Williamstown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Monroe Township in Gloucester County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 census, Williamstown had a population of 15,082.

History

Before the community's settlement in 1737, Williamstown was inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape tribe of Native Americans, from whom the town derived its original name, "Squankum", for "place where evil spirits dwell". The name was changed to Williamstown when the town's first post office was established in 1842, due to postal regulations that prohibited two towns from having the same name and there was an older Squankum located northeast. It is generally thought that 'evil spirits' referred to the abundance of mosquitoes in the area, a by-product of the low-lying swamps that characterized the area during that time period. In the early eighteenth century, Richard Penn sold what eventually became Williamstown to his grandson, John Williams, who divided and resold the land in lots to settlers and for whom the town was eventually renamed. The town was officially incorporated as Monroe Township in March 1859, with Williamstown as meeting place to vote and have town discussions. A municipal court was established in the Township of Monroe, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 264 of the Laws of 1948. The first school was built in 1750 and stood where the Washington Hotel now stands. The local schools operated on a pay-as-you-go basis until the 1850s and were predominantly church-run. The area built its first high school in 1958.

The population of the town remained small until the early 1830s when the glass industry sprung up (Glassboro, a neighboring town, still bears the name borne of that commercial boom). The first company to form was called Free Will Glass Manufacturing and caused a population surge. The industry thrived until the early 1900s when agricultural businesses began to flourish in the face of the waning glass industry. One notable company, The John Sharp Canning Co., still operates today as Blue Ribbon. The Monroe Township Historical Society was formed as a volunteer organization on October 16, 1974, by Mayor John W. Sharp (of the Canning Company Sharps), dedicated to the preservation of items that reflect the history of Monroe Township.

In 2014, the community had a death rate from heroin that was 25 times the national average, with about five people per year dying of overdoses and other complications in the previous decade.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Williamstown had a total area of , including of land and of water (0.05%). It has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and average monthly temperatures range from 33.2° in January to 76.7 °F in July. The hardiness zone is 7a.

Demographics

Williamstown first appeared as an unincorporated community in the 1950 U.S. census;

96.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 3.2% lived in rural areas.

There were 5,625 households in Williamstown, of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.4% were married-couple households, 15.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Of the 5,592 households, 35.5% had children under the age of 18; 54.3% were married couples living together; 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.8% were non-families. Of all households, 23.1% were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.26.

There were 4,484 households, out of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.13. U.S. Route 322 and New Jersey Route 42 pass through Central Williamstown.

Education

Monroe Township Public Schools is a comprehensive public school district serving the educational needs of resident students from grades Kindergarten through twelve.

St. Mary School is a K-8 elementary school that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.

Recreation

Scotland Run Golf Club is a public golf course located in Williamstown, near U.S. Route 322.

Tall Pines Day Camp is a summer camp in Williamstown, for young children and teenagers. It was founded in 1996 and is accredited by the American Camping Association.

Hospitality Creek is a campground consisting of an RV park, Olympic-size swimming pool, lake, and other outdoor amenities. It was established in 1961 and located within five minutes from the center of Williamstown.

Skydive Cross Keys, operating out of Cross Keys Airport, offers both tandem skydiving and skydive training.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Williamstown include:

  • Raymond Arvidson, planetary scientist at Washington University in St. Louis, best known for his contributions to NASA missions to Mars, including as deputy director of the Mars Exploration Rovers
  • Dave Calloway (born 1968), college basketball coach and the former head men's basketball coach at Monmouth University
  • Danny Collins (born 1993), former professional football quarterback who played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League
  • Donovan Ezeiruaku (born 2003), American football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys
  • Brittany Ratcliffe (born 1994), soccer player who plays as a forward for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL
  • David A. Schauer (born 1961, class of 1979) radiation physicist

References

  • History of Monroe Township
  • Hospitality Creek Campground