The following is derived from
George Reeser Prowell's
History of Camden County, N.J.
published in 1886

The Grand Army of the Republic

All honorably discharged soldiers and sailors who have served in the army or navy of the United States are entitled to membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. In this respect it is the first organization of its kind effected in this country or elsewhere. Soon after the close of the Revolution, army societies were formed which were composed of commissioned officers and their descendants.

The most prominent of these was the famous Society of the Cincinnati, which still has an existence. Army and corps organizations of the War of 1812 and of the Mexican War have existed for social and convivial purposes but none of these societies named have been based on the principle of mutual aid in time of need, or comprehended purposes so exalted as those embraced in the declaration of the Grand Army of the Republic, namely, " Fraternity, charity, loyalty." This society, whose purpose is to band together the men who wore the blue during the war, originated in the West. To Colonel B. F. Stephenson, M.D., of Springfield, Illinois, is given the credit of being the first person who formulated the plans of its noble aims. The first post was organized at Dakota, Illinois, in 1866. The idea of extending the organization was communicated to many army associates. A State Department Encampment was organized in Illinois on the 12th of July, 1866, under Colonel Stephenson. In the month of November of the same year a National Encampment was organized at Indianapolis, with representatives present from nearly all the Northern States. These encampments have been held annually since then, in various localities of the Union. The State became divided into districts, and the organization of posts was exceedingly rapid. Six months after the date of the formation of the society forty thousand men through the Northern States were enrolled as members. The first department organization in the State of New Jersey was effected in the month of January, 1868. The membership of the order in this State in 1884 was reported at five thousand two hundred and seventy-nine. The entire membership in the United States for the same year was two hundred and thirty-three thousand five hundred and ninety-five. Its membership is now estimated at three hundred thousand, more than one-fourth of the survivors of the war.

Under the auspices of the order thousands of camp-fires, fairs, reunions and banquets have been held. These revive the sufferings and sacrifices and recall the unwritten history of the war. At these meetings no rank is recognized, save that conferred by the order, and any member is eligible to any position in its gift.

The history of various posts now existing in the city and county of Camden are here given, according to the date organization.

The following is derived from
George Reeser Prowell's
History of Camden County, N.J.
published in 1886

WILLIAM P. ROBESON POST No. 51, of Camden (the first post in New Jersey composed of colored soldiers), was instituted and organized June 28, 1881, with twenty-five charter members. It was named for General William P. Robeson Jr., who made his residence in Camden. General Robeson passed away a few weeks after the Post was organized.

The following is a complete roster of the Post at this date (1886): Past Commanders, W. S. Darr and W. A. Drake ; Post Commander, Miles Bishop; Senior Vice, Charles. Jones; Junior Vice, Ezekiel Jones; Surgeon, George Lodine; Chaplain, August Westcott; Adjutant, Charles Accoo; Officer of the Day Anthony Austin; Officer of the Guard, George Bishop; Quartermaster, John C. Richardson; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Joseph Rice; Sergeant-Major, George H. Watson. 

The other members are James. Wiltbanks, Nathaniel Ingram, William Ingram, William Butts, William Smith, Hezekiah Wrench, Benjamin Stewart, Elijah Hammitt, Charles Barnes, Shepherd Pitts, CharlesWoolford, Elijah Pipinger, Thomas Ryan, George F. Johnson, and Charles Ford.

In 1886 the Post met at Lee's Hall, on the corner of Broadway and Atlantic Avenue, and later met on Kaighn Avenue. 

The William P. Robeson Post 51 of the Grand Army of the Republic was suspended in 1925. 

Philadelphia Inquirer - August 14, 1897

Thomas M.K. Lee Post 5
William B. Hatch Post 37
William P. Robeson
Post 51

Sons of Veterans

Robert M. Hillman
R.L. Robinson
Daniel A. Carter
S.S. Weaver

Federal Street

Washington Park
in
Gloucester City

Philadelphia Inquirer - May 14, 1899

Cooper B. Hatch 
G.A.R. Post No. 37 - G.A.R. Post No. 5 - G.A.R. Post No. 51 - G.A.R. Post No. 102