Just before the Revolutionary War, Jacob, the son of Felix, bought from the Government a long narrow strip of land extending from Swedesboro to Fries Mill, containing 2800 acres for which he paid 62 1/2 cents an acre. He made his home in or near the present town of Clayton, but the exact location is not known. He had four sons. One settled at Aura, one at Fries Mill, one on the Harding farm, near the lake and another where Mr. Lawrence Fisler now lives; this one being the grandfather of Mrs. Mary Campbell. From that time in 1850 the place was called Fislertown. It contained very few houses and was scarcely anything more than cross roads.

In 1835, the only dwelling houses in or about the place were the following; where William Locke, Isaac Pancoast, Grant Garwood, Kule Davis, and where the Carvin farm houses now are, also a small house where Samlley’s house now stands, and Lawrence Fisler’s house a part of which is the original; the Methodist parsonage, where Mrs. Carvin now lives, and the old Stanger property.

The history would not be complete without mentioning the origin of our first school building. In 1812 Dr. Jacob Fisler and wife deeded our present school ground to be always used for meeting and school purposes. The building which was erected in the same year, was known as the "Useful School House." It was used for school purposes during the day, and by the Methodists for religious meeting in the evening. The village being on a circuit, they had preaching every other Thursday evening. When the people wished to hear preaching on the Sabbath, they were obliged to go to Aura. One-half of the original school building is now used by James K. Potter as a barn.

In 1850 Jacob Fisler and Benjamin Beckett began the manufacture of glass in town. This naturally gave the town a boom and buildings began to be erected. In 1851, after conducting the works less than a year the firm dissolved by Mr. Beckett withdrawing. The business was then run by Mr. Fisler and a partner by the name of Edward Bacon till 1856 when the business was purchased by John M. Moore. In 1859 he associated with the George C. Hewitt, who continued a partner till 1863, when Mr. Hewitt sold his interest in the business to D. Wilson Moore.

The North Clayton factory was built in 1880 by Dr. C. F. Fisler, Albert Fisler, Henry Morgan and Walter Morgan. A few years later the plant was sold to Frank Pierce. We have learned that the fertile lot at the western end of Maple Street, which is recent years has produced so much corn for Mr. Simpkins, once produced most of the glass sand used at the works. The sand was dug and hauled to the stream running between here and the lake where it was washed. At the beginning of the glass industry one of the first buildings to be erected was a new Methodist Church. This was used till 1883, when it became too small, so it was sold, moved off and the present church erected. The old church is now owed by A. G. Silver and used as a shirt factory.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1853 with a membership of six. A church was built the same year. In 1870, the present church was built, the old one becoming too small, it was bought by the township and converted into a school house, and is now occupied by Miss Davis and Miss. Mc-Caughan.

The Baptist Church was built in 1891.

In 1850 the name of this village was changed to Fislerville. In 1864, by special act of the legislature the name again changed to Clayton.

Clayton is now a beautiful town of 1950 inhabitants. Its beauty consists in its well-graded and well-kept streets which runs at right angles, thus dividing the town into blocks, its many freshly-painted comfortable homes and its beautiful churches. Its principal street is Maple Street.

Our people are public spirited and take great pride in our town. We are therefore surprised that public sentiment has not ere this demanded a central school building that would compare favorably with out other public buildings. Our school buildings stand as a monument to generations that have preceded some of us, and we can only cast an anxious look toward our "prophet" and hope for the better things. Much that adds to the appearance of out town has taken place within our youthful club. We are told that the centre of out town is low, and that frequently water stood in many places, and that, where the Presbyterian Church now stands was once a stagnant pond, on whose banks, perhaps, during the warm summer evenings sang the greatest choral union ever held in Clayton. Places favorable to such gatherings, however, soon ceased to exist after the incorporation of the Borough.

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