Allentown, its rise andprogress, #38
From the Charles R. Hutchinson collection at the NJ Historical Society, a compilation of primary source deeds for the properties along both sides of South Main St. from High St. to the Yardville Rd.
March 23, 1785, "William Wilgus and Rhoda his wife, of Allentown," &c. conveyed to Burnet Montgomery, of the same place, for L51, in gold or silver, "All that lot of land situate, lying and being in Allentown, &cexcept a road or pathway already conveyed by William Young to John Imlay, Esqr.: Beginning at the southwest corner of Walter Vanskiver’s shop at York Road. Thence running N 15 degrees 45′ W, 9, 22, to a corner of a lot of land and meadow formerly possessed by William Stillwell, deceased: Thence along the line of said lot, N 66 degrees W, 2, 76, to a stake on the edge of the bank: Thence S 15 degrees 45′ E, 10, 75, to York Road: Thence along said road N 71 degrees 30′ E, 2, 10, to the place of beginning: containing two acres, strict measure." (Peter Vanderbeek’s Papers)
July 19, 1832, John H. Perrine, sheriff of Monmouth, conveyed to Samuel C. Newell, for $445, "All that certain dwelling house, lot or parcel of land at Allentown, &c, which was conveyed by George Woolsey and Elizabeth his wife to John Bunting, by deed, &c. Beginning at the southwest corner of the shop formerly belonging to Thomas Clayton, now Walter Vanskyver’s, at York Road. Thence running N 15 degrees 45′ W, 9, 22, to the corner of a lot of land and meadow formerly belonging to William Stillwell, now to John Imlay: Thence along the line, N 66 degrees W, 2, 43, to an old white oak stump: Thence continuing the same course, 1, 34, to another corner of the said lot of land and meadow, bounded by the several courses thereof about 11, 70, to a line of a lot formerly belonging to John Robbins, now to William Hutcherson: Thence S 13 degrees E, along the division ditch, 17, 76, to York Road: Thence along the road, N 71 degrees 30′ E 13, 81, to the place of beginning; containing 19 acres of land, be the same more or less: Excepting as in and by said deed is excepted, and excepting the part thereof released by the said complainant to John Palmer, as is set forth in the said bill of complaint. Sold at the suit of George Woolsey against John Bunting and Cornelia his wife, and Aaron Allen and Lydia his wife, on a judgment of $351, principal and interest of a mortgage given by said John Bunting and Cornelia his wife to said George Woolsey, dated April 1, 1826," &c. (Eglinton Papers)
This 19 acres included also the aforesaid two acre lot. It extended on West Main Street from the premises now owned by Harrison G. Wright to the easterly line of the 17 ¼ acres on which Josiah S. Robbins now lives, the westerly line of the 300 acres patented to Anthony Woodward in 1697. The westerly part of it, containing 12 32/100 acres, was in 1832, and for many years thereafter in the possession of John Palmer, but there were never any buildings on it until recent years, nor upon any part of the whole tract with one exception. As late as 1850 there existed on that part of it where the residence of Mrs. Mary Pumyea now is, a large old fashioned house and out buildings, unpainted and gloomy looking, which always impressed me as having been at some time a tavern, although I have never found anyone having any knowledge that such had been the case. David Holloway lived there for many years before Aaron Robbins (my great uncle) bought that part of which the buildings were located, and erected the present one in their stead. I am of the opinion that this was the original settlement on Anthony Woodward’s patent, and the residence successively of John Page, John DeWildy, John Leming, Isaac Stelle and Elias Smith, all of whom, as I believe, kept a public house there, and others after them. One of these was Charles Jolley, who is mentioned in 1800, in a description evidently taken from a much older deed, as the owner of a lot at the southerly corner of Main and High Streets, in "the orchard." James Robbins, of Allentown, &c, Taylor," in his will, 1747/8, devised to his daughter, Elizabeth Robins "all that Lott of Land which I purchased of Charles Jolley, containing 3 ¼ acres." "John Hepburn, Junr. of freehold, &c, yeoman," in his will, in 1745, mentions his sister Elizabeth Jolley, and James and John, sons of Charles Jolley. In 1742 and 1743, Town Meeting was held "at the house of Charles Jolley, in Allens Town." John Jolley was a witness of the will of William Cubberly, of Nottingham, in 1774.
In the "New York Gazette for March 20, 1733, an advertisement appeared which probably relates to the same premises, as follows: "These are to give Notice, That at Allens Town, in New Jersey, on the Post Road to Burlington, there is good House & Orchard, with 13 Acres of Land, as also a good Stable and Barn, which is to be Sold. It is the House where the Post lodges, and has for many Years been as well custom’d Publick House, and is well situated for a Merchant. Enquire of Peter Van Tilbrough, living on the Premises, or Capt. John Brown in the City of New York, who will agree on reasonable Terms."
December 7, 1772, "John Robins, of Upper Freehold, &c, Blacksmiths." conveyed to "Ezekiel Robins, of the City of Philadelphia, &c, Hatter," for L100, "All that tract of land near Allens Town, Beginning at the northwester-most corner of the tract of land lately belonging to Gisbert Giberson ded’d, on the south side of Doctors Creek: Thence running S 3 degrees E, along the line of land belonging to Samuel Allen (the westerly line of Anthony Woodward’s Patent), 21, 75, to the road: Thence along the road, easterly, 10, 75, to a ditch: Thence N 11 degrees 40′ W, along said ditch, 18, 50, to William Stillwell’s line: Thence along his line and the creeks to the beginning: containing 17 ¼ acres." Release of dower by Martha Robins, May 28, 1774.
April 20, 1778, "Gabriel Allen, of the township of Chesterfield &c, Merchant," conveyed to John Quicksall, Junr. of Nottingham, in said county [Hunterdon], yeoman for L258, 15, 0, "All that tract of land now belonging to Soloman Ivins, on the south side of Doctors Creek, thence running S 3 degrees E, 21, 75, along the line of land belonging to the estate of Samuel Allen, deceased, to York Road: Thence along the road, easterly, 10, 75, to a ditch: Thence N 11 degrees, 40 ‘ W, along said ditch, 18, 40, to the line of land formerly belonging to William Stillwell: Thence along his line and the creek to the place beginning: containing 17 ¼ acres." June 11, 1784, "John Burrowes, High Sheriff of Monmouth," conveyed to "John Imlay, Merchant, of Allentown" &c, for L55, the above tract of 17 ¼ acres, by same description. Sold as the property of John Quicksall, deceased, in the hands of John Hunt, his executor, at suit of John Stillwell, on a judgment for L68, principal and L4, 19, 0, damages. This lot, in 1857, and for many years before and after that time, was the residence of George Ford, who was succeeded by James S. Parker. In 1913, it is owned and occupied by Josiah S. Robbins.
Compiled by John Fabiano, M.A., designated historian for Allentown Borough.