SAMUEL PEER PURCHASED PROPERTY HERE AT LOCK 8 EAST OF THE MORRIS CANAL, WHERE HE WORKED AS A LOCK TENDER. HIS SON EDWARD COOK PEER, WHO FOLLOWED IN HIS FATHER’S PROFESSION, OPENED THE GENERAL STORE IN 1862 AND OPERATED IT UNTIL 1915, PROVIDING FOOD AND SUPPLIES TO CANAL BOATMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES DURING THE CANAL’S HEYDAY.