Deptford Township

Book excerpt: Located just outside Philadelphia, Deptford Township has progressed from a sleepy agricultural community to an important Gloucester County town in the last century. Known mainly for its pig farms and ice production in its early days, Deptford remained rural until after World War II, when residential building exploded and local malls, movie theaters, restaurants, and other commercial development put the community on the map. Deptford Township explores this area's history with tales of Revolutionary War scout and hero Jonas Cattell, who was born and buried in Deptford, and the Clement Oak, under which the Lenni Lenape held council meetings. Locally, the logo of a hot-air balloon celebrates North America's first aerial flight, which took place in 1793, when Jean Pierre Blanchard traveled fifteen miles from Philadelphia to land forty-six minutes later in a clearing on Clements Bridge Road. Also included are images of Deptford Day and the notorious honey hunt, a fundraiser held for the Almonesson fire department in the 1930s and 1940s.