Digital Antiquaria - NJ Classics

NJ Classics Booklets

**Topical and Regional Monograph Pamphlets** ($4.25 including shipping)
Some of the best New Jersey history was written a century or more ago. These works are still relevant today, but are often hard to find and command premium prices from collectors.

From our extensive archives, we chose fifty of the best, and republished them as the NJ Classics booklet series. These important tracts are presented in their entirety, complete with footnotes and editorial addenda. Each of the NJ Classics is also enhanced with advertisements from periodicals published at the time these works were originally released.

The authors of these monographs were mostly prominent citizens with a deep personal interest in local or family history; few were professional historians. Although the original works are fairly obscure, virtually every modern publication on these subjects quote or acknowledge them as sources. As such, these monographs are the bedrock of New Jersey history, the foundation upon which our knowledge of our past is built.

In 2006, we printed 200 copies of each title and gave them to selected historic site gift shops as a fund-raising premium. Since then, they have become desirable collectibles and valued gifts. In July 2009, we recalled the entire remaining inventory and made these booklets available exclusively on eBay. They will not be reprinted. The last five copies of each title are priced at $7.95 each. Inquiries from bulk buyers are welcome.
No.	ID	Title	Author	Pp.
1	21C1	History of Sussex County Earliest land titles and conveyances; settlement of Peter Decker, Robert Price; churches in Minisink Valley; incidents of the French and Indian War; attack by Indians during the Revolution; Morris Canal and economic development.	Cutler, Hon. Willard W.	20
2	36D1	Indians of Morris County Professor Philhower's discussion of the Pompton and Pequanock Indians. That they were distinct from the Munsee who occupied most of North Jersey is indicated by their final transfer of lands north of the Raritan at the Treaty of Easton, 1758 (the text of the transaction is given in full). Discussion of village and campsites, Indian paths and trails, Indian place names in Morris County. (Booklet: 8.5" x 5.5", 24pp)	Philhower, Prof. Charles A.	24
3	07A1	Old Maps of Northern New Jersey Nutley, formerly called Franklin, was the northeastern part of the Newark Tract purchased from the Indians in 1667. The author of this article has inspected virtually every old map of New Jersey, from the 1656 Vanderdonck map of New Netherlands to the Revolutionary Faden and Erskine maps, to study the description of the boundaries, settlements and geography associated with the region.	Brown, Elizabeth Stow	20
4	07SL	Slavery in New Jersey Laws and rights connected with the proprietary and royal governments which permitted the institution to become established in the province; discussion of certain practices associated with the ownership, management, and trade in human slaves during the colonial period; judicial and legislative actions which led to its abolition.	Keasbey, Anthony Q.	36
5	12C1	First Settlers of New Brunswick Purchase from the Indians and earliest settlements; Ross Hall and its various owners, Map of the Ford, Predmore Swamp and Inians Ferry (1678-88).	Benedict, William H.	28
6	14B1	Pig Drover of Log Gaol Tale of a mysterious, but well-liked Southern gentleman who herded pigs from the northern reaches of New Jersey to market in Newark. The hamlet of Log Gaol was the seat of Sussex county, New Jersey, until 1765 when it was removed to Newton. Log Gaol subsequently became Johnsonburg, and is now a part of Warren County.	Vail, W. H.	28
7	16B2	Railroad: The Morris & Essex Documentary materials preserved by descendants of Col. William Brittin, one of the early surveyors of the railroad. Prospectus of 1835; Articles of Agreement 1836; stockholder list 1849. Presentation details the engineering and construction of the road from Newark to Morristown.	Folsom, Joseph Fulford	24
8	17D1	Lenni Lenape or Delaware Indians (sold out) Social customs, history, religion, habitations of the aboriginal inhabitants of New Jersey. Presentation includes the full text of an Indian deed of 1703 conveying a huge tract of land (generally north of Trenton) to members of the Council of Proprietors.	Walker, Edwin Robert	28
9	18A1	Aunt Katie: Perth Amboy in the 1850s Reminiscences of pre-Civil War life in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. The author was familiar with many important residents of the town; the narrative concentrates on family, residents, houses, anecdotes.	Beekman, Katharine M.	36
10	21B1	Revolution in the Raritan Valley Some of the darkest days of the American Revolution are associated with troop movements and encampments in the Raritan Valley of New Jersey. New Brunswick was the meeting place of Committees of Correspondence, as well as of the Provincial Congress. The British occupied New Brunswick, armies of both sides marched to and fro, and the destruction of homes and property infuriated both Loyalists and Patriots. The Vermeule, Field, Frelinghuysen, Middagh and other colonial families are discussed.	Vermeule, Cornelius C.	24
11	21D2	Headquarters: Preakness Valley 1780 Just below Two Bridges, near Fairfield, the Singac river empties into the Passaic River. The neighbors dwelling in the Preakness Valley above Two Bridges mostly bought their lands from Arent Schuyler, who obtained it from the Proprietors about 1695. Jacob Berdan, a Hollander, is reputed to have been the first settler about 1715. The article deals with the Preakness Church, Lafayette's headquarters at the Van Saun House, Washington's Headquarters at the Dey House, the visit of the Marquis de Chastellux, and the settlement at Two Bridges.Supplemented with Dey family corrections and clarifications, additional details about the Dey Mansion's service in the Revolution and miscellany regarding the settlements of the Preakness Valley.	Folsom, Joseph Fulford	24
12	22B1	Wagon Routes Across New Jersey (sold out) History of stage transportation across New Jersey, from 1723. Discussion of roadways, passenger and freight operations; excerpts from period newspapers. Ferries and steamboats.	Benedict, William H.	32
13	23B1	Indians of Union County Aboriginal inhabitants north of the Raritan River and South of Bound Creek (Wequahick) - Naraticongs, Sanhicans, Raritans, Wappings (also called Pomptons). The eminent Indian expert presents accounts of early explorers and traders, describes settlements and customs, and explains the orthography of current-day place names.	Philhower, Prof. Charles A.	24
14	23D1	Revolution in Old Somerset A historical-genealogical narrative describing the early settlements below the North Branch of the Raritan River (New Jersey). The author describes the farms (which are now townships) and their families, as well as the defensive operations and encampment at Middlebrook during the American Revolution.	Vermeule, Cornelius C.	24
15	23D2	Staten Island: Stolen by New York (sold out) From the time when the grant was made to Berkeley and Carteret, a doubt existed as to the ownership of Staten Island. As Staten Island was considered part of New Amsterdam under the Dutch, and was purchased from the Indians by Governor Lovelace in 1670, it had naturally strong ties to New York.	Connelly, James C.	20
16	23D3	Pioneers of Boone Town Remiscences of Boonton, New Jersey, in the early 1800s and anecdotes from the Revolutionary era. The author describes schools, churches, the influence of the railroad, canal and iron works - as well as her recollections of people who influenced the history and future of her town.	Hammond, Cora E.	20
17	23ME	Mansions of Elizabeth Town Essays on the historic Governor Belcher, Scott, Boudinot Mansions and the Hetfield House. The author lived in the Belcher Mansion, and discusses its renovations and improvements.	Dix, Warren L. and Field, Mrs. Edward M.	32
18	24A1	Emancipation in New Jersey The history of the emancipation of slaves in New Jersey is divided into three periods: the first, that of the Proprietary Colony, 1664-1702; the second, the Province of the Crown, 1702-1776; the third, the era of the State of New Jersey.	Gardner, D. H.	28
19	24A2	Indians of Monmouth County General history of the Lenni Lenape and its sub-tribes in various regions of New Jersey; artifacts from argillitic tools to handicrafts; villages and camp sites; lore and legend; the Minisink Trail; Verrazzano's report to the King of France, 1524; Henry Hudson's records of contact with New Jersey Indians, 1609; DeVries description of the Hackensack Indians 1642.	Philhower, Prof. Charles A.	24
20	24B6	Early Transportation in New Jersey (sold out) Recounts the development of waterways, Indian paths, toll roads, stage lines, canals, and railways. The author begins with the colonial period and specifies the areas in which development thrived because of access to water transportation. These communities naturally inspired the creation of roads connecting them with inland resources. The article includes the names of families most directly involved in trade and commerce on early transportation routes, as well as the key events which have led to New Jersey's network of transportation options.	Vermeule, Cornelius C.	28
21	24LM	LaFayette in New Jersey 1824-5 President Monroe's invitation to General La Fayette in 1824 led to national celebrations in his honor, particularly in New Jersey. The presentation details the festivites and proceedings from August 20-27, 1824 and July 1825.	Bergen, Frank, Ll.D.	32
22	25A1	Indians of Somerset County The scarcity of Indian names in Somerset county, New Jersey, points to an early exodus of the Narraticong Indians, despite claims and settlements by the Raritans and Sanhicans. The presentation discusses habitations, customs, anecdotes and a long quotation from De Vries about crops and fishing.	Philhower, Prof. Charles A.	20
23	25A3	Gold Rush: Jerseymen in California In February 1849, a party of adventurers set out from New Brunswick to the gold fields of California. What made their expedition historically significant is that its documentation is essentially complete, from inception to dissolution. There are also diaries and journals that describe the ocean voyage. The New Brunswick & California Mining and Trading Company consisted of forty-five shares of $600 each, totalling $27,000, plus a loan of $100 from each shareholder. With this fund, the Company purchased a ship for about $11,000 and loaded her with provisions valued at $17,000. The adventurers sailed around the Horn, and together - as a communal enterprise - sought to pool their efforts and inventory for mutual (and equal) profit. They converted the ship into a warehouse, bought a piece of property on the Embarcadero - and then decided to liquidate. A list of the officers, shareholders and adventurers is given.	Kull, Prof. Irving Stoddard	24
24	25D1	New Jersey Colonial Medicine (sold out) The practice of medicine was more of an art than a science in colonial New Jersey. Besides the serious outbreaks of influenza and smallpox, there were dozens of mysterious illnesses, such as the "King's Evil" and "bilious fever." Bleedings, purges, vomits, sudorifics and sallivation were popular treatments, as were herbal decoctions. Doctors were unregulated, occasionally over-enterprising, and rarely successful. Various cures are described, as is the earliest inoculation against smallpox.	McLenahan, Richard Lee	28
25	26D2	Indians of Hunterdon County Evidence of Indian occupation and the persistence of Indian place names makes Hunterdon county one of the most significant in New Jersey. Original purchases from 1680 to 1760 are recounted, as are descriptions of early Indian villages. Prominent chiefs Moses Totamy, Teedyuscung, Tuccamirgan and others are noted. Traditions and anecdotes recounted.	Philhower, Prof. Charles A.	24
26	27C1	Rebel Camp: Middlebrook 1778 Independence Day address at the famous Revolutionary campground: reminds the reader of the nefarious Gen. Charles Lee. First, Gen. Lee plotted to cause the destruction of the best part of the American army, accede to the command of the remains, and sell out to the British for cold cash. Fortunately, he was captured by the British - which allowed Washington to take the offensive at Trenton. The author then directs his attention to the various events and circumstances under which Middlebrook served the patriot cause.	Johnson, Willis Fletcher	28
27	27D1	Indians of Middlesex County Indians living south of the Raritan River, New Jersey; earliest descriptions of Raritan Indians; trails in the region; Edmundson's journey to Trenton 1675; Danker and Sluyter's Journal 1679-80; locations of early Indian villages; Indian Mission at Cranbury; Indian Place-Names; Chief Weequa-hela (Wequalia).	Philhower, Prof. Charles A.	28
28	06AT	Arnold Tavern: Rebel Headquarters 1777 Gen. Washington's headquarters from January 5 until the 7th of May 1777 at Morristown, New Jersey. The author purchased the historic building in 1863 and spent the next forty years collecting artifiacts, memorabilia, documents, and information relating to the old Arnold Tavern. This work was published in 1903, several years after the old tavern was moved out of town to make way for a more "modern" office building. This colorful and well-crafted PDF edition is neatly illustrated, including Gen. Robert Erskine's 1777 map of Morristown (No. 105) and the author's own definitive identification of every item specified thereon.	Hoffman, Philip H.	32
29	28A4	Thomas Farmar, Mayor of New Brunswick (sold out) Prominent in Middlesex County and Perth Amboy from about 1705, he became associated with New Brunswick in about 1730, having been issued a charter for the city. This biography details his public service as member of the Assembly, Council, Chief Justice, etc., as well as many important apsects of his private life. Military historians will especially value the list of men serving in the New Jersey Militia under Colonel Thomas Farmar in 1715. The document was found in the New York State Archives, presumably because at that particular time, both the provinces of New York and New Jersey were under the government of the notorious Robert Hunter. The names presented are still found in New Jersey, remembered on monuments or townships: Allen, Bloomfield, Bishop, Brotherton, Carhart, Conger, Crowell, Dunham, Everett, Randolph, Gano, Hude, Jaqui, Pike, Pitney, Veall, Buckalue (Bucklew), Parker, Elston, Frost, Gordon, Letts, Leveridge, Sherman, Walker, Freeman, Van Camp, Allford, Allston, Ayers, Bunn, Campbell, Compton, Day, Eddy, French, Illsley, Kent, Martin, Skinner, Wilkinson, Dunn, LaForce, Gilman, Blackford, Brockhouse, Doty, Drake, Martin, Sutton, Stockton, and many more (six Companies of about 100 men each) "The Whole Including all Officers is 579"	Benedict, William H.	24
30	28B2	Captured by Indians 1791 Mary Kinnan's "Captivity Among Indians" details the massacre of the Kinnan family in 1791. She and her family had moved from Basking Ridge in 1778 to Randolph County, Virginia. In May 1791, they were attacked for no apparent reason. She was held captive by the Shawnee until August 1794. The account was apparently published by Shepard Kollock in 1795, and appears to be presented in its entirety, with the author's additional materials and comments.	Voorhees, Dr. Oscar M.	28
31	28B3	Founders of Burlington Address by ex-Governor Stokes at the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of Burlington. An historical essay describing the influence of Quakers on the establishment and development of one of New Jersey's most important colonial ports. Special attention is paid to prominent citizens and events through the Civil War.	Stokes, Hon. Edward C.	28
32	28C2	Pioneers of the Raritan Valley Summaries of the early explorations of the Raritan Valley and the purchases of land from the Indians. Elizabethtown, Piscataway, New Brunswick and Perth Amboy were all settled by the 1680s. The essay also looks at the early settlers' varied religious convictions and political allegiances.	Vermeule, Cornelius C.	28
33	29B1	Nine Roads of New Brunswick Describes the thoroughfares radiating from this important regional commercial center. Six of the nine are old Indian paths. "The road to Trenton, to Burlington, to Piscataway and so to Amboy and Elizabeth; the road up the northeast bank of the Raritan; the road to Middletown and Shrewsbury; and then the Amwell, Middlebush and old York (overlapping roads), were Indian paths, while the Trenton, Newark and Easton turnpikes were new routes in the first few years of 1800." Fascinating and detailed accounts of how these roads were placed in service, and the families that helped make them major highways.	Benedict, William H.	28
34	25W1	Wampum: Indian Money The Indians of New England developed a medium of exchange which suited their needs. Wampum, or seawan as it was called in New Jersey, was made from shell, principally the quahaug or the periwinkle. This essay details as much as was then known about its varieties, manufacture, value, and use.	Philhower, Prof. Charles A.	28
35	29B3	Orange and Sussex Canal, 1826 (sold out) Detailed description of a canal project which would have connected Newburgh, NY and the Delaware Water Gap.		24
36	29D3	Toms River Block House Fight 1782 The "Toms River Block House Fight" took place March 24, 1782. The commander of the small fort was Joshua Huddy, who was disgracefully murdered by the British. The article is an excellent review of the strategic importance of Toms River (none, really, except for its salt industry) and the brutal attitude of the British combatants in the closing months of the Revolution.	Fischer, William H.	24
37	30A3	The Nassau Inn at Princeton The Nassau Inn at Princeton might have been built by Judge Thomas Leonard about 1757 as a private residence but could also have been Samuel Horner's "noted tavern" in 1766. William Hick took "the Sign of the College" in 1767. Hick was driven out because of his loyalist leanings, and Jacob Bergen became proprietor for the first few years of the Revolution. The article details the various doings at this most renowned of Princeton landmarks until the 1830s.	Collins, Prof. V. Lansing	24
38	30B1	Alexander Wilson, Bloomfield Schoolmaster (sold out) The "American Ornithologist," Alexander Wilson, was the village schoolmaster at Bloomfield for a part of the year 1801. From his writings at the time, it is clear that he was not happy there.	Folsom, Joseph Fulford	24
39	30C2	Eupham Scot and Dr. John Johnstone (sold out) Relates the saga of political instability and intrigue in late 17th century Scotland, and the circumstances by which the lovely and aristocratic Eupham Scot met Dr. John Johnstone and emigrated to America together to New Jersey. In 1685, the two left Scotland as part of a convoy of what seem to be prisoners, who were apparently ejected from Scotland for activities either unfriendly to James II or Charles II. They settled on a grant of 500 acres near Perth Amboy and became especially prominent citizens, both of New Jersey and New York.	Mather, Edith Herbert	28
40	30C4	Water Cure: Orange Springs Spa Chronicles the various spas and mineral springs developed in early New Jersey, but concentrates on the "Orange Spring Mansion House" in a valley below Newark Mountain, which began operating about 1821. The author describes is popularity for about a decade, and attributes its demise to the Morristown Railroad, which connected the cities of Newark and New York with the more famous spa at Schooley's Mountain. I vaguely recall that Lafayette visited this spa during his visit to the United States in 1825. The property eventually became the Essex County Country Club.	Greene, Joseph Warren, Jr.	24
41	31B1	Tory Headquarters: Shipley James Parker of Perth Amboy was a member of Governor Franklin's Council and a devoted loyalist. By 1778, the Parkers were decidedly unwelcome in rebel territory, and determined to relocate to Hunterdon County. An assemblage of property between Clinton and Pittstown was ideal for their purposes and served as a tory refuge until well after the Revolution.	Parker, Hon. Charles W.	28
42	31B2	Indians - Lenape Lifeways (sold out)	Philhower, Prof. Charles A.	28
43	06FI	New Jersey in the French and Indian War Chronological review of New Jersey military activity: Schenectady 1755, Oswego 1756, Fort William Henry 1757, Ticonderoga/Frontenac 1758, Hudson/Lake George 1759.	Cutler, Timothy G.	32
44	37MC	The Morris Canal (sold out)	Lane, Wheaton J., Ph.D.	40
45	23MT	Indians - The Minisink Trail (sold out) There was a network of Indian paths over the land of the Lenni Lenape, the Minisink Trail was the most important. It connected the council fire at the village of Minisink, on the Delaware River, to the banks of the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers. The exact route of the main path, carefully described, generally follows the glacial moraine. Evidence from the Alexander Map No. 2, Reading's Journal, local surveys and from archaeological indications in the field suggests rather conclusively that the Minisink Path passed northwestward from the Passaic River at Whippany to the Minisink Council Fire just wouth of Munsink (Manognock) Island, by way of Lake Hopatcong, in the main route touching the Lake on its lower extremity, and in a less important route touching it at the northern end. Also, Various interpretations of the meaning of the word Minisink are discussed, as are its uses on early maps and current locales in New Jersey and New York. Philhower suggests that a most likely orthographic derivation is from "Mising," the name of the Lenni Lenape Indians' major deity, the Living Solid Face.	Philhower, Prof. Charles A.	16
46	31C5	Civil War - Fighting to Atlanta Major Pierson, serving with the 33rd NJ Volunteers, recalls the advance of the Union Army from Chattanooga to Atlanta in 1864. He recalls an especially brutal engagement at Peach Tree Creek, within five miles of Atlanta.	Pierson, Major Stephen	40
47	31JJ	Jersey Justice (sold out)	Boyer, Charles S.	32
48	30WM	Washington at Morristown 1780 Address at the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the settlement of Washington's Army at Morristown. General overview of the key events of the Revolution and specifics related to the encampment of 1779.	Frelinghuysen, Hon. Joseph S.	24
49	20D3	Rebel March: Princeton to Morristown (sold out) After the defeat of the British at Trenton, the greater part of Washington's army retreated to Morristown, New Jersey, by way of Princeton. The article traces the route of the army through Manville, Pluckemin, Bedminster, Basking Ridge and thence to Morristown.	Doughty, Joshua Jr.	24
50	26A1	Early Dutch Maps of the Upper Delaware Valley (sold out) Discussion of the early Dutch maps of New Netherlands and New Jersey (e.g., Visscher 1655) and the cultural geography of settlement in the upper Delaware valley. Early accounts of the Minisink region, the Old Mine Road, early land titles, Hopatcong and the "Phantom Lake of Wawayanda."	Holcomb, Capt. Richmond C.	28