January 25, 2016--Jeanette Muser, Author, Dies

by Ed Belding
South Brunswick Historical Society

Jeanette K. Muser passed away on January 25, 2016.  She was born in Vienna, Austria, to American parents on November 16, 1940.  Her father, Dr. Frederick J. Krueger, worked for the U. S. Public Health Service and was on assignment in Europe at the time Jeanette was born.  Upon their return to the States, the Kruegers settled in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  While there, Jeanette furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a B.A. in Education and an M.A. in History.  Jeanette married Franz Josef Moehn in 1962.  The couple moved to Princeton, New Jersey, in 1965.  Jeanette received a Fulbright Fellowship in 1967 and spent the year in Germany.  After the birth of her second child, the family moved to Pennington, New Jersey.  Jeanette earned an M.A. in Library Science from Rutgers University in 1971.  She served as a librarian at the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School until 1995.  In 1982, she and Franz divorced.  After her children finished high school, Jeanette married Rainer Karl Martin Muser in 1987.  They moved to Rocky Hill.  After retiring, she pursued volunteer work, including the Rocky Hill Heritage Project; the Rocky Hill Remembers Newsletter; and a book project--ROCKY HILL, KINGSTON, and GRIGGSTOWN (Arcadia, 1998).  For her years of dedication to local history, Jeanette received an award from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission in 2002.  She also served on the Rocky Hill Planning Board, the Committee for the Millstone River Valley National Scenic Byway, and helped publish a booklet entitled--"1783: General George Washington's Departure from Military Service."  We can thank Jeanette Muser for including all of Kingston in her book, thereby adding to our understanding of the early history of that part of our township.

January 24, 1947--Pioneer Grange No. 1 Marks 75th Anniversary

January 24, 1947-Pioneer Grange No. 1 Marks 75 Anniversary
by Ed Belding South Brunswick Historical Society

When an organization is labeled "Pioneer" and "No. 1" it has to mean that it is the first of its kind.  Yes, here is another first that South Brunswick Township can be proud of.  When farmers in the Monroe/Jamesburg area formed a "secret organization" and called it the "Homestead Grange,"  little did they know that their organization would outlast the Rhode Hall Farmers' Alliance and the Monroe Farmers' Club.  Neither did they know at that time that they would end up in Dayton.  It all started on January 24, 1872, thanks to the leadership of Oliver Hudson Kelley.  He later went on to serve as the first Secretary of the National Grange.  Grange meeting places moved from Stelton to Prospect Plains to Cranbury, and finally to Dayton.  Its fiftieth anniversary was celebrated on this day in 1922, with an all-day session at the Presbyterian Church in Dayton.  Close to four-hundred Grangers attended.  The Diamond Jubilee was held in 1947, on Friday evening, January 24th.  By this time, the Grange had its own hall on Ridge Road.  And, by this time, everyone involved insisted that this was "New Jersey's Oldest Grange."  Mistress of Ceremonies, that evening, was Anna J. Alsheimer.  Speakers included Franklin Nixon, Master of the New Jersey State Grange; Historian, Myra Spratford; Maurice Hagerman, Deputy of Mercer County; and James B. Kirby, Secretary of the New Jersey State Grange.  Music for dancing was provided by the Paul Stewart Orchestra.  A good time was had by all in attendance.  The Grange Hall still stands on Ridge Road, but the Grangers are long gone--not even a Lone Granger left to bring back the good old days!

January 23, 1841 Clarence Mulford Slack was born

January 23, 1841 Clarence Mulford Slack was born.
By Ed Belding South Brunswick Historical Society

On January 23, 1841, in Hightstown, New Jersey. He studied medicine at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, then enlisted in the Union Navy and served as a physician during the Civil War. Upon returning from military service, Dr. Slack looked for a suitable place to live and work. In 1866, he found property north of Five Corners on the east side of Georges Road in Dayton. The land was purchased from S. Pullen. Slack had a house built on this land in 1870. This is where he also set up his medical practice. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Slack met with a few others to discuss plans to have a Presbyterian Church built in the vicinity. Slack had bought more property for just such a purpose. One such acquisition was the Mershon farm (56.8 acres) in 1879. Eight years later, Dr. Slack sold all his South Brunswick properties to Dr. Edgar Carroll. Included in this transaction was the first house in Dayton to have a bathroom. Slack moved to New Brunswick and set up an office on George Street. He bought a house on Livingston Avenue. Later, he moved his medical practice to his place of residence. Fifteen years later, Slack retired and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he lived out his final years. Dr. Slack was married twice. His first wife was Mary Elizabeth Conover of Middletown, New Jersey. His second wife was Lizzie Helm of New Brunswick. Besides serving the Dayton area for years as a doctor, Clarence Slack served as the Middlesex County Clerk by filling the deceased Charles S. Hill's unexpired term. In the next election, Slack won by popular vote and served a full term. Thus, our Dr. Slack served the public in more than one significant capacity. He was a person who gave much more than he received.

January 22, 2004--Carolyn Galos Introduces The "Be My Buddie" Plush Pillow

January 22, 2004

by Ed Belding South Brunswick Historical Society

	Feb 3 (4 days ago)

South Brunswick Township, and especially Kendall Park, was, and still is, a hotbed for new ideas.  Take for example, Carolyn Galos, who introduced her "Be My Buddie" product on January 22, 2004.  This is a pillow, containing a satin pull-out, that was designed by Galos to help soothe and comfort a fussy child.  She came up with the idea while shopping with her fussy first baby.  She took out her silk scarf at the checkout counter, when her child was at his worst, and stroked it by his cheek.  The baby quieted down.  Galos knew she was on to something.  Since silk is rather expensive, Carolyn decided to experiment with less expensive fabrics.  She finally decided to work with satin.  Next came developing various pillow shapes and choosing kid-friendly characters for the satin pull-outs for a child to play with.  Among those chosen were Pooh Bear, Piglet, Tweetie Pie, and Blue from Blues Clues.  A velcro strap was added to fasten the item to wherever the child might be.  The product is marketed through Techniform, Inc., which has a licensing agreement with Crown Crafts Infant Products, Inc.  The inventor is a commercial sculptress with degrees in Art Education and Design/Fine Arts from the State University College at Buffalo, New York.  Galos has garnered awards from the Industrial Arts Society of America and the Industrial Design Excellence Award for Medical and Scientific Products.  Carolyn Galos is a member of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners and the U. S. Women's Chamber of Commerce.  Many folks in South Brunswick Township may not have known of the accomplishments of this successful idea person, but they do now!

History Under Our Feet

History Under Our Feet
by Paul Weiner
South Brunswick Historical Society

Recently avid metal detectorists in New Jersey have uncovered numerous dug examples of the once rare George Washington first inaugural button made in 1789 for use by men he gave it to who served under him in the Revolutionary War or befriended him. The button at that time was looped onto vest coats, three to a side to be worn in some cases by those that came to the country’s first inauguration in New York City on April 30, 1789. In some cases these buttons detached from the vest coats and landed on parade grounds to be encased in soil and lost forever until discovered 5 inches under the ground by a treasurer hunter. One such button classified as A-12 in Alphaeus H. Albert’s Record of American Uniform and Historical Buttons was located in a parade grounds used by American Revolutionary troops in Kingston, New Jersey. The button is fashioned with a heraldic eagle and a six point estoile (star). It is composed of brass, bronze and copper and is 35mm in size. The village of Kingston is contained in South Brunswick Township and Franklin Township and was founded in the early 18th century after purchase of 1,000 acres from Native Americans. The areas was frequented by George Washington who lived about one mile outside town at Rockingham, a historic home still extant. British officers were housed in the town and several small battles took place in the area. The dug button was found near dropped musket balls and colonial coinage such as Spanish reales. A school built in 1926 and a church built in 1723 abut the area. The school and church are located on the Franklin Township side of Kingston.

February is Black History Month!

February is Black History Month!

African American Civil War Veteran Aaron Hush was born in 1845. Hush volunteered for the 32nd Regiment of the United States Colored Troops of Philadelphia in February of 1864 and served until August of 1865. He went to Philadelphia because New Jersey did not allow blacks to fight at that time. He was one of 2,872 black people who fought in the war.
He owned property in the Sand Hill area of South Brunswick and was buried there after his death on January 20, 1916.
Here is a picture of the proud Civil War Veteran Aaron Hush and his honorable discharge certificate.

January 21, 1723--Kingston Presbyterian Church Organized

January 21, 1723--Kingston Presbyterian Church Organized
by Ed Belding South Brunswick Historical Society

The very first Kingston Presbyterian Church was organized on January 21, 1723. It was located in a humble log structure by the Millstone River. This original location is associated with the cemetery overlooking the river. The noted Pastor in those early years was Rev. Eleazar Wales. He led a growing congregation which rivaled like-minded worshippers in Lawrenceville, Pennington, Princeton, and New Brunswick. The original log structure burned down in 1791, during a time when the Kingston congregation was losing members to the Princeton congregation. A new building was raised on the original foundation the following year. This church was used until 1852. A larger church was built on the main street (pka: Route 27) on land purchased from Elijah Stout in 1852. Thus, the church remained on the Franklin side of Kingston. In 1853, the old church by the cemetery was sold and later dismantled. All this occurred during a time of revival when the church experienced prosperity and growth. Two additions on the new church were built later. In the 1940's, Sunday School rooms were added in the back. In the 1980's, another addition included a new kitchen, an assembly room, and a Pastor's office. Many generations of residents on the South Brunswick side of Kingston attended services and participated in various programs at this venerable landmark church. It may lie on the Franklin side, but it is part of South Brunswick in the hearts of many.