Introduction
Elias Kaighn (1799–1864)
ELIAS KAIGHN was the third mayor of Camden. Born in Clarksboro NJ on September 23, 1799 he moved to Camden around 1820, locating at Kaighn’s Point.
Elias Kaighn served as Mayor from 1838 to 1840, and served on City Council before and after that. He also was on the Board of Chosen Freeholders and on the old Camden township committee. He also served Camden as a volunteer fireman, serving with the Fairmount Fire Company as early as 1831. Richard Fetters was another of the members that year.
Elias Kaighn was a blacksmith, and lived at the southeast corner of South 2nd Street and Kaighn’s Avenue. He had a foundry at South 2nd Street and Stevens Street, which he sold to John H. Dialogue in 1854. He then established new works which were situated on Mechanic Street between Front and Second. Elias Kaighn became a plow maker and his “Kaighn Ploughs” were in great demand.
Elias Kaighn appears in the first Camden City Directory, published in 1863, at 1210 South 2nd Street. Elias Kaighn passed away on November 4, 1864. He was succeeded in business after his death by Joseph R. Ellis, who kept the high reputation of the agricultural implements made there intact until Ellis died in March of 1880.
The History of Camden County New Jersey
George Reeser Prowell — 1886
Elias Kaighn, the third mayor, elected by the Council in 1838 and re-elected in 1839, was born September 23, 1799, at Clarksboro', Gloucester County, and when of age came to Camden, locating at Kaighns Point, where he engaged in industrial pursuits. He was made an alderman and as such took his seat in the Council in 1835 and many subsequent years, being elected by the people in 1841, when his commission had expired, but resuming his office as an alderman the following year. He was elected a member of the City Council by the Democrats of the South Ward in 1853 for three years. He was also a member of the Camden township committee and of the Board of Chosen Freeholders. He was a member of the Methodist Church when located at Fourth and Federal, and was one of the organizers of the Union Methodist Episcopal Church, Fifth and Mount Vernon, with which he remained until his death, holding various official positions, as steward and class-leader, being as energetic in his religious life as in his business enterprises. He died November 4, 1864.
Elias Kaighn, the third mayor, elected by the Council in 1838 and re-elected in 1839, was born September 23, 1799, at Clarksboro’, Gloucester County, and when of age came to Camden, locating at Kaighns Point, where he engaged in industrial pursuits. He was made an alderman and as such took his seat in the Council in 1835 and many subsequent years, being elected by the people in 1841, when his commission had expired, but resuming his office as an alderman the following year. He was elected a member of the City Council by the Democrats of the South Ward in 1853 for three years. He was also a member of the Camden township committee and of the Board of Chosen Freeholders. He was a member of the Methodist Church when located at Fourth and Federal, and was one of the organizers of the Union Methodist Episcopal Church, Fifth and Mount Vernon, with which he remained until his death, holding various official positions, as steward and class-leader, being as energetic in his religious life as in his business enterprises. He died November 4, 1864.
Spring Making Business Advertisement
Philadelphia Public Ledger —
The Subscriber, grateful for past favors, informs his friends and the public in general, that he still continues on the SPRING MAKING Business, in all its various branches, and will sell as cheap, if not cheaper, than any other establishment, for cash — having always on hand a general assortment of finished and unfinished SPRINGS, warranted to be good. Also — All kinds of EDGE TOOLS, PUMP BITS, MILL WORK, &c. made to order, and warranted.
N. B. — Two good second-hand ENGINES for sale. Also, one heavy POWER LATHE, in first rate order. A large MACHINE SHOP, with Steam Power, TO LET.
ELIAS KAIGHN,
Kaighn’s Point, N. J., Sept. 25, 1839.
Kaighn’s Point Foundry Advertisement
Philadelphia Public Ledger —
KAIGHN’S POINT FOUNDRY. — The Subscriber respectfully informs his friends and the public in general, that he has erected a FOUNDRY on a new plan, with a patent tweer flue, which enables him to smelt iron with only a one horse power, and is now prepared to accommodate the public with every variety of CASTINGS, up to a half ton weight, such as Steam Engine Work, Plough Castings, Machinery, Wagon Boxes, Cylinders, Grates, New Plates cast to old Stoves, Millwork, &c.
Also, a Patent FLUE GRATE. The Subscriber having invented and obtained Letters Patent for an Air Preserving Tuyere or Tuyre Iron for Blacksmithing and for Cubalo, for burning all kinds of coal. This Flue Grate, or tuyre, has advantages over all others that have yet been introduced to the public; the air passes under the fire through the flue around the sash box and comes in under the grate, and by so doing, the air preserves the flue and has a hot blast, and can be regulated to suit all kinds of work. The subscriber having fully tried them in his shop about nine months, can with confidence recommend them to all Smiths for saving coal, and from the experience he has had of them, believes they will last many years. N. B. — On this principle the tuyre flue can be made any size or shape, to suit any forge or cubalo. It can be seen in use at the Foundry, or at William Potts & Son’s Iron Store, South Second Street, Philadelphia. Also for sale Six Steam Engines, very low. All orders thankfully received and punctually attended to.
ELIAS KAIGHN,
Kaighn’s Point.