Benson Street

BENSON STREET was named after John J. Benson, who was an agent of the Camden & Amboy Railroad and had much to do with the filling up of the Stevens’ lands. His activities were recognized, when land was plotted into building lots, in the naming of a street in his honor.

Around 1970 the entire 200 block of Benson Street, along with several other adjacent streets, was razed to make way for the Royal Court Townhomes. Within this site, there is a 200 block of Benson Court.

Like other Italian emigrants in South Camden, my grandmother worked in Campbell Soup cutting up chicken parts for soup. Despite the changes on Benson Street over the years, she refused to move and by the time she died in 1962, was the only person who spoke Italian and she spoke no English. In her later years she would sit on the steps with the neighbor African American women who spoke no English taking turns telling of the day. My grandmother in Italian and the neighbor women in English. Don’t think that either understood exactly what the other was saying…but they smiled and nodded at each others stories.

Benedict Tisa, April 2005

My grandmother was known for having some of the best tomato plants on Benson Street. She was also an excellent seamstress and her son Michael grew up to own Esquire Tailors on Westfield Avenue.

Loretta Petrillo, September 2006

My parents migrated from Sicily in 1924. We were a family of 11 children myself being the last child. 6 boys and 5 girls. Times were tough, but there was some good times.

I was born at 318 Benson Street in 1939. Later moved to 330 Benson Street where I remember growing up.

On your site you list Michael Tocco listed at 1947, his first name is spelled Michele. He purchased that house around 1940. We lived there until 1950. Our family had many memories there.

Now there aren’t any homes on that street, just fond memories. Thanks for having that site available. It took me to many places in Camden that I remember.

Anna Tocco McNally, October 2010

I lived on 330 Benson when I first was married on the third floor apartments. Talk about memories can you imagine what it would be like to haul a 50 pound block of ice up three stories to put in an ice box? Ahh, these modern conveniences.

Jim Bessing, April 2004

Franklin Pierce Alloway and his wife, the former Sarah Lavinia Griffee resided at 645 Willard Street when their first child, my mother, was born on November 24, 1919. Her name was Sarah Lavinia Alloway. They resided at 815 Market Street when their second child, Eleanor Jennie Alloway, was born on December 10, 1921. They lived at 718 Federal Street when their third child, Florence Mae was born on February 23, 1923. They next resided at 513 South 6th Street when their fourth child, Franklin Charles “Bud” Alloway was born on November 7, 1924. They lived at 608 Carmen Street when their fifth child, William Robert Alloway was born, December 31, 1926. The family had moved to 436 Benson Street, when their sixth child, Anna Louse Alloway came on August 5, 1928. When the seventh and last child, Mary Elizabeth was born on August 30, 1930, the family was living at 422 Main Street. The reason given for the continual moving was because of the increase in the family size requiring larger accommodations.

Jim Powell, February 2013

My Grandfather Raphaelo (Ralph Sr.) owned the A&P at 5th and Benson Street. His wife was Anna. They had 4 children, Ralph Carmen, Helen, Elizabeth and Rita. They all lived above the store. Ralph Sr. also owned a string of stores across the street on 5th Street and a bar around the corner on Benson. Ralph Jr. married Rose D’Aloise who lived across the street at 450 Benson, next to the Quick’s, who were electricians. Rose had 3 sisters, Mary, Anna and Adeline. Mary married Dominic Cerulli who lived in the neighborhood. I Lived at 452 Benson when I was very young before my dad moved the family to Pennsauken. Helen LoVuolo married Denny DiRenzo who owned the grocery store on Royden Street.

Ralph LoVuolo, November 2009

Edward Klaus was a tenant and lived in front bottom floor apartment.

Richard Di Donato, June 2012

William Griffee, Charcoal Dealer, and his wife, Mary “Louise” Chew Griffee resided at 523 Benson Street June 1880. From 1899 until January 1903 they resided at 234 Chestnut Street, but returned to 523 Benson Street where they lived until they both passed away with one of their children; Thomas, policeman, and Mabel Mack. He passed away in 1914, and she Jan 2, 1925. She is listed in the city directories for all those years as a dealer in “notions, and such” (as she was related to the owner of Chew’s Department Store).

Jim Powell, March 2013

Pulaski Park was destroyed in the early 1980s to make room for a medical school.

City Hall — 1871–1930.

My grandmother, Fannie Schneidman Rosengarten passed away on December 2, 1974 in Camden NJ. She left Russia at age 16 with one of her brothers, arriving in Philadelphia in the spring of 1906. She worked as a shirt waist maker saving her salary to help bring the rest of her family here in 1910. She married my grandfather in 1911. She came from humble roots but was a lady of impeccable class.

Robert Rosengarten, December 2, 1974