Introduction
CHARLES C. “CHAUNCEY” MOFFETT was in the restaurant business in Camden as early as 1869 then became involved in politics. He was a member of City Council in 1871, a Camden County Freeholder in 1878, and in his last years was the janitor at Camden’s City Hall.
Charles Moffett lived in Philadelphia in the 1850s. His son, Henry C. Moffett, who would serve as a detective with the Camden Police Department for 15 years, was born in 1858. Charles Moffett brought the family to Camden by 1869, settling in a two-story frame home in the 300 block of Liberty Street, a few doors away from Memorial Methodist Protestant Church, where Boston Corbett had been pastor in 1867. City Directories state that Charles C. Moffett ran an “eating saloon.” He was also politically active, and was elected to the Camden City Council in 1871 and to the Camden County Board of Freeholders in 1878.
After his term as Freeholder expired, Charles C. Moffett took his family to Kansas and tried farming. The 1880 Census shows the Charles C. Moffett, wife Susan and children Henry C., Ida, Clara, Walter, and Rachel Moffett living in Kirwin, Kansas. He brought his family back to New Jersey shortly after the Census was taken, and by the time the 1881 City Directory was compiled, the family was back on Liberty Street. Charles C. Moffett and family are shown at 306 Liberty Street up to 1878, in Kansas in the 1880 Census, and at 304 Liberty Street from 1881 through 1887. This may have been the same house, as Sanford maps show that the house numbering was irregular in the 1870s and 1880s.
Charles C. Moffett was appointed by City Council to the position of Janitor at Camden’s City Hall in December of 1887. He began work on February 1, 1888. Susan Moffett passed away in 1896, and joined her on July 11, 1897. Sadly, daughter Clara Moffett took her own life on December 7, 1897. The Moffets were still living at 304 Liberty Street as late as 1910, when daughter Rachel Moffett Tomlin passed away.
An Unpleasant Controversy.
Camden Post —
Mr. Charles Moffett, father of Councilman Moffett, will have a hearing before Justice Davis to-night on the charge of disorderly conduct preferred by ex-policeman Scudder. Mr. Moffett and Dr. Leckner were standing on the corner of Third and Kaighn avenue, yesterday, conversing together when Mr. Scudder came up and made some disparaging remarks about the manner in which the Police Court was conducted. Mr. Moffett replied that it was no worse than the Criminal Court. The ex-police officer then made another remark and Mr. Moffett called him a liar. A warrant was sworn out for Mr. Moffett’s arrest, and, he learning of it, presented himself at ‘Squire Davis’ office, this morning, but the ‘Squire was out of town, and consequently the hearing has been postponed until to-night.
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Camden Post —
Gideon Burt – Charles C. Moffett
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Camden Post —
Nothing Done Yet
Camden Daily Telegram —
Miss Bitter’s Relatives Leave Her in Her Cell.
Nothing has yet been done to relieve the unhappy plight of Miss Caroline Bitter, the invalid aunt of Colonel D. B. Murphy, of this city, and she still sits in her cell at the City Hall because she has no where else to go. Kind-hearted Janitor Charles Moffett, of the City Hall, has done what he can to make the old lady comfortable, and this morning three gentlemen, realizing the crying shame of a lady educated and gently reared seeking the shelter of a cell because of the unnatural heartlessness of her relatives, made a small purse of three dollars and presented it to the unfortunate invalid.
Dr. H. H. Davis, whose wife is Miss Bitter’s niece, was telephoned to this morning, but was out.
Susan Moffett
Susan Moffett
Funeral of Mrs. Moffett
Camden Post —
Laid to Rest This Afternoon in Harleigh Cemetery.
Mrs. Susan Moffett, wife of ex-Councilman Moffett, the custodian of the City Hall, was buried this afternoon in Harleigh Cemetery.
The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Mace at the residence of deceased's son, ex-Councilman Moffett, 602 Broadway. The floral offerings were profuse and beside a sheaf of wheat, wreaths, bouquets, gates ajar, crescent and pillows from members of the family and friends, included a large field of wheat and sickle from the city officials.
Hotelkeeper James Flood, of Second and Stevens streets, is having more than his share of misfortune. A few weeks ago his wife died, and to-day white crape fluttering from his door tells of the death of his little girl.
[illegible at the crop edge] John E. Fennelly, the restaurant keeper of No. 3 South Second street, also lost a child last night.
Funeral of Mrs. Moffett
Camden Daily Telegram —
City Officials Act as Pall Bearers for a Noble Woman.
The funeral of Mrs. Susan Moffett, wife of Janitor Charles C. Moffett, of the City Hall, was held this afternoon from the residence of her son, Henry Moffett, No. 602 Broadway. The services were conducted by Rev. J. R. Mace, pastor of the Broadway M. E. church, and interment was made in Harleigh Cemetery. A large number of Mrs. Moffett’s friends attended the funeral and followed her remains to the cemetery.
The pall bearers were ex-Mayor Jesse Pratt, City Clerk T. P. Varney, Supervisor of Highways John Blowe, Tax Receiver William A. Husted, City Engineer Levi Farnham and Assessor C. J. Mines. The body was laid out in a brown silk dress and reposed in a black cloth covered casket with silver trimmings. The floral tributes were numerous and consisted of twelve rosebuds representing twelve grandchildren, a “Gates Ajar,” from her son Henry; a pillow, from her three daughters; a bouquet, from the Broadway M. E. church; a setting sun, from her son Walter, and a sheaf of wheat, from the officials of the city.
Janitor Moffett’s Sudden Death.
Camden Daily Courier —
Friends in Camden Surprised and Shocked By the News.
The numerous friends of Charles C. Moffett, janitor of the City Hall for nearly a decade, were pained and shocked to learn that he had dropped dead on the farm of his son-in-law, William Keyes, at Brandywine Hundred, Delaware, just as the village church bells were ringing for morning service yesterday. Heart disease was the cause of death.
Mr. Moffett left the City Hall on Saturday to visit his son-in-law apparently in good health and spirits.
“Keep my end up until I get back, Charley,” he said cheerily to Hall Officer Lederman, who bade him good by and assured him that he would. Officer Lederman was at the hall when Chief Dodd was notified by telephone yesterday of Mr. Moffett’s death, and the remembrance of their parting chat brought tears to his eyes.
Mr. Moffett was beloved by all who knew him and the officials and attaches at the hall will no doubt sadly miss his cheery presence. He was true-hearted, loyal, generous, kindly, jovial, with an inflexible hatred of hypocrisy and deceit; always open, honorable, above-board, and without a known enemy in the world. About a year ago his wife died and shortly afterwards he was stricken with paralysis, from the effect of which he never wholly recovered.
The deceased was sixty-five years of age. Previous to settling in this city he conducted a restaurant at Second and Arch streets, Philadelphia. Years ago he was a prominent Republican in the old South ward, Camden, and served several terms in City Council. In 1871, while a member of Council, he was appointed a member of the commission which erected the new City Hall, another member of which died several months ago, Frederick Bourquin. Last January Mr. Moffett was unanimously re-elected janitor of the City Hall buildings for the fourth consecutive term.
This morning the remains were removed from Delaware to the residence of his son, Harry C. Moffett, at Broadway and Line streets. Two sons, ex-Councilman Henry C. Moffett, of the lumber firm of Shivers & Moffett, and Walter Moffett, and three daughters survive him.
Death of Janitor Moffett
Camden Post —
The Custodian of the City Hall Dies Suddenly.
A telegram was received yesterday announcing the sudden death of Janitor Charles C. Moffett, of the City Hall, on a farm near New Castle, Delaware. Mr. Moffett left this city on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by his daughter and grandchild, to spend Sunday, apparently in good health, although he has suffered from heart trouble for several years. Mr. Moffett was aged about 65 years, and was a universal favorite with the officials of the city government, and was respected by all who came in contact with him. Mr. Moffett was for a number of years engaged in the restaurant business in Philadelphia. He had been the janitor of the city hall for nine years, and was elected last February for a term of three years. He was for several terms a member of Camden city council and served as a member of the building committee on the present city hall. He was the father of Henry Moffett, of the lumber firm of Shivers & Moffett. Mr. Moffett leaves two sons and three daughters. Mrs. Moffett, his wife, died about one year ago.
The remains were brought from Delaware to the residence of his son, H. C. Moffett, to-day. Two sons, ex-Councilman Henry C. Moffett, of the lumber firm of Shivers & Moffett, and Walter Moffett, and three daughters survive him.
Young Woman Ended Her Life
Camden Daily Telegram —
Miss Clara Moffett Shot Herself at Her Home.
BOUGHT CARTRIDGE AND REVOLVER
The Deadly Weapon and Bullet Sold Her by a Young Clerk at the Hardware Store of James Rutherford on Broadway.
Miss Clara Moffett, sister of ex-Councilman Harry W. Moffett, shot herself in the breast yesterday afternoon at her brother's residence, Broadway and Royden street, and died from the effects of the wound at five o'clock this morning.
Miss Moffett has been a sufferer from brain trouble for some time past, and was brought to Camden by Mr. Moffett from Delaware on Monday, in order that he might be near her in case matters took a turn for the worse.
When Miss Moffett arose yesterday morning she seemed in excellent spirits. She ate a hearty breakfast and after sitting around for awhile she told her brother she felt like taking a little exercise, and would like some money. Mr. Moffett provided his sister with funds and donning her hat and coat she started down Broadway. She went direct to Rutherford's hardware store, at Broadway and Chestnut streets, where she singled out one of the boy clerks from whom to make her purchase. She told him she wanted a revolver and one cartridge. The boy without calling his employer sold the weapon and cartridge to the woman and she left the store.
After taking a short walk Miss Moffett returned to her brother's house. Her actions were those of a person perfectly balanced. After chatting a few moments with members of the household she went up stairs to the third story back room, and putting the revolver to her breast pulled the trigger. The shot was heard by those down stairs and Drs. Donges and Braymer were called in, but their efforts were of no avail, the young woman breathing her last at 5 o'clock this morning. A few minutes before the end came Miss Moffett called for her mother and father several times, and died with her mother's name on her lips.
Miss Moffett, it is said, attempted to end her life twice before, once by taking poison and then by inhaling illuminating gas.
County Physician Jones gave a certificate of death by suicide.
Death Notice of Ray Y. Tomlin
Camden Post-Telegram —
TOMLIN.—On the 19th instant, Ray Y., wife of John C. Tomlin and daughter of the late Charles C. and Susan Moffett, aged 40 years.
The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Saturday, 23rd instant, at 2 o’clock, from her late residence, 304 Liberty street. Remains can be viewed on Friday evening.
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