Full – 3 Column – Page 52 – GOODSPEED HISTORIES

Raven Rock (Saxtonville) & Bull’s Island, continued

September 1, 2011 By Marfy Goodspeed in Amwell Township, Delaware Township, Howell, Quinby, Raven Rock-Saxtonville, Reading Tags: Bucks County, Bull's Island, early settlers, land titles, taverns, The Revolution

John Ladd

John Ladd was one of the Quaker immigrants who came to West New Jersey in 1678. He was also on hand when William Penn was designing the layout of his new town of Philadelphia. Family tradition says that Penn offered him a choice of one of the best squares in the city or £30, and that Ladd chose the money, whereupon Penn said: “John thou art a ladd by name and a lad by nature, doesn’t thee know that Philadelphia will be a great city?” (Ah, Penn—such a joker.)

Raven Rock and the Saxtonville Tavern

August 27, 2011 By Marfy Goodspeed in Amwell Township, Bull, Delaware Township, Raven Rock-Saxtonville Tags: Bull's Island, Indians, Nathaniel Saxton, taverns

There has been some interest lately in finding a way to preserve the old Saxtonville Tavern in the village of Raven Rock. It is currently owned by the State of New Jersey under its Green Acres program. Sadly, this means it is unoccupied, which is one of the worst things that can happen to an old house. The State of New Jersey desperately needs a program of resident curators for its historic properties.

Names to Remember

May 22, 2011 By Marfy Goodspeed in Delaware Township Tags: thoughts

I came across a wonderful post about real names versus muppet names. Here’s the link to the webiste called Vast Public Indifference. And here are some examples of real names that could be muppet names:

The Barcroft Genealogy

May 18, 2011 By Marfy Goodspeed in Delaware Township Tags: Going, houses

Part Two of Going, Going, Gone

In response to the previous post, Buzz Woods sent me a link to Emma Ten Broeck Runk’s massive genealogy of the Barcroft family, available on Google Books (here’s the link).

I have no idea how I missed this resource. Like most 19th century/early 20th century genealogists, she did not worry too much about citing sources, but considering the thousands of names and dates she provided, I hardly see how she could. This is just to say, it is a wonderful resource, but must be taken with a grain of salt.

Going Going Gone

May 16, 2011 By Marfy Goodspeed in Carrell, Delaware Township, Holcombe, Rake, Rittenhouse Tags: Going, houses

I learned yesterday that the owners of the old Rake house on Sandbrook-Headquarters Road had taken down the remains of the house after it had been gutted by fire. This is disappointing, as it appeared that there was enough of the old stone walls to incorporate into a new building. Clearly not everyone sees the value in preserving such things. You can see a picture of the house and get the story of the fire here.

Delaware’s Old-Time Mills

May 12, 2011 By Marfy Goodspeed in Delaware Township, J. M. Hoppock, Opdycke, Rittenhouse Tags: mills

by Jonathan M. Hoppock
Democrat-Advertiser, 13 September 1906

This was the last article published under Mr. Hoppock’s name. He died on October 29, 1906, at the age of 68. The article was first published on this website ten years ago (2011). In reviewing it I have found many things of interest to add. I have also added headings to make reviewing easier and brought the footnotes into the text.

Hunterdon County Civil War Tax Assessments

May 12, 2011 By Marfy Goodspeed in Hunterdon County Tags: Civil War, taxes

The Winter issue of the Hunterdon Historical Newsletter, published by the Hunterdon County Historical Society, carried an article I wrote about the 1865 tax assessment lists for the County. I am reproducing it here, to make it available for online searches, and am also including a helpful comment/correction that could not be included in the spring issue of the newsletter. And be sure to visit the Historical Society’s beautiful new website.

Continue reading »

Overshot v. Undershot

May 11, 2011 By Marfy Goodspeed in Delaware Township, Sergeant Tags: mills

By which I mean mill wheels.

There is a fascinating article on water-powered mills to be found on “History–Now and Then” giving detailed information on how the ancient grist mills worked. The author, known as “Jerseyman,” explains how overshot wheels were designed and how much more efficient they were than undershot wheels. Immediately I thought of a locally famous overshot wheel at the old Sergeant’s mill near the Wickecheoke. Here’s a picture that says it all–the perfect example of an overshot wheel.

Story of Green Sergeant’s Bridge and Its Builders

May 1, 2011 By Marfy Goodspeed in Barber, E. T. Bush, Holcombe Tags: bridges

By Egbert T. Bush, Stockton, N.J., June 30, 1935

Hunterdon County was once well supplied with covered bridges. Now the lonely last one stands at what has long been known as “Green Sergeant’s Mills.” Some say that there is no other such bridge in New Jersey today. I cannot vouch for that; but the covered bridge is almost a thing of the past.

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