Heulings, Heulings Lippincott and Archer. Long service has marked the tenure of “First Camden” presidents. Cooper served 29 years, Gill 44 years and Lippincott 30 years.
Besides the main office at Broadway and Cooper street the bank has a downtown branch at Broadway and Sycamore street; another in Haddon Heights, and the Philadelphia branch at 223 Market street.
In addition to Archer officers of the bank are Burleigh B. Draper, executive vice president; LeRoy A. Goodwin and William D. Sherrerd, vice presidents, all of whom are also directors; J. W. Rockafellow, assistant vice president; Paul R. Mills, cashier; William K. Cook and Julian K. Potter, assistant cashiers; Jay Knox, trust officer; M. C. Lawrinson and J. J. Bannan, assistant trust officers; Clarence S. Sullivan, William B. Manlove, James J. Lutz and Emory C. Bowers, assistant cashiers, and G. R. Burton, auditor.
Other directors are David Baird Jr., Ralph D. Baker, William T. Boyle, Eugene F. Haines, Edward B. Humphreys, William T. Read, Charles W. Russ, Edward E. Shumaker, J. B. Van Sciver Jr., Lawrence M. Verga and Charles A. Wolverton.
$5 Bill Issued by First Camden National Bank, 1929
Back in the day, local banks could print money! This five dollar bill was issued by the First Camden National Bank and Trust Company in 1929.
Photos
The National State Bank Building — March 16, 2003
Named: The National State Bank Building, 2003, and Photo courtesy of John Cianfrani.
First Camden National Bank & Trust Company