Cranbury

By Peggy S. Brennan and Frank J. Brennan Jr.

Few New Jersey towns have retained as much nineteenth-century charm as Cranbury. Set in agriculturally rich Middlesex County, Cranbury is known for its shuttered white-clapboard houses, lovely shaded streets, picket fences, and tranquil lake. First settled in 1697, Cranbury came of age more than one hundred years later when it developed into a bustling center with a gristmill, a sawmill, tanneries, blacksmith shops, and other business enterprises typical of small-town America. These images are fascinating: most of them have never before been published, and many of them were donated from family albums and collections. The recollections of many living residents have been included as well, and the stories, anecdotes, and memories breathe life into the images of a by-gone era. The result is a remarkable visual history, both informative and entertaining, that serves to preserve and celebrate Cranbury s proud heritage. Cranbury is a journey into the past that will thrill resident and visitor, young and old alike.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Jul 1, 1995
• ISBN: 9781439621493

Peggy S. Brennan

With Hightstown and East Windsor, authors Peggy and Frank Brennan have presented selected glimpses of the communities from 1834 to 1950. Using images drawn primarily from the collections of local residents, the Hightstown-East Windsor Historical Society, and the Peddie School, the Brennans offer a brilliant illustration of what life was like for residents of these communities in the past. The authors' hope is that this book, like their popular history of the town of Cranbury, will provoke nostalgic recollection in the minds of longtime residents, and stimulate the interest of newcomers in the history of their area.

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Introduction

Celebrating its 300th anniversary in 1997, Cranbury is one of the oldest towns in New Jersey. Cranbury derived its name from the brook on whose banks it had its beginnings. During its early history the settlement was situated on an Indian trail and later the village became an important stop on a main thoroughfare between the northern and southern colonies.

It is believed that there were settlers in Cranbury as early as 1680, but the first written record of a land sale with improvements was 1698. The Gristmill, built on Cranberry Brook around 1736, was probably the nucleus for the eventual development of the village.

The legendary David Brainerd preached and ministered to the Lenape Indians of the area in 1747. The Brainerd name lives on with the cemetery where eighty soldiers of the Revolutionary War are buried, the lake formerly called Cranberry Brook, and the Institute, at one time a private boarding and day school.

In 1869 Cranberry was renamed Cranbury. Since then, some of the buildings, many of the occupations, and much of the life style illustrated by these photographs have virtually disappeared. The dirt streets are now paved; the shops and other landmarks of the period can be recaptured only by means of photographs and sketches.

Presently, Cranbury lies adjacent to principal north-south highways and is surrounded by retirement, research, and industrial developments. Although it has experienced gradual growth and change, Cranbury retains the village flavor of years gone by.

This book is a visual history of Cranbury from 1863 to 1949 and these snapshots and captions attempt to record those eighty-six years. Unfortunately, the scope of a book such as this is limited to the period when photography was relatively popular, and of necessity excludes the 165-year period from its settlement in 1697 to 1862. Further, we regret that space limitations require our chronological cut off in 1949. Perhaps a sequel could include the last half of the twentieth century.

As Cranbury approaches its Tercentennial, we anticipate that the book will launch a trip into the past for those who are too young to recognize the subjects of these photographs. At the same time we hope that this collection will provide nostalgic recall for those who lived in Cranbury during the period encompassed by the book.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, identifications of individuals in photo captions are in the usual order, from left to right.

One

1863–1889

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This drawing of the First Presbyterian Church and Academy may have been sketched as early as 1839. The first church on this spot stood for forty years after its 1740 erection. A new church was built in 1788 by Joseph Fisher in the Greek Revival style at a cost of 147 British pounds. A south wing was added in the early 1800s and the church was rebuilt again in 1839 and in 1859. When the church was rebuilt in 1839, it was no longer necessary for women worshippers to keep themselves warm by means of foot warmers. (Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society)

REVEREND SYMMES C. HENRY (date unknown). Born in 1797 in Bedminister, New Jersey, he graduated from Princeton Seminary in 1818. He was installed as the fifth pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in 1820. During his time of service, the church was rebuilt, the Second Presbyterian Church of Cranbury was formed, and the practice of delivering two sermons at each service was abolished. His life ended suddenly in 1857 after he contracted a cold while conducting a funeral service. At his death he was replaced by his son-in-law, Reverend Joseph Gaston Symmes. (Emma Stults)

REVEREND JOSEPH S. VAN DYKE (1872). He was pastor of the Cranbury Second Presbyterian Church from 1869 until 1897. Born in 1832, he graduated from the College of New Jersey, and after teaching for one year he attended Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating in 1861. He and his wife raised five children while living at the Second Presbyterian Church Manse in Cranbury. He died at his home on Morrison Avenue, Hightstown, in 1914. (Margaret Hoffman Dubell)

LIEUTENANT MARCUS AURELIUS STULTS (c. 1862). This Union officer was born on a farm on the South River Road in 1840. He was a member of Company H, 14th New Jersey Volunteers, and was reported missing in action during the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, on June 1, 1864. In this battle, General Grant’s forces were defeated by General Lee in one of the severest engagements of the war. Approximately 12,000 Union soldiers were either killed or wounded. (Jerry Pevahouse)

CORPORAL ALFRED CARMAN (c. 1863). Born in 1826 near Red Tavern, he lived at Cranbury Station. Before entering the army, he worked as a carpenter in the area. A member of Company H, 14th New Jersey Volunteers, he was killed at the Battle of Locust Grove, Virginia, on November 27, 1863. (Jerry Pevahouse)

CORNELIUS STULTS FARMHOUSE (before 1880). The rear yard and driveway of the farmhouse on Prospect Plains Road was a relatively busy place on this fall day. The two white horses are ready to be hitched to the carriage in the background. The farmhouse and out buildings, torn down in the 1960s, were on the site of the Rossmoor Adult Community. (Emma Stults)