Trenton Authors at Bishop Farmstead

Bishop Farmstead
Pinelands Preservation Alliance
17 Pemberton Rd, Southampton, NJ 08088
for directions, check out the web site.

Today, December 19, 2010, the authors John Calu and Dave Hart, gave an excellent talk on historic places in Trenton and the family history that inspired their newest book, Trenton, A Novel,   John Calu and Dave Hart took turns sharing their enthusiasm for the history of Trenton and the process of creating their book, published by Plexus.  John Bryans, head of the division that published Trenton, has a reputation for supporting books about the New Jersey Pine Barrens, in particular. 

Trenton, A Novel, is set during the American Revolution, in the area of the farm of the Hart family in Hopewell.  In the second half, the story moves to the modern world and the Alma family.  The families find a mysterious link.  I just bought the book and have only begun to read it, but I will be sure to give a review as soon as I've finished.  So far I find it fascinating.  Fortunately, I've already visited many historic sites in Trenton.  After reading the book, however, I'll avail myself of the map on the website of Calue and Hart, that shows where all the historic sites mentioned are located.  To find the website, simply google the title and authors. 

Calu and Hart also have written several young adult mysteries including The Lost Mission of Captain Carranza, and The Treasure of Tucker's Island.

Along with enjoying the really well-done presentation, it was a pleasure to stroll the grounds of the Bishop Farmstead, home of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance.  There is the farm, the barn, and the building where the presentations are given.  I've enjoyed the Pinelands Prservation Alliance annual lecture series, and actually participated by giving a power point presentation on the Civilian Conservation Corps in New Jersey a couple of years ago.  The PPA series is very popular and has done a great deal to spread the history of the Pine Barrens. 

The Bishop Farmstead was bought in 2002 from a family named Shaffer who had purchased the farm and 12 acres from Kingsway Associates.  The farm had belonged to the Robbins family.Before the Kingsway Associates.  Previously, it had been passed down through inheritance from the original property owners, Thomas and Ann Bishop,  Quakers who came from England around 1703.  The property had been bought from a local group of Native Americans.  Their son, John Bishop and his wife Rebecca Matlock, married in 1737, built the main house in 1753.  A paper entitled A Brief History of the Bishop Farmstead gives more details on the style of the building and the history of its ownership.  

There are always wonderful art shows and programs being held at the Bishop Farmstead, so be sure to look for the next event on their web site and go out for a visit.