“THE ENLISTMENTS OF 1862.

Not until the second year of the war did any more men go to the front from Cape May county, but in the meanwhile the Board of Freeholders prepared for the relief of the families of those who went to help save the Union. On August 28, 1861, a committee consisting of one person from each township and Cape Island, were appointed to look after the wants of the soldiers’ families: Thomas Williams, Upper township: William S. Townsend, Dennis; Smith Townsend, Middle; Samuel F. Ware, Lower, and Waters B. Miller, Cape Island. These committeemen each had his own territory to look after, and was authorized to give each soldier’s family six dollars per month as long as the head of the family was in service. This committee served until May, 1862, when a new one was appointed, consisting of Thomas Williams, of Upper; Richard S. Leaming, of Dennis; Aaron Miller, of Middle; Samuel F. Ware, of Lower, and Dr. Samuel S. Marcy, of Cape Island.

Samuel Fithian Ware, of Lower township, who served with great credit on the Relief Committee during the war, was born on October 16. 1800, and was a brother of Wilmon W., Maskel, John G. W., and Joseph. He served in the Board of Freeholders many years. He was a carpenter and an undertaker, and buried during his time about fifteen hundred persons. He died in 1876.”

Reference Data:

The History of Cape May County, New Jersey, by Lewis Townsend Stevens, 1897, page 328