Beckett-Carson House

Beckett-Carson house, September 2022.

Historical Overview

On a small rise overlooking the intersection of Robbinsville Road and Old Trenton Road, at 1694 Old Trenton Road, is a 2.5-story, 5-bay I-shaped house. Hereafter called the "Beckett-Carson" property, this building - a contributing element to the historic community of Edinburg - is also a member of West Windsor's "100 Club."

The exact date of construction is unknown. While a structure does seem to appear at this location on a map from 1849,[1]  architectural analysis of the main block suggests a building of the second half of the nineteenth century.[2] Regardless, what is known is that - building or not - this land was owned in the 1840s-50 by Conrad Rarick.[3],[4] In 1853, he sold the land to Thomas and Eliza Leonard,[5] who, in turn, deeded the property to Patrick and Margaret Beckett twelve years later.[6]

Patrick and Margaret were both Irish immigrants[7] who came to West Windsor some time before 1850.[8] The 1870 census shows them living here with Patrick's sister (also named Margaret) and nine others (presumably all their children): Hanna, Margaret, John, Clementine, Thomas, Catharine, Patrick, Daniel, and Edward. Hanna was listed as having an occupation as a "domestic" - i.e., a servant.[9]

In 1890, the Becketts sold the property to Elison Carson.[10] He, his wife (Mary), his daughter (Bertha), and Bertha's husband (Jasper) collectively owned this property for the next sixty-eight years.[11] Elison is said to have operated a grist mill in the vicinity of Edinburg.[12]

In 1958, the property passed to new owners. In the decades since, it has been owned by the Taylors, Emmons, Gadekars, and others.[13],[14] It remains a longtime fixture of the historic West Windsor community of Edinburg.

Edinburg, 1875. Note "P. Beckett."

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Bibliography

1. Otley, J W, and James Keily. “Map of Mercer County, New Jersey.” Map. Camden, New Jersey: L. Van der Veer, 1849.
2. ​“Mercer County Historic Sites Survey: West Windsor Township, Mercer County, NJ.” Princeton, 1988. Conducted by Kinsey & Hand Associates.
3. Hammell, John, Rarick, Conrad. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1847. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book M Page 217.
4. Leonard, Eliza, Leonard, Thomas, Rarick, Conrad. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1853. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book X Page 518.
5. ​Ibid.
6. Beckett, Margaret, Beckett, Patrick, Leonard, Eliza, Leonard, Thomas. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1865. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 155 Page 530.
7. United States Census, 1870 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1870.
8. United States Census, 1850 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1850.
9. United States Census, 1870 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1870.
10. ​Carson, Elison, Beckett, Margaret, Beckett, Patrick. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1890. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 170 Page 410.
11. Emmons, Elizabeth K., Emmons, William R., ​Rogers, Jasper, Taylor, Joseph, Taylor, Madeline H. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1853. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1453 Page 269.
12. ​Reed, Marvin R. West Windsor Township People -- Purpose -- Progress New Jersey Tercentenary, 1664-1964: West Windsor : Tercentenary Committee, 1964.
13. Emmons, Elizabeth K., Emmons, William R., ​Rogers, Jasper, Taylor, Joseph, Taylor, Madeline H. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1958. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1453 Page 269.
14. Emmons, Elizabeth K., Emmons, William R., ​Gadekar, Ruth A., Gadekar, Shree Krishna M., Taylor, Joseph, Taylor, Madeline H. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1967. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1790 Page 541.​