The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-06-17
SOME REcoLLECTIoNs OF LAMBERr-
WILLIE.
BY JOHN W. LEouEAR.
READ BEFORE THE HUNTRRDoN HISTORICAL,
SOCIETY JUNE 15TH. 1891.

| life; how they appeared to us in child
hood and record the great changes that
have taken place.
A distinguished writer has compared
human life 10 bridge of three score and
| ten arches, over which vast crowd of
human beings are passing. All along the
way there are broken arches through
which numbers are continually falling and
those who are permitted TO reach the end
| of the bridge, on looking about them, find
the number who started with them has
greatly diminished. So it is with me.
Every ten years l find thousand of my
friends and acquaintance havo passed
away.
1t was about the year 1880 when first
saw Lamberlville, Chen generally known
as "Bungtown," " from the opposite side
of the river, as was returning from Phil
adelphia with my parents, in a bolster
market wagon, coming by what was call
ed the middle road, by way of Fox Chase,
| Frankford, Sorrel Horse, White Bear and
other hamlets. We crossed the Delaware
at Centre Bridge, then an uncovered
bridge. Philadelphia was then lighted by
whale oitlamps. Matches were not then
in use, bat man carried u torch to light
the lamps. Steam ferry boats were just
coming in use between Philadelphia aud
Camden. l never saw any Of the ferry
boats propelled by horse power, but had
often heard my father and his hired men
speak of them few years previous.
Lambertville was then but a small viii
lage The store at the corner of Bridge
and Union streets was carried on by
Samuel D. and James ID. Stryker. This
was the principal trading point of the
farmers, The Coryells kept store on
Main street. think there was a small
saw mill on the south side of Swan Creek.
This was the only water power existing
here. In the year 1882 the construction
OF the feeder was begun, and in 1888 more
vigorously pushed. In that year several
times accompanied my father on trading
expeditions with beef and potatoes from
the head at Bulls Island to Centre Bridge.
The line was thickly dotted with board
sh antics of the Irish laborers. The excel,
lent sand stone quarries In the neighbpr
hood Of Prallsvllle, which the company
had secured, afforded them fine material
for the construction If their locks and
bridges.
Ia the Summer of 1885, accompanied
my father to Lambertville with load OF
corn, which was bought 10 a frame build
ing standing alongside of u small basin or
slip opposite Lear, Holcomb & Nieces
mill. Previous to this there had been no
grain market in this place. Farmers cart
ed thSir grain TO Milestone or New Bruins
wick. Occasionally Durham boat load
would be sent down the Delaware to Phil
adelphia. On the day of our visit TO this
place, we were somewhat surprised to see
a sloop, which had just arrived with a
load OF fax for the New Hope MILL Its
arrival was greeted by the firing of can
non. In 1888 the upper stone mill had
been finished by Esquire John Coryell,
and | was first permitted TO drive team
with load of corn TO Lamberlville. John
+. Crook carried on the mill, assisted by
two or three stalwart milers, who carried
the grain in on their shoulders, weighing
1t on two swinging platform scales. On
one of these the grain was placed and on
the other fifiy-six pound weights, with
smaller ones TO balance; then it was emp
tied down grated hole into the base-
ment, from thence carried by elevators
to the upper stories-tbe first ever saw
ia operation. Along the north side of
this -four mill there was saw mill opera
ted by Burroughs Hunt Here first saw
your townsman, Joseph r. Vert.
While my team was feeding, l sauuter-
ed downtown to the bakery and cake
shop OF Mr.. Martinden and bought few
nearly opposite Carver & Williams stores
have lately seen his white head and aged
form in this city. l also met with Mr..
VIM. McCready, who then was resident
Of this city, carrying on the hat making
business. These are the only persons l
find living ia Lambcrtvile whom knew
when boy. Your townsman, John II.
Horn, Esq, and were school boys togeth
err. Adjoining Martindel's bakery, was Mr..
Jacob Probasco, the silversmith. On the
corner, Amasa Ely sold hardware. A
young man tended store for him whom |
have heard was j. Fennimore Boozer, 80
well-known by the children in after years.
Where the depot stands Mr.. Jas. Seabrook
sold drugs and medicines 10 a small store,
heated by the half of ten plate stove.
On the west side of Carver & Williams
store, Mr.. Solomon Lands carried on the
harness and saddle making business.
Two Of my school mates, Mr.. Samuel B.
Hudnit and Sylvester Burkit, learned the
trade there. Both have been dead several
years. Farther east along Bridge street,
near where the Catholic School building
stands, Squire Jacob Smith carried on
tin and sheet iron shop. Here we went
to get our stove pipes and ,ipware repair
ed and Abbot Morgan made furniture
near by. Up Main street, Isuppose where
Titus & Hocombe kept store, Emley
Holcombe kept small -four and feed
store. Here often bought flour for peo-
pie living along the road. 1t has always
been wonder to me why the -four trade
was so light then to what 1t is at present.
The Coryells carried on store atthe cor
ner OF Coryell and Main streets. Jacob s.
Gary rented this store and here 10 the
Spring OF 1S47 l met with our friend,