World War Memorials

These are two photos of the Groveville World War I and World War II Memorials that I just received. These are great clear photos.

This Photo of the World War I Memorial was taken, November 16, 1943. The building to the right is the Groveville United Methodist Church Parsonage. The building to the rear was a small one car garage.

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The large tree behind the Memorial was on the edge of the Groveville Fire Company Baseball Field. The tree was a Mulberry Tree, white Mulberries. They were so sweet we would eat them till we got sick, but we had to beat the birds to the good ones.

This is a great photo of the World War II Memorial. This photo is so clear that when I enlarge it I can read all of the names very clear, this is great. I stated before that at this time the Memorial was located Next to the Post Office (now beauty shop) on Church Street. The Memorial was later moved across Church Street to a location between the World War I Memorial and the old Community House.

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On the original location a small Cape Cod style house was build by Catharine Crider, which still remains today.

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The Memorial remained on Church Street until 1957, when the Community House and the Memorial were removed to make way for the Groveville United Methodist Church Educational Building, constructed in 1958. The Memorial was never rebuilt, but a hand copied plaque remains in the Educational Building.

Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year ~ 2008

I want to wish everyone that enjoys my site and has sent me stories, memories, photos and yes, even those that have sent me corrections, a very Merry Christmas. I have enjoyed passing on all that I have learned so much.

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Please Remember, I am only the messenger, it is everyone else that contributes to this site that keeps it working. I am just as fascinated by the wealth of knowledge that people have about "Little Ole Groveville" as you are.

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I can't thank everyone that contributes, and those that enjoy this site enough for your support.

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I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Birds Eye View of Groveville

This is another one of my favorite pieces of Groveville Memorabilia, this is an original print of the Birdseye View of Groveville, that also hangs on my living room wall. I scanned this, before I matted and framed it and used the copies through out my web site. It has also been copied and placed in the information board at the Anchor Thread Park, by the Boy Scouts.

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The inscription at the bottom of the print reads:

Birds Eye View of Groveville,

Hamilton Tp. Mercer County, N.J.

Property of Ezra W. Keeler

Manufacturers of Cotton Yarns, Clarence Warp, Twines, Batting

Local Maps ~ Cica 1875

I have had this framed page of maps hanging on my living room wall for some time and have not posted them. When I saw the map on Tom's site today, I realized I had all these maps in front of me every day and never posted them.

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There are some interesting engravings on the back that I have scanned and will post them later. Besides the maps of Yardville, Groveville, and Crosswicks, there are maps of Winsor, Hamilton Square, Woodville, Mount Rose, and Milford.

If you notice there are only six houses on Church Street, and three of them are no longer there. The one marked G. Holman was where the Church Parking lot is now, next to the Parsonage and was last owned by the Chamberlain Family. The one listed as W. West, was across from the Groveville Elementary School and was the home of my Great Grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. George Rollings, and the one listed as T. Cubberly, was in front of the Eagle Rock Apartments and was the home of Mr. George Mozer.

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This also clearly shows how the Mill Race ran at the Anchor Thread, then the Clarence Cotton Mill.

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The only Street missing in the one that ran in front of the Asay Home, it was know as Asay's Alley, not sure if that was official, but that is what my Dad always called it. It ran from Allen Street to Main Street, in front of the Asay home. At the Main Street end is the Mifflin Home, but at that time it was Asay's Barber Shop and Pool Room.

Most of the houses listed in North Crosswicks are still in place, just the names have changed, the only thing missing is the mill.

The part that I like about this map is that it clearly shows the Mill Pond and the raceway with the two mills on it. The other thing I wonder about is by this map it looks like Martins Lane goes off the top of the map and actually went somewhere at one time, it shows it going past the railroad tracks.

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If you notice where the now vacant Blauth Lumber Supply is located at the Broad Street Railroad Crossing, there was a one time a Hotel, a perfect place for one, across the tracks from the Rail Station.

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Another interesting fact by this map is that the building at the corner of Route 156 and Church Street, that looks like a General Store, was one, not only that but it was the Post Office. At "Five Points" where the Yardville Presbyterian Church is located was the Yardville School.

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It also shows the the road that cut through the old VanKannel Estate, listed as S. Biddle, was at one time a through road.

Yardville Sand Company

This is a letter I recently received. I do not know where the Yardville Sand Company was located, strange there is no address on the letterhead. My thoughts were that the Yardville Sand Company may have become the Crosswicks Sand and Gravel Company, owned by Mr George Mozer. This was located where the Eagle Rock Apartments are now, on Church Street, in Groveville.

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Mr. Mozer later started, owned and operated the Yardville Concrete Company, which after growing to sell much more than just concrete it later became Yardville Supply.

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When I receive letters and envelopes like this My thoughts always turn to ask "Why does someone hold on to something like a letter or an envelope for one hundred years". What was the importance of this letter to be held onto this long.

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Another interesting point is the phone number, the Yardville Sand Company number was Bell Phone 2204-W and Mr Seabury's was Bell Phone 201-Y. I guess this is what you told the operator when you rang her up, because you sure were not dialing numbers in 1909.

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When I look at the quality of the typing of this letter it reminds me of my father typing reports and letters for church on his old L.C.Smith Typewriter, which I still have. If you made a mistake the delete button was called an ink eraser, then along came "White Out", but that was years later, that was not much better than the eraser. I remember most times if he wanted it to look professional he would start the letter over.

Skating on Groveville Mill Pond

This is a photo of Dolores Simpson Straley and Bertha Stout, skating on Groveville Mill Pond, February, 1938. From the stories my parents and the older men at the firehouse told, a lot of fun was had at the pond, from Skating, Sledding on the “Indian Trail” that took you right out on to the pond, to the good fishing in the summer time. Too bad the pond dam was never rebuilt, even though Ray Dwier tried to get it through, under the Green Acres Program, it never made it. What a great recreation area that would have been.

The Bell, Groveville United Methodist Church

This article is about the bell in the steeple or belfry of the Groveville United Methodist Church and appeared in The Hamilton Observer in 1987. This celebrates the 100th anniversary of the bell. That would make the bell 121 years old this year and it is still rang every Sunday.

The bell, manufactured by the Cincinnati Bell Foundry Company, is one of several companies manufacturing bells in Cincinnati, Ohio.

I remember as a child you were never allowed to touch the bell rope, let alone ring the bell, if you were it was with supervision and a great honor. Growing up, my father was very active in the church, I remember him coming home from church and saying that someone had pulled the rope to hard and the bell was stuck upside down, he would change from his suit to his old clothes and head back to the church to climb into the belfry to “right” the bell. I remember that one of my Dad’s chief complaints of having to climb into the Belfry was the large accumulation of pigeon “Exhaust” that had accumulated around the bell. This still happens to the bell today and not that long ago someone had to climb into the belfry and “right” the bell.

I remember my father, Ken Lippincott, along with Pete Taylor, Cy Atkins, and Ed Shelton making a weekend project of cleaning and repairing the inside of the belfry. I was just a kid and only allowed to watch, not help, this really didn’t bother me and I really did not want to help. I do remember the odor of what they shoveled out was very acrid, kind of what I remember from my grandfather’s chicken coup. They fastened “Chicken Wire” around the inside to keep the pigeons out, since then new heavier duty wire fencing has been installed, that’s progress.

As a child growing up in Groveville, it seem that every one of the men were hunters, this meant that most of the men had Hound Dogs. These dogs were kept in the back yards, in either pens or tethered to dog houses. On Sunday Mornings when the bell was rang to announce the start of church all of the dogs of Groveville would howl in unison. They would not stop howling until the ringing stopped, it was a beautiful choir.

Still today the children of the church get great joy from being allowed to pull the rope and ring the bell. I think they enjoy that if the child is small enough the bell on its return will lift them off the floor, what ever it is it always puts a smile on their face.

Groveville Fire Company's New Dodge - 1935

Groveville Volunteer Fire Company, New Truck Dedication Parade 1935

Hamilton Square American Legion Post Marching Unit

The top photo is Groveville Fire Company’s brand new Dodge Pumper. This is the dedication parade. The person taking the photo was standing across from the Groveville Elementary School, in front of the Rollings house, which has since been torn down. They were facing down the hill towards Yardville; the house in the background is the one on the hill above Church Street and Zachary Lane.

The writing on the back of the photo says “Dedication Day – New engine climbing Groveville Hill. Ray Dwier, Chief Driver, Driving, October 19, 1935.”

Also written on the back is “Dickey Swope behind mudguard”. (what's a "Mudguard?)

The bottom photo says on the back “Dedication Parade, American Legion, Hamilton Square Post. Marching up Groveville Hill”

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These photos were developed February 4 1936

Groveville Elementary School - 1932

This is a photo of one of the classes of the Groveville Elementary School, June 1932. The only person I recognize in this photo is my mother Dorothy Naomi Johnson Lippincott. She is the second row, center, with the dark hair. Two of the boys in the top row are familiar, but I until I am sure I don't want to put names on them. I am sure some one will see this and fill me in, that is what usually happens.

I knew someone would come through, Linda showed the photo to her Mom, Mabel Becker LeJambre and she recognized a few, even though this group is older than she is.

The girl, second from the right in the all white dress is Gert Stout

The girl to the left of my Mom, second row short, with short blond hair is Peggie Shelton, the tall girl to the right of my Mom in the second row is Virginia Herbert. The boy in the second row all the way to the right, next to the fence pole is William "Bill" Straley.

The boy,third row, second from the right, next to a girl, is Roy "Smut' Champion.

I believe the boy, top row, second from the left, is Edward Shelton.

Naomi Rollings

Naomi Rollings

Born in 1871, in England, She passed away in 1962 at age 91. She was my Great Grandmother and one of the organizers of the Groveville Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and its first president. She also operated the Company Store for Morris and Company, owners of the Mill and most of Groveville.

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Married to George B. Rollings, engineer and owner of the Groveville Water Company and an organizer of the Groveville Volunteer Fire Company. They had five children, Benjamin Rollings, Katharine Rollings Johnson, Joseph Rollings,Edith Rollings Jones and a daughter Alice Rollings Vanderpool, that passed away during the 1918 Flu Epidemic, soon after the birth of her child, a son George Vanderpool, who also died soon after, both are buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton Township.

Here she is standing in front of her house across from the Groveville Elementary School, the house is no longer there.

Katharine Anna "Kate" Johnson

Kate Johnson

This is a photo of Katharine Anna “Kate” Johnson, my Grandmother. This photo was taken in my back yard, at the time it was her back yard.

She was pretty special, so special that both her Grandchildren named their children after her. My cousin Cindy Johnson Landholt named her oldest daughter Katharine Anna “Katie” Landholt and my daughter is named Katharine Anna “Kati” Lippincott, she was loved by her grandchildren.

Kate was very active in the community, she belonged to the Groveville United Methodist Church and was very active in all of the Women’s groups, both Church and Sunday School and was always there to help with all the dinners. She was also active in the Auxiliary of the Groveville Volunteer Fire Company and its treasurer, her husband; Jack Johnson was an active member of the fire company until his death.

If the women of the church were going on a retreat or a trip or the ladies Auxiliary of the fire company were going to a parade or the Fireman’s Convention in Atlantic City, she was there, first in line.

One of the best days of her life was when I got my driver’s license. Then I could take her to Bingo. It was a different Bingo almost every night, White Horse Fire Company, St Vincent DePaul Church, Carslake Community Center in Bordentown, Yardville First Aid Squad, DeCou Fire Company, or St Raphael’s Church. She passed away in 1973.

The house in the background was my Great Grandmother’s house, Naomi Rollings, the mother of Katharine Anna Rollings Johnson. The house was located directly across from the Groveville School, on the right side of the photo you can see a tree’s branches, which is the tree that is still there, across from the school today.

She lived there with her husband George Rollings, George was one of the originators of the Groveville Volunteer Fire Company and Naomi was one of the originators of the Groveville Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and its first president.

George Rollings owned and operated the Groveville Water Company for Morris & Company and Naomi Operated the Company Store for Morris & Company.

The cars, the first one in line is my Dad’s 1950 Hudson, complete with “Fender Skirts”, Dad loved them, except when he had to change a flat. The next was my Uncle Joe Rollings Pontiac, a 1953, I believe. The thing I remember the most about that Pontiac is that a night the Pontiac Indian emblem on the hood would light up amber colored.

The others belonged to my uncle James Melvin Jones that is him in front of his car, no one ever called him that, it was “Jonesy”, to me it was “Uncle Jonesy”. I believe the cars were a Ford, the black one and the one on the end was a Nash, it was green, like Army Green.

Naomi Rollings, born in 1871, in England, She passed away in 1962 at age 91.

After her death, my aunt Edith Jones and her husband Jonesy, moved to an apartment in Yardville and the house and 16 acres of land, was sold to Chester King of Main Street, in Groveville. Ironically, Chester King lived in the house that was the former Company Store that Naomi ran.

Soon after there was a small fire in the rear shed of the house and the house as demolished, the entire house was bulldozed into the woods and covered with fill, as was the foundation, furnishings and all.

The Brookhill Farm

It’s amazing the things you find or receive while doing research. This envelope looks like it was mailed yesterday, just a little yellow, but no rips or tears. I came upon an opportunity to get this envelope, just why do people save envelopes for seventy years, I guess so people like me can find them and share them with others.

This letter was sent from The Brookhill Farm, on the Yardville – Hamilton Square Road, with a three cent stamp and post marked Yardville, NJ, March 24, 1937, 5PM

Most people from this area know The Brookhill Farm was the property of the Simpkins Family. Robert “Bob” Simpkins knows more about Hamilton Township history than anyone in the township, being born in the township in 1905, and still active in its history. Bob just turned 103 this month, God Bless him.

As a child, I cannot count the times I have been past this farm with my parents, seeing the cows grazing in the pastures. This was a time when Yardville – Hamilton Square road was nothing but Dairy farms, as you left Yardville and crossed the railroad tracks, on your left was Bower’s Dairy Farm and its owner was Tim Bower’s, next you crossed over the bridge at Edge’s Brook or Back Creek and there was The Brookhill Farm, on the right.

On the left there was a long mysterious lane, as a child it seemed very “spooky”, lined with tall trees and slightly winding, you could never see the house at the end; we now know that as Locust Hill, The Burholme Estate, a place with a very historic past.

Continuing on you came to the Selmon Farm, at Kuser Road. Then there was nothing, except that “scary swamp” until you almost reached Hamilton Square, there was a farm on the right, across from where Reynolds Middle School is now, the farm house is still there but has been enveloped by the development.

It seems that just a seventy year old envelope sure can bring on some old memories.

If this envelope brought back memories to me can you imagine what memories Bob Simpkins would have with this?

Miss Florence R. Longstreet

I really don't like posting sad events on my site, but this is one that touches every one that grew up in Groveville. Miss Longstreet was every one's Kindergarten (Reception Grade) and First Grade teacher and I posted an article when she turned 100 and many set her cards and letters.

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I just returned from vacation and learned from my friends Linda LeJambre Dorsey and Claire Dwier Zarr, who were also students of Miss Longstreet that she had passed away, she will be missed. She also left us all with good memories of the time spent at Groveville School. She is the first teacher we met in our long career of learning and she will be missed.

Florence R. Longstreet

Florence R. Longstreet HAMILTON - Florence R. Longstreet, 100, passed away Saturday in St. Francis Medical Center. Born in Trenton, she had been a longtime area resident. Ms. Longstreet retired in 1977 as an elementary school teacher for Hamilton Township after over 40 years of service. She was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Nottingham Chapter #246, and she enjoyed reading and traveling. Daughter of the late Charles T. and Jane R. Longstreet and sister of the late Henry Longstreet; she is survived by her sister, Dorothy E. Scarborough. A funeral service will be held 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Ewing Cemetery Chapel, 78 Scotch Road, Ewing. Entombment will be private. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark United Methodist Church Building Fund, 465 Paxson Ave., Hamilton Square, NJ 08690. Arrangements are under the direction of Saul Colonial Home, 3795 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square.

An "Unknown" photo

Usually I post a photo or article and I have a story to go with the photo. I usually do some research, try to find as many interesting facts and the relationship the photo or article has with the Groveville – Yardville area. For this photo I have nothing, but I am still working on it.

I received this photo and the seller of this photo has no history of the photo, in fact they too are trying to find how they came to have this photo, for me.

Here is the obvious; it is a photo of a young red haired girl, standing in front of what appears to be a dump body truck. I have been told by Charlie Donnell, who knows more about old trucks and cars than anyone I know, that he believes the truck is a 1938 Chevy. The phone number is “Trenton 6-2190” , which is most likely now 586-2190. I remember when our number “Trenton 5-0000”, then it changed to (juniper) JU5-0000, and then to the same number today is “585-0000, the 5-8 portion is really still J-U.

Amazing that made me think, our phone number has remained the same since we got our first phone, I guess in the 1940’s, that is when, so I have been told, we were on a party line with the Neal family on Main Street. We were fortunate to be on only a "Two Party Line", some were more, if the phone rang once with a break, then once with a break, it was for the Neals, if it rang twice with a break, then twice with a break, it was for us. Everyone could listen to every ones conversation, Like a "Soap Opera" with local characters, this was Groveville, I do mean "Characters", my family no exception.

Back to the photo, if any one recognizes anything about this photo, please let me know, if the little girl, who would be in her 60’s now, or her family is still in the area, I would be more than happy to give her this photo, in exchange for just a little history of the photo.

The Beacon

Most people associate the “Beacon” at the north intersection or Route 130 and Route 156 with the old Giovi’s Restaurant, because for so many years it held the Giovi sign. Many people think that Giovi’s used to be the Beacon, but in reality Giovi’s used to be the Yardville Bar and Grill, The Beacon was something totally different.

Before there was a Giovi’s restaurant at this point there was an establishment known as the Yardville Bar and Grill. Even today if you are driving south on Route 130, at Route 156, and look at the roof of the Old Giovi’s restaurant, now American Grill and Sushi, you will see the peak of an old “A” style roof. This was the Yardville Bar and Grill. When Giovi’s was constructed, it was built around the old establishment, so mainly it was most likely considered a renovation, rather than new construction. For years the bar area of the Yardville Bar and Grill, was the same bar area as Giovi’s.

When the Yardville Bar and Grill was at the point, between it and the Beacon was a Drive-In restaurant, I believe complete with “Car Hops”. The name of the drive in was “The Beacon” and they were the ones that originally erected the Beacon Sign.

At one time the beacon was lit with tall florescent bulbs arranged in a circle in the center of the Lantern and a yellow revolving light on top. The revolving light is still there but is no longer operating.

The “Beacon Drive-In” was still there in the mid 1960’s; I remember they had great steak sandwiches, foot long Hot Dogs, and fresh cut fries, along with all the other great drive-in food, including soft ice cream.

The history of the “Beacon” light goes way back before there was a drive-in restaurant at this intersection, it goes back before there was a Route 130 and Route 156. In fact the “Beacon” or “Lantern” is 94 years old. After a little searching here is what I found:

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The beacon or lantern as it was known was on a U S Coast Guard Light Ship. The light ship was built in 1892 in Bay City Michigan, by the J W Wheelan Co., at a cost of $53,325.00. She was one of four built at a cost of $213,300.00 for four ships.

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She had an Iron hull and was coal fired, steam powered, and was also rigged for sail if need be. Originally the ship had two lanterns, each with 8 oil lamps w/reflectors and a fog signal consisting of a 12" steam whistle and a hand operated 1000-lb bell.

In 1906 the Propulsion was changed from steam to a Murray-Tregurtha kerosene engine, a Submarine bell signal was placed in operation. In 1946 the ship was re-powered with a Superior diesel main engine, 151 HP, 310" propeller with a maximum speed of 8 knots.

In 1914 the Masts were replaced with a single large diameter lantern mast amidships, equipped with an acetylene lens lantern; a pilot house was added at the foot of mast and in 1930 the Lantern converted to electric operation.

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During the Lights lifetime it served many assignments:

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STATION ASSIGNMENTS:
1892-1896: Frying Pan Shoal (NC)

1896-1906: Martins Industry (SC)

1906-1923: Relief (SC)

1924-1933: Charleston (SC)

1933 Relief (SC)

1934-1951: Stonehorse Shoal (MA)

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During the Lights lifetime it endured many harsh storms; in 1893 she safely rode out hurricanes in August and October although boats and the davits were carried away during the storms and deckhouse demolished. In 1936, During a severe winter storm, the ship was dragged several miles off station in a moving ice field, the ship regained her assigned station unassisted and then in 1948, While in route to Boston, became caught in heavy ice in Buzzards Bay; later broken out by a ships tender, “Spar”.

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The Lightship was retired from duty in 1951 at the age of 59.

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Decommissioned Jun 15, 1951 at Boston then towed to Cape May NJ for final disposition. The Ship was sold Sep 15, 1951. The lantern mast and large diameter lantern housing is located outside Giovi's Restaurant, Yardville, NJ.

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I have been told that after the sale at Cape May, the ship was towed to Doan’s Salvage Yard in Fieldsboro, NJ, to be scrapped; this is where the owners of The Beacon Drive-in purchased the Lightship’s Lantern.

The "Piney Paddlers" - July 14, 2008

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a Group known as “The Piney Paddlers”. They were having a canoe trip from the Delaware River, at Bordentown, up the Crosswicks Creek to Groveville, on the tide and would be having lunch at Anchor Thread Park and returning with the tide. They travel rivers and streams all over the state and enjoy hearing about the places they pass.

They had read my web site and asked me if I would be interested in meeting them at Anchor Thread Park and speaking to their group about Groveville, its history and the part played by the creek in developing the mills and the town. I have never done this before and I explained to them that I was just someone that grew up in Groveville and enjoyed its history, not a public speaker (hoping to get out of it), they said, “Perfect, just what we are looking for”.

Four days before their run two of the group did a scouting run of the creek with chain saws to clear the creek of fallen trees and debris, this not only helps the canoers, but is something that benefits everyone that lives along the creek, this promotes a better flow and in times of heavy rains and floods the creek and the surrounding land drains more readily, as the creek is less susceptible to blockage.

On the day of their trip about twelve or fifteen paddlers made their way up the creek to Groveville, arriving about 1:00 PM. They pulled their boats up the canoe ramp and every one gathered in the Gazebo with their lunch they all sat around I began telling them about Groveville. My little talk lasted almost forty five minutes, with questions it was an hour.

They were a very nice group of people, very concerned about the environment and the well being of the creek. They enjoy each others company and share a common hobby, but they do a lot of good work also.

About 2:15 PM they put back in the creek, we wished each other well and they paddled off.

I was very flattered that they would even consider asking me, but I am glad they did.

The Piney Paddlers are associated with the “Friends for the Marsh”, another environmental group, concerned with the well being and the history of the Hamilton - Trenton – Bordentown Marsh, and in turn associated with the Sierra Club Central Jersey Group.

I have a link on the right column to both of these groups and if you are looking for some fascinating reading and information click on these links and just “Surf” through some very interesting facts and photos. They even have photos of my little talk in the park.

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It was a very nice experience, meeting some very nice people. Its seems that no mater how old we get is it always nice to meet people we can learn from, and I learned from them, and got the chance to pass on a little "Groveville History".

John (Jack) Coffey

The top photo is my Uncle Jack Coffey with two other Hamilton Township Police officers; Uncle Jack was one the first Police Officers in Hamilton Township.

The bottom photo is my Uncle Jack and his wife Annabelle Coffey on their fiftieth wedding anniversary. I remember when they lived on Church Street, in the long apartment like house that was built for the workers of the Grist and Saw Mills.

When the highway bypass of Yardville was built, now known as Route 130, the house was torn down. It was then they moved to Crosswicks, on the Crosswicks – Hamilton Square Road, just around the corner from Ocker’s Barrel.

After Uncle Jack passed away I can still remember Aunt Bella (as I knew her), coming to church driving either a late 1940’s or early 1950’s faded blue four door Plymouth.

These photos were sent to me by Jack and Annabelle’s Great Granddaughter.

One of the last recollections of Uncle Jack was after his retirement he was the watchman when the development know as Groveville Gardens was built, in the 1950’s. As kids we would cut through the growing development to get to one of our favorite swimming spots on the Crosswicks Creek, known as Cold Spring. Somtimes Uncle Jack would see us and yell "Hey where are you kids going", then laugh because he knew where we were going.

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Cold Spring, at this point the creek made a turn and this caused it to have a nice Gravel bottom, coming in at this point there was a very cold and clear spring feeding the creek, hence the name, “Cold Spring”.

There were times we would sit in the icy water of the spring, just to see who could sit in it the longest, the water flowed icy cold even in the summer.

Cold Spring had a high bank on the Groveville side, perfect for jumping off into the creek. Back then you never had to worry about cutting your self on a bottle or can in the water, soda only came in glass bottles, there were no canned soda and the bottles were returned to the store for five cents for a large bottle and two cents for a small, no one would waste that kind of money by breaking it in the creek in the 1950’s. Besides, if anyone was caught breaking a bottle in the creek the punishment would be severe, from the other kids that swam there.

Church Street

This is a photo post card of Church Street at the Doctor's Creek Bridge. This photo is taken as if you were standing on Church Street, in front of the now Eagle Rock Apartments, looking towards Yardville.

The title is "Groille Avenue, Yardville N.J.". I have not been able to locate any reference to 'Groille Avenue", I have some maps from the 1800's and I have checked them and it is still referred to as Church Street. I was thinking, I do that once in a while, could Groille Avenue (Gro - ille) be a shortened version or a miss print by the publisher or printer of the Post Card for Groveville Avenue, a former name or reference to Church Street.

The first bridge or the the one in the foreground is the bridge over Doctor's Creek, the second is the bridge over the Mill Race, the Dam would be to the right.

The small road to the left, just past the bridges, would have been the entrance to the Grist and Saw Mills. It would have also taken you to the long multiple dwelling that housed the workers of the mills. I do remember the long house that was divided in to separate living quarters, like an apartment building, my uncle Jack Coffey lived there when I was young. I have been told that he was the first Hamilton Township Police officer, then refereed to as Constable. This house was removed when Route 130 was constructed.

I wonder about the car parked in the picture, was that the photographers car and helper, or just an innocent motorist that got his Model "T" to coast down the hill from Groveville and was now trying to convince it that it could make it up the hill into Yardville.

The Memorial Day Festivities

Memorial Day has always been a big deal in Groveville, even back when it was known as Decoration Day. Groveville is no different than any other small town, Yardville, Crosswicks, Allentown, and Hamilton Square, we all embrace the chance to honor our veterans that allow us the opportunity to celebrate Memorial Day.

Our Memorial Day Parade this year will be our 138th annual celebration and parade. It was a special and exciting time. As a child in Groveville, it was something to look forward to. All of the children would decorate their bikes with flags and Red, White, and Blue Crape Paper and ride them in the parade. The bikes and floats would be judged at the judging stand, in front of the Community House. Very few children watched the parade; most of them were in it, everyone belonged to a group, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Methodist Youth Fellowship, Indian Guides (a pre-Boy Scout group), Junior Fireman, or the gang just ridding their bikes.

Gary Lippincott ~ 1949

Church Street ~ Parade Ready

Wilbur Reynolds ~ Last minute flag adjustments

The Crowd Gathering ~ Lester Johnson (seated), Shirley Wright DiGenova (orange), Ruth McEmoyl Knight (stripes)



Groveville Fire Company 1965




Groveville Fire Company 1948 ~ First year with the new uniforms

Groveville Ladies Auxiliary ~ 1948

It all begins on the Sunday before Memorial Day when the men of the fire company and the ladies of the auxiliary would meet at the fire house, in uniform, and march up Main Street, to Church Street, to the Methodist Church for the annual Memorial Day Church Service to honor the veterans and those that serve the community.

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The Parade Beginning

Commander Tom H. Atkins, USN (Ret.)
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The Trucks of Groveville Through the Years








Gary Lippincott

The members of the Groveville Volunteer Fire Company would spend every night for a week before the parade, meticulously cleaning the trucks and equipment, touching up chipped paint, shinning chrome and paint. All of the equipment is removed and cleaned and polished. All of the hose is removed, cleaned and repacked, so all the folds in the hose are even. Even painting the tires with black tire paint and painting the lettering on the trucks tires with silver paint. We had fun doing it and enjoyed every minute of it. We also prayed there would be no calls till after the parade. This is the only payment a Volunteer Fireman gets; the chance to put on a fresh pressed uniform, bring out meticulously cleaned and polished apparatus, and march passed the community they serve and have that community applaud, cheer, and whistle their thanks and approval. That’s all we ever asked for.

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Some of the Bands




Steinert Band



Nottingham Band

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The Floats and Marchers






Nancy Lipton And Ashley Lipton


Kati Lippincott And Meagan Lipton



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The Annual Ceremony in The Cemetary

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It was a different time, The Mill was closed, Dad didn’t have go to work, people didn’t go away for the day, they stayed home and enjoyed the festivities at home. People walked around town, just enjoying each others company and the great feeling of “Community”, that living in Groveville provided.


In the afternoon, on the baseball field behind the Community House and Fire House there was an afternoon of games for kids and I seem to remember some type of food served. Being a Methodist Church in Groveville it was most likely a covered dish type of meal. The activities lasted most of the afternoon.

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The Groveville Baseball Team ~ Circa 1950

In the late afternoon there was always a Baseball game between the Groveville Fire Company Team and a team from Yardville. After the organization of the Yardville First Aid Squad this became the tradition.

Some of this tradition is still carried on today, as each Sunday before Memorial Day, at the Groveville Methodist Church, we honor the Veterans that allow us to worship as we please, also the Firemen, EMT and Rescue workers, both Hamilton Twp. Police and State Police, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts, all that serve to make life better are honored. All of these groups are represented at our service.

As I grew older and looked back at Memorial Day in Groveville as a child, it reminded me of something Norman Rockwell would have painted.