History of Allentown, New Jersey

In 1706 Nathan Allen settled and built three mills on York Road, where it crossed Doctors Creek. He had purchased 638 acres from Rob R. Burnet, one of the proprietors of East Jersey. It was then known as Allens Town, now to be referred to as Allentown. Like most country villages in colonial days, Allentown developed around its mills. As the farms in the area grew, so did the need for blacksmith shops, wheel wrights, carriage makers, chair makers, shoemakers, and seamstresses. By the end of the 18th Century more than 24 commercial enterprises existed here.

Allentown was also a center for travel across New Jersey. The York Road now known as Main Street was a main road across Jersey from the Amboys to Burlington. The town became a busy stage stop and as many as four taverns or inns existed in the area. One known then as the Allentown Hotel still exists on Main Street.

Allentown produced six United States Congressmen, a New Jersey governor, a governor of the Washington Territory and the first Chief Justice of New Jersey, who was a signer of the U.S. Constitution. There are currently 220 buildings and homes in the designated Historic District that date prior to 1860 and some dating back to the 18th century.

Horses and History in Allentown, New Jersey

How cool is this! Did you know that our Mane Street Parade is actually traveling on part of an original old Stage Coach route. A Stage run starting in Freehold the County Seat used to make stops at the following locations that still are in business. The Clarskburg Inn in Millstone, The Happy Apple Inn in Upper Freehold, DiMattias which used to be the Allentown Hotel on our Mane Street and the Yardville Inn of Hamilton Township then on to Trenton. This road still shows on a few road signs in Millstone Township as Stage Coach Road.

2 N. MAIN STREET - HOFFMANN'S BAKE SHOPPE

This Victorian commercial building was built in the mid-1880’s by Col. David Hay, a constable and justice of the peace, and his wife, Margaret Newell. For many years, it was his hatter’s shop and residence. During the past decades, it has been Bunting’s Store, several food markets, restaurants, and now a bakery.

1 N. MAIN STREET – DiMATTIA’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE Historically known as the Cunningham Hotel, this building was constructed in the mid-1700’s. For many years it was the town meeting place. The Hotel was the site for events such as court, auctions, polling, first aid and fire department. Located midway between New York and Philadelphia, the Hotel was a stagecoach stop. Travelers lodged at the Hotel, and their horses were boarded in the stables at the rear of the building. Benjamin Franklin is believed to have stayed here. A restaurant now operates at this site.

2 S. MAIN STREET – ALLENTOWN PHARMACY Built by Captain Rogers, around 1859, this building was first occupied by Coward and Thompson, General Merchants, and continued to run as a general store until 1937. It then became a drug store, owned by A. Larry Byer, who operated the business until 1965. It was then purchased by Richard Walter and was known as Walter's Pharmacy. In 2004 it was sold to James J. Vizzoni and continues as an independent pharmacy. The second floor of this building, along with #4 and #6 S. Main Street, was once a public hall with a seating capacity for approximately 400 people. During the 1870’s and 1880’s, the hall was the site of many concerts, plays, dances and all kinds of public entertainment.

4 S. MAIN STREET – THE GARDEN TEA ROOM Captain John Rogers constructed this building in 1861. It housed a millinery and the post office. About 1924, it became the popular Candy Kitchen, which remained in business for 50 years. The store featured handmade candy and ice cream.

9 S. MAIN STREET – MANE STREET HAIRSTYLING Built around 1880 and known as the M. Coward House, this building is one of the few examples of Carpenter Gothic architecture in Allentown. The W.C. Norton Taylor shop was located here until 1873, and it was also the office of the tannery. Today, the building houses a hair salon.

13 S. MAIN STREET – JOHN CLUTCH HOUSE Private Residence Built in the early 1700’s in Vernacular Traditional style, this has been both commercial and residential for more than 200 years. A cooper, harness maker, bakery, and barber all flourished here.

27 S. MAIN STREET – WOODY’S TOWNE CAFÉ Known as “The Lower Tavern,” this middle 1700’s building was the oldest tavern in Allentown. Having housed a variety of businesses over the years, it has now resumed its original function as an eating and gathering place by "Woody", a life long Allentown resident.

28 S. MAIN STREET – IMLAY HOUSE NECESSITIES FOR THE HEART AT WISTERIA and Private Residence In 1790, John Imlay started construction of his retirement home, a 15 room mansion. He was born in New Sharon, and was a Philadelphia shipping merchant. The building is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture on the East Coast. The original wallpaper, purchased in 1794, was removed, and is on exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In addition, one complete room is installed at Winterthur, the Dupont Estate in Wilmington, Delaware. The building became a rooming house in 1900, and was owned by Miss Emma Gordon. In 1936, Dr. Walter D. Farmer converted the house into his office and hospital, where he practiced until his death a few years ago. The building now houses 2 fine shops: wisTeria, Neccessities of the Heart; Liberty Insurance office, and the private residence of the present owner.

35 S. MAIN STREET – WEAVES Circa 1800, Samuel Quay built his residence in front of his tanneries which operated from 1743-1888. The tanneries stretched out from behind this building along the creek, to 9 S. Main Street where the office was located. In 1839, George Middletown purchased the home and tannery. He was elected to Congress in 1861, and lost reelection to Dr. Newell. In recent years, the building served as a doctor’s office, a law office, and now as a gift shop.

37 S. MAIN STREET Private Residence Records dating as far back as 1777 identify this building as a dry goods/mercantile store owned by James Rogers. The building and 31 acres was purchased in 1792 by Phildelphia merchant Samuel Quay, for the sum of 189 pounds King’s money. A pork processing plant operated in the present driveway area. It remained a store and dwelling until the 1880’s. The building was remodeled and became the home of local banker Elmer Hutchinson, from 1901-1945.

38 S. MAIN STREET – "THE MILL HOUSE" Private Residence This lovely 200 year old home is known historically as The Steward-Cafferty House. The home was always owned by mill owners until it was sold to a developer in the 1980’s. A concerned community halted the developer’s plans to demolish the structure. The building is an excellent example of Federal Period architecture in a one-half Georgian style. Many rare interior details are still intact. These include the “South Jersey” glass fanlight over the door, and woodwork depicting a waterfall and trailing vines. The house is said to have played an important part in the “Underground Railroad”. The building is now a private residence.

42 S.MAIN STREET – THE ALLENTOWN FEED CO. Commonly called the Old Mill, this mill was built in 1855 by Abel Cafferty with 300,000 bricks made on the premises. It replaced the original “old” mill built in 1706 by Nathan Allen. A grist mill operated on this site for more than 250 years, up until 1963. The mill was converted to house a restaurant and several shops by its 19th owner, Corky Danch, and has operated continuously since 1976. A wall in the corner of the restaurant, which was formerly the miller’s office, has many notations, in the form of jottings and personal notes, which were made more than 100 years ago. The annex, occupied by Off the Wall Craft Gallery, is a recycled army barracks from WWII from nearby Fort Dix. The small building at the base of the driveway, now being used as a kitchen remodeling showroom is a recycled part of a covered bridge.

81 S. MAIN STREET – THE GOVERNOR NEWELL HOUSE Private Residence Built in 1798 in the Federal Style, this house is best known as the home of Dr. William A. Newell, who served as a NJ Governor from 1857 to 1867. Born in Ohio, Dr. Newell is well known for establishing navigational safety practices on the Jersey coast (later known as the Coast Guard).

IMLAY MANSION

THIS STATELY MANSION IS ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S MOST NOTED OLD HOMES

(Note: Private Residence with public access limited to shops and office on left side of 1st floor.) 1790, in the days when slaves were still in vogue, John Imlay of Imlaystown built for himself and family a mansion in Allentown, New Jersey.

Today this house, known as the Imlay Mansion, is one of the most famous old houses in New Jersey. It saw the end of the eighteenth century, weathered the vicissitudes of the nineteenth and has passed the first quarter of the twentieth. Despite its age, it still looks out upon a changing world with conscious rectitude and an air as fresh and vigorous as if it were built but yesterday. It stands not only as a monument to the thoroughness of the handicraft of the men who built it but serves as a reminder of customs, standards and institutions of a bygone day.

Built four square on a brick foundation, standing flush with the street - as did many of the houses of that time - and shaded by grand old trees, it still more than holds its own with the houses of today.

The fine Georgian door, distinguished by a fanlight above and an old brass knocker, opens directly into a wide hall. Evidently in those days its was the custom to lock doors only on the inside, as the lock on this front door is equipped with a massive brass key - in itself a formidable weapon - which functions from the inside but not from without.

As one enters the wide hall which extends through the house and opens on a spacious garden in the rear, one is greeted with the atmosphere and assailed with the visions of centuries long past. Here is to be seen one of the most notable features of the house - a broad, winding, hand-carved stairway. This was largely the work of one man, and took nearly six months to build.

Four large rooms open off the hall. At the right is the parlor filled with relics of the past. In the room opposite, an old portrait of the founder of the house, John Imlay, hangs above the mantel. The hand-carved woodwork to be seen on every side is also the work of master craftsmen.

As one wanders through these lofty rooms one is reminded that the house was built before the day of stoves, for each room is equipped with a spacious fireplace - high, wide and deep. There are twelve in all and each a gem in its way. That in the parlor at the right of the hall is distinguished by a broken pediment while the one in the kitchen still bears the original crane and pot hooks.

Against the wall opposite the kitchen fireplace is an old slave table reminiscent of the days of slavery. As a matter of fact, John Imlay, the founder of this house, was engaged for several years in shipping between Philadelphia and the West Indies and owned several slaves, probably brought from the latter port. Two of these, Caesar and Hannibal, were known throughout the adjacent countryside as well as in Allentown.

And one is reminded that those were the days when styles, at least in furniture, changed slowly. Household equipment was chosen in that day for its fashion, to be sure, buts its beauty and wearing qualities played a much more important part than those same qualities today. In the parlor at the right of the hall, hangs a beautiful Hepplewhite mirror that has occupied its place since 1791. Its mate hangs in one of the guest rooms. The curtains at the windows, still fresh and charming, were selected and hung in 1869, and to this day are in good repair.

Perhaps the most striking example of the lasting quality of the materials manufactured in that day is the paper that is on the walls of one of the guest rooms on the second floor. And according to an old bill which is still extant, it was ordered from one William Poyntett of Philadelphia on April 18th 1794. Of such excellent quality was this paper that its color remain unfaded to this day. It was printed in sheets 22 x 18 1/2 inches and retouched with vegetable dyes. The order for the paper in the parlor was on the same bill. The bill reads:

Philadelphia, April 18th, 1794 ................Mr. Imlay Bt. of Wm. Poyntett
8 Pieces Paper Hanging, 3-9..... L1 10 0
8 Yards narrow black border, 1.....0 8 0
8 Yards festoon black border,1.....0 8 0
10 Pieces Elegant Paper, 11-3.....5 12 6
24 Yards Elegant broad fruit 2 5 0 border, 11-0 ½............................................... 3 0 0
120 Yards Elegant narrow rose, border 6d ...............................................L13 3 6

Rec'd Payment for Wm. Poyntett Rt. Caldclurgh

Having only 10 pieces of the Elegant Paper, I have packed it all up, but at Mr. Imlay's option, whether he chooses to keep or return what is left on putting it up, supposing that it might be agreeable to him to have some to spare in case of accident, as the same pattern cannot be replaced in case a small portion should be wanted at a future time. W.P. That on the parlor was sold recently to the Metropolitan Museum and may be seen in the Haverhill room in the American wing. The paper was removed in the original squares by a secret process known only to two men in America. So excellent were the dyes that they were quite unharmed by the removal process. As each piece came off it was laid on a sheet of brown paper to dry. At the end of two days, the paper which had covered the wall for one hundred and thirty years was rolled into a small bundle and borne away, by hand, to its present resting place.

The original paper together with that in the room above, cost about sixty-five dollars. The Museum paid fifteen hundred dollars for the parlor paper alone, and four hundred dollars for its removal. And one must not depart from this atmosphere of an earlier day without a visit to the spacious garden which still stands as it was originally laid out. The trunks of the trees are vine wreathed, the beds are filled with old-fashioned flowers and a pergola or summer house stands at the end of the main walk.

The history of New Jersey is studded with the name of Imlay, for the family has produced soldiers, scholars, legislators and authors. Perhaps the most noted member of the family bearing the Imlay name was Gilbert Imlay, known not only as the author of the first American novel, The Emigrants, but also as the friend of Mary Wollstonecraft and the father of Fanny Imlay.

At the death of John Imlay, the property passed in succession to his son William Imlay, his daughter Mary A. Fish and to its present owner and occupant, Miss Mary Emma Gordon, a great niece of Ann Gordon, the wife of William Imlay.

IMLAY HOUSE WALLPAPER

SOLD TO N.Y. ART MUSEUM

Metropolitan to Exhibit Product

Made Here in 1794

Allentown, N.J. Sept. 27 - The Metropolitan Museum in New York has concluded the purchase of the wallpaper in the parlor of the famous old Captain Imlay house here, and it will be removed to paper the walls of a Colonial room in the new deForrest wing of the museum.

This paper is said to have been originally ordered from William Poyntett, A Philadelphia dealer, in 1794. It is perfectly preserved, the vegetable dyes used over a century ago still retaining their original brightness. To the eye of the average observer, however, there is nothing particularly striking about the design. It is not pictorial, like many old wallpapers, but is strictly formal in composition.

COLONIAL WALLPAPER USED 130 YEARS SOLD TO MUSEUM The Metropolitan Museum of Art has recently purchased from the present occupant of the old Imlay mansion at Allentown, N.J., the original Colonial wall paper, dating from 1794, in the parlor. It will be steamed from the wall and used in the Colonial Room in the new American Wing of the Museum. It is reported that the price paid was $1,500 although officials of the Museum, in accordance with the Museum's rules, did not confirm this figure. The owner of the Imlay house is Miss Mary Emma Gordon, a descendant of Captain Imlay, a wealthy sea captain, who built the house late in the eighteenth century. The mansion, with many of its original furnishings, is much the same as a century ago. The wall paper is said to be a conventional design, unlike many of the pictorial design of the period.

MORE HISTORY OF ALLENTOWN

In 1690, Robert Burnet, a Scottish Quaker proprietor of East Jersey, patented 4,000 acres of land north of Doctor’s Creek. In 1706, Nathan Allen, Burnet’s son-in-law, purchased a portion of this land and, by 1715, had built his grist mill on Doctor’s creek. The small village near the mill soon became known as Allen’s Town. The town developed along a path made by the Indians of West Jersey on their seasonal journeys to the food rich estuaries of the Atlantic coast 35 miles to the east.

In more recent years, remnants of an Indian village have been found near the mill pond. Old York Road, today passing through Allentown along Main Street, was the first roadway across New Jersey. Commissioned by Deputy Governor Gawen Laurie in 1683, it connected East and West Jersey between Perth Amboy and Burlington. Allen’s Town grew around the mill, and slong this new transportation route. It soon became a crossroads for the hardy wayfarers of the day. Although require by Colonial Law to provide one tavern for the travelers, the residents of Allen’s Town graciously opener four. By the mid eighteenth century, as the roadway was improved, a stagecoach journey between Philadelphia and New York required “only” two or three days. Many of the settlers preceding Allen were Quakers.

By 1730 however, two more faiths were represented and their members built churches in the growing community. The Presbyterian Church was built in 1720 (a short distance from the gristmill) and an Episcopal Church in 1730 (near the sight of the Old Burial Ground on present day Lakeview Drive). Today this cemetery is the resting place for 112 of Allentown’s earliest residents. Although both of these structures are now gone, the Presbyterian Church was rebuilt in 1837 on its present High Street sight overlooking Allentown’s lake.

The lake’s correct name is Conine’s Millpond as it is still called by many of our town’s long time residents. Our millpond is one of the oldest man made lakes in New Jersey. The approach of the American Revolution split the area along political lines. While most of Monmouth County was a hot bed of Tories or supporters of the Crown, the populace of Allen’s Town was mostly sympathetic to the Revolution.

David Brearly, a town resident, first Chief Justice of New Jersey and signer of the United States Constitution was outspoken in his protest over high taxation by the British Parliament without representation of the colony’s citizens. He was jailed by the provincial authorities but quickly released by his neighbors. During the revolution, New Jersey was the sight of more battles than any other state. Three of the most important, Trenton, Princeton and Monmouth were fought within 15 miles of Allen’s Town.

THE INDIANS IN AND AROUND ALLENTOWN

The Indians of Allentown were of the Delaware Tribe and belonged to the great Lenape family. They were not as fierce as Indians in the north or west, a factor which made it easier for the Quakers and Indians to become neighbors. The Quakers purchased land from the Indians some time in the 1600’s. There were not many Indians left when the white man settled in and around the Allentown area. They were treated kindly by the white man, but were not invited to social gatherings because of their “unsociable nature.” If a Chief was invited to something, it was an exception or for a purpose.

At a meeting in 1695 at Nottingham Town (now Hamilton Township), it was decided to continue to cultivate the goodwill of the Indians. The white man’s attempt to Christianize the Indians was unsuccessful, but in 1746, a missionary from Connecticut named David Brainerd came to help. By this time, the red man had moved to Crosswicks and further east. Brainerd lived with the Indians, attended important events and paid off debts.

The Indians claimed to own land by Cranbury and Brainerd had plans to relocate them there. At this time, a dispute bordering on anarchy existed among the white settlers. Some whites banded together to run off some other settlers. They claimed to have the help of 100 Indians if they needed it. The people of Cranbury got word of this and thought the Indians that Brainerd was bringing to their area were the fighting Indians. They did not want these Indians around them so they said that other Indians gave up the land long ago. Brainerd moved his group of Indians to another place and called it Bethel. A few years later, the title to this land also was lot; many of the Indians moved back to Crosswicks.

The Legislature, either from shame at they way the Indians were treated or from fear of their hostility, selected Commissioner to look into the matter. A meeting between the Indians and the Commissioners was held at Crosswicks in 1756. The Indians claimed the white man cheated them, destroyed their deer and took over some land in the vicinity of Allentown. Another meeting took place in 1758 and a settlement was made. The state bought 3,000 acres of land in Burlington for the Indians to live on. Some moved there and some stayed at Crosswicks. The ones that stayed sold their land in 1802 and then moved. In 1832, the Tribe had been reduced to about 40 people.

But that did not stop them from fighting for their rights to part of the land. They sent an agent by the name of Bartholomew S. Calvin to the Legislature. Mr. Calvin told the Legislature that his people never gave up the rights to hunt or fish on unenclosed land. The Legislature gave him $2,000 as a token of kindness and Mr. Calvin filed a full relinquishment of the rights of his Tribe. The last known Indian in this area was called Indian Peter. Around 1775, he moved from Toms River to Imlaystown. He built a cabin on a pond from which he fished.

During his residence in Imlaystown, his wife died. Indian Peter lived alone there until his death some years later. An Interesting Fact: The Indians were known by the names of the streams along which they lived. We have retained this identification to this day, such as in Crosswicks Indians, Assunpink Indians and Toms River Indians.

LENNI LENAPE (HUMAN PEOPLE) IN NEW JERSEY

When the Europeans arrived, the Lenni Lenape were living in permanent settlements with long established social and political organization. The Lenape that lived in this area were the Unilatchigo or southern people whose symbol is the wild turkey. They were a peaceful people who welcomed others to their homelands. They were fishermen, hunters and traders, and had been farmers for about 1,000 years.

Trade routes had been long established and the Lenape had shared not only ideas but art forms and other cultural expressions with many native cultures. So when they met the Europeans they treated them as just another culture, with respect and kindness. The farmers grew many of the crops that are grown today in this area, including different kinds of corn, beans, melons, pumpkins, squash and sunflowers. Many berries, fruits and vegetables including cranberries were also grown. They fished in the rivers, creeks, and traveled to the ocean.

Methods of fishing were much the same as we would use today including, nets, baskets and lines with hooks. The hunters used bows and arrows, blow guns and traps for the abundant wildlife that inhabited the area. Their society was Matriarchal and women had a prominent place in council, and were accorded great respect. Being Chief was not an inherited right, but Chiefs and Clan Mothers were voted for by the Clan. It was very much an equal society, in which each person had their own “chores” and both men and women raised the children.

Women worked hard and had their own responsibilities within the clan. Their tasks were many including preparing animal skins, for clothing and many other uses. They decorated them with shells, bone, stones and wood using deer hair and sinew, and porcupine quills. They also wove mats of rushes, cattails and reeds for the floors and walls of the wik-wums. The men hunted and traded, which they loved. They carved wooded bowls, spoons, tools and ceremonial items, and made many things out of stone including arrowheads. They prepared the wik-wums and lodgehouses, canoes and toboggans. They prepared the land for planting and made wampum, which was their method of keeping notes of a meeting or event. All marriages were inter-clan and the bridegroom would move into his wife’s house.

They loved their children dearly, and discipline was administered only by words and example, not by any other means; they were never punished physically. Growing up in a Lenape household was not all play, as there was much to learn. They had skills to learn and practice, and chores to do, though they did have lots of time to play with their friends and pets. They were great story tellers, and wonderful stories have survived this day.

The Lenape lived within the natural rhythms of life, at one with nature, in which spirituality was a part of everything they did and encountered. Believing that they were placed here by the Creator as the “Keepers of the Land and Water” they had great respect for the earth and all it contained, and felt they were responsible for the care and nurture of all The Creator provided. The Corn Planting in the Spring, Roasting Ears of Corn in the late summer, Thanksgiving in October, and the Winter Solstice and the Big House Ceremony. These were both spiritual and festive occasions. Each stage of life had major significance and was marked by ceremony, including birth, maturity, marriage and death.The idea of private property or gathering of wealth was alien to the Lenape as they shared all they had. Everything was sacred, and treated with respect. They were the original recyclers! For example they used wooden and gourd bowls and containers, cedar shavings for diapers, and everything from the animals they hunted were used, right down to the deer’s hoofs for rattles and decoration.

They had no concept of owning things, especially land the way the Europeans had, which caused many problems that are still with us today. One could not own Mother Earth, she was to be respected and honored. Wanishi!

PRISONER OF WAR

Henry Hankins, a long time resident in and near this place, died August 31, 1916. He was a veteran of the Civil War. In speaking of his army experience, Mr. Hankins, a member of Co. F – 14th NJ Regiment, says that he was taken prisoner at the battle of Monocacy, where he was wounded in the right foot, also in the right arm and over the left eye.

The next morning the Confederates took him with other wounded comrades to Ellieville in a cart drawn by a cow and a bull. The trip ended in Richmond, where he spent seven months and twenty-one days in Libby Prison. After entering the prison he says he did not have a taste of meat until he was released. He saw others eating horse meat and roasting it over the fire on a stick. After getting settled in prison, their diet was a pint of corn meal without any salt, but sometimes baked with salt. When they served the corn meal they carried out the dead, which averaged about nine every 24 hours.

Mr. Hankins says the men could not see much of the outside world on account of the dead line, there being guards both on the inside and outside of it. The men he said laid in tiers at night, head to head, with boards to lie on, but no clothing to cover them. The average age of them that died was from 40 to 45 years. This Union soldier says that a number of men belonging to Jersey regiments were in prison. In speaking of the last part of his prison life he says: “On the 22nd of January about 1300 men were paroled for sixty days. We were taken by boat to Philadelphia to a hospital, most of us being nearly naked. When I grew stronger Uncle Sam gave me a furlough of sixty days. When I reached home I weighed 82 pounds.

It was a hard task for anything to stay on my stomach. It was over six months before the corn hulls were out of my system.” It might be stated that when Mr. Hankins entered Libby Prison his weight was 150 pounds. Mr. Hankins was well known at the time of his writing, April 13, 1916, as an expert hog killer. He began this career in 1869 until 1905. He killed as many as 203 in one day.

THE ALLENTOWN SOLDIERS

The Allentown Messenger On September 10, 1907, is printed the following composition, which is dated June 27, 1862, and was written by a little girl about fourteen years of age at that time, and who lived near Allentown. It is titled, “The Allentown Soldiers”. Allentown is a small village, and therefore could not raise many soldiers.

Their commander, Captain Stagg, took twenty-six up to Trenton to be mustered in. The Saturday before they went, the ladies of Allentown gave them a Picnic in Borden’s woods. There was music, speaking, and refreshments. Both of the schools were invited; and they enjoyed themselves very much. Some of the soldiers put up a swing, and the children and some of the soldiers, had a nice time swinging.

On Sunday the Rev. Dr. Perkins, the minister of the Presbyterian Church, preached to the soldiers. The day that they went away, the marched around town with the band, and the Home Guards, to the tune of Star Spangles Banner; and then up on Aristocracy Hill to have likeness taken; while they were getting it done, one of them fainted. Some of them went up to Trenton in covered, and some in open wagons.

When they were starting they hallowed, Hurrah, for Captain Stagg. The name of their camp is Camp Perrine. They enlisted to fight for our country. They received their uniform from Uncle Sam; the color is blue, and they looked very nice. They had a heavy load to carry. The knapsacks with their clothes; a blanket; a satchel with a Plate, Knife and Fork; a pair of Shoes; a Tin Cup; a Canteen to carry water; and a Cartridge Box. Some of the soldiers felt bad at leaving their families and friends.

They do not expect to go South until September. I hope they will all be spared to come back. Three cheers for the Jersey Blues and their Captains.

ALLENTOWN CIVIL WAR VETERAN

Sixty Three men from Allentown served in the Civil War in many different Regiments. This is a list taken from the Allentown Messenger, Sept. 1, 1904.

William Broomell, Apollo M. Bruere, Edward H. Ely, Francis Gelsinger, George Hendrickson, Charles Joseph Shubert, Gilbert S. Johnson, Samuel Flock, Albert Nutt, Jacob Ralph Sr., Jacob Ralph Jr., Abram Ralph, William E. B. Miller, George Hohl, Peter Thomas, William Thomas, Dennis Ryan, Rulif Johnson, James Woby, Stacy Woby, Samuel Sanders, Aaron Sanders, Karney Sanders, Joseph Dillon, Charles Marcus, Samuel Woby, Jeremiah Johnson, Charles Dennis, Joseph Woby, Henry Quay, James Washington, John Taylor Sr., Johnson Lutes, Josiah B. Holman, Thomas Har, Wilson Merrick, Edward Southwick, E. Colin Johnson, Samuel Byard, Martin Worth, George Ashby, and Samuel Moyer.

The colored men of the 22nd Regiment saw the hardest service during the siege of Petersburg, VA, where all of the Sanders brothers were killed and James Woby was wounded. The 22nd was also involved in the pursuit of John Wilkes Booth after Lincoln’s assassination. At times they could plainly see the imprint of his crutch in his trail. Josiah Holman of the 35th was a part of General Sherman’s march from Atlanta to the sea.

Charles Dennis escaped death at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, when it was captured by General Forrest, whose troops massacred nearly the entire garrison.

Most of the Allentown area men served in the 11th and 14th Infantry. Throughout many issues in the early 1900’s, there were obituaries and many little stories about the veterans. We find mention of Captain Theodore Stagg. Parker Borden, Joseph N. Hankins and Moses Applegate. 34 Allentown men served in the 11th.

From the 14th we find John W. Long, William A. Parker and Henry Hankins; William H. Moore and Fuller B. Errickson from the 9th; also William Perry and Thomas Dickson. There is mention of relatives of Allentown residents such as Timothy Webster, husband of Charlotte, who was one of President Lincoln’s body guards, and who was caught and hanged by the rebels while on scout duty.

Allentown was greatly affected by the Civil War. Its after shock reverberates long into the 20th century, as proved by the frequent writings in the Allentown Messenger.

THE LAST CIVIL WAR VETERAN

On April 26, 1946, George Ashby died in Allentown. He was buried in the Hamilton Street Cemetery. George was 102 years old when he departed this world. George Ashby, a black free man, was born on January 25, 1844, in Virginia. He volunteered on August 5, 1864, in Trenton, NJ. At the time of his enlistment, he was a farmer and lived in Crosswicks, NJ.

At age 20 he accepted an installment bounty of $100 for a 3 year enlistment in the 22nd Regiment, U.S.C.T. He was later assigned to H-CO., 45th Regiment, U.S.C.T. The 45th was part of the 25th Army Corp., the only all black Army Corp. in U.S. history. George Ashby’s regiment took part in the following battles:

Chapin’s Farm, New Market Heights, Darby Town, Fair Oaks, Appomatox, Hatcher’s Run, Petersburg, and in minor skirmishes.

The regiment was entrenched before Petersburg from June 1864 to April 1865, and took part in the pursuit of General Lee and his army of northern Virginia in 1865. Ashby’s regiment was then transferred to the Mexican frontier because of the encroachment of Maximillian’s Mexican and French troops. There he received a promotion to Sergeant for gallant and meritorious service. He was discharged in November, 1865, in Brownville, Texas. After the war, he resumed farming and married Phoebe Cole of Crosswicks. The couple moved to Waker Ave., Allentown, where they raised their children. Mrs. Phoebe Ashby died at the Waker Ave. home.

George spent his last years residing on Pearl Street. George had 9 children, 16 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. One of his grandchildren, Harold James Ashby, became a member of the Newark Board of Education and became president of that board. He also served as a Deputy Attorney General for the state of NJ, and chairman of the NJ State Parole Board.

George Ashby was the last surviving Civil War veteran from the state of New Jersey.

NINETEENTH CENTURY CHAIRMAKING IN ALLENTOWN, NJ

Chairmaking thrived in small shops in rural Central New Jersey in the middle of the 19th century. In the Allentown area, several workshops commonly produced low back rush seat type chairs and rockers with stenciled decorations from the 1840’s to the 1890’s. One of the most productive shops, operating from 1858 to 1895, making as many as 1000 chairs a year at its peak, was the Clayton Shop. Established in 1860 by John A. Clayton over Isaac Rogers blacksmith shop (near the site on which the local bank was later built), it was then relocated to a shop at 9 Pearl Street.

James H. Clayton, born in 1852, worked in his father’s shop as a boy and became a partner at age 20. The Clayton shop chairs were mainly a decorated 3 slat rush seat variety. Local maple, oak and poplar were used, and eventually precut parts were purchased from the sawmill of Sy Buzby of Crosswicks. Initially the bent wood was steamed in copper vats at the hat making establishment by George Myers. Rush was harvested from South River. The chairs were prime coated in Venetian red or Rosepink, usually followed by a black second coat. Stencils were then used, including designs with boats, swans, lighthouses, ropes, spirals and lyres. Straight chairs sold for $1 each and up to $9 for a set of 6 of the shop’s finest chairs.

Zebulon Clayton Byard was born in 1810 in Manalapan, NJ, at the home of his grandfather, Zebulon Clayton. He was the son of an English portrait artist who traveled, seeking customers. While visiting the home of Zebulon Clayton, he met and married one of his daughters. At age 4, after the death of his father, Zebulon went to live with an aunt in Philadelphia. He learned chairmaking there at a shop on Vine Street, but he also developed a lively interest in boxing, much to his aunt’s dismay.

At age 16 his aunt bought a farm on Allentown-Robbinsville Road, in an attempt to divert Zebulon from a boxing career. Zebulon was described as a powerful man, capable, resourceful, but lazy. He only sold locally to fill orders when he needed funds. Zebulon’s chairs were made of local maple and hickory, and turned on a foot-treadle lathe at the shop. In addition to the decorated 3 slat rush seat variety, he produced a distinctively different style where the rush seat was bound on all sides by a wide wood band with a curved block of wood in the front.

Zebulon Byard’s shop was the only place in the area that produced an all wood seat chair, learned from his training in Philadelphia, which he called his “Kitchen Windsors.” They sold for $1.50 each. He also made all wood settees. Charles Byard, Zebulon’s son, was born in Allentown in 1844. He learned chairmaking in his father’s shop, but operated a separate business after his marriage in 1866 in shared space. Charles then left Allentown and made chairs in Manalapan, but returned a few years later after his father’s death. Charles produced chairs similar to his fathers. Some of his stencil designs included birds, roosters, ducks, lions and deer. Charles was tall and powerful, hard working and hard living. He learned boxing from his father and caused much controversy with his last scheduled match to Patsy May of Camden, July 4, 1866, in Hightstown, NJ. The stakes were $50 for each contestant, and local authorities forbid it. It was held anyway behind a barn. Charles won. Anthony W. Kennedy, choir leader, singing school conductor and house painter, also had a chairmaking business on Church Street near the site where the Grange Hall was later built. He made chairs for 10 to 15 years.

Kennedy worked for a short time at the Byard shop. The Kennedy shop employed John A. Clayton for a short period before opening his shop in Allentown, NJ. Kennedy made only decorated, slat back, rush seat chairs of fair quality. James Buckalew worked at the Kennedy shop and later opened his own chair shop at 50 Church Street for a few years, making 100-200 rush seat chairs per year. William Gulick worked at the Clayton shop, at James Buckalew’s shop, and later opened his own shop on Church Street with his brother Horatio. William Killey was an apprentice in the Clayton Shop from 1865-68.

His descendants have preserved some of his sturdy rush seat chairs. They are decorated with a fruit basket design on the wide top slats. Many other chair shops opened in the area including Jesse Van Hise and William Rose of Rue’s Corner, Prospertown; Dutch born Michael Maps and his descendants of Leonard and his son Peter of Englishtown; and Joseph D. Herbert of Tennent. SOURCE: Central New Jersey Chairmaking of the Nineteenth Century by William H. MacDonald

EARLY 1900's

The Allentown Messenger was a rich resource for records of life in the lively village of Allentown. It records many interesting tidbits of town business, news, and important figures in our local history. The Post Office opened its doors at 6:30 am and closed at 9:00 pm. The local source of public transportation was the Allentown Stage that connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad and the trolley for Trenton at Yardville.

Allentown was a favorite spot for summer vacations and boating parties. The moonlit lake was enjoyed by many. In the May 12th issue of 1910 the question was asked “What do you expect in a suit of clothes?” the Trenton Clothing Company asked. The answer given…the average Allentown young lady expects a young man who can play baseball and tennis, row a boat, and drive a horse with one hand when necessary, and one who will not take her by devious paths when the straight and narrow way leads them to the door of the best ice cream parlor in town. In the March 23rd issue of 1905, the Allentown Council left the issue of securing a water plant up to the citizens.

“Our Council will not take action to secure us a water plant unless the sentiment of the town is unmistakable in demanding it. Unless we get these water works our town will not show a progress that is symmetrical. They are needed to be in keeping with out new bank, our new hall, and our macadamized streets. And, by the way, this new roadway will no double be built next year. We should have the water pipes laid before this paving is done”.

In February of 1909 the “Around Home” columnist urges the Improvement Association to move “to agitate the formation of a gas plant”. Butter is high at 12 cents a pound. On May 9, 1910, a son born to Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Ruthberg, the first Jewish baby ever born in Allentown. Allentown was a growing town, but proud of being a small business and residential community, which made a trolley unnecessary. Another proud aspect of Allentown was its many Civil War Veterans.