1869: A CLOSEUP LOOK AT THE SWAMP ANGEL

One of the more fascinating subjects in our local history centers on the fabled "Swamp Angel" and of course the legendary Camp Olden. I have been pursuing historical documents on that subject since the 1980's when I found an article in my newspaper collection relating to Henry Lawton who had a farm over in the area of today's Kuser School ("Lawton Avenue, etc.) His farm was said to have been on a portion of the Camp Olden boundary.  In 1992, I wrote a column in the MERCER MESSENGER telling the story of Camp Olden as recalled by the brothers Lawton. That article spurred Bob Butera and Vince Mercandetti, and then-Mayor Jack Rafferty to clear the decks for the establishment of today's Camp Olden Park which is located on that triangular intersection of Liberty Street and Hamilton Avenue.

Above is an article from the Daily State Gazette telling the fantastically interesting story of the Trenton made Swamp Angel and with the date of the article being only 4 or so years after the end of the war between the states, one attains a sense of "immediacy" as the article is read. Today, President Bruce Sirak is keeping the Civil War and Hamilton's historic Camp Olden alive with the very viable CAMP OLDEN ROUNDTABLE. (www.campolden.org) This scholarly group meets monthly at the Hamilton Township Public Library.

ABOUT THE ENGRAVINGS: One of our favorite pastimes when we were kids was to sit down at the table, bring out the "Crayola" wax crayons and start filling up that coloring book! Well, folks, at the advancing age of 82, this old codger is enjoying that joys of coloring once again. This time, I find that my crayons are on a Photo Shop color palette where I merely click on the desired color and paint my subject, all the while remembering my Kuser School teachers to "Stay in the lines!" Above left is the original engraving from the 16 page "INDUSTRIAL EDITION" of the Daily State Gazette of July 31, 1897. Now look at the results of my digital coloring book wherein a added a colorful border, atempted to match the colors of the Swamp Angel, greened up the grass at the base, and even lit the lamps on top of this historic treasure. There's a little boy in each of us even as there is a little girl in each of our ladies!

2014: TOM GLOVER AND HAMILTON'S CAMP OLDEN PARK

Bob Butera and Vince Mercandetti: Two gentlemen who were in contact with me in the summer of 1992 after I had written an article relating to Hamilton's Camp Olden; a subject I had been researching for years. It all began in early 1990's when I began paging through thousands of pages in my 100 year collection of daily Trenton newspapers, I came upon the story of the "The Potters' Company," and the very intriguing story which involved Henry and Joseph Lawton and another Trentonian, John Beech. When the article on the left in the graphic was published in July, 1992, these two pioneers of the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable contacted me for more information which was the fruit of my research. Little did I know that Mr. Joe Seliga was researching the same subject as I. I naturally wondered if any of my research was involved in his research. It would have been nice to compare notes. The bottom line: Then-Mayor Jack Rafferty was approached and the founding of Camp Olden Park became a reality. 

1992: TOM GLOVER'S NEVER ENDING SEARCH FOR CAMP OLDEN

 

Over the years, I have made it a goal to learn all I can about one of Hamilton Township's more historic contributions to American history. Camp Olden is, and has been the subject which I have been zealously chasing since 1991 when I came across a newspaper article regarding the Lawtons of Hamilton Avenue. More articles relating to Camp Olden can be found by using the SEARCH feature below the home page on this site, along with the INDEX (Lables) on the right side of this screen. Additionally the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable was formed and you will meet and greet experts on the war between the states if you visit their website www.campolden.org. The article I wrote above was the catalyst that spurred former Mayor Jack Rafferty to establish "Camp Olden Park" at the triangular intersection of Hamilton and Liberty Street. It was also followed by the establishment of the Civil War Roundtable during the time of Vince Mercandetti's term as President.

THE UNENDING SEARCH FOR CAMP OLDEN

 

THE UNENDING SEARCH FOR CAMP OLDEN - AND THE EQUALLY UNENDING SEARCH FOR A REASON WHY THERE HAVE BEEN CONFLICTING REPORTS OVER THE YEARS AS TO ITS LOCATION. 

 

My 1992 Mercer Messenger column, relating to the Lawton brothers and Camp Olden pretty much affirmed that the camp was located on a part of the Lawton Farm located in the area of Liberty, Hamilton Avenues and Kuser Road. However, there have been very strange conflicting stories. One from historian Francis Bazely Lee never mentioned the Pond Run area. Then there is the article above, where Mr. Coffield says it was located on North Olden Avenue on the site of Hill's Brewery. Over the years, Hamilton Township officials have apparently been derelict in keeping records relating to Camp Olden. Indeed, it is safe to say that Hamilton Township has been derelict in most matters of preserving Hamilton Township's historical records. There certainly must have been a real estate map and other relevant documents relating to the area in possession of the township when the camp was abandoned; it was probably disposed of as historically insignificant. Camp Olden will be a research subject for years to come. Mr. Coffield's placement of the camp is based on his recollection going back 56 years. Very intriguing. Could it be that there was a Camp Olden office or other location there along with the tented Camp Olden out on Pond Run?

1917: TRENTON DURING THE CIVIL WAR ERA

The highlighted in gray portion of this article erroneously placed Camp Olden over on North Olden Avenue beyond E. State Street. I have heard that there was Civil War activity in the area of the old RR yards off of Olden Avenue, but extended research has definitely placed the Camp over in Hamilton Township in the Kuser Road, Liberty Street, Hamilton Avenue area. As I recall, Trenton Historian Benjamin Franklin Lee also placed Camp Olden in the area of Camp Perrine. It is truly frustrating that there is no map extant that shows the historic Civil War boundary lines. However, even with Mr. Coffield's placement of the camp at the site of the old Hill's Brewery, the article gives an interesting look at Trenton during the war between the states.

2012 Marks the 20th year that I have been searching for definitive information on Hamilton Township's CAMP OLDEN. Back in 1992, I wrote a column relating to the Lawton brothers and their service record during the Civil War. In that article, I quoted Henry Lawton and his hopes that a monument would be constructed on the approximate site to commemorate this historic Civil War location. Henry's idea was a boulder or other marker at the foot of Johnston Avenue and Hamilton, adjoining the Lawton farm. Almost immediately after my Mercer Messenger column was distributed to the public, I began receiving emails and phone calls, and the result was Hamilton's current monument at the intersection of Hamilton and Liberty Streets in Trenton. As to my search for Camp Olden, it has evolved into a very very deep search into very very obscure venues, and will continue onward. There was a hand drawn map of the camp, but the local True American newspaper didn't have the ability to reproduce graphics and the drawing slipped into oblivion; what a shame. 

1912: TOM GLOVER'S SEARCH FOR CAMP OLDEN

If I could get access to many of the back yards in the homes between Liberty Street, Leonard Avenue, Kuser Road and Newkirk Avenue, over the next few years, I believe my metal detecting equipment would find some historic relics from the land on which at least a part of Camp Olden was located. Note that I emphasized "some." Locating the actual boundaries of this elusive Civil War camp ground has proven fruitless. As a historian, I rely on what I have thus far learned from my own research. Fact: There was indeed a Camp Olden situated somewhere along the "Pond Run" area of Hamilton township. Conflicting accounts: Over the years I have discovered many puzzling articles relating to the camp. For instance, the articles above refer to the Whittaker Farm. Months of research has failed to find any information on Hamilton Township's George R. Whittaker Farm, nor the Whittaker Farm. There is however countless Yardley Pennsylvania references to a Whittaker Farm in Yardley. Two different articles at different times list the residence of George R. Whittaker as living at 234 in one article, and 324 in another; both address in the city of Trenton in the area of Chestnut and Hamilton Avenues. Other research closer to the Camp Olden era involves "Skirm," "Scatterfgood," and other area land holders from the 1860 - 1870 era; apparently before the establishment of the Whittaker Farm. There was once a hand drawn map of the layout of the land, but according to an article in one of my archives, the newspaper didn't have the technical ability to duplicate graphics! I am speculating that New Street (Newkirk Avenue) at the intersection of Camp Avenue was the main entrance to the camp. Compounding the confusing search, is the fact that along with the older (Skirm and Scattergood farms), on the other side of New Street (Newkirk Avenue), the Goldy Farm was occupying all the land from Cedar Street (Cedar Lane) back to today's Kuser Farm. I also speculate that the boundaries extend beyond Hamilton Avenue and beyond Kuser Road.

The search goes on!

wendy Emrich said...

Hi Tom I am very interested in this area of Hamilton but about 100 to 60 yrs before Camp Olden , I have an 1896 newspaper article descibing where my 4th great grandfather home was and I cant figure a general location , It is described as a pretty little house on a farm near Crusen's Woods also in another description it is said to be near or on the Pond Run rd . Do you know of Crusen's woods ? I am assuming this relative giving the description might of meant Kuser's Woods ???

Thanks for visiting, Wendy; I hope you return often. Unfortunately you didn't give me 4th great grandfather's name. As to "Crusen's Woods," obviously corrupt spelling for Kuser's Woods. The 1876 map of Hamilton lists the property as "Kusner." These errors were quite common with family names. Email the name of family you are interested in finding and I will see if I have anything. (tglover320@optimum.net)

Tom Glover

Monday, August 06, 2012

Tom Glover said...

NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, LAKESIDE GIRL. THE LAWTON HOMESTEAD ON HAMILTON AVENUE WAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CAMP, BUT I HAVE FOUND NO INFORMATION THAT THEY HAD ANY PART IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLACE. THEY WERE HOWEVER VERY ACTIVE IN THE CIVIL WAR.
TOM GLOVER

Thursday, August 09, 2012

1861: MY CONTINUING SEARCH FOR CAMP OLDEN

I have been searching for many years for information on the very elusive Hamilton Township Civil War site, Camp Olden. My search over these 35-plus years has given tantalizing hints, but never any real information as to the boundaries of what was once a sizable military camp with a tent city and street names of noted local Civil War persons. A very big break came in the 1980's when Kuser Road's "Freedom Village" was established. As indicated in the graphic above, the site was definitely involved in military activity. The late Al Jarvis, Bill Opferman and I spent many hours on the site when contractors graded 6 inches or more topsoil. We found many 58 caliber lead "3 ringers" a number of mini balls, camp utensils, etc. Over these many years I have been metal detecting in the area from the original Kuser Home across from the Colonial Fire Company, and various areas in the neighborhood. I am currently detecting in another venue closer to the Hamilton Avenue Lawton Homestead. The search goes on, and I am un-deterred, even though the only hand drawn map of the camp which was submitted to a local Trenton newspaper could not be printed due to the fact that the newspaper didn't have the ability to reproduce graphics!

1992: TOM GLOVER'S SEARCH FOR CAMP OLDEN

2011 IS THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF THE CIVIL WAR

I recently spoke with a member of the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable who did not agree to my assertion that my "The Way We Were" column (ABOVE) from 1992 was the catalyst for the establishment of the Camp Olden Park at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Liberty Street, referring me to the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable site . I had been searching for years to find any and all information on that Civil War camp ground back in the 1970's when I spoke with a member of the Lawton family (Norman?) I finally found enough source information and included it in my column as you can read below It was in this column that I suggested a monument which was ultimately constructed. (closing paragraphis of the column) In my CAMP OLDEN folder is a copy of the letter to the editor from Mr. Bob Butera, an early Civil War enthusiast at and Mr. Vince Mercandetti, who was President at the time.

.

1992: TOM GLOVER'S CAMP OLDEN - LAWTON CONNECTION

From the newsletter of the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable, this note on the search for the very elusive Camp Olden:

The book, "The Search for Camp Olden, Hamilton Township" was written by Joseph Francis Seliga and published on May 20, 1995, the day of the dedication of Camp Olden Park. This park was renamed because research by the author showed that it was across the street from the Camp. Signed copies can be purchased at the Camp Olden Civil War and Indian Museum located in Veterans Park, in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey

Below is the column I wrote back in 1992, wherein I suggested that a monument to Camp Olden be constructed at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and Liberty Street, based on the Lawton family reunion article which is cited in my column. I can't find my copy of Mr. Seliga's "The Search for Camp Olden." I am interested in Mr. Seliga's bibliographical information on his research so that I can continue my quest. If any Camp Olden C.W. Roundtable visitors

MY 1992 RESEARCH ALSO FOUND THE GENERAL LOCATION OF CAMP OLDEN, AND THE SUBSEQUENT ESTABLISHMENT OF CAMP OLDEN PARK. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR DEFINITIVE INFORMATION ON THE BOUNDARIES OF THAT CIVIL WAR SITE FOR YEARS. AT THE TIME, MR. BOB BUTERA AND VINCE MERCANDETTI CONTACTED THEN MAYOR JOHN RAFFERTY AND THE PARK WAS ESTABLISHED.

1861: SEVEN COMPANYS AT CAMP OLDEN

I have been searching for the earliest reference to Camp Olden in order to find information on the construction and preparation of the land. This is among the earliest I found as I scanned the newspapers from the Spring season of 1861.

1861: CAMP OLDEN ALREADY LAID OUT

"Lines are easier made with pens than with type-we are unable to publish it.." That extract relates to the engraving of the layout of Camp Olden; a search I have been involved with for over 20 years. Someone said there was a map in someone's possession, but that is only hearsay. I will continue the search, but I feel it may be futile. Newspaper graphic technology during that era was basically reserved for repeat advertising.

1888: A CAMP OLDEN CIVIL WAR INCIDENT

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1888

COLONEL RICHARD A. DONNELLY RECALLS A CIVIL WAR INCIDENT

Colonel R. A. Donnelly relates some incidents of his advent in the army as a soldier in the exciting times of 1861. At the time he was clerking in New York and living in Hoboken, where he was a member of a military company. The marching of the various regiments down Broadway at the call for three months' men, had given every military man the fever, and the company to which he was attached volunteered to a man and came down to Trenton to be sworn in. The first night there, they all slept like soldiers, on the floor, at Temperance Hall. Next day it was announced, when they reached Camp Olden, that the quota of 75,000 three months' men was filled, and that only those would be taken who would enlist for three years, unless sooner discharged. When they came to be sworn in for three years, but one man refused, and the patriotic feeling among the men was so great that they put a placard of "Deserter" on his back and drummed him out of camp.

1912: MY ONGOING SEARCH FOR CAMP OLDEN

I have been searching for definitive information on the actual boundary of Hamilton's Camp Olden for many years,. Bit by bit pieces of the puzzle come together only to complicate the mystery. From Henry Lawton's suggestion that a monument be placed at the Johnston-Hamilton-Liberty intersection, to the establishment of Colonial Gardens, the plot thickens. The above article referst to 100 acres at Liberty and New Street (today's Newkirk Avenue.) It is interesting to note that the names of the developers are memorialized today with street names of Watson , Miller, Ellwood, and I would bet the a future discovery would list Beal Street. If Colonial Gardens was 100 acres, and if the aforementioned streets were included in the 100 acres. is it possible that the Camp extended from the Pond Run area over to Sylvan Avenue" South Olden Avenue? My search has been a fascinating project for a very elusive subject, and I certainly intend to persevere.

1992: CAMP OLDEN

I wrote this column in 1992, and shortly thereafter the Camp Olden Civil War Roundtable was organized. Shortly after the column appeared, a Civil War buff whom I only recall as "Vince" was inspired to organize the Camp Olden group. Were we able to journey back in time, my guess would be that the property was a huge tract of land bounded by Newkirk Avenue, Pond Run, and according to the article which I cited regarding the Lawton Civil War Reunion, included a portion of Johnston Avenue. In another newspaper search, I found a short real estate note indicating that the Steward family was disposing of their land holdings, thus connecting today's Steward Avenue within the confines of the camp. Little did I know at the time I wrote the article that Mayor John Rafferty would follow my suggestion to recognize the site with a marker of memorial and establish Camp Olden Park!

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.

CAMP OLDEN CIVIL WAR RECRUITING POSTER

ASK ANY MEMBER OF HAMILTON'S "CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE," AND THEY WILL AFFIRM THAT THERE IS AN INDESCRIBABLE LURE TO THE STUDY OF AMERICA'S CIVIL WAR. CAMP OLDEN WAS LOCATED OVER IN THE KUSER ROAD, NEWKIRK AVENUR, HAMILTON AVENUE AREA. THE EXACT BOUNDARIES OF THE CAMP ARE QUITE ELUSIVE. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND ONLY FIND TANTALIZING NOTICES OF REAL ESTATE SALES OFFER LANDS ON PARTS OF THE OLD CAMP.

1912: PLANS TO DEVELOP A PORTION OF CAMP OLDEN

THERE ARE TWO UNSOLVED MYSTERIES SURROUNDING THE TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON. THE FIRST IS THE VERY ELUSIVE HISTORICAL ANSWER TO THE QUESTION AS TO THE REASON HAMILTON TOWNSHIP WAS NAMED HAMILTON. (AS A PERSONAL OBSERVATION, I WISH THE HAD CALLED HAMILTON TOWNSHIP "NOTTINGHAM TOWNSHIP.)

THE SECOND STILL UNSOLVED MYSTERY IS DETERMINING THE ACTUAL BOUNDARY OF THE CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT KNOWN AS CAMP OLDEN. WE KNOW THAT PART OF IT IS THAT AREA WHERE HAMILTON, LIBERTY, POND RUN ROAD (KUSER ROAD) AND JOHNSTON AVENUE CONVERGE. ADDITIONALLY REAL ESTATE ADVERTISEMENTS ALSO INCLUDE REFERENCES TO THE FACT THAT "COLONIAL PARK," A DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEWKIRK, CAMP, AND MILLER AVENUE AREAS ADDS A BIT MORE INFORMATION AS TO THE LOCATION. HOWEVER, WITH THE VERY RURAL NATURE OF THE SURROUNDING AREA AT THE TIME, IT IS A REAL CHALLENGE TO FIND JUST WHAT BOUNDARY THE CAMP HAD. I HAD HOPED THAT SOMEONE WOULD HAVE COME UP WITH A MAP OF THE AREA AND PUBLICIZED IT. I REGRET THAT I DIDN'T SPEAK TO MR. MOZER WHOSE FAMILY WENT WAY BACK IN THAT AREA OF HAMILTON. I AM SURE HE WOULD HAVE PROVIDED VERY RELIABLE INFORMATION ON THE CAMP.

2007: CAMP OLDEN CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE

DON'T MISS THE ANNUAL CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT BEING HELD IN VETERANS' PARK! IT WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY EVENING, JULY 20 THROUGH SUNDAY, JULY 22, 2007.

FOR DETAILS OF THIS INCREDIBLY HISTORIC AND FASCINATING EVENT, GO TO THE CAMP OLDEN HOME PAGE, http://www.campolden.org/

Camp Olden Area Develops

Can this ad for real estate in the Newkirk-Liberty-Hamilton-Kuser area harbor shed a bit more light on the boundary of the Civil War Camp Olden?