COURT HOUSE – The historic records collections housed at the Cape May County Clerk’s Archives were celebrated at the Sixth Annual Archives Day on Wed., Oct. 13 here.
County Clerk Rita Marie Fulginiti hosted the event which was highlighted by a lecture by local historian Michael Conley of Dennisville on the capture, trial and execution of Richard Pearce, Jr. of Goshen who was found guilty in 1894 by a Cape May County Jury and hanged to his death by the Sheriff.
County Clerk Archivist Diana Hevener presented an archival document exhibit pertaining to the 1894 case State vs. Richard Pearce, Jr. including court minutes and the judgment signed by New Jersey Governor George T. Wertz commanding the Sheriff to execute Pearce by hanging. “This was the only documented execution in Cape May County and the biggest event in the lives of Cape May County’s citizens of that era.” Fulginiti stated in a release.
In the historic 1850 Court House Fulginiti spoke about the history of Cape May County government and the administration of justice in the county courts in session since 1692. After the presentation the attendees took a walking tour to the site behind the court house where the hanging took place and on to the Archives for a tour and discussion of the public records collections housed there.
Fulginiti said “October is Archives Month celebrated by the Society of American Archivists. It is our custom to host a program to bring awareness to the historical treasures we house in the Cape May County Clerk’s Archives.”
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