By JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK — The township has received definitive proof that slavery once existed in North Brunswick.
John Buckelew, whose house sits upon the Pulda Farm off of Route 130 north, was one of the earliest founders and settlers of the farm and deeded his sons to care for a slave throughout their lives.
Director of Community Development Michael Hritz, who is also part of the North Brunswick Historical Society, read information from a recent report that identified, through deed research, the presence of slaves in town more than 220 years ago.
Hritz also said during the June 6 council workshop meeting that the house itself dates to 1746, while the federal portion dates to 1786.
“For the first time, this gives us an estimate of the earliest structure of the house,” Hritz said. “To my knowledge, we never had any other definitive proof we had slaves in North Brunswick.”
Hritz said the Historical Society worked for more than eight months on the project. A matching grant was provided by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
Hritz also said within the last two months, potable water and electric were brought onto the site. The house requires repairs, and he said they are examining wiring and replacing fixtures. The Historical Society is also reviewing a contract for exterior painting. In addition, a landscape contractor associated with the MainStreetNB development will provide one day of in-kind labor.
“We’ve been making a lot of progress,” he said.
Although the project may take up to 20 years to complete, Hritz said the goal for next year is to focus on chimney restoration and to replace the roof on the oldest section of the house.
“The house has always been dry and that roof is an emergent issue,” he said. “There’s a new hole that developed.”
The report and architect assessment will help with the longtime goal of having the Pulda Farm — which is the only remaining farm in North Brunswick — placed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to Hritz.
“It’s an amazing site,” Hritz said. “I think the report really validates the history of the house.”
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].