Rev. William H. Burrell
Reverend William H. Burrell was born in Pennsylvania around 1822. He entered the ministry at an early age, and in 1852 was the first pastor of Siloam Methodist Church in Bethel Township, in Delaware County PA.
Reverend Burrell was living in Hatboro PA in 1865 when his son William B.M. Burrell was born. There were at least 4 other children, Margaret, Lillie, Harry, and Alma. The Burrell family had moved to Philadelphia by 1870.
In 1879 Reverend Burrell was one of four Methodist ministers, the others being Ezra B. Lake, James Lake, and S. Wesley Lake, who chose the island known as Peck’s Beach as a suitable spot to establish a Christian retreat and camp meeting, on the order of Ocean Grove. Having chosen the name “Ocean City,” the founders incorporated the “Ocean City Association,” laid out streets and sold lots for cottages, hotels and businesses. The Tabernacle was built between Wesley and Asbury Avenues and between 5th and 6th Streets. Camp Meetings were held by the following summer.
Reverend Burrell and his family were living on North 13th Street in Philadelphia when the 1880 Census was taken. He moved to Camden a few years later. Reverend Burrell settled at 43 Cooper Street, near the ferries.
Reverend Burrell became known far and wide as Camden’s “marrying parson.” In the days prior to the civil licensing of marriage, Reverend Burrell performed thousands of marriages, and became quite wealthy doing it, in the parlor of his home at 43 Cooper Street. Besides his work in performing marriages, Reverend Burrell is also remembered as one of the founders of Ocean City NJ.
Reverend William H. Burrell died in Camden NJ on October 14, 1909.
Two Odd Marriages
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Among the many queer marriages recorded in the Camden City Clerk’s office this month is one in which the groom is 72 years of age and the bride 18. The couple are from Ambler, Montgomery county, Pa. The groom’s name is Theodore Howser and his wife was Lizzie Pfitzmier. Howser give his occupation as that of a gentleman. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr. Burrell.
Another marriage which is causing talk in the northern section of the city is that of Charles W. Dreher, a 16-year-old lad, who lived with his father at 209 Market Street, to Miss Cameron, who is nine years older than her boy husband. The couple were married by a Baptist clergyman at Cramer’s Hill, where it is alleged Charley swore he was 21 years of age.
Rev. Burrell's Queer Marriages
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Another husband has appeared against Alice Clayton, the girl who was sent to jail by ‘Squire Cassady early in the week. Husband No. 3 is named Frank T. Rittenhouse. He is from Philadelphia also. The queer part of the whole affair is that he was married to Alice by the Rev. Mr. Burrell, which makes three times the same clergyman married the girl within as many years.
No record of this marriage was ever filed by Minister Burrell, but Rittenhouse holds a marriage certificate signed by him. The authorities are talking of prosecuting Burrell for not filing the marriage return in this case.
Famed Marrying Preacher Is Dead
Trenton Times —
The Rev. W. H. Burrell Wed Thousands and Got Rich Before the License Days
Camden, Oct. 15.—The death of the Rev. William H. Burrell in Camden, yesterday, recalls the days when that clergyman was known far and near as the “marrying parson.” For twenty years before the passage of the present law requiring licenses before contracting marriage in Camden, Mr. Burrell married thousands of pairs. Camden at that time was the “Gretna Green” to which persons fled to avoid the red tape and publicity attending weddings in their home states. Cab men, it was said, were in league with Mr. Burrell and received a percentage of the fees.
The clergyman’s home, 43 Cooper Street, was near all ferries and his wife was nearly always one of the witnesses. Not infrequently there would be several pairs in his parlor at the same time waiting their turn to be told they were man and wife.
Mr. Burrell’s matrimonial business at one time was cut into by another clergyman, who reduced rates and offered larger inducements to the hackmen. The second clergyman did a big business, but suddenly left. The report at the time was that Mr. Burrell had induced him to go for a money consideration.
When the Lloyd marriage license law went into effect Mr. Burrell had sufficient money to retire, but occasionally he has since officiated at the marriages of those who come from other sections of New Jersey and do not require licenses.
Mr. Burrell was a Methodist Episcopal clergyman. He was one of the founders of Ocean City and the first postmaster of that resort. He was 87 years old and greatly enfeebled by age.