Curiosities from the 1850 Map

The Otley, Van Derveer, Keily 1850 Map of Somerset County is a great resource for discovering Hillsborough history. Although it predates the 1873 Beers Atlas and the 1860 Farm Map, it contains tremendous detail - including property owner names, church, cemetery, saw mill, grist mill, and blacksmith locations, and, in some cases, names of roads.

Also included are these nine Hillsborough curiosities. Taken off the map here, can you figure out where any of these places were located?

Everyone should know where the Union House Tavern stood - although we do not commonly refer to it by that name.

 

There were many water-powered grist mills and saw mills in Hillsborough in the mid 19th century. Apparently we also had a steam powered mill!

 

A lot of shoes during this period were still made one pair at a time in a cobbler's shop. Apparently, cutting-edge Hillsborough had an entire factory churning out footwear.

 

In 1850, being driven to the poorhouse wasn't just an expression, it was a destination! Do you know where Hillsborough's "Poor Farm" was located?

One of these two locations was in the news recently.

You had to be pretty important to not only have your name on the map as a current property owner, but to also have your FORMER residence noted. Peter Vroom was governor of New Jersey, and the Labagh residence is still singled out - take a look at the 206 bypass plan!

 

Mid-19th century Hillsborough had three "earthenware manufactories", all in the same general location.

 

We've all heard of the Devil's Half Acre, but who or what was "Francis Clift"?