History
Ongoing historical research on a variety of topics.
The Blessing of the Hounds – A Countryside Tradition
Views: 3,116 An annual tradition for the Essex Fox Hounds of Peapack, New Jersey Blessing of the Hounds Back in 2007, before there was a Mr. Local History, there was just a local looking for fun historic events to go… Read More »The Blessing of the Hounds – A Countryside Tradition
Peapack Ski Tow and Ski Areas Lost in New Jersey
Views: 7,155 The Peapack Ski Tow was One of the First Ski Businesses in New Jersey At one time, New Jerseyans had their pick of a dozen or so smaller hills where beginners could get a feel for the sport… Read More »Peapack Ski Tow and Ski Areas Lost in New Jersey
The Southard Family of Basking Ridge and A Historic Finding
Views: 4,956 RETROSPECTIVE:MLHP often releases retrospectives, which are stories about our research that may change as new research is uncovered. Our search now takes us to the Princeton University archives. We are still looking at where Abraham Southard settled from around… Read More »The Southard Family of Basking Ridge and A Historic Finding
Thanksgiving Meet – Horses, Hounds and Foxes Before Turkey – A Countryside Tradition
Views: 6,556 President George Washington proclaimed Nov. 26, 1789, the last Thursday of November that year, to be a “day of public thanksgiving.” What is known as the “Gentry”, in New Jersey they held fox hunts on Thanksgiving Day. Fox… Read More »Thanksgiving Meet – Horses, Hounds and Foxes Before Turkey – A Countryside Tradition
Resolution Needed for the Bernards Township Flag
Views: 1,367 For over 60 years Bernards Township has had an official flag. The four colored rectangles recognized the four hamlets inside Bernards Township. In the 80s, a vote was made in West Millington to join the nearby Basking Ridge… Read More »Resolution Needed for the Bernards Township Flag
General Washington’s Two Favorite Lookout Points
Views: 2,178 During the Middlebrook Encampment periods during the Revolutionary War, George Washington strategically utilized the Watchung Mountain Range for both his soldiers and his own advantage. The mountains provided a perfect view of the surrounding areas where the British… Read More »General Washington’s Two Favorite Lookout Points
Origins of Cold as Balls and Cold as a Witch’s Teet
The phrase “cold as balls” reportedly comes from the contraction of metal on ship’s cannons, causing the iron balls to fall. The expression “cold as a witch’s tit” originated from the belief that witches, portrayed as cold-blooded in the 1600s, had an ‘unholy’ body part feeding familiars or the devil.
John Morton – General Washington’s Rebel Banker Hid in Basking Ridge
Views: 2,650 John Morton was a Colonel in the Continental Army. Still, he gave up his commission in 1761 to become a highly successful merchant, specializing in the trade of flax back home to his native Ulster in Northern Ireland… Read More »John Morton – General Washington’s Rebel Banker Hid in Basking Ridge
Jersey’s History with Bar Room Shuffleboard
Views: 4,136 Isn’t it interesting how history becomes history. Take for example pay phones. When you were using them, you never thought about it and then they’re gone. Not just gone……totally gone. Then you see them 20 years later on… Read More »Jersey’s History with Bar Room Shuffleboard
Eagle Scout Maps Historic Basking Ridge
Views: 1,750 Maps have historically been a great way to tell stories about local history. Mr. Local History Project congratulates William (Liam) Murphy of Basking Ridge’s Patriots Path Council Boy Scout Troop 351, who created his interactive Basking Ridge Historical… Read More »Eagle Scout Maps Historic Basking Ridge
Make a Donation – Get a Historic Map as our Gift
Views: 6,788 Make a Tax Deductible Donation – Get a Frameable Map Finding New Ways to Share Local History.We call it “Maps for a Cause” supporting Our Ridge and Bernards High Scholarship Funds The Mr. Local History Project continues its… Read More »Make a Donation – Get a Historic Map as our Gift
Sharing Local History with Maps – How to Read Into Them
Views: 7,353 Researching Local History with Maps As a historian, I believe maps are one of the greatest sources of information, capturing a time and place. We use these maps to research history and find buildings, families, farms, or streets.… Read More »Sharing Local History with Maps – How to Read Into Them
Remembering Willie Howard and Bedminster’s Willie’s Tavern
Views: 2,626 Often, Mr. Local History doesn’t search for stories as those stories find us. Case in point is this weird little story about a man who comes to America only to find that his life is remembered after Basking… Read More »Remembering Willie Howard and Bedminster’s Willie’s Tavern