Historic Places in South Jersey

Historic Places in South Jersey - Places to Go and Things to Do

A discussion of things to do and places to go, with the purpose
of sharing, and encouraging exploration of South Jersey.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Timber Creek

The best part of every day is when I take my dog, Trixie, to Timber Creek Dog Park in Gloucester Twp. off Chews Landing Road.  I can't begin to tell you how beautiful it is and how wonderful, warm and friendly the people are.  
Yesterday, a trio of young people were gathered at the dog beach and pond and one of the young men, after being reassured that the pond isn't polluted, was ferrying his dog to the middle of the pond to teach her to swim, which she did very well.  He was kind and generous enough to take my dog out to the middle of the pond as well, which made her very happy.  She swims remarkably well, as she should being a Lab mix, but having had little or no experience with water before (I'm guessing) she is timid to try it on her own.

The young man's name was Greg and his dog was Scout.  Hope to see you at this great dog park with your best friend one of these days.  There are great people to meet, and an endless array of interesting dogs  Among my regular favorites are dog walker Stephanie, and her best pal,  Barb.  They bring Lily, Apollo, Takara and her puppies, and a couple of other interesting dog (I'm sorry, I'm bad with names).  There are many exceptional dog rescuers, too who always inspire me.  A good conversation really makes the miles and hours fly by.  

Happy Trails and Happy Tails!  Jo Ann

Contact Info.

Periodically I check my 'stats' and comments.  Many people told me they had trouble with the comment function (over which I have no control - this is all run by blogspot) so here is my e-mail address for anyone who wants to contact me to talk further about any of the entries including family history for the Cheesman, Garwood families of the Turnersville area:
wrightj45@yahoo.com

Thank you for your kind comments and your time and interest.  It is a pleasure to share all the wonderful things I find in New Jersey with you!

Happy Trails!  Jo Ann

Joe Laufer One of a Kind

Joe Laufer, Burlington County Historian, passed away this week (July 2014) at the age of 70 after a battle with lung cancer.  He will be sorely missed by his many many friends and admirers in the history community.  For several years, I enjoyed his bus trips such as the One Room Schools of Burlington County, his lecture series and his always entertaining and enlightening Burlington County Historians Roundtable.

There was really no one quite like Joe due to his extraordinary set of gifts.  He was charming, warm, a natural performer, witty, knowledgeable and humble.  His love for history and for sharing with people was always evident.  He is irreplaceable.  We were all uniquely lucky to have known him and to have enjoyed all the ways he found to bring the richness of history to us. 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Beverly Cemetery

Today, Tuesday, July 22, 2014, I'll be headed over to Beverly Cemetery in Edgewater Park, Burlington County, NJ.  The address is 915 Bridgeboro Rd., Beverly, NJ 08010.

My mother and her sister were raised by their Great-Aunt Lavinia Lyons, after their mother died.  I always called her Grandmom, and I loved her very much.  My 'Grandather' Joseph Lyons served in the Mexican Border Campaign and is buried at Beverly also.

Here is a little information from the website:
Beverly National Cemetery is located in Burlington County’s Edgewater Park, in the city of Beverly, N.J.

"The original cemetery was only one acre, purchased from a local resident in 1863. The plot was located in the northwest corner of the town cemetery surrounded by a picket fence. Additional land was acquired in 1936, 1937, 1948 and 1951.
The cemetery was established to provide a burial site for veterans who died in one of two nearby hospitals. Of the original 147 Union soldiers buried at Beverly National Cemetery, only 10 are unknown. For much of its history, the cemetery handled relatively few interments. The number of interments grew dramatically, however, when space became unavailable at Philadelphia National Cemetery. Beverly National Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997."
http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/beverly.asp#hours 

Even if you have no one buried in one of these grand old cemeteries, they are excellent places to visit and walk.  My sister and I like the one near where she lives, Eglington.  I believe it is the oldest still in use in New Jersey.  The headstone architecture is always interesting as are the plantings and landscaping.    You've probably seen my blog on the fascinating cemeteries in Camden County:  the two old Quaker cemeteries in Collingswood and the one with Walt Whitman's tomb in Camden, Harleigh Cemetery.  Also Bary C.'s ghosttowns web site has many conversations on cemeteries in the Pines.  My favorite in the Pines is at Estelle, the old Ireland cemetery almos swallowed by teh woods again.  
"As you are now, so once was I; as I am now, so shall you be."  My favorite stone ephitaph.
Happy Trails,
Jo Ann

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Hiking the D & R Canal at Bordentown

Just yesterday, after having commented to my long time hiking buddy Barbar Solem, that I wish I knew a good hiking trail (out of the woods) near Bordentown, she replied, "Well, there's the D & R. Canal tow path."  So, with our other staunch hiking compadre, Barb Spector, we were off.  First we stopped for lunch at the Tabernacle Inn, which I strongly recommend for good food and courteous service, as well as vegetarian choices:  we had the grilled vegetable wrap with cole slaw.  

At Bordentown, which we reached coming from Shamong, by taking 206, we drove down Farnsworth, one of the main streets of the town, to the end where it reaches Crosswicks Creek, then parked in a small area set aside for just that.  There is a marker with information about the trail which is parallel to the River  Line train tracks.  Follow the wooden boardwalk to the packed dirt path and you will find a shady, clean and scenic walking path.  We walked for about an hour which, for us, is roughly 3 miles. 

After our hike, we stopped in at the old book store and Barb Solem bought two books, one of which was Gone With the Wind, and Barb Spector bought six!  So, I didn't feel bad that for once in my life, I didn't buy any.  There were two pamphlets I wanted from the NJ pamphlets section but they were too pricey for me:  one was $35 and the other was $10.  The first was a history of the Presbyterian Church which had the names of a few of my Cheesman ancestors in it.  The second was another Gloucester County history pamphlet. 

It was a delightful day with my friends and in a charming old New Jersey town, Bordentown.  Hope you give it a try sometime soon.  We are avoiding the woods at present due to ticks and chiggers, which we have, all three of us, suffered from in the past.  It is one of the  many reasons to appreciate winter.
Happy Trails!
Today I'm off to Mount Holly to the Robin's Nest for brunch at 2 Washington St.  Later, when I get home, I'll download the photos from my camera and post a couple for the trail.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

An awesome genealogist!

Today, Wednesday, July 17, 2014, I had a half day of genealogy help from Bonny Beth Elwell.  Bonny is a genealogist, historian and author.  She has written a local history book on the Pittsgrove, Upper Pittsgrove area.  She is also President of the Salem County Genealogy Society
www.gsscnj.org.
Some highlights of their new website include:
  • Links to local historical societies and genealogy websites
  • Events calendars of our meetings and other local historical activities
  • Directions to our meetings and contact information
  • A list of the books and other items we offer for sale
  • Resources for researchers
  • Charts and forms to download
  • Guidelines for beginning family research
  • An index of the DVDs for members to borrow
  • PDF copies of old Ancestors' Attic articles
  • Helpful hints for genealogy research
Bonny most definitely provided the above mentioned "helpful hints for genealogical research" and got my 'tree-meant-for-framing' up and read to finalize.  I was stumped and couldn't seem to move forward without help.  She also found some treasures on the internet including a photograph of an ancestor in his Civil War uniform.  It was a very productive day thanks to Bonny.  

Should you be interested in Bonny's help, Phone 609-670-0407 
or
E-mail: bonnybonnybeth@gmail.com

Sometimes you just need a guide on the family history trail! Happy Trails!  Jo Ann

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Genealological Society of Salem County, NJ - new web site

 As I may have mentioned, I have been a member of the genealogical Society of Salem County for some years now.  Sporadically, I work on my family history, which I may also have mentioned, and it has ties to New Jersey which I have followed (Timber Creek area).  GSSCHNJ has great lectures during their meeting season.  They are not holding open meeting lectures in the summer, but when they resume in the autumn, I will try to remember to post the topics so you can drop by and hear some interesting talk on local history.  I actually did a talk for them myself last winter on the Civilian Conservation Corps in South Jersey.  It was well attended and a great audience to speak to.  

GSSCHNJ has a new web site that I wanted to bring to your attention.  Here is the link and a list of what they have to offer on it:
  • Links to local historical societies and genealogy websites
  • Events calendars of our meetings and other local historical activities
  • Directions to our meetings and contact information
  • A list of the books and other items we offer for sale
  • Resources for researchers
  • Charts and forms to download
  • Guidelines for beginning family research
  • An index of the DVDs for members to borrow
  • PDF copies of old Ancestors' Attic articles
  • Helpful hints for genealogy research
I hope you will pay them a visit and find something of use to you!  
Happy Trails!  Jo Ann
ps.  In case you wonder why I post in such large type.  I am having vision difficulties and it makes me aware that there are probably others out there in my age group who may also be having problems reading, so I make the type large enought to facilitate your reading as well as my own.

More Mullica Hill

Two stores I wanted to mention in regard to my recent visit and post on Mullica Hill are:
Lucky Dog Antiques where I  bought some nice things, and EARTHSHACK in the Amish Market Mall where I bought some beautiful tiles at a very reasonable price.  I love tiles and if I live long enough, someday I will study pottery and ceramics.  Next, however, I'd like to study spinning and new classes in beginning spinning will be opening at Woolbearers in Mount Holly:
Lucky Dog is Sharon Siegfried 856-858-6146
EarthShack www.earthshack.org
Woolbearers link is www.woolbearers.com/classes.htm

Happy Trails, Happy 4th of July!  What a wonderful Country we live in and how grateful I feel to those who, so many years ago, suffered and died to make us free and as prosperous and well off as we are!  History teaches you to respect the gifts the people of the past have bestowed upon us, not only historic figures, but ordinary people and our own ancestors.