Born in 1664, Robert Hunter grew up in Scotland. His father was a lawyer, and his family was well respected in Edinburgh. As a young man, he was an apprentice to an apothecary. He was well educated and spoke fluent Latin, Spanish, French and English. He was an avid writer, and eventually wrote several plays. He was quite the socialite and a ladies man. His literary friends included Jonathan Swift, whom he later appointed as the first bishop of his Anglican church in New Jersey. However, in 1689 he left his usual, humdrum life to join the British Army. He fought in Queen Anne’s War, served under Marlborough, and reached the rank of colonel. He served in the royal army for over twenty years. From there, in 1707, he was appointed the governor of Virginia. While enroute to being the governor of Virginia, he was captured by the French and was returned to France. He was held in a ‘socially dazzling captivity’ in France for two years, and then he was traded, as commonly reported but not officially confirmed, for the French bishop of Quebec. When returned to the British Army, he was then appointed governor of New York and New Jersey. Both states at that time had their own problems. New York was dealing with the natives, and they lived in constant fear of attack. In New Jersey, people were fighting over land, livestock and timber. There were two main groups in New Jersey who were vying for power and influence. The first was commonly called the Coxe group, as the head of the group was Daniel Coxe, the son of a former governor of New Jersey. At the time, religion and politics were almost inseparable. Used as a tool, the Coxe’s religion (the Anglican faith, the official Church of England) had been essential for gaining influence and power over the people. They were previously favored and protected by Lord Cornbury, the first royal governor of New Jersey, and held all of the highest spots in the local government as well. The Quakers, however, were not looking at their religion as a tool of political power, but instead a way of life. The Quakers were headed by Lewis Morris, and were an honest and simple group of people. They had formerly bought land from an older Coxe family member, although the younger Coxe had made claim that the Quakers had never purchased the land but had been living there. To make matters worse, both groups had supporters in the Royal Government of England who were pressuring Robert Hunter to take a side. While Hunter was trying to even out the odds for both sides, he successfully stalled any meetings of the legislature while the Coxe group was still in power. He called for elections and created new positions for the Quakers. Then in 1714, they passed a whole set of laws in favor of the Quakers. For example, these laws included allowing Quakers to serve on juries without taking an oath*, and also allowing them to serve in office. It was at this time that the new county, Hunterdon County, was established. The Coxe party was not happy. They tried to regain control over the local government, but Hunter called for elections repeatedly until there was a 50/50 representation of both groups. In Robert Hunter’s words: “The true interests of the people and the government are the same, I mean a government of laws. No other deserves the name, and are never separated or separable, but in imagination by men of craft.” Robert Hunter married Elizabeth Orby, the widow of Robert Hunter’s own commander, and changed his last name to HunterOrby. This was common in order to inherit land and money from her estate. Together they had five children, and he also had one illegitimate child with his mistress, Betty Holland. Robert Hunter got tired of the politics that came with being governor, so he traded jobs with William Burnet, and was appointed governor of Jamaica in 1727, where he died in 1734. Robert Hunter was living in a very difficult time, saw what was wrong with the laws, and was not elected right away. He was governor of New Jersey for over 15 years, and during that time, helped to create equality and fairness for the citizens of New Jersey. *The Quakers forbid taking an oath, so they were allowed to serve in the jury without taking an oath, but making an affirmation. Resources: http://slic.njstatelib.org/slic_files/imported/NJ_Information/Digital_Collections/Governors_of_New _Jersey/GHUNT.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hunter_(governor)
Joseph Turner (1701–1783) was a seaman, merchant, iron manufacturer, and politician in colonial and post-colonial Philadelphia. Turner was born in 1701 in England. He came to America in January of 1714 without his parents. For many decades prior to the American Revolution, he was in business with Chief Justice William Allen; their firm, Allen & Turner, was one of the most important in the colonies. Turner entered into trade agreements and iron mining and manufacture ventures, including the Union Iron Works in Hunterdon County, at present-day High Bridge, New Jersey. What he did to change Hunterdon County: He started an iron mining and manufacturing business that played a significant role in developing manufacturing in High Bridge and Hunterdon County. Justification: The original iron forge business is the second-oldest business in North America, after the Hudson Bay Company. Turner and Allen Iron Works became Taylor Iron Works which became Taylor Wharton. Custom Alloy now works from this site. Owned by: William Allen and Joseph Turner 1742 - 1778 Robert Taylor and Family 1778 - 1863 Thomas Iron Company 1863-1872 Taylor Iron Works 1872- 1912 Taylor Iron Works merged with William Wharton to form the Taylor Wharton Iron and Steel Company 1730 - 1889 Supplied ore for Solitude (Union) Forge . In 1742, two Philadelphia businessmen, William Allen and Joseph Turner, leased a 3,000-acre tract from the King of England in what is now High Bridge. They began operating an iron forge, mining iron from the surrounding hills and cutting down the forests to fuel the forge. The business was eventually purchased by Robert Taylor, who supplied cannonballs for the Revolutionary Army. In later years, the foundry made cannonballs for the Civil War, track and railroad car wheels for the burgeoning railroad industry, steel dredge-bucket teeth for digging the Panama Canal and ammunition for World Wars I and II. When it closed, the Taylor-Wharton Iron and Steel Company claimed to be the second-oldest business in North America, after the Hudson Bay Company. The site is now occupied by Custom Alloy, which makes fittings for piping systems. Resources: Revolutionary War Sites in High Bridge, New Jersey / High Bridge ... Book: Pictorial History of High Bridge www.highbridge.org www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/westjerseyhistory.org/images/hunterdon/highbridge/ www.scout.me/old-iron-mines www.nytimes.com/ www.us-mining.com/new-jersey/high-bridge/iron-mines www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/IronMines www.pinterest.com
In 1720 in the center of Trenton, the first county Courthouse was built. The government met once a year and transacted business at the Courthouse. Trenton proved to be a difficult meeting location. An act of the New Jersey Legislature in March of 1780 enabled the governing body to meet in the John Ringo’s Tavern in Amwell for the convenience of the County's residents. The Legislature was petitioned to relocate the Courthouse and Jail for Hunterdon County in May of 1790, Flemington was chosen. Resources: County of Hunterdon, State of New Jersey, Historical information. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/history.htm johnringo/'s tavern - Google Search.
Daniel Morgan was born in 1736 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and at the age of seventeen he went to Virginia to work at a saw mill and became a Wagoner. He joined the American army and got captured by the British and later paroled. After the American defeat in South Carolina, he rejoined the army, and received a promotion from Congress to Brigadier General. Daniel Morgan was an American who led the colonists to victory at the Battle of Cowpens. He used his knowledge of the enemy and how they would react, fooling the British by retreating and surrounding them. Before he died in 1802, he became a Representative. In 1790 he won a gold medal from Congress for his victory at Cowpens. Resources: Article from the U.S. National Park Service website, http://www.nps.gov/cowp/historyculture/daniel-morgan.htm
Abraham Bonnell opened his tavern on February 15, 1764. In the later part of 1775, the Bonnell Tavern became a political meeting place for the colony of New Jersey. Charles Steward used the tavern to organize New Jersey’s first regiment of minutemen. Minutemen during the Revolutionary War were soldiers known for quickly deploying their forces. Resources: Revolutionary War Sites in Clinton, New Jersey / Clinton Historic Sites. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/clinton_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm Town of Clinton, NJ - Historic Clinton. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.clintonnj.gov/history_tour_bonnell.html
In 1688, the first Indian purchase was made in Hunterdon County. The last purchase was in 1758. In 1703, one of the most important purchases was made. It is known as the “Lotting Purchase”, (or the New Indian Purchase Above the Falls). Right after this purchase, a road was put down right about where our current day Route 519 is. The road was called the “King’s Highway”. In those times this road was a main road during colonial times. Whenever a new road was put down there was a group of people called the “Survey Team”. They were assigned the job of looking for really tall trees. These trees from Kingwood were used to build many ship masts. In the 1800’s, several war boats, including the USS Philadelphia, were built from Oak and Hickory wood from Kingwood. Once they found the trees, they would using a branding iron that had the King’s seal on it and they would burn it into the tree to claim it to use for those things. Kingwood at the time was a thick forest full of Chestnut, Oak and Hickory trees. People began to refer to the areas surrounding “King’s Highway” as the “King’s Woods” and eventually that transformed in Kingwood. Resources: Image: http://www.kingwoodtownship.com/ http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2013/11/victim_of_fire_found_on_delawa.html Information: Farnham, Barbara, and Alexander Farnham. Kingwood Township of Yesteryear. Stockton, NJ: Kingwood Studio Publications, 1988. Print. http://twp.kingwood.hunterdon.nj.us/township_history_of_yesteryear.html http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/history/Ch1-DawnofHunterdon.pdf goodspeedhistories.com/tag/kingwood-twp/ http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/history/Ch1-DawnofHunterdon.pdf Mr. Sal DeSapio, Township Historian: Visit to our school and PowerPoint Presentation
Captain Daniel Bray was born and grew up in Kingwood Township and became a farmer. In his earlier days, Bray worked at a place called Rodman Boat Works, along the Delaware River. This was located where Byram is now. He learned to be a great river man and also learned to build boats. He was a member of the Hunterdon County Militia during the Revolutionary War. In 1776, when George Washington crossed the Delaware River, he sought out Captain Bray’s help. Washington asked Bray to find and bring him all of the boats between Easton, PA and Philadelphia. Washington used these boats to carry the Continental Army into Pennsylvania in the fall. He also used the same boats when he crossed the Delaware on Christmas Eve in 1776 to fight at the Battle of Trenton. Bray was later promoted to General and also served as a Hunterdon County Freeholder. To honor Daniel Bray, in 1960, the State of New Jersey named a portion of Route 29, “The Daniel Bray Highway”. He is buried in Rosemont Cemetery. Resources: Image: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11192245 Information: Farnham, Barbara, and Alexander Farnham. Kingwood Township of Yesteryear. Stockton, NJ: Kingwood Studio Publications, 1988. Print. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11192245 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Bray
The Oak Summit Church was originally built as the Old Stone Meeting House in 1754. Lawrence Hoff, who owned a nearby plantation, gave 1¼ acres to a group of trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation of Kingwood. Originally, the church was built in the cemetery across the street. The Continental Army stayed at the church for about 10 days in 1778. During this time, they were taking British and Hessian prisoners to Virginia The original church began to fall down after the Revolution so the Presbyterians built a new church in 1837. They did use some of the stones from the old church though. This is the church that stands today. It was empty for much of the 20th century, but is now “The First Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Township of Kingwood”. The cemetery, pictured above, is the burial place for at least eleven veterans of the revolution including Col. Thomas L. Lowrey. Col. Lowrey came to America from Ireland and then found success in real estate. In 1775, Lowrey was elected to the NJ Provincial Congress. He later served in the State Legislature. His wife, Ester, lies next to him in the Oak Summit Cemetery. She was known for raising over $14,000.00 to help many soldiers. Col Lowrey became Commissary General of New Jersey and a colonel in the New Jersey Militia during 1776. Resources: Images: http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/mun/kingwood/history.htm Information: Farnham, Barbara, and Alexander Farnham. Kingwood Township of Yesteryear. Stockton, NJ: Kingwood Studio Publications, 1988. Print. http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/mun/kingwood/history.htm http://twp.kingwood.hunterdon.nj.us/township_history_of_yesteryear.html Mr. Sal DeSapio, Township Historian: Visit to our school and PowerPoint Presentation
Third grade students at Whitehouse Elementary School in Whitehouse Station, Readington Township, learned about an important person in the history of Readington. After exploring the involvement of the state of New Jersey in the Revolutionary War, students were introduced to a local patriot, John Taylor. At the start of the Revolutionary War John Taylor decided to fight for liberty. He was a Colonel in the 4th Regiment, Hunterdon Militia, during the Revolutionary War. He also owned a grist mill, built in 1760, on the Rockaway River. It was located near Taylor’s Mill Road and Rockaway Road in Readington. This mill played a significant role in the Revolution by providing grain for the troops. Grain was ground into flour and meal for General George Washington’s Revolutionary Army. After the war Colonel Taylor continued in the Militia and was promoted to General. As an important citizen and large landowner, John Taylor was also elected to serve as a Hunterdon County Freeholder representing Readington. He was one of the three Freeholders chosen to design plans for the Courthouse in Flemington. Farmers from the surrounding countryside brought their grain to the mill to be ground into flour for their families or coarse meal for their animals. Sacks of grain were unloaded on the first floor. The grain was then hoisted up to the third floor and dumped down a hopper to be ground between large millstones located on the second floor. The ruins of this mill still stand on Rockaway Road.
The Bloomsbury Black Mill is a lost part of history and should be recognized by the people of this quaint town. This most certainly mysterious Mill was built and opened in 1760 and originally it was used to ground various types of grains. The grain was ground by using water to power a massive water wheel that turned the much smaller grist stones. The grist stones would then grind the tough grain. Tragically in 1760 it was burned down to the ground by a fire, then rebuilt in 1825. That same year it burnt down again and was once more rebuilt. Then the obvious happened and it was burnt down one last time in 1878 and of course rebuilt one last time. The reason for all these peculiar fires was because of all the very hot machinery and a lack of knowledge on how to get to fires quick enough, put them out easily, and put them out quickly. After standing vacant for four years it was converted into a Graphite Mill in 1882 and owned the one and only T.T. Hoffman of Bloomsbury. For years they ground and mixed graphite and soap stone in order to make a lubricant used in many castings. It’s said that who worked there came out of the horrid building with so much graphite on their bodies that they were practically black, therefore the name The Black Mill. Today the Mill stands empty waiting and waiting for someone to care for it. ***Who’s that? A mound of black ashes? No, it’s a worker in the Grist Mill. When you drive into Bloomsbury, one of the first eye catching sights is the Black Mill. It may look creepy and a bit frightening, but that old building has a load of history behind its boarded up windows and latched up doors. The Black Mill was erected in 1760, and it ground grains before it was destroyed by a fire. In that time it was known as the Grist Mill. It was destroyed by fire twice more, once in 1825 and again on February 6, 1878. It kept on producing ground grains until a resident of Bloomsbury, T.T. Hoffman bought the Mill. They then nixed and ground graphite and soap stone, and with that, they could produce a lubricant for castings. The workers who mixed the graphite and ground the grains went in ready for a hard day of work. They ground grains and mixed graphite, and came out like they took a full body dip in black bean soup. That is how the Black Mill got its name, from the workers unrecognizable by friends and family. The reasons for the fires earlier in the Black Mill’s history are uncertain. One hypothesis is that two stones were rubbing together and a spark ignited the grain and it started from there. Another theory is that on a windy day a piece of wood fell in a pot of bubbling, melting hot fire and it ignited the entire building. My theory is that some teenagers with pipes snuck in the building and set it on fire. No one has a certain answer, but eventually we will find out why, who, what and how. The mill does not operate now, due to the unsteady structure and dangerous chemicals and substances inside. The Black Mill is a great place to walk around and admire the ancient architecture. It is a shame it is not still producing its products. Although it is abandoned and not in use, it is very, very, very historic to our town, even though some would consider it rather insipid. You can find loads of history as long as you know where to look.
November 7, 1769- September 2, 1832 William Kirkpatrick was born on November 7, 1769 in Amwell Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He graduated from Princeton College in 1788 and then studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He moved to Salina in 1806. William Kirkpatrick became a Democratic Republican to the 10th United States Congress and served in office from March 4, 1807 to March 3, 1809. He died on September 2, 1832 in Salina. William Kirkpatrick influenced Hunterdon County because he was a U.S. Congressman. A congressman is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. House of Representatives makes laws and decides on matters like the federal tax rate and minimum wage. Resources: Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/congressman William Kirkpatrick (New York politician) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2014, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Kirkpatrick_(New_York_politician) William Kirkpatrick. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://records.ancestry.com/william_kirkpatrick_records.ashx?pid=75357991
The Hunterdon County Courthouse was built in the summer of 1791 replacing a facility that existed in Trenton. It was destroyed in a fire in 1828. When they rebuilt the courthouse in 1828, they built a jail along with it. The jail was used until 1985. The courthouse was in use until 1996 when a new justice center was opened. One of the most popular events included the Lindberg trial. Bruno Hauptmann was accused of kidnapping Charles Lindberg’s son, Charles Lindberg Jr. They later found his son dead in Hopewell Township. The trial began on January 2nd, 1935. It was called ‘The Trial of the Century’. The trial then ended on February 13, 1935. Bruno Hauptmann was found guilty and was executed in the electric chair. This event significantly changed Hunterdon County because people could go there for their complaints instead of having to go to the Trenton Courthouse or to another state. Today, the Courthouse is used for reenactments of The Lindberg trial. Resources: County of Hunterdon, State of New Jersey - Fun Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/facts/funfacts.htm Hunterdon County Courthouse - Wikipedia (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunterdon_County_Courthouse
There are a lot of historical places in Bloomsbury but I chose the Bloomsbury Hotel. It was made in the 1800s. It is the most historical place in Bloomsbury because the hotel had many things in the little place. It had a bar, served meals, held court in the bar room, provided lodging, and an ice cream parlor. It was also a stop for the stagecoach. Eventually the hotel turned into apartments in the 1920s. There was a place for horses that was kept overnight or even replaced tired horses for ones that were not tired. On the first floor there was an appliance store, a grocery store, and a telephone office. That building is still sitting there today. I lived there when I was 5 and just recently moved when I was 10. If it was up to me, I would still be living there. But nope, I moved. That’s why I chose the Bloomsbury Hotel. Date is estimated.
Fulper Pottery began in 1814. It was started by young Samuel Hill. Hill was a potter originally from New Brunswick. Hill Pottery produced drain pipes and storage crocks and jars from Flemington’s red earthenware clay. Upon Samuel Hill’s death in 1858, pottery worker Abram Fulper began purchasing Hill Pottery from the Hill estate. Abram Fulper’s sons continued the pottery after his passing. Fulper Pottery showed importance because they were making useful products that made people’s lives easier. For example, the drain pipe was the first useful product that they made. People use drain pipes for drains and storage pipes. Fulper Potter was an attraction many tourists came to see.
Location: Main Street Flemington, New Jersey Year Built: 1814 First constructed in 1814 by Neal Hart, the Union Hotel began as a gathering place for travelers and socialites. Over time, the 24 room hotel and restaurant has been utilized for various reasons. It’s most famous use came when the Lindbergh trial took place at the Court House, located across the street, in the 1930s. The trial was also known as “The Trial of the Century”. After closing in 2008, the Union Hotel has become an abandoned historic building that is said to be haunted. One legend says that a pair of shoes have been seen walking up a flight of stairs. Other legends about the Union Hotel include that workers have heard and seen small children in various rooms and that the former manager has felt an unseen presence in her office when alone in the hotel. The hotel is set to reopen in 2016 once it has been restored to its historic value. Resources: Union Hotel (Flemington, New Jersey) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2014, from http://En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Hotel_(Flemington,_New_Jersey) The Union Hotel in Flemington, NJ: Follow The Revival Online. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.unionhotelflemington.com Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Delaware Township Third Graders visited the Locktown Stone Baptist church and met with the trustees of the Locktown Stone church to learn the history of the church, how it was made and its impact on Hunterdon County through the last 300 years. The land the church stands on was given to the church by Daniel Rittenhouse, a prosperous farmer and business owner and was built in 1819. It was originally known as “The Lower Church”. The church supported the local community providing religious services for many of the Baptist families who lived in the Delaware and Kingwood Townships and has been one of the important cornerstone buildings in the village as the village evolved. It had a controversial period during the 1830’s when disagreements between the more conservative members of the church and the more progressive teachings of the minister, Elder Wigg, in the 1830’s led to the conservative members locking out the more progressive members one Sunday. That led to the progressive members putting their own lock on the door. The local tavern owner had a sign made for the tavern depicting three locks and over time the village became known as Locktown. As the years passed, the membership declined and the church was closed in 1967. The church was put up for sale and when locals heard that it might be sold; a long, persistent ten-year effort was made to save the church. Community members wanted to preserve the building for the future as an example of architecture of its time, celebrating the historic importance of the building to the community through the years as well as continue using the building today for both religious and secular events. Trustees from the Locktown Stone church met with the third graders’ at the school and explained how local people signed petitions to save the building. A local woman, Edna Horn led the effort with many others like Donald Jones, who bought the building to ensure that it would be preserved and, Mildred Wehr and Marfy Goodspeed who, as local historians, have carefully researched and recorded the history of the church for the future. The trustees then showed the third graders the tools that were used to build the church, explained the architecture of the time and how the church came to be preserved for the community. Mr. Hornby explained how the church was built and preserved. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Bertland showed the tools that were used to build the church and how they were used. Now that the building is historically preserved, it is overseen by a board of trustees who, through grants and donations, see to the upkeep of the building and grounds and develop and provide programs at the church to support the community. Activities include: wedding ceremonies, concerts, trustee meetings, poetry readings, and education programs. Justification: This building provided not only religious support for local Delaware Township and Kingwood communities in Hunterdon County in the first 280 years but now provides a combination of religious and secular services to the communities. It provides a rich and important history of the people and their lives as they shaped our communities over the years until today. The building and grounds are a living tribute to part of the history of our community in Hunterdon County for future generations to visit and connect with the past and the present. Resources: http://www.goodspeedhistories.com http://www.locktownstonechurch.org/church.htm
The Bloomsbury Methodist Church has names of famous people from a long time ago engraved in the windows. They don’t put them on landmarks that don’t have anything to do with history. Therefore I came to a conclusion that it is historical. The Bloomsbury Methodist Church was established in 1835 across from where Mrs. Meyers lived. It traced its origins to 1821 when Methodist preachers came through the town preaching to everyone. At that time, the church was used as a wheelwright shop. Not long after the town made it into a comfortable meeting place. More people were coming so they were in need of a larger church. Soon they build a new church in 1858 but it was not dedicated to anyone until 1860. As a result of enlarging the church, they decided to hold suppers in the basement. To this day they still hold them in the basement along with programs like B.I.G. standing for Believe In God, Sunday Schools, and youth group. During the late 1800s and the early 1900s the Methodist Church along with the Presbyterian Church held school graduations because the school had no auditorium. Behind the church is a small building which a carpenter used to sell toys and other items. Did you know that? Probably not. Today it is used as a shed but it is not sturdy enough to go in the upstairs. Most people think the history of the Bloomsbury Methodist Church is insipid, but the people that attend there think it is rather exciting.
Date of Birth: January 10, 1837 Date of Death: April 15, 1910 Dr. Cornelius Larison was a spelling reformer and he edited books, pamphlets, and magazines. He ran Amwell Academy, which is now a restaurant. Dr. Larison went to medical school in 1863. He was an educator, physician, and devotee. Significance: Dr. Cornelius Wilson Larison cared very much about the children and their education. Dr. Larison became the first Superintendent of the Hunterdon County Public Education System in 1876. He even taught kids at his own academy and occasionally at several different schools. Larison even got his medical degree for children. He went to the children’s houses to treat them. Dr. Larison was a huge part of Hunterdon County’s education system. If it wasn’t for Dr. Cornelius Larison, over 21,000 students going to over 50 schools wouldn’t have such great education in New Jersey today. Resources: Encyclopedia of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Rutgers State University, 2004. print Hunterdon’s Role In the Revolution, Hunterdon County H.Selly Thomas Jr. July 22 1976 print. Images of America East Amwell, www.arcadiapublishing.com .Arcadia publishing,2010 web Terry,Cornelus W.Larison. www.find a grave .com Oct, 2 ,2011 web.
The staff of Lebanon Borough School was thrilled to participate in this historic project. We chose the Fox and Hound Tavern as the building to acknowledge our long history. It’s former name was the Lebanon Hotel. The Art program was the vehicle to be used to create our entry for the timeline for the Hunterdon County Tri-Centennial. TITLE OF ATTACHED WORK: Traveling Brunswick Easton Turnpike, LBS students, 2013-2014 9’ x 9’ mixed media painting. This was produced from the research and art created by every student in the school. The main work resides in the school itself. A 28’’ x 20’’ color print was given to the Fox and Hound Tavern for its historical archives. An 11’’ x17’’ color print along with three fictional narratives written by our upper grade students is our submission to the Tri - Centennial timeline. “Methods of travel that might have brought guests to the hotel “ was the theme for the artwork created. Preschool students created horses out of Model Magic; Kindergarten and 1st grade worked on old trains that might have traveled the Central Rail rail lines. 4th, 5th and 6th researched types of wagons used 200 years ago, sketched and then carved soft block to print them. 2nd Grade researched old tableware images and then molded clay into the plates and pitchers they found, painting them a pewter color. Each of the students’ pieces were photographed and placed in painting within the window panes and landscaping of the artwork. Finally, 3rd grade worked directly on the painting by adding the wind in the sky. Justification: Travelers along the Brunswick Easton Turnpike were varied. It was the main turnpike going west from the New Brunswick area to Easton Pennsylvania for farmers & military. Families and local officials would also gather at this hotel. Town records first mention it in 1840. The vehicles they used 100, 200 and 300 years ago gave us a variety of ideas to create our final piece. Resources: Fox and Hound Tavern archives/website http://www.foxandhoundtavern.com/history.htm Photos from the town Historical Committee www.lebanonboro.com Google Images of stages, wagons, trains
The Doric House was built in 1845 by Mahlon Fischer. Inside it has wide pine planks and no carpeting. The doors were two inches thick and had mid-19 century antiques. You can walk up an elliptical staircase up to three stories high. The Doric House is on 114 Main Street in Flemington, New Jersey. It was also acquired by the Hunterdon County Historical Society in 1970. This Greek style house was also home to Mahlon Fischer. The Doric House still stands today as a museum.
In the beginning of the Central Railroad Station it came to my town of Bloomsbury in 1852. I know that once wheels were invented, it became very popular to the states at the time. Then it became popular to New Jersey and then to my town in Hunterdon. The station was a two story building along with an additional apartment above where 3 families lived. From a distance, people always wanted to hear the train come and pull into the station. In that time it was like luxury transportation to all who road on the steam blowing train. Soon bicycles were popular in that time too and more and more people used them than the rail road. So then one day the fire brigade burnt it down to make it an empty lot for parking. The only thing that remains today is the old unused rails and its forgotten history.
Solitude Dam has been an historical and environmental landmark for 105 years. The dam holds significance for its civil engineering design and for the role that it played in permitting Taylor-Wharton ironworks, downstream, to expand. The dam is recognized by the State and nationally as a significant historic structure. It was built in1858 and reconstructed in 1909 with concrete encased steel beams that are anchored into the bedrock, and reinforced with stone butresses. This dam structure is the earliest example of a steel reinforced I- beam dam, and the last remaining example of a buttress dam left in the state of New Jersey. This buttress dam was designed by the famous New Jersey Engineer Col. Frank Tainter. The dam, with its 42-foot spillway, was built to provide electric power for the Taylor Iron and Steel Company and then for Taylor-Wharton Iron and Steel Company. These two companies hold historical importance for producing munitions for American armed forces in every war from the Revolutionary War to the Korean War. Lake Solitude Dam is now part of The Taylor Steelworkers Historical Greenway, a 6.5 mile trail that winds its way through High Bridge criss-crossing a number of historical sites and beautiful scenery. The Dam reconstruction project was completed in 2013. The dam has the potential to revert to its historical origins by providing hydroelectric power and the lake might again be used for swimming. In October 2013, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials gave its Northeast Regional Award of Merit to the Borough of High Bridge for the successful completion of this project. In November 2013, the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers (NJSME) named the Lake Solitude Dam its Project of the Year in the category of municipal construction management. This place remains a scenic destination for visitors. Resources: High Bridge Borough officials Book: Pictorial History of High Bridge www.highbridge.org www.reservationnj.org www.examiner.com/article newjerseyhills.com www.pinterest.com/njhistory/ www.nj.com
A 1,300 foot long, 112 foot high bridge built in 1851 -1852 by the Central Railroad Company across the South Branch of the Raritan River. It was too costly to maintain and was subsequently filled in with an earthen embankment, leaving a double-arch culvert through which the river and Arch Street passes. Construction of the embankment began in 1859 and took five years to complete. Justification: Connecting Hunterdon County to NYC. High Bridge was named for this bridge. NJ Transit double decker passenger trains use this today to take commuters from High Bridge to New York City on a daily basis. Resources: Book: Pictorial History of High Bridge www.highbridge.org www.pinterest.com
The Black River and Western Railroad opened in1864. It ran from Flemington to Three Bridges, Neshanic, Somerville, and to Lambertville. It was meant to provide economical transportation. It was one of the few money-making railroads. It travels 16 MPH and it is now called the Central R.R. system. Significance: The Black River and Western Railroad provided freight services and passenger services. It is important today because it still does these services. The Black River and Western Railroad is important because it was one of the first steam powered freight trains in North America. It was one of the most “money making” trains around. The Black River and Western Railroad helped Hunterdon County provide needed transportation to the world. Resources: John Kuhl. HunterdonCounty TricentennialCelebration, www.Hunterdon300th.org. Web. May 29, 2014. John T. Cunningham. This is New Jersey(fourth edition). New Brunswick. Rutgers University Press. Print. 1994. Hunterdon’s Role in the Revolution. Hunterdon. H. Seely Thomas, Jr. Print. July 22, 1976
In 1875, the Reading Academy was expanded. The original building was built in 1862 using money left by Daniel K. Reading. The original building was a two-story brick structure that contained four rooms and could hold 200 students. The building was damaged the same year the expansion was built by a fire. A stone marker is all that remains at the Bonnell Street entrance of the school. Resources: http://westjerseyhistory.org/images/hunterdon/flemington/
Did you know that a Grasshopper War happened in Holland Township? It was fought over something as insignificant as a grasshopper. A Lenape child found a grasshopper which the tribe felt was good luck. Someone from another tribe stole the grasshopper. They argued about it and it led to a big fight and then a war broke out. Most stories say the other tribe was Shawnee. Most people say the war took place where the old Holland train station was, down by the Delaware River. People that know local history say this war happened in the 1880’s. Later someone found skulls that were buried, and they felt they came from that war at a place called Britton’s Mill Dam. The skulls were used to top a fence built near the old Holland train station. As a result, we can see that Holland Township has a rich Native American history.
It surveys the Musconetcong River from its peak and has survived four rebuilds. If you haven’t guessed it already it’s the Bloomsbury Bridge and it may just be the most historic place in my little town. Now this bridge that currently stands today is not as old as it may appear. In fact, its looks are very deceiving to most people who utilize the bridge. Records have it that there once was a wooden bridge that spanned the Musconetcong. Not much is known about this bridge. Long before this generation, a stone arch bridge stood above the river in the 1700s to provide a connection to the neighboring communities. This bridge received far less use than any of the utilized bridges today. Even though it was not heavily used they did indeed have to build a new bridge. After all back then the only tools were your hands which explains the lengthy building time. All this work paid off when the bridge was opened in the year 1892. This bridge was set aside from all the others because it was the first truss bridge in Bloomsbury. At last they had found the perfect bridge, until 103 years later in the year 1995 when the bridge was widened to accommodate the ever-growing traffic. Contractors saw the years wearing on the bridge so a complete rebuild was proposed. Mrs. Lockard and her third grade class did not approve of this idea so they began to protest. Relentless and committed, Mrs. Lockard and her pupils did not stop until officials agreed to preserve the bridge. When the bridge was completed in 1995, Mrs. Lockard and her class rode across it to kick off the opening ceremonies. Today the bridge remains in the same condition for all to utilize and this time it is here to stay.
The Flemington Choir School was founded in 1895 by Elizabeth Van Fleet Vosseller and Elizabeth Hopewell. This school was made to train the junior choirs about the Flemington churches including Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist, and Presbyterian. The first graduation was held in 1907, and the school continued in operation until the last class graduated in 1958. There were 200 Choristers and 150 members of the “Chorus of the Alumni.” They caroled through the streets of Flemington on Christmas morning in 1909, and also participated in the town Tree Lighting Ceremony. Elizabeth Van Fleet Vosseller, through her work with the Choir, became a nationally known and respected figure in the world of Choir Schools. She was often considered “the foster mother of all children’s choirs in America." The school closed in 1958. In 1980, however, the operation of the Choir School reorganized. A Board of Trustees, which had been long dormant, was revived and reorganized. The Choir School Building was donated to the County of Hunterdon and restored as a historical landmark. The school began operating again as a center of cultural and musical appreciation. It has provided a series of musical events and sponsored scholarships for local students. In 2010, the Trustees dissolved and released the bulk of their remaining records to the Hunterdon County Historical Society. What makes this collection truly fascinating, however, is a series of photographic images that capture many of the individuals that were involved with the school between 1895 and 1958.
Edith Ort was born in Everittstown, New Jersey, on November 22, 1904. She attended grade school In Alexandria Township and graduated from 8th grade. After that she went to Lambertville High School. The only way she could get to high school was by train, which she took from Frenchtown. She graduated in June of 1922. Edith also went to college at Newark New Jersey State Normal School in Newark, New Jersey and graduated in 1924. It was very rare for women to go beyond eighth grade in the 1920’s. After she graduated she got engaged to a man named Joseph. Unfortunately Joe got killed in a farming accident. This was a very sad time for Edith. In 1925 Edith Ort got her first teaching job in Frenchtown. She had to teach in the Borough Hall and churches because the original school had burned down. In 1926, Frenchtown School was opened and Edith Ort began teaching 4th & 5th grade. Miss Ort was a very strict and fair teacher. When she taught, teachers were allowed to hit their students. Miss Ort only hit one student in her career because that student threw a book on the floor, on purpose, and broke the binding. Edith Ort could never be tricked. Mrs. Kathy Skerbetz, her grand-niece, told a story about a student bringing a snake to class. The student hid the snake in Miss Ort’s desk, hoping to scare his teacher. Edith found the snake and without letting out a scream said to the class, “Perfect time to have a lesson on reptiles.” Miss Ort liked to travel and was not afraid to drive her car to her adventures. In her lifetime, she traveled to California to visit the Petrified Forest and even went to Mt. Rushmore. She was always thinking of her students and would return to school with stories of her journeys for her pupils. Edith Ort got married to Walter Thomas when she was 50. Unfortunately they never had any children. Edith Ort Thomas always referred to her students as “her children.” She felt very lucky to teach and cherished every moment of it. Mrs. Thomas retired in 1965, after 40 years of teaching in Frenchtown. In 1966, the Frenchtown Board of Education renamed the borough school in her honor. Mrs. Edith Ort Thomas died on February 11, 1988. We thank Edith Ort Thomas for her service to the children of Frenchtown and the enormous impact she made on her many students. Resources: Skerbetz, Kathy, grand-niece of Edith Ort Thomas and teacher at Frenchtown School. Interviewed on November 12, 2013.
Patrick McGaheran was born on September 13, 1926. In his lifetime he joined the Navy at age 17 and fought in WWII. Patrick McGaheran got his diploma at NYU. He became the principal of Clinton Township School District in 1957. After that he became the Superintendent. He also worked at day camps made by the YMCA. He worked for the Clinton Fire Department for 55 years! He died on December 31, 2012 at age 86. We chose Patrick McGaheran to write about because he was very important to Clinton Township where we live. He was a school administrator and helped to make the school district that we go to now. He was the very first Superintendent of our schools. He was also important in other ways to the community, for example, by working as the president of the fire company. Patrick McGaheran wanted to help people and made our community better. Resources: http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2013/01/obituaries_patrick_mcgaheran_r.html http://obits.lehighvalleylive.com/obituaries/etpa/obituary.aspx?pid=162089460
On October 27, 1946, Theodore George Blew, was born. He was raised in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Although he did not grow up on a farm, his grandparents farmed and it was from them that he was first introduced to farming. He graduated from Emmaus High School in 1964 and went on to Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture in Doylestown, Pennsylvania where he graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy. Ted Blew’s experience with farming began with his family and then expanded to local farmers who needed help on their farms. After graduating from college he married his wife, Susan Johnson, and together they embarked on their dream of farming. In 1977 they purchased a 160 acre farm which they named Oak Grove Plantation and over the years raised popcorn, grain, pigs, beef cattle, a variety of vegetables, among the most noted being their hot peppers, and fruits such as peaches, pears, and apples. Ted became interested in organic farming and once he started this, other farms in Hunterdon County followed suit. In 1985 the Blews were the first farmers in New Jersey to put their land into farmland preservation, selling their land development rights. Ted and his wife, Sue, were also instrumental in protecting the farmer’s right to construct commercial farm buildings on their farmland. Ted Blew left his positive mark on farming in Hunterdon County, and helped to make life for all farmers a lot better. Ted Blew: family man, farmer, entrepreneur. Which came first? In the Blew family, love and family came first and then the farm and business. Mr. Blew touched the lives of many individuals, not just individuals from our small community in Franklin Township, but the lives of people in Hunterdon County, the states of New Jersey and New York, and even individuals across the United States. Ted Blew lived in Hunterdon County, on a farm with his wife and four children. As a family, they raised a large variety of fruits and vegetables. According to Eric, Ted’s oldest son, his favorite foods to eat were tomato sandwiches made with tomatoes grown on the farm and the fresh peaches grown in their orchards. The busiest times on the farm were the spring planting season and the fall harvesting time. Ted loved spending time with his family, but he also opened his home to others. He started a program for high school students in New York City. Students could earn two credits for spending the summer working on the Blew farm. Many of those students stayed in touch with the family. Eric stated one of the students from 1977 was still in touch with the family in 2014. He also recalled one of the students who came to work on the farm also took care of him when he was a baby. Working on the farm offered the students the opportunity to see there was a whole different way of living, a life involving hard work on the farm, but a life that was very gratifying. The Blew farm was also opened up to tours for the kindergarteners at Franklin Township School. What wonderful experiences they had as they went through the farm! Some of the favorite family memories of Ted were those of working side by side with him, learning new things, and just chatting about things in general. The Blews traveled into Union Square, New York City three days a week to sell many of their crops. The day started at 4 o’clock in the morning and did not end until 9 o’clock at night. Mr. Blew had a lot of neat experiences there. In the mid 1990’s, while selling their crops, photographers from Chile Pepper Magazine saw their gorgeous hot peppers at the stand and took pictures for the cover of their magazine. Mr. Blew met many celebrities while at the market. Among them were Martha Stewart who purchased many of their products to use on her show, and Bill Crosby and his wife who enjoyed their produce as well. He always treated famous people the same as everyone else. No matter who you were, he cared about you. Mr. Blew also traveled annually to Washington, D.C. He was an advocate for farmers and would go down to support issues regarding agriculture. In Hunterdon County, he was a pioneer in organic farming. He liked growing crops naturally. Once the government caught onto the concept, they wanted to expand it across the country. Just think! Ted Blew had an impact on spreading organic farming all across the country. Ted Blew was an amazing father, great friend, and awesome community member. He knew what was important in life, and had a knack for making everyone feel special. Although Ted Blew is no longer with us, the impact he had on so many lives will always remain. Resources For Text and Photographs: Interview: Eric Blew, June 2014 "The Fresh Blog." WhatIsFresh.com Blog . Downloaded Web. 18 June 2014. . "A Local Thanksgiving." NYMag.com. Downloaded Web. 18 June 2014. . “Remembering Ted Blew an Innovative Farmer.” Downloaded Web. 18 June 2014. . "Franklin Township farmer Ted Blew over the years." Hunterdon County Democrat. Downloaded Web. 18 June 2014. .
Location: 480 Main St, Three Bridges, NJ 08887 Year Built: 1950 Three Bridges School (TBS) has changed many times in the past 300 years. The first school was at Van Fleet’s corner and it was very small. Then they built a slightly bigger school where the current Three Bridges Volunteer Fire House is. This school was used until 1909 when it was decided to move the school building right next door. Today this building is someone’s house. They still have the old school bell in their backyard! Finally in 1950, they built an even bigger school. Eventually, they even made an addition to this building as well as a parking lot and this is how Three Bridges is today. All of these changes have been for the better. As more students came to TBS the school needed to get bigger and instead of many ages learning together in one room, we now have many classes each with their own grade – preschool, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Moving the school and making it bigger also left room in the town for the fire company to be built and for someone’s home which are important parts of a community. Our school benefits from indoor plumbing, electricity, safety precautions (like fire drills) and modern technology which helps us learn in new and varied ways. Today we have special classes like physical education, music, art, computers, library and Spanish which were not available to the students of long ago. We also enjoy many extracurricular activities like clubs and our school mascot, the Tiger, helps us show pride in our school and community. All of these improvements will help us to be good citizens of Hunterdon County as it continues to grow and change. Resources: Quinn and Penny Investigate How to Research by Thomas Kingsley Troupe (2011) Book: From Chalkboards to Computers: How Schools Have Changed by Jennifer Boothroyd (2012) Book: Readington Township by Readington Township Historic Preservation Commission and Readington Township Museum Committee (2008) Email Correspondence: Mr. John Kuhl (10/31/2013) Scrapbooks: Composed by Thelma Miller (1930s – 1990s)
There is a beautiful and important windmill in Holland Township, New Jersey. It is called the Volendam Windmill. It was built in 1965. Paul Jorgenson and his wife designed and built it. It is a true model of a wind-driven windmill used for grinding raw grain into flour. The windmill is 60 feet tall and about seven stories high. The arms of the windmill are 68 feet from one end to the other. A bad windstorm wrecked two of the arms in 2007. The windmill was used as a museum, but that closed in 2010. Now every December, Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree Farm sells holiday trees next to the windmill. As you can see Holland Township’s windmill is very special.
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The Devil’s Tea Table is located near the Delaware River just north of Warford Road in Kingwood Township. It sits about 250 feet up from the riverbank. This is a natural rock formation that dates back thousands of years. There are a couple of theories as to how this formation got its name. The most popular belief revolves around a legend about a very strong and powerful Indian named Chief Big, Big Mountain. Many feared him. Apparently, this unusual rock formation was his favorite place to rest and he enjoyed the spectacular view of the Delaware River below. According to legend, his enemies pushed a large bolder down the hill while he was resting and it crushed his head. The chief vowed as he died that “his spirit would guard this beautiful spot.” If you look at the “Tea Table” from the side, some say that it resembles an Indian’s head with a flat skull. Today, many hikers and families enjoy this spot. People come to enjoy the beautiful views and picnic year round. Resources: Image: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/21888580 Information: Farnham, Barbara, and Alexander Farnham. Kingwood Township of Yesteryear. Stockton, NJ: Kingwood Studio Publications, 1988. Print. http://twp.kingwood.hunterdon.nj.us/township_history_of_yesteryear.html Mr. Sal DeSapio, Township Historian: Visit to our school and PowerPoint Presentation
The mural depicts the City of Lambertville (settled in 1705) and its relevance to those who live in the city. As you view the mural you notice what each member of our community recognized as unique or special including: the good character of the people in the city, the pet friendliness of the city, the wildlife, the Victorian buildings and architecture, the towpath, the canal, the Delaware River, Shad Fest, the restaurants, the artists, and our school. Each member of the school community (children and adults) created a tile which has become part of the mural.
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