1931: IN THE THROES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION

THE GLOVER FAMILY WAS ON "RELIEF" BACK THERE IN THE EARLY 30'S. MY DAD LOST HIS TRUCKING BUSINESS DUE TO THE LACK OF HIS CUSTOMERS NON PAYMENT OF BILLS. "GILLS EXPRESS" WAS FORMED BY MY FATHER BACK IN THE 1920'S TO SERVE THE MANY POTTERY INDUSTRIES IN TRENTON. WHEN THE MARKET CRASHED, EVERY INDUSTRY EXPERIENCED FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. ACCORDING TO THE STORIES I HEARD, MANY OF THE UN-PAID ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE WERE FAR GREATER THAN THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. RESULT: THE PHONE COMPANY CUT OFF THE LIFELINE OF GILLS EXPRESS, THEN CAME UNEMPLOYMENT AND ULTIMATE DESPAIR. I REMEMBER GOING TO COLONIAL FIRE COMPANY'S SECOND FLOOR ONCE A MONTH OR SO, FILLING OUR BAGS UP WITH DRIED PEACHES AND APPLES, FLOUR, SUGAR, AND OTHER ITEMS WHICH CONSTITUTED OUR RELIEF "DOLE."

1931: RELIEF THEN, WELFARE NOW

THE GREAT DEPRESSION WAS A VERY SAD TIME IN AMERICA. MILLIONS OF CITIZENS SUFFERED, AND POVERTY WAS QUITE COMMON. THE GLOVER'S WERE VICTIMS OF POVERTY, AND WERE ON THE RELIEF "DOLE," AS IT WAS CALLED. I REMEMBER GOING TO COLONIAL FIRE HOUSE WHEN THE FIRE HOUSE WAS ON LIBERTY STREET AND NEWKIRK AVENUE. ON THE SECOND FLOOR THERE WERE BURLAP SACKS OF DRIED FRUIT, FLOUR, SUGAR, NAVY BEANS, AND OTHER STAPLES. THE LINES WERE LONG, AND THE NEED WAS GREAT.

1906: THE "POOR FARM" IN HAMILTON

TODAY IT IS THE SITE OF PART OF THE HAMILTON MARKET PLACE ALONG ROUTE 130. BACK IN THE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY IT WAS THE LOCATION OF WHAT WAS COMMONLY KNOWN AS "THE POOR FARM," WHERE INDIGENT CITIZENS WERE SENT FOR VARIOUS REASONS.