Reminiscences of Colored People of Princeton, N. J.: 1800-1900Smith, Anna Bustill
History
Reminiscences of Colored People of Princeton, N. J.: 1800-1900
Smith, Anna Bustill
African Americans -- New Jersey -- Princeton; Princeton (N.J.) -- Biography
_Mrs. Catharine Scudder_, his widow, is still an active, energetic
woman, owning several properties. She is full of happy reminiscences,
and is one of the oldest members of the Presbyterian Church. She brought
with her, when a bride, the first piano owned by a colored family in
Princeton. Her daughter is a musician and elocutionist. Her sons are
well-settled in business. Eugene conducts a second-hand clothing house on
Baker street. Walter is a practicing physician in Philadelphia.
_Elias Hart_ owned and conducted a restaurant on Witherspoon street. His
widow still owns and occupies the property.
_Samuel Onque_ and his brother owned a farm opposite.
_Mr. Hoagland_ purchased a lot from it on which he built his home. His
widow was a great worker in the Presbyterian Church.
_Mr. John Voorhees_ was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He and his
wife, Amanda, owned a comfortable home, 23 Quarry street. He left his
estate in the hands of Mr. Joseph Bruere. After the death of Mr. Voorhees
the church received $400 from the estate.
_Elias Conover_ was for twenty-five years in the Seminary. _Robert
Hendrickson_ and _Charles Whychoff_ have followed him.
_Philip Scudder_ was for many years sexton at Cemetery.
_Isaac Stockton_ conducted a grocery store corner Green and Witherspoon
streets. He was a shrewd and successful business man.
_Mrs. Margaret Stockton_ was quite as well known as _Mrs. Craig_. She
and Mrs. Catharine Scudder are about the last of Princeton’s colored
aristocracy. Her daughter, _Miss Martie Craig_, was an accomplished belle
in her day. She was a great helper in the Presbyterian Church.
_Charles Craig_ was the pioneer hackman, and his wife a famous cook.
Their son, _Prof. Walter Craig_, was New York’s most famous colored
violinist, and their daughter, _Jestina_, was school teacher and skilled
pianist.
The _Gordons_ were a large and influential family, like the _Simpsons_.
_Mr. Simpson_ was the pioneer second-hand clothes dealer.
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Williams were the pioneer club-house keepers. Their
numerous family still survive and reside in the homestead on Harrison
street.
Mr. Thomas James was a familiar figure for some years. He was related
to one of the oldest and most aristocratic families in Philadelphia. In
his early life in Princeton he was thrifty and prosperous. His children
buried him quite recently.
_Mrs. Elon Berry_ is our “shut-in,” but sends out sunshine.
“Some are and must be greater than the rest.”
As early as 1816 a Mr. Boardman, a colored student, was here. Many have
since graduated from the Seminary. Revs. L. Z. Johnson and G. S. Stark
received the degree of A. B. on examination.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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