Introduction
Benjamin H. Thomas Sr.
Benjamin H. Thomas Sr. was born in Pennsylvania around 1835. A ship joiner by trade, he does not appear to have served in the military during the Civil War. His wife, the former Rebecca Pratt, was born in New Jersey. The Thomas family lived in Pennsylvania in the early 1860s. Daughters Beulah and Deborah were born there around 1862 and 1864, according to the 1880 Census. Shortly after Deborah was born, the family moved to what was then Newton Township, New Jersey, setting up house at the corner of what would later be called South 7th Street and Ferry Avenue. Newton Township was dissolved in 1871 and portions were incorporated into Camden in 1871, forming the Seventh and Eighth Wards. When house numbers were assigned to Ferry Avenue, the Thomas home was given the address of 697 Ferry Avenue. Benjamin Thomas lived out his days at this address. Two more children were born prior to the 1870 Census, James and Benjamin H. Jr.; daughter Sallie and son Clarence were born in the 1870s.
Benjamin H. Thomas worked almost exclusively as a ship joiner, i.e., a carpenter who works in shipbuilding and repair, through 1885, with only one exception noted in the City Directories, in 1878, when he ran a grocery. He involved himself in local politics, and by 1887 had been appointed to the Camden Police Department.
Benjamin H. Thomas Sr.’s political activities were very much a family affair. His wife Rebecca was the sister of Jesse W. Pratt, who served as Mayor of Camden from 1886 to 1892. Benjamin H. Thomas Sr.’s son, James Thomas, married Madeline Rouh, daughter of Eighth Ward Justice of the Peace F. Joseph Rouh.
Benjamin H. Thomas Sr. served as a Camden policeman until the spring of 1893, when he was forced to resign due to political considerations.
Benjamin Thomas passed away from “brain fever” on November 23, 1893. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
The house at 697 Ferry Avenue was next occupied by Isaac C. Shute, who is listed in City Directories at that address from 1894 through 1905. Interestingly enough, Isaac C. Shute was appointed to the Camden Police Department and is noted as serving in Directories from 1901 through 1911.
Policeman Thomas Held in Bail for Assault
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Policeman Thomas, of the Eighth ward, has been held in bail by Justice Davis on the charge of assault and battery on Thomas Walen. This is a counter action.
Notes from Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The dog catcher’s season ends in Camden to-day. Since June 500 dogs were corraled and executed by deadly prussic acid.
Hugh Morgan, an aged and well-known liquor dealer of the Eighth ward, died on Wednesday from a complication of diseases. Deceased was noted for his deeds of charity.
Camden base ball enthusiasts receive the score at Fifth and Taylor avenue by carrier pigeons liberated at the Philadelphia League grounds with the results by innings fastened under their wings.
The Ladies’ Base Ball Club was defeated by the Camden Club yesterday. After the game a mob of several hundred boys followed the girls to Haddon avenue station hooting and bombarding them with stones.
United States Commissioner Cassady yesterday held Thomas Jones, an ex-United States Army officer, in $5,000 bail on the charge of forging the name of Warran Bayman, an Ohio pensioner, to a pension draft. Jones claims that he had a power of attorney from Bayman to collect the draft.
Frank O’Neill, of Wrightsville, was held in $500 bail yesterday before Justice Plum for assault on his wife. Mrs. O’Neill keeps boarders. She testified her husband collected money from the boarders and squandered it for rum. When she entered a saloon where he was and forbid the proprietor selling him Mr. O’Neill assaulted her.
Suit was yesterday entered in the district court by Miss Carrie Jones and Messrs. Noaks and Jordan against Policemen Ben Thomas and Josiah Sage for false arrest. The officers raided Miss Jones’ house and found the men there. The raid was made on the ground that the woman kept a disorderly house, but the plaintiffs charge this is absolutely false.
A warrant has been issued by Justice Hope for the arrest of Harry Fish, of Wrightsville, on complaint of the father of Cæsar Sieber, of Pavonia, who was shot in the leg a few days ago by Fish. Young Sieber and several companions were playing on State street bridge. As Fish passed by in a boat one of the boys threw a stick which struck the boat. Fish fired off his gun, several of the shot hitting Sieber’s leg.
May Wielded a Brick
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Notorious Female Pounds a Camden Police Officer
Policeman Ben Thomas, of the Camden force, is nursing a black eye and a sore head. May Howard, a notorious character, who spends most of her time in jail, is responsible for the officer’s injuries.
May was drunk yesterday afternoon and was hustled into a patrol wagon at Front and Kaighn avenue. Policeman Thomas took charge of her. On the way to the City Jail the patrol wagon stopped to pick up another “drunk.”
As Officer Thomas leaned down to help in the new prisoner May Howard struck him a violent blow in the face with a brick she had concealed. She fought the officer like a tigress when he caught hold of her.
Last night Mayor Pratt committed her to the County Jail for three months. The last time May Howard was in jail she was sent up by Mayor Jackson, of Gloucester City, for selling lewd photographs of herself.
Damage Suits Against Thomas and Sage Decided for Policemen
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The damage suits against Policemen Thomas and Sage for false arrest brought in the Camden District Court by Messrs. Jones and Nokes were decided in favor of the policemen yesterday.
A Child Killed by a Train
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Little Florrie Coutts Ran In Front of an Engine While at Play
Eight-year-old Florence Coutts and her smaller brother were playing with a baby coach yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock, near their home on Salem street below Ferry avenue, Camden. The West Jersey railroad runs close by the house. The children had crossed the tracks and started to return just as an express train came dashing along. The little girl ran on the track directly in front of the engine and was struck and instantly killed.
The boy was about to follow her when Policeman Thomas, who ran toward the children as soon as he saw their peril, jerked him back.
Coroner Jefferis took charge of the case.
Republican Policemen Take a Walk
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The Democratic Police Commissioners surpassed their record yesterday in removing Republican policemen. They dismissed Alexander Osborne and Jules Rosch, accepted the resignations of Charles T. Sink, John Zanders, Albert F. Meyers and Armor Shannon, and suspended Benjamin Thomas and Alfred Hayden. Three Democrats, Michael J. O’Brien, James Conners and Thomas Whalen, were appointed to vacancies on the force.
Didn’t Like a Policeman’s Lot
Philadelphia Inquirer —
After one day’s experience on the police force James Conners, a Democratic appointee, presented his resignation to the Camden Police Commissioners yesterday. James Murphy was given the place. Policeman Benjamin Thomas resigned, Alfred Hayden was dismissed and Thomas Walton and Godfrey Eisenhardt were suspended. They are Republicans. John Foley, a Democrat, was given Hayden’s position.
Benjamin Thomas Dangerously Ill with Brain Fever
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Benjamin Thomas is dangerously ill with brain fever.
Benjamin H. Thomas Death Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
On November 23, 1893, Benjamin H. Thomas, in the 58th year of his age.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Monday afternoon. November 27, at 2 o’clock, from his late residence, corner Seventh and Ferry avenue, Camden, N. J. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery.
Woman Dies at Feet of Dead Mother-in-Law
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Finds Lifeless Body of Aged Victim of Heart Disease and Is Fatally Stricken Herself
Mrs. Rebecca Thomas, seventy-two years old, of 697 Ferry avenue, Camden, died suddenly yesterday from heart disease. Mrs. Madeline Thomas, forty-seven years old, her daughter-in-law, was fatally stricken when she found the body of the older woman. The elder Mrs. Thomas had been a sufferer from heart disease for three years, since the death of her son, James, the husband of Madeline. Her daughter-in-law returned after visiting a neighbor and found the aged woman dead.
Mrs. Thomas screamed, and when neighbors went into the house they found her lying on the floor at the elder woman’s feet, the latter having passed away while sitting in a chair. The daughter-in-law partially regained consciousness, but shortly afterwards she died. Coroner Bushey gave a certificate of death from heart disease in each case.
The elder Mrs. Thomas was a sister of the late former Mayor Jesse Pratt, of Camden, and was an aunt of Dr. William H. Pratt, Republican candidate for Coroner. Benjamin Thomas, her husband, who died many years ago, was a policeman. Two children survive her, Mrs. Deborah Day and Benjamin Thomas, Jr.
Two Deaths in One Home
Trenton Evening Times —
CAMDEN, Sept. 12.—Stricken with heart failure, Mrs. Rebecca Thomas, 73 years old, a sister of Jesse Pratt, former Mayor, fell dead in the dining room of her home. Mrs. Madeleine Thomas, her daughter-in-law, ran to her assistance, when she, too, collapsed and fell lifeless.
Madeline Thomas Death Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
THOMAS.—Suddenly, Sept. 11, 1916. MADELINE, widow of James Thomas and daughter of late F. Joseph Rouh, aged 47 years. Due notice of funeral will be given.
Madeline Thomas Funeral Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer —
THOMAS.—Suddenly, Sept. 11, 1916. MADELINE, widow of James Thomas and daughter of the late F. Joseph and Madeline Rouh, aged 47 years. Relatives and friends, also Linden Star Lodge, No. 16, S. of B., are invited to attend funeral on Thursday, at 3 P. M., from the residence of Mrs. F. Joseph Rouh, 753 Ferry ave., Camden, N. J. Interment Evergreen Cemetery. Remains may be viewed on Wednesday evening.