Built some 25 years before H.B. Smith's arrival in Burlington County , the Greek Revival mansion symbolizes in its buildings and gardens the complexity of its most famous owner.
J. J. White of Whitesbog: The Smithville Connection
In 2007, The Smithville Conservancy presented the last of 5 annual Smithville Mystery Dinner Theater Productions. It was called "A White and Windy February". As with the custom of this annual fundraiser, an original play was created around characters and incidents from Smithville's past. This particular show capitalized on the relationship of J.J. White of Whitesbog, a confidant of H.B. Smith, and February the Moose, Smith's "domesticated" New England moose. Here is a summary of J.J. White's connection to Smithville.
Dates in the lives of Smith, J.J. White and his daughter, Elizabeth.
H.B. Smith: 1816-1887
J.J. White 1846-1924 (age 19 when Smith buys Smithville; 41 at Smith’s death
Elizabeth White 1871-1954 (age 16 at time of death of H.B. Smith)
J.J. White and Smithville:
1854 - Col. James Fenwick, White’s future Father-In-Law, begins major Cranberry agriculture project near Pemberton.
1860 – J.J. White given land gift from maternal grandfather near New Lisbon. Begins Cranberry project at age 20 in 1866.
J.J. was already a successful farmer, businessman, inventor in his mid 20s
1869 – J.J. White (age 23) marries Mary A. Fenwick, a relationship which, 13 years later, in 1882, at the death of Mary’s father, would create the largest Cranberry farm in NJ. Together they write “Cranberry Culture” – standard guide to cranberry cultivation (he wrote it; she illustrated it).
1871 – Oldest daughter, Elizabeth, is born. Will become the “creator” of the cultivated blueberry in 1911.
1875 – At age 29, J.J. White is employed by H.B. Smith (Smith is 59);
White moves to Smithville in 1875 – basically to train as a mechanic. He became a company officer (1878) and held shares in the company.
White received patents for a number of inventions:
1878 – At age 32, J.J. White becomes general manager of the H.B. Smith Company.
This was also the year H.B. was elected to Congress. The “alliance” between Smith and White was pejoratively called “The Smithville-Pemberton Syndicate” because of their control of most of the economy along the Rancocas above Mt. Holly. Between their land ownings, control of the waterway, employees (votes!) and mutual ambitions, this was an important alliance.
1880 – At age 34, J.J. White become manager of Smith’s main retail franchise in Philadelphia.
1880 – As Smith plans to run again for Congress, the N.J. Mirror blasts him for the control he has over the votes of workers (both his and White’s) through what was called the “Smithville-Pemberton Syndicate”.
1880 – Upon J.J. White’s invitation, George W. Pressey of Hammonton traveled to Smithville to present a new type of velocipede or high wheeled bicycle to H.B. and his company officers. – thus, the beginning of the STAR BICYCLE phase of the company.
1882 – At age 36, J.J.s Father-in-Law, J.A. Fenwick, died – and his holdings come under the management of J.J. (H.B. Smith is 66 at this time – 5 years before his death).
1886 – J.J., after an evening of playing cards with H.B. Smith) is asked to make the final revision on H.B. Smith’s Last Will and Testament (August). In the will, a Board of Trustees, of which J.J. White is a member, inherits H.B.’s holdings, for the purpose of establishing and conducting a SCHOOL FOR APPRENTICES AND YOUNG MECHANICS. This is the will that will be contested by the family over nine years and two months after H.B. Smith dies (resolved on March 2, 1897 in favor of Smith’s “estranged” family).
During the “Casino phase” of H.B.s life, J.J. White fit in well, but, like others, he had become distrusted by H.B. in his final days due to J.J.’s ambitious nature and H.B.’s apparent reluctance to see any one man succeed him.
1887 – After Smith died, J.J. White and V.P. Wm. Kelley were candidates for President of the Board of Directors of the Company (a caption under a picture of the trustees implies that J.J. White and Kelley “would struggle for control of the company after Smith’s death.”). White got 4 votes, Kelley 5 – and without a simple majority, neither won. Smith’s personal secretary, “Major” A.J. Smith (no relation) got the job.
