Milford chronicle., 1907-07-05
Places and People Of Milford Neck From
1910 TO 1907.

Inc fafm located Lear the mouth o.
5 Murderkill River, now owned by Fran
. els A. Webb, was one time the property
Of James Bell, and embraced the lands
Of James H. Webb, Jr., Charles Shor
and James H. Thomas in one farm. Ii
the early fOrties it belonged to Dr. Johr
Sradley OF Frederica, and was ten
anted by George w. Buckmaster. and
afterwards by Jonathan n Sipple-
a progressive man Of sterling qualities
Through his efforts public road was
. opened from the "Lowber Farm Ia
the NJ +. Church, and finally across
the entire section. He also was the
first man to open Sunday School in
Milford Neck. With his family he
moved to Murderkill Neck about the
year 1877. John w. c. Webb followed
Mr.. Sipple rs a tenant, for a few years,
then bought the farm of DR.. Strad ley
for the sum Of $4,000 an enormous price
at that time.
We now come TO notice the "Sipple
Homestead" adjoining the above tract.
1t was owned and occupied by Mrs.
Lavina (Sipple) Fleming, a widow,
who by her masculine energy managed
to bring up her children-fOur sons and
a daughter. Her oldest son, Thomas
Sipple, chose the life OF u sailor, became
a captain Unmarked ability in the coast
wise trade, and lost his life /; his vessel
being wrecked along the coast during
a terrible sno wstorm. James D. Sipple,
the second son, continued with his
mother until her death in 1917 after
her death he bought the interests Of the
other heirs, became a successful farmer, |
prospered financially and died at IS |
years ofage leaving an estate OF $50, 900.
He was a man Of steady habits, correct
principles and unimpeached character.
John Sipple and Caleb, his brothers,
adopted the occupation OF sailors and
became master Of seagoing vessels.
John Sipple located in Milford, married
there and reared a family. He was a
careful, cautious man, and general
favorite Of all with whom he was &C.
Iuainted. Captain Caleb Sipple located
IN Greenwich, Conn, became a skillful
navigator, engaged in the New Eng.
and trade, in which ne made money
1ut like most sailors, failed to save it. (
Miss Rachel, the sister, is the only sur.
living member Of that family Of five. I
lanes H. Sipple, son of James D. Sip /
Die, now owns the farm which has been
n possession OF the family for more ,
han a century.
On the south side Of this, is farm be- =
Onging to the "Potter Estate" Robert
ditten lived there in the early forties!
lie sold off his property and went to =
lichigan to grow up with the country
Ie was succeeded by William Thomp-
on who remained until 1885, when he
7as succeeded by James Thompson. a
lis father, who died there about 1872 Il
'aniel A. Thompson was his fathers p
lccessOr for a number of vears-the
secession passing to William J. Thomp- d.
IN, who now occupies it. Thus it has te
cen under the management OF one te
lmily as renters for more than sixty
ears. Fifty years ago it contained al
bout thirty acres Of the most valuable al
ID cedar timber, probably east of the M
lleghany Mountains.
The next place to be noticed is the /,
rm Of James H. Kirby, formerly the =,
roperty Of the Harrington heirs. 1t >.
as bought by William Thorn pson who -
'cupied it till his death in 1853. His
idOw disposed OF the property, and pa
ith her children went to Michigan pc
,Out a year afterwards. Several Of the Of
lildren grew up, prospered, and be- yo
me prominent citizens Of Berrien
unity, Michigan. an
Next in order is what was then known gi
the Henry NJ. Ridgely Farm. 1t was mi
en- tenanted by Nathaniel Bowman 81.
lO went West in 1S43. He was sue
eded by DickersOn NJ. Meredith who -
ntinued there for twenty-fOur years. -
r. Meredith deserves rather more than r.
mere passing notice. He was quaint
d curious, and to many an unsolved
oblem. His personality was unique {
d extraordinary. His disposition was bee
intricate study; a combination Of chi
2 lamb and the lion. His ideals were cru
ty. He was uncOmpromising in what yo'
deemed the right; true friend, pul
I'd husband and a devoted father. n
died at an advanced age. Green be Co,
memory. The Ridgely farm was stu
released about 1866 by John w. wet
rby. which he very much improved sew
erecting dwelling, barn and other wa
,essary buildings. Mr.. Kirby spent Mr.
remaining years Of his life on this nre
M. He also purchased two other a SIS
ms which will be described in the