1803Lambert icon

Bucking the Party Line in 1812

An example of voting with the courage of one’s convictions

1861 War Poster

Hunterdon Divided

A lot of name-calling in the 1860s: Democrats were “Secessionists” and Republicans “Abolitionists.”

Cannon-Gazette

Hunterdon’s Militia

The militias of the 1850s were organized to defend the Union from secessionists.

Clay Flag

Pole Raising in the Days of Lincoln

Hunterdon politics in the 1860s are echoed in today’s.

John Brown 1859

On the Eve of War

Hunterdon’s reaction to the attack on Harper’s Ferry and John Brown’s execution.

Williamson Joseph copy

Democrats & Union Men, continued

More residents of Delaware Township in the early 1860s, and their political views.

DTDC Names

1863 Politics in Delaware Township

Delaware Township was dominated by Democrats in 1863, but there were also Lincoln supporters.

Goodspeed Welcome to Goodspeed Histories, a website for Hunterdon County history, early West Jersey history, and the history of my home town, Delaware Township. I began the website in 2009 as a way to discover the history of my ancestor Samuel Green, one of the early settlers in West New Jersey. In the process I became fascinated with the political history of that place, which led to many posts on the West Jersey Proprietors. I hope to do more. When my home town celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2013, I had to pay attention to all the stories that can be told about it, and the same thing happened the next year when Hunterdon County celebrated its 300th anniversary. There is so much more to write about all these places, so much more to learn. In the process, I hope to encourage readers who know even more about these places and the people who have lived here to share their knowledge with me here on Goodspeed Histories.

—Marfy Goodspeed

Regarding the Top Menu

“About” provides some background on the website and the kind of articles to be found here.

“LIST OF POSTS” used to be called “My Latest Posts.” It is actually a chronological list of all the articles published, starting with the most recent. Which is why I changed the name.

“FAMILIES.” Clicking on this will bring you to a page that lists some of the most frequently discussed families. Clicking on a family name will give you a page listing all the articles linked to that particular family. This year I will be adding an extra article to these family pages–a family tree. Readers are encouraged to make additions and corrections in the comments section of the family tree pages.

“LOCALITIES.” Like Families, certain locations get studied more than others, and this link will also take you to a listing of those places, and clicking each name will take you to a page of articles where those places are discussed.

“INDEX OF ARTICLES.” The above “List of Posts” is not helpful if you want to see a list of articles on various subjects. The Index is arranged to show articles about West New Jersey, Hunterdon County, Delaware Township, and articles by local historians.

The GH Newsletter

I send out an email newsletter with information about my most recent article and other history and research items every other week. If you would like to receive these notices from Goodspeed Histories, click on the link at the top (or bottom) of the page.