Milton Street

Milton Street was in Camden's Poet's Row neighborhood. The three blocks of houses that came to be known as Poet's Row first appear in the Camden City Directory of 1890–1891. Named for famous figures of English literature, the streets ran east and west from North 2nd Street, north of Erie Street. The first street north of Erie was Byron Street, followed by Burns Street and Milton Street. Only a few homes are noted in the 1890–1891 directory on Milton Street, at either end of the block, and only the 200 block is listed. This would indicate that Byron Street was built first, from the ends in, then Burns, and lastly Milton Street. A 300 block of Byron Street was built later, and also a 500 block Byron Street.

North Camden in the 1890s offered many employment opportunities. Camden's industries were booming, and entrepreneurs came to Camden to set up shop. The new houses were snapped up mostly by tradesmen and skilled workers, with more than a few taking advantage of the short walks to the Vine Street and Shackamaxon ferries to commute back and forth to Philadelphia. The builder also made provisions for corner stores so the residents could shop conveniently. The sidewalks, like many of that era, were brick, and the streets were paved with cobblestone.

The Poet's Row neighborhood remained a vibrant place for decades, until, of course, after World War II, when the jobs began to leave North Camden. Perhaps it was poetic, with no pun intended, that the disaster that destroyed Poet's Row occurred when a recently closed factory building caught fire; the fire spreading to the homes, and in one hellish night destroying Milton Street, Burns Street, and the north side of Byron Street, where only two homes at the east end of the block, 241 and 243 Byron Street, were saved. Milton Street was no more. When dawn broke on August 24, 1972 Milton Street was gone.

Camden Ward 1, Enumeration District 34

• 244, 240, 238, 236 Milton Street
• 234, 232, 230, 228, 226, 224, 222, 220, 218, 212, 210 Milton Street
• 208, 206, 202, 200, 203, 205, 207, 209, 211 Milton Street
• 211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 225, 227, 229, 231 Milton Street
• 233, 235, 237, 241, 243, 245, 214 Milton Street
• 242, 223 Milton Street
• 201 Milton Street
• 239 Milton Street
• Census sheet with 200 and 204 Milton Street not located.

On March 2, 1902, Bella, daughter of Patrick and the late Sarah Quinn, died in her 14th year. Funeral on Wednesday morning at 7 o'clock from the residence of Patrick Kennedy, 206 Milton Street, Camden, NJ. Interment at Bridgeport, Montgomery County, PA. Philadelphia Inquirer, March 5, 1902.

WHITTINGTON, on the 2nd inst., Sarah A., wife of Alfred Whittington, aged 28 years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Thursday, 4th inst. at 11 o’clock from her late residence, 219 Milton Street, Camden, NJ. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Philadelphia Inquirer, February 4, 1897.

Private Wilbert Epley also resided at 220 Milton Street in the 1930s–1940s and served in World War II.

William Henry Merryfield served in World War II and is associated with 221 Milton Street. His mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Merryfield Smith, resided at this address in 1947.

LOCKE, on August 17, 1896, Theodore, husband of Sarah A. Locke, aged 52 years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock from his late residence, No. 233 Milton Street, Camden, NJ. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Philadelphia Inquirer, August 20, 1896.

MANNING, on March 16, 1901 — Grace Elva, daughter of John H. and Luella I. Manning and granddaughter of William T. and the late Mary Dawson, aged 6 months. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services on Tuesday afternoon, March 19, at 2 o’clock at the residence of her parents, 234 Milton Street, Camden, NJ. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Philadelphia Inquirer, March 17, 1901.

LAWS, on October 25, 1894, Lillie H., daughter of Enoch D. and Annie E. Laws, aged 15 years and 11 months. The relatives and friend of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from her parents’ residence, 238 Milton Street, Camden, NJ. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery. Philadelphia Inquirer, October 28, 1894.

Byron, Burns, & Milton Streets East of North 2nd Street