Cumberland National Bank, Bridgeton, NJ (Charter 1346)

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The old Cumberland National Bank of Bridgeton, New Jersey, ca2023. The bank was established in 1816 which appears above the doorway. Located on the corner of Commerce and Laurel Streets, construction of this building began in 1886. The architects were Messrs. Hazlehurst & Huckel of Philadelphia.
The old Cumberland National Bank of Bridgeton, New Jersey, ca2023. The bank was established in 1816 which appears above the doorway. Located on the corner of Commerce and Laurel Streets, construction of this building began in 1886. The architects were Messrs. Hazlehurst & Huckel of Philadelphia. Courtesy of Google Maps

Cumberland National Bank, Bridgeton, NJ (Chartered 1865 - Closed (Merger) 1994)

Town History

Cumberland Bank at Bridgeton, New Jersey, obsolete $5, Haxby NJ-45, with signatures of W.G. Nixon, Cashier and J.B. Potter, President, dated August 8, 1856.  At center, an eagle with sailing ships in the distance flanked by V's with a red FIVE protector.
Cumberland Bank at Bridgeton, New Jersey, obsolete $5, Haxby NJ-45, with signatures of W.G. Nixon, Cashier and J.B. Potter, President, dated August 8, 1856.  At center, an eagle with sailing ships in the distance flanked by V's with a red FIVE protector. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, www.ha.com

Bridgeton is a city in Cumberland County, within the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is the county seat of Cumberland County and is located on the Cohansey River near Delaware Bay in the South Jersey region of the state. Bridgeton and Vineland are the two principal cities of the Vineland-Bridgeton metropolitan statistical area. As of the 2020 United States census, Bridgeton's population was 27,263. In 1870 the population was 6,830, growing to 15,699 by 1930.

The first recorded European settlement in what is now Bridgeton was made by 1686 when Richard Hancock established a sawmill here. Settlers established a pioneer iron-works in 1814. Bridgeton was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 3, 1845, from portions of Deerfield Township. Bridgeton city was incorporated on March 1, 1865, replacing both Bridgeton Township and Cohansey Township. The city was named for its location at a bridge on the Cohansey River and is said to be a corruption of "bridge town". Bridgeton straddles the tidal Cohansey River and is located near the center of the Delaware Bay lowlands. It derives its name from the original movable bridge that offered the option of regular overland travel on the "King's Highway" across the Cohansey watershed region for the first time in 1716. The name is believed to have been changed from Bridge-towne to Bridgeton in 1816–1817 due to a printing error on documents published by the Cumberland Bank.

Bridgeton had three National Banks chartered during the Bank Note Era, and all three of those banks issued National Bank Notes.

Bank History

A check drawn on the Cumberland National Bank and signed by B. Erickson, Brick Manufacturer and dated November 20, 1900. An engraving of the bank is on the check.
A check drawn on the Cumberland National Bank and signed by B. Erickson, Brick Manufacturer and dated November 20, 1900. Courtesy of Adam Stroup
  • Organized June 9, 1865
  • Chartered June 24, 1865
  • Conversion/Succeeded Cumberland Bank
  • Bank was Open past 1935
  • For Bank History after 1935 see FDIC Bank History website
  • Merged into United Jersey Bank in Hackensack, NJ, July 16, 1994

In 1815, the only banks south of Trenton were the Farmers Bank in Mount Holly and the State Bank of Camden. Bridgetown (later Bridgeton) saw the affluent Reeves brothers erect a cut nail factory, the first major industry in town. Prominent citizens joined together to charter a bank in Bridgetown. On July 2, 1816, a number of citizens met in the old Court House on Broad Street Hill and became stockholders in the Cumberland Bank. Up until that time merchants and businessmen had to send their deposits to Camden. The new bank was organized becoming a state bank under an act of the Legislature. The following gentlemen were elected as the first board of directors: Jonathan Elmer, Hedge Thompson, Timothy Elmer, Jeremiah Buck, Daniel Elmer, Samuel M. Shute, Benjamin Reeves, Ichabod Compton, James D. Westcott, Ebenezer Elmer, John Elkinton. Jonathan Elmer was chosen president; Jonathan J. Hann was elected clerk. Jonathan Elmer, who lived on the West side of town, was anxious to have the bank built there, but Ebenezer Elmer and other opposed, deeming the East side the best. It was finally decided to locate on the site then owned by Ebenezer Elmer. The year 1816 would be known as the "year without a summer." It was during this time of national crisis that Jeremiah Buck proposed to build a bank in just 60 days, or else he would forfeit all payment. Construction began in July 1816 and by September the bank was completed and Jeremiah Buck met his schedule. The edifice was two stories high, one room on the first floor with a hallway running from the front door. The monies and valuables were kept in the cellar. On September 9, 1816, General James Giles, a soldier of the Revolution, was elected president of the corporation and on September 26th, business commenced in earnest. That day $20,519 were received on deposit. Charles Read was the first cashier.

General Giles was president from 1816 to 1826 when he died. He was succeeded by Daniel Elmer who served from 1826 to 1841, retiring to take a seat as Justice of the Supreme Court. James B. Potter was president from 1841 to 1865. The cashiers of the Cumberland Bank were: Charles Read from 1816 to 1844; and Wm. G. Nixon from 1844 to 1886.

In February 1886, the Davis Hotel property on the corner opposite the Pioneer office, was purchased by Mr. Wm. G. Nixon. It was rumored that a substantial structure would be erected there to be occupied by the Cumberland National Bank. The bank’s directors decided that the building was too small to handle their growing clientele, and authorized the construction of a new bank on the corners of Commerce and Laurel Streets in the heart of town. 

The Davis House in its day was a famous hostelry.  In the early part of the century and up until 1860, it was the head-quarters for the arrival and departure of numerous stage lines to Philadelphia.  With the advent of the West Jersey Railroad, the stage lines passed away.

In June 1886, Messrs. Smith & Conover, contractors and builders of Bridgeton were the lowest bidders for the new bank and thus received the contract. Construction would begin in a few days. The planned opening was for November, but unlike the first bank, opening would be delayed until May the following year. The interior was fitted and furnished with all the modern banking improvements. The ceiling was 29 feet high while the walls were sand-finished and decorated in beautiful colors. Inside blinds of cherry covered the windows and the floors were concrete, sheathed with the best heart pine. The counters and railing were of mahogany and brass. There were elegant apartments for the president, the cashier and a meeting room for the directors. The vault was fire- and burglar-proof, weighing 70 tons, and made by the Hall Safe and Lock Company of Cincinnati.

In 1887, the directors were Jonathan Elmer, Chas. E. Elmer, Theophilus Trenchard, Richard Lott, Wm. G. Nixon, Charles S. Fithian, Richard H. Reeve, Ephraim Bateman, Chester J. Buck, Daniel Bacon and J. Boyd Nixon.

In January 1898, the directors were Theophilus Trenchard, Wm. G. Nixon, Charles S. Fithian, Chester J. Buck, Daniel Bacon, Timothy Campbell, Henry W. Elmer, Frank M. Riley, Eli E. Rogers, Matthew K. Elmer, Bridgeton; and Ephraim Bateman, Cedarville. The officers elected were William G. Nixon, president; Frank M. Riley, cashier; and Robert M. Seeley, assistant cashier.

On Tuesday, January 9, 1906, stockholders elected the following directors: Wm. G. Nixon, Daniel Bacon, Timothy Campbell, Frank M. Riley, Eli E. Rogers, Matthew K. Elmer, George H. Whipple, Alonzo T. Bacon, C.W. Shoemaker, Wm. Q. Johnson, and Robert M. Seeley.

On Wednesday afternoon, January 12, 1916, shareholders elected the following directors: Frank M. Riley, Matthew K. Elmer, Alonzo T. Bacon, William Q. Johnson, Robert M. Seeley, George E. Diament, William A. Logue, George Hampton, Edward P. Bacon, Isaac L. Shoemaker, and Oberlin Smith. The officers elected were Frank M. Riley, president; Robert M. Seeley, vice president; Henry W. Scull, cashier; and Frank E. Riley, assistant cashier.

In April 1920, the bank purchased a large brick store building adjoining the banking house at the corner of Commerce and Laurel Streets and would combine them. It planned to establish in the rear part of its new purchase a rest room for its patrons and the people of the community.

Official Bank Title(s)

1: The Cumberland National Bank of Bridgeton, NJ

Bank Note Types Issued

Original Series $5 bank note with pen signatures of Wm. G. Nixon, Cashier and C.E. Elmer, President.
Original Series $5 bank note with pen signatures of Wm. G. Nixon, Cashier and C.E. Elmer, President. Courtesy of Lyn Knight Auctions, www.lynknight.com
1902 Red Seal $5 bank notes with SN 1-5 and pen signatures of Frank M. Riley, Cashier and Wm. G. Nixon, President.
1902 Red Seal $5 bank notes with SN 1-5 and pen signatures of Frank M. Riley, Cashier and Wm. G. Nixon, President. Courtesy of Lyn Knight Auctions, www.lynknight.com
Original Series $5 bank note with pen signatures of Frank E. Riley, Cashier and W.A. Logue, Vice President.
Original Series $5 bank note with pen signatures of Frank E. Riley, Cashier and W.A. Logue, Vice President. Courtesy of Lyn Knight Auctions, www.lynknight.com
1929 Type 2 $5 bank note with printed signatures of Frank E. Riley, Cashier and George E. Diament, President
1929 Type 2 $5 bank note with printed signatures of Frank E. Riley, Cashier and George E. Diament, President. Courtesy of Lyn Knight Auctions, www.lynknight.com

A total of $1,781,790 in National Bank Notes was issued by this bank between 1865 and 1935. This consisted of a total of 172,341 notes (135,900 large size and 36,441 small size notes).

This bank issued the following Types and Denominations of bank notes:

Series/Type Sheet/Denoms Serial#s Sheet Comments
Original Series 4x5 1 - 2500
Original Series 3x10-20 1 - 3800
Original Series 50-50 1 - 400
Series 1875 3x10-20 1 - 4000
1882 Brown Back 3x10-20 1 - 6384
1902 Red Seal 4x5 1 - 1800
1902 Red Seal 3x10-20 1 - 1180
1902 Date Back 4x5 1 - 4050
1902 Date Back 3x10-20 1 - 3540
1902 Plain Back 4x5 4051 - 4450
1902 Plain Back 3x10-20 3541 - 9661
1929 Type 1 6x10 1 - 1384
1929 Type 1 6x20 1 - 354
1929 Type 2 5 1 - 17466
1929 Type 2 10 1 - 6825
1929 Type 2 20 1 - 1722

Bank Presidents and Cashiers

Bank Presidents and Cashiers during the National Bank Note Era (1865 - 1935):

Presidents:

Cashiers:

Other Bank Note Signers

  • W.A. Logue signed notes as Vice President
  • There are currently no known Assistant Cashier bank note signers for this bank.

Wiki Links

Sources

  • Bridgeton, NJ, on Wikipedia
  • Don C. Kelly, National Bank Notes, A Guide with Prices. 6th Edition (Oxford, OH: The Paper Money Institute, 2008).
  • Dean Oakes and John Hickman, Standard Catalog of National Bank Notes. 2nd Edition (Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1990).
  • Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://spmc.org/bank-note-history-project
  • Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator, and Hazelhurst & Huckel. Cumberland National Bank, 59-61 East Commerce Street, Bridgeton, Cumberland County, NJ. trans by Madridmitter Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/nj1495/>.
  • Cumberland Bank, Cumberland County Cultural & Heritage Commission, accessed July 29, 2023.
  • Bridgeton Pioneer, Bridgeton, NJ, Thu., Feb. 4, 1886.
  • Bridgeton Pioneer, Bridgeton, NJ, Thu., Feb. 11, 1886.
  • Bridgeton Pioneer, Bridgeton, NJ, Thu., May 13, 1886.
  • Bridgeton Pioneer, Bridgeton, NJ, Thu., June 10, 1886.
  • Bridgeton Pioneer, Bridgeton, NJ, Thu., Apr. 14, 1887.
  • Bridgeton Pioneer, Bridgeton, NJ, Thu., Jan. 13, 1898.
  • Bridgeton Pioneer, Bridgeton, NJ, Thu., Jan. 11, 1906.
  • Bridgeton Pioneer, Bridgeton, NJ, Thu., Jan. 13, 1916.
  • The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, Sun., Apr. 11, 1920.
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