Pictured Above…..
So, it snowed, and you thought you would get off from school today. This picture was probably taken at the home of Edward Cone on the corner of New Dover Rd. and Colonia Blvd. Known as Kennecott, a family name. It was not uncommon to be educated at home or at least reinforced at home. Outdoor education during the winter today might be considered abuse, but there doesn’t seem to be too much objection. Note the wool blankets on the laps of the children.

Bishop
After the British removed Peter Stuyvesant and the Dutch from New York (New Amsterdam), New Jersey was divided into East and West, with Philip Carteret becoming Governor. In 1668, Governor Carteret called for an assembly that would publish laws for the new section of English rule. One of the early settlers chosen for this counsel was John Bishop. John was the father of Jonathan Bishop who we contribute the existence of the grist mill on the corner of New Dover Rd. and Chain O Hills Rd. One of the giant grist mill stones can now be seen standing in front of the old library building. For years it was placed behind the building with little knowledge or appreciation of the historic relic. With this appointment, it can be argued that the early laws of the area were communicated through a Colonia resident, assuming that Bishop lived near to the mill. These laws were no doubt provided by our new Governor. The following examples come from the publication by John M. Kreger, written about Woodbridge Twp. around the time of Woodbridge Twps. Bi-centennial celebration in 1969. Persons resisting authority should be punished at the discretion of the court.
1. Men from 16-60 years of age should provide themselves with arms on penalty of one shilling for the first week’s neglect and two schillings for each week after. (the earliest form of gun control).
2. Undutiful children smiting or cursing their parents except provoked thereunto for self-preservation, upon complaint of and proof from their parents or either one of them should be punished with death.
3. For burglary or highway robbery, (we have all used this phrase before), the first offence, burning of the hand, the second burning in the forehead, the third offence, death.

Family
Experts from the history of the Launhardt family, written in 1991 by Gustav (Gus) Launhardt who had a chicken farm on the corner of Chain O Hills Rd. and St. Georges Ave. I love the way it brings you back in time by the simple statement or acknowledgement of an historical event.
New Decade
As we enter the 40’s with war clouds hanging over our Europe, we tried to continue as normal life as possible. Our old cow Bessie no longer gave enough milk to earn her keep so we sadly sold her for a mere $27.00.
Country living
In the early days there was no bus line going past the house on St. Georges Ave. If mom wanted to travel anywhere while Pop was at work, it meant a mile and a half walk to the “fast line”, the Trolley that ran from the edge of Woodbridge to Elizabeth. The alternate way of travel was the Pennsylvania Railroad, at the Colonia Station. In the twenties and thirties, this was an important stop. Executives working in New York built fine homes west of the tracks and had an easy commute to the city. As grammar school children we were allowed out of class to walk two blocks to the station and see the first super streamlined “silver bullet” train go hurling thorough town on its run from New York to Washington.

Thanks for reading,
Daniel D’Arcy 908-599-3958
dandrc@aol.com