Search This Blog

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

1909: PROGRESS vs. HISTORY; PROGRESS WINS

One of the nightmares of those of us who treasure historic buildings is typified by the photo and the article above. That beautiful old building would be a local treasure today had the town fathers in Trenton had a bit of feel for local history.It's interesting to note that even the historical society found no historic significance to the edifice! Even though the structure dates back to Colonial times, note the gas street lamp in the photo.

1909: HAMILTON POLICE GET A RAISE

Let me see if I got this right: $1,000 appropriated for the Hamilton Township Police Department by the Hamilton Township Committee..... Wow! With four districts.....let me see....Hmmmm. $250 for each district! What will they do with all that money?

1930: HAPPY NEW YEAR - DEPRESSION AND ALL

No matter how bad the times were in the early years of the Great Depression, local citizens still found the time to ring in the new year of 1930; just days after the stock market crash.

1909: Allen and Bennett One Hundred Years Ago

These two gentlemen were two of the more prominent members of the Trenton Fire Department in the latter part of the 19th and into the 20th century.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

1989: THE HORNET BAND TAKES FLORIDA!

Excellence is, was, and probably always will be for the Hamilton High Hornet Band and Marching Unit. Here's a photo vignette showing the groups practicing for their participation in the "Sun 'n Fun" festival in Clearwater, Florida back in 1989.

1989: THE HORNET BAND TAKES FLORIDA!

Excellence is, was, and probably always will be for the Hamilton High Hornet Band and Marching Unit. Here's a photo vignette showing the groups practicing for their participation in the "Sun 'n Fun" festival in Clearwater, Florida back in 1989.

1989: THE HORNET BAND TAKES FLORIDA!

Excellence is, was, and probably always will be for the Hamilton High Hornet Band and Marching Unit. Here's a photo vignette showing the groups practicing for their participation in the "Sun 'n Fun" festival in Clearwater, Florida back in 1989.

1989: THE HORNET BAND TAKES FLORIDA!

Excellence is, was, and probably always will be for the Hamilton High Hornet Band and Marching Unit. Here's a photo vignette showing the groups practicing for their participation in the "Sun 'n Fun" festival in Clearwater, Florida back in 1989.

1989: THE HORNET BAND TAKES FLORIDA!

Excellence is, was, and probably always will be for the Hamilton High Hornet Band and Marching Unit. Here's a photo vignette showing the groups practicing for their participation in the "Sun 'n Fun" festival in Clearwater, Florida back in 1989.

1989: THE HORNET BAND TAKES FLORIDA!

Excellence is, was, and probably always will be for the Hamilton High Hornet Band and Marching Unit. Here's a photo vignette showing the groups practicing for their participation in the "Sun 'n Fun" festival in Clearwater, Florida back in 1989.

1989: THE HORNET BAND TAKES FLORIDA!

Excellence is, was, and probably always will be for the Hamilton High Hornet Band and Marching Unit. Here's a photo vignette showing the groups practicing for their participation in the "Sun 'n Fun" festival in Clearwater, Florida back in 1989.

1989: HHS to Present "OLIVER"

When Louise Baird retired many years ago, I was afraid whomever replaced her in the vocal music department at HHS would never be able to achieve the level of musical excellence that was the hallmark of her long career. And then along came Ms. Sue Proulx! I have heard at least one of her groups over the past years and those fears were groundless. Sue has that same special "something" that results in incredibly beautiful choral presentations. At the Viet Nam memorial dedication last Veterans' Day, Sue's group actually had many of us in tears! Sue will go down in HHS history as one of the very best.

1989 JOHN ABBOTT II HOUSE - A COLONIAL TREASURE

The Historical Society of Hamilton Township calls this historic home their headquarters. In the article above, Ms. Lillian Tindall Smith recalls her childhood as she lived it, growing up on what was known as the Tindall Farm. Her years as a member of the Historical Society has gone hand in hand with her extensive knowledge of the history of the John Abbott II house; which before it was restored was the Tindall farm house.
With the Colonial era history of Trenton and Princeton getting most of the public's attention, little recognition it given to Hamilton Township's numerous historic sites, and the heritage therein. When I was the Historical Society President a number of years ago, I tried to emphasize the fact that Hamilton needs to give more attention to other historic sites such as the Beck Homestead, Bow Hill Mansion, the Watson House, the "mansion" at White City, Kuser Mansion, and others too numerous to list. While we rightfully give attention to those structures which have survived the years and are now historically important, we must place some emphasis on historic sites around the township. Specifically sites like the Henry N. Smith Fashion Stud Farm, The Interstate Fair, White City, Reed's Mill, Laurie's Mill, and others, once again too numerous to mention.
One of the reasons I chose to establish this website came about when I realized that little emphasis has been given to Hamilton Township's past history. The internet is a perfect platform on which to spotlight those persons, places, and neighborhoods which are an integral part of Hamilton's impressive historical heritage. Unfortunately, the majority of senior citizens, and most Historical Society members are not computer users. The bright side? As time marches on, the younger generation will be able to harvest many interesting historical photos and articles relating to our wonderful Township of Hamilton.

1989: RAFFERTY ADDS SAYEN GARDENS

The year 2009 will mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Hamilton's Sayen Gardens. There's only one word to describe Hamilton's beautiful Sayen Gardens. "Ethereal." Even as the Rafferty administration saved Kuser Farm from the developer, so also did Sayen Gardens survive, and gave us still another bucolic getaway for local residents.

Monday, December 29, 2008

1989: Tamutus and Angarone: Republican Stalwarts

We lost Don a number of years ago, and when we did, we lost a real honest and hard working public servant. Mike is still in there, currently working for the township as we dig ourselves out of a deep financial hole.

1989: PUBLISH THEIR NAMES AND PUT 'EM IN JAIL!

Vandalism will be an ongoing problem until we decide to come down on the perpetrators like a hammer. Jersey justice is far too lenient with those who desecrate cemetery monuments and vandalism as described in the graphic.

1989: Grovevillel VFD: Olde timers remember

This is a fascinating article from two of the old timers at the Groveville Volunteer Fire Company. Firefighting today is much more complicated than it was back in the 40's and 50's. Remember when the firemen stood on the back and sides of the fire truck? Remember when they fought field fires with those things that looked like a bamboo rake? Remember when they had to bring a tanker with water when they fought a fire out of range of the water lines? Egad, I'm gettin' old; I do remember!

Following is added info from Groveville historian Gary Lippincott. Gary has been a Groveville Fireman for many years. Thanks, Gary.

Gary wrote:
The article with Wendell is great, he was a special person in every young members life. He taught me more about firefighting than any book could, Wendel taught you things that would save your butt, you know the common sense stuff. He was one of my heros
Great Stuff, Gary

1989: The Langtree Jugglers

I will be posting material from all of the local schools as they become available. I found this charming photo this morning while perusing the pages of the Hamilton Observer.

1989: Geraldine McSorley: Great Irish Music!

Geraldine is an incredible talent. Each Saturday morning from 7:30 to 9:30 A.M. on WBCB, 1490 on the AM dial, Geraldine plays most wonderful music from the Emerald Isle. She is obviously a spiritual lady. There are many really lovely songs to be heard during her program. Check it out. and Jim, you had my vote.

1954: HHS '54 PLANNING FOR THEIR 35TH

HERE'S A PHOTO OF MY FRIENDS FROM THE CLASS OF '54. WASN'T THAT GIL LUGOSSY'S CLASS? ....SEEMS TO ME IT WAS.

1989: GROVEVILLE'S VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

It took a bit of time, but I succeeded in compiling these photos from a 1989 Hamilton full page article on the folks at the Groveville Volunteer Fire Co. As Gary Lippincott's Groveville website will attest, it seems that every body knows every body else in that great little village. Sort of like our own Mayberry RFD.

Additional commentary from Groveville historian, Gary Lippincott:
The picture of the Groveville Fire company members is quite appropriate, it has Gary Lippincott telling a story(nothing new there) Seated is Lyle Mushinski, Left to right it's Mark Cozens, C. Ray Bell, Carl Catanese, Bill Grosse, and Bob
Thompson.

1989: WITHER THOU GOEST, JACK RAFFERTY?

What a great photo of Hizzoner, Jack Rafferty. Here's an interesting article by the Hamilton Observer where Jack ponders his future.

1989: SAYEN'S DONNA DIBONGRAZIO

We didn't have a "Teacher of the Year" back in my school years. If we did,Louise Baird, Julia McLain, Margaret Gaydos, and Mary Kelley would surely have been awarded the honor.

1906: GRACE BAPTIST 10TH ANNIVERSARY

I will leave any residual comments on this and the following graphic from the Grace Baptist Church to my friend and expert on things Baptist in the city of Trenton and the surrounding area, Alan Wildblood. Alan has the uncanny ability to add pertinent information on many of my posts. One good thing about these historic articles lies in the fact that very far into the distan future, and assuming this website survives, there will be many researchers mining (or should I say "digging up") these little bits and pieces of local history. If and when other historic articles appear as I peruse thousands of Trenton newspaper pages, they will be posted for present and future visitors.

I HAVE MOVED THIS PREVIOUS POST TO THE TOP. ALAN WILDBLOOD HAS DUTIFULLY PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING INTERESTING HISTORICAL COMMENTARY TO THE ABOVE ARTICLE, JUST AS I KNEW HE WOULD AND COULD. THANKS ALAN!
===========*****===========
ALAN WROTE:

Having been challenged and sugar-plummed into commenting, I will much oblige. I personally only recall meeting two Grace Baptist members, James Manser and Damon Silvers, in the 1950s and 1960s.

The 1897 host, Theodore Matthews, and wife Anna joined First Baptist Church “by letter” in 1886. I do not believe their transfer to Grace Baptist was recorded in the First Baptist roll book, which I have transcribed. The James Gordon mentioned - numerous references spell his name with two O’s and no E - was a Civil War veteran and Pennsylvania Railroad employee. He joined First Baptist Church “on experience” in 1895 and was a member of the Advisory Board there. James lived on Perry Street and died at the age of 74 in 1912. His obituary stated that he founded the Fleet Wing Hook and Ladder Company of Lambertville.

It appears that the longest-serving pastor of Grace Baptist was Rev. Oscar Henderson, who led the congregation from 1923 or earlier to 1962. He was succeeded by Rev. Kent Kiser. Rev. Harvey Chollar was an earlier Grace pastor, leaving the West End in 1916.

In 1923 Grace Baptist burned its mortgage on the building constructed in 1901-02. The match was applied by the oldest living charter member, Charles Bennett.

In 1979 Grace proposed a merger with First Baptist, but the mother church declined.

However, in 2006, under Rev. Vaughn Foster, Grace offered to share its facilities and collaborate with the Perfecting Saints Church, shepherded by Rev. Ethan Evans, who is now the sole pastor of the combined congregations, known as Grace Baptist and Perfecting Saints.

Finally, since it is that season, I have transcribed a brief item from the Trenton Times of December 31, 1897: “The West End Baptist Mission, J. Robert Weber, superintendent, had an enjoyable Xmas entertainment on Wednesday evening. Old Kriss was there and 60 children and as many guests were loaded down with gifts of handsome baskets of candy, nuts and fruit, also toys for the boys and girls. The mission was only started in September, and although but three months old, has grown to good size.”



Sunday, December 28, 2008

1939: Mercerville School

What a great photo! This is how the school looked when I was a boy in the 1930'a and 40's. Being way out in the "sticks" in my Hartley Avenue home, I never got to see Mercerville School until I was old enough to drive. Mercerville is another of those neighborhood shools which are still alive and well in Hamilton. I hope they all have a long, long life and are spared destruction by the wrecker's ball.

1916: Greenwood School Genesis

The gentleman illustrated was the chairman of the committee charged with looking for a site for the new school for the Bromley section. The 3 sites under consideration are quite interesting. Ob course the school which was to be known as Greenwood School was built on that area bordering Greenwood Cemetery and Greenwood Avenue. There are a number of Greenwood School files in my collection, including a copy of the "Tattler;" a sumptuous booklet with some nice photos. Future articles and photos will be forthcoming.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

1989: WHITE HORSE'S GREAT OLD BROCKWAY!

I remember how enthralled I was when that white and gold beauty passed by in a parade, or when the White Horse guys came into our neighborhood to fight a fire. Most of the fire trucks were "fire engine red" back in my boyhood years, and a departure from the norm was a natural way to charm a boy. I need the expertise of Joe Zalescik, Gil Lugossy, Jim Colello, or one of the Lenhardt boys to tell me the year on that great old Brockway. I guessed it as about 1946 or 1947, but that is a guess.

THANKS TO JOE ZALESCIK FOR IDENTIFYING THAT BEAUTIFUL BROCKWAY.
JOE WROTE:

The photo posted is a 1940 Custom built Brockway 250 GPM pumper. Photo was from the 35th anniversary parade from 1949.
Joe Zalescik

1989: Here Comes the Personal Computer!

That old relic seen in the photo above was probably one of the early computers with a "CGA" display, which was a screen with a black background, on which you typed green text. I remember my very first computer was an Epson laptop that I got from Wayne Davis, my Editor at the Mercer Messenger. It had an LCD (Liquid Crystal Diode) screen that allowed for 4 lines of text and in order to save the contents of your labors, a tiny magnetic cassette. There are very few visitors to this site who remember "CPM." Chances are the young fellow at the keyboard saved his computer work on an 8" "Floppy" Disk, or a new, state of the art 720MB floppy that didn't flop. Additionally, I would guess that the computer had 16 megabytes of memory. How far we have come with computer technology! What will the next 20 years bring?

1989: Sayen Principal Stresses Discipline

Kudos to Ms. Amelia Marini, 1989 Principal at Hamilton's Sayen Grammar School for placing an emphasis on discipline. In my generation and my years at Kuser School, Emily Reynolds and her faculty also emphasized the importance of developing self control, character, and discipline in young and impressionable minds. Hamilton should be proud of their emphasis on character development which goes hand in hand with self control and discipline.

1989: MARILYN BREAKS RANKS WITH THE DEMS

From the "POLITICS HAMILTON" database, this article on Marilyn Jose's announcement that she was running as a candidate as an Independent, after being passed over by the township Democratic organization. Marilyn has been a high profile Hamiltonian for many years. She currently serves on the Hamilton Township Public Library Board of Trustees.

Friday, December 26, 2008

1933: GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH APOLLO MEN'S CHORUS

1933 MISS ROSALIE FRENKING

As indicated in numerous earlier posts, any time I come across a familiar name as I uncover various local items, I post them for the benefit of those who are related in some way to the specific post. in this case, I am sure this is a relative of one of my regular visitors, Candy Jens.

1933: THE HEART OF THEGREAT DEPRESSION

Admittedly, we haven't yet sunk into the depths which we acheived back in 1933. However, the message above was published as a full page message of hope to my mother and father, and to many others whose parents and grandparents experienced the Great Depression.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

2008: OBIT PEGGY PETRY OSZVART

I received the email below from HHS '51 classmate Alice Schmidt Mullen who was a close friend of Peggy. I remember Peggy as a sweet girl with a very winning smile. She will be missed. Thank you for the heads up, Alice.

==========******************============

Dear Tom,


We just lost another classmate......Peggy Petry Oszvart. She was a very close friend.

I saw it in today's obits and am very saddened by it. She was my buddy from before Reception Grade in Farmingdale School. We went all through school together and went to the same church.
Our mothers used to take turns walking us to Farmingdale School every day. They did that until we went to on to the 4th grade in Greenwood School.
She and I lived across the street from each other on Norway Ave. She was the one who took me to get my driver's license and asked me to be in her wedding party.
Very sadly, we lost track of each other after I'd married and moved down here. Several times I looked for her by way of the computer but couldn't find her, so I thought that she'd probably moved away..........and there she was......still in Mercerville, all of this time.

*************

FROM THE TIMES OF TRENTON:

.



Margaret K. Oszvart TRENTON - Margaret "Peggy" Katherine Oszvart, 75, of Mercerville passed away Monday in Royal Health Gate Nursing and Rehab Center. Born in Trenton, Mrs. Oszvart was a lifelong area resident and lifetime member of Bethel Lutheran Church of Trenton. She graduated from the Helene Fuld School of Nursing, class of 1955, and was employed as a registered nurse at Helene Fuld Hospital and at the office of Dr. William Hipple in Trenton, from where she retired. Predeceased by her parents, William and Margaret Petry, and her son-in-law, Daniel O'Brien, she is survived by her husband of 55 years, John Oszvart; two sons, John W. Oszvart and his wife, Joan, of Robbinsville and James S.; her daughter, J.A. O'Brien of Hamilton, and her grandchildren, Jason and Jessica Oszvart of Robbinsville. The funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday from the Saul Memorial Home, 1740 Greenwood Ave., Trenton. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton. Family and friends may call 9-10 a.m. Saturday at the Memorial Home, www.saulfuneral home.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

1933: REMEMBER WHEN IT SNOWED IN TRENTON?

We have been going through a long string of winters here in central New Jersey without snow. As you can see by the graphic above, these kids are having a great time sledding over in the Parkside-Edgewood Avenue area during the Christmas season of 1933. One wonders how many of those sleds were brand new Christmas gifts received a day or so earlier on Christmas day. How I remember those great years when we took our sleds up Kuser's hill and "belly-flopped" down to the bottom of that long forgotten hill. I haven't seen a kid belly flop in years. Most kids today sit on a plastic sled and coast. They don't know what they're missing. Remember how us poor kids envied those kids whose moms and dads could afford a "Flexie?" What? You don't know what a "Flexie" is? Ask grand pop about the Cadillac of sleds!

1933: GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST IN TRENTON

Many visitors to this site are not familiar with Trenton's center city Hotel Hildebrecht. The above graphic shows the buildings that were demolished to make way for this, the second of Trenton's major hotels of the past.

1933: GHOSTS OF TRENTON'S CHRISTMAS PAST

Trenton had two major hotels and a few which were smaller and esser known. The Stacy Trent and Hildebrecht were the two large center city hotels. Here's an ad from the depths of the Great Depression in the year 1933.

1992: A CHRISTMAS GREETING FROM TOM

I have been writing Christmas columns now for 27 years. The column above is one of my favorites. Christmas is about love, family, precious, and sometimes bittersweet memories, and most of all it's about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. On behalf of my dear wife Judy, daughter Juliane*, and sons Tom and Ken, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all those who have honored me with your visits to my website. You are the best!

(*By the way, that is "Juliane" with one "n;"
named after Franciscan Sister Juliana.)

1932: THE TRENTON TIMES - ALWAYS THERE FOR THE POOR

How well I remember the daily "Christmas Countdown" cartoon that was always on the bottom of page one in the Trenton Evening Times of the 40's. During those many past Christmas seasons, before I grew up and started reading the political news and other world events, I turned to the Trenton Times "Toyland" ads at the many department stores which once dotted the streets of downtown Trenton. The Times has always bee in the forefront of helping the less fortunate in our society.

1932: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I selected a few ads which were published in the Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser during the Christmas season of 1932. Like the Christmas of 2009, things were very tough in America. We were in the grip of "the Great Depression." Notice the ad for a typewriter from Walter W. Prior. Today, the Prior tradition is being carried on by the folks at Prior-Nami here in Hamilton. The four ads displayed above were very familiar to those of us who were around in the 30's and 40's.

1932: CATHEDRAL HIGH STUDENTS PRESENT THEIR 1932 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

This looked like it was presented in the true spirit of Christmas. Look! They even have a Nativity scene with baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! I'll bet those cast members even wished each other
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

1911: COMPANY "B" BEFORE AND AFTER

Restoring an old faded, folded, and wrinkled photograph is time consuming. However, if you check out the original above and compare it with the restored version, you will agree that the time spent on these tedious projects is worthwhile. The Lawtons had a homestead in the Kuser School area of Hamilton, part of their farm was on the Camp Olden Civil War location.

1934: GROVEVILLE-YARDVILLE-WHITE HORSE

Monday, December 22, 2008

1868: DEDICATION OF THE HAMILTON SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS TRANSCRIBED
FROM THE STATE GAZETTE
IN 1979 BC. (BEFORE COMPUTERS) ,
BEFORE SCANNERS, AND BEFORE THERE WAS SUCH A THING AS "OCR" (OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION):

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1868
DAILY STATE GAZETTE
Dedication of the Hamilton Square Presbyterian Church.
Thursday, the 17th instant, was set apart for the dedication of the above church to the service of Almighty God. The day was highly propitious, and the congregation of clergymen and others interested unusually large.
The present building is the third edifice erected for the use of this congregation. The first was built something like a century ago, the second in 1837, and this undertaken in 1867, and completed within the present year. Each time, an improvement in the character of the structure has been gained, keeping pace with the age in which we are moving. It will be difficult, however, for the next generation to improve much upon this latest effort of this enterprising people. Their church is in every way, a most decided success; the exterior and interior being equally modeled after the finest style of architecture and finish. You might suppose now that nothing remained for this people to desire. This, we regret to say, is not the case. They have before them, we understand, the resignation of their present pastor, Rev. Robert S. Manning, under whose pastoral care the congregation has been thirsting for the last thirteen years, and through whom this enterprise has been perfected, and their desire is, no doubt, to retain him. Otherwise they would be in a very highly favored estate. Whether Mr. Manning is retained or not depends upon the path of duty which may be marked cut for him. We understand that he has been solicited to engage in the work of aiding in the establishment of the Van Rensselaer Institute, located at Hightstown, and if he consents to engage in this work, it is fair to presume that it will contribute toward furthering that object. His energy and business tact is proverbial and this is what is requisite to succeed in life whether in the service of the church or the world. The dedicatory sermon, on the occasion referred to, was delivered by Dr. Hall, of Trenton. It is needless to say, from the well known character of our townsmen, that it was fully equal to the occasion.

1876: HAMILTON IN THE CIVIL WAR

2009: TO ALL KUSER SCHOOL ALUMNI

This announcement was received from Mr. Roberto Kesting, Principal of Kuser School, announcing the kickoff celebration for Kuser School's Centennial Celebration. Call the school if you plan on attending the program. If you haven't already requested inclusion in the Kuser School alumni listing, call the school at the number on the graphic or email me at thomglo@verizon.net and I will forward your name and year graduated to the school.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

1928: Msgr. John Fox Obit - 80 Decembers ago

This is one of the very popular clergymen who have made a mark in the History of the Diocese of Trenton. Msgr. Fox performed the wedding ceremony on my wife Judy's mother and father back in the early 20's, as well as many other families who attended St. Mary's Cathedral during his time as Pastor.

1908: TRENTON'S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 100 DECEMBERS AGO

Christmas seasons of the past were full of articles on the activities of many of the churches in the Trenton area. Here's an article on the Christmas Cantata presented by the Church Sunday School.

1898: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This was originally an editorial type engraving from the Trenton Daily State Gazette. As you can see, these old editorial cartoon black and white engravings can really stand out if there is a bit of color added.

2008: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

No, not "Happy Holidays," it's Merry CHRISTmas! The Santa in black and white along with his greeting has been enhanced using my Christmas clipart. More to come.

2008: MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM FRENKING FLORISTS

One of my loyal visitors to this website is Candy Frenking Jens, a gal who often corresponds with me as we banter about the "good old days." Candy, here's a little graphic I enhanced from an old
1928 Trenton newspaper. Note the 4 digit phone number, also not the street on which the Frenking business was located.

1908: 100 YEARS AGO AT TRENTON'S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Pastor Hoag' wedding to a socialite made the news 100 years ago for the parishioners at Trenton's First Baptist Church on Centre Street in downtown Trenton. One wonders if the parsonage illustated above is still at the West State Street location.

MANY THANKS TO ALAN WILDBLOOD, GENEALOGIST AND HISTORIAN FOR THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ABOVE GRAPHIC:

==========*******==========
The parsonage of the First Baptist Church of Trenton was at 1204 Riverside Avenue from 1946 to 1959. The church sold that home and purchased one at 3 Heights Terrace, Yardville, in 1959 or 1960 for Rev. Richard Mercer, who had three small children. In the 1970's Rev. Larry Dobson was accommodated at 125 Centre Street, across from the church. This building had also been the parsonage or Rev. John Wicker in 1900. in between, the site was the home of a physician, Dr. Carroll. In recent decades First Baptist pastors have received a housing allowance and hang their cloths where they choose. Rev. Roberson in the 1990s resided in Lawrence. The incumbent, Rev. Jim Coston, calls Centre Street home and can walk to church and serve his milieu on the Trenton City Council. My own parents married at the home of First Baptist's Rev. Milton Perry on Christmas Day 1937. Further research is required to pinpoint that location. A marriage certificate might help. I have always taken their word for it.