Cox-Scheffey Farm

Remnants of the Cox-Scheffey farm, 2025. Courtesy of Peter Ligeti.

Standing at 10 North Mill Road, just north of an entrance to West Windsor Community Park, are several structures surrounding a driveway. Although now an unassuming property, this was once part of a large farm owned by a longtime publisher of the world-famous "Raggedy Ann and Andy" - one of the most popular doll and book franchises ever created.

Historical Overview

The Cox-Scheffey property is on West Windsor's "100 Club" and is part of the historic community of Vanhiseville. The structures that still stand at the time of this writing (August 2025) vary in age. While the old wooden wagon shed probably dates to the early 1900s, the guest cottage is apparently from the mid-1900s, the garage likely from the 1920s/30s,[1] and the metal barn from around 2008-2010.[2][3] The farm also once featured a large "Pennsylvania Dutch" barn (probably late 1800s-early 1900s) and an old farmhouse; both demolished long ago - see the adjacent photograph.[4] The main block of the house was estimated to have been built in the mid-1800s, with an even older wing that was reputedly moved from a different property.[5]

It's unknown who founded the farm. However, in 1831, John and Jacob VanDyke sold about 67 acres to George and Jane Vannest.[6] Seven years later, about 99 acres passed to Ezekiel Robbins and his wife, Deborah.[7] The 1860 census shows the couple living here with their 19-year-old daughter, Mary.[8]

Courtesy of Dan Scheffey. Click to enlarge.

In 1866, Elizabeth and Peter Wyckoff bought a 65 acre plantation for nearly $3,900.[9] The very next year, they sold it to their son, James.[10] Like the Robbins, the Wyckoffs lived here for many years. The 1880 census shows James, his wife Lydia, and a Black servant named James Tindall.[11] James Wyckoff died in 1892,[12] and a few years later Eleanor Drake bought about 79 acres for $5,000.[13] After she died, her widow, Thomas, sold the property in 1912 to Maurice and Frances Hawk.[14] 

Born in 1881[15] - reputedly at the Schenck Farmstead[16] -  Maurice (pronounced "Morris") joined the West Windsor Board of Education in 1914 and was its secretary for the next 44 years.[17] He was also West Windsor Township's treasurer for 39 years (1931-70).[18] Maurice Hawk school, opened in 1964, was named after him.[19]

In 1933, Hawk sold his farm to Howard Lee Cox - a longtime publisher of the world-famous "Raggedy Ann and Andy" doll/book franchise.[20]

From 1875 West Windsor map. Note "Jas. Wykoff."

Raggedy Ann and Andy

However, the story of Raggedy Ann and Andy begins several decades earlier. There are multiple theories as to how Raggedy Ann (the original doll) came to be, but there is no question that she was created around the early 1900s by "Johnny" Gruelle, an American author and illustrator. One tale says that Johnny found an old handmade rag doll in his parents' attic prior to the birth of his daughter, Marcella, and kept it until she was old enough to play with it.[21] ​Another story says that Marcella herself found the doll, and her father drew a face on it for her.

A third, sadder theory is that after Marcella died in 1915 from an infection from a dirty vaccination needle - which had been repeatedly used, without replacement, on an unknown number of other students before her - Johnny made Raggedy Ann in her honor. This same tale also spurred anti-vaccination protestors to coopt Raggedy Ann as a symbol.[22],[23]

Marcella, and Johnny Gruelle with a Raggedy Andy, dates unknown.

Whatever the origin, in 1915, shortly after submitting a patent application for the doll's design,[24] Johnny Gruelle applied for a trademark for the "Raggedy Ann" name.[25] Three years later, with help from the publisher P. F. Volland Company, the doll made her literary debut in Raggedy Ann Stories, a children's book.[26] In 1920, she was joined by her younger brother, Raggedy Andy.[27]

In dozens of subsequent books, Raggedy Ann and Andy would come to life when the humans weren't looking, getting into all sorts of adventures and imparting upon their young readers life lessons. Early plots included rescuing the family dog Fido from the dogcatcher, teaching other dolls to be tolerant (despite the fact that another "Raggedy" character was "Beloved Belindy," a black mammy doll that promoted racist stereotypes of African Americans), and sharing the excitement of a baby brother for Marcella.[28],[29]

The books and dolls became wildly popular across the United States, and Gruelle continued to author and illustrate at least one book per year until his death in 1938 - by which point the first Raggedy Ann book had sold over 3 million copies.[30],[31] By the end of the 1940s, sales of Raggedy Ann-related books exceeded 7 million copies[32] and tens of thousands - if not hundreds of thousands - of dolls had been sold.[33] Over the ensuing decades, numerous books, television shows, musical records, films, and even Broadway plays brought Raggedy Ann and Andy to life for tens of millions of children around the world.[34] Even at the time of this writing (August 2025), Raggedy Ann dolls are still produced, and older vintages have become sought-after collectors' items.

And, in an odd twist, one particular Raggedy Ann doll, called the "Annabelle" doll, gained a cult following in the 1970s for being "haunted."[35] Its folklore inspired the creation of the world-famous "Conjuring" horror movie franchise.[36]

Cover of Raggedy Andy Stories, 1920.

Howard Lee Cox

Following Johnny's death, his widow, Myrtle, and Howard Cox, a longtime friend and manager of P. F. Volland Company's book division, secured the rights to his published and unpublished works, trademarks, and patents.[37] They organized the Johnny Gruelle company with Howard as its president.[38] According to one newspaper, Howard was in charge of a franchise that was "second only, perhaps, to Santa Claus in popularity with the children of the nation."[39]

The Johnny Gruelle Company continued production of the Raggedy Ann for over two decades under Howard's leadership, also expanding into games, puzzles, balloons, toys, and more.[40] Howard primarily worked out of his office at 9 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City,[41] but presumably also operated some of the business from his home on North Mill Road. And, in 1959, he fully moved his operations to the garage on his West Windsor farm and concentrated for the next year solely on the commercial end of the franchise.[42] By this time, the Raggedy Ann franchise was a $50 million enterprise.[43]

In 1960, the Johnny Gruelle Company sold its publishing rights to Bobbs-Merrill[44] and shortly thereafter, the Knickerbocker Toy Company began manufacturing the dolls.[45] In the decades since, subsequent mergers and acquisitions have further transferred the rights, but Raggedy Ann and Andy remain global icons.[46]

Courtesy of the Strong National Museum of Play.

Howard Cox raised his family in the farmhouse on North Mill Road. He and his wife, Caroline Benham Cox (who served for some time on West Windsor's Planning Board),[47] had a daughter, Caroline "Lynn" Scheffey and a son, Howard "Lee" Cox, Jr.[48] Howard Sr. died in 1966, and in 1983, Lynn acquired full ownership of the farm.[49] Lynn, a real estate developer, was also deeply civically engaged through her work with UNICEF and feminist advocacy.[50]

Also in the 1980s, West Windsor Township was exploring the possibility of building a municipal park and set their sights on the Cox-Scheffey farm.[51],[52] In 1989, they purchased two tracts from Lynn, totaling to nearly 78 acres, for around $4.8 million.[53] On June 23, 1993, West Windsor Community Park, so named by residents Edna Bush and George Krebs, was formally dedicated.[54]

In 1996, the Township demolished the old farmhouse[55] and between 2008 and 2010, the old Pennsylvania Dutch barn was replaced with a modern metal one.[56],[57] Yet the other buildings remain, as do the property's associations with Maurice Hawk and the worldwide legacy of Raggedy Ann and Andy.

Extant of the 1989 deed (with 2002 aerial imagery).

Explore Vanhiseville

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Bibliography

1. Bergman, Elmer W. “Memorandum: Inspection of 10 North Mill Road Buildings.” West Windsor Township: University Park Plaza, 741 Alexander Road, October 26, 1989. Memorandum from Bergman Hatton Associates to West Windsor Township summarizing the results of a physical architectural inspection of the Cox-Scheffey property and recommendations for further action.
2. "West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 2008.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 2008.
3. "West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 2010.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 2010.
4. Bergman, Elmer W. “Memorandum: Inspection of 10 North Mill Road Buildings.” West Windsor Township: University Park Plaza, 741 Alexander Road, October 26, 1989. Memorandum from Bergman Hatton Associates to West Windsor Township summarizing the results of a physical architectural inspection of the Cox-Scheffey property and recommendations for further action.
5. Ibid.
6. VanDyke, Jacob, VanDyke, John S., Vannest, George, Vannest, Jane. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1831. Located in the New Jersey State Archives, Middlesex County Deed Book 27, Page 209.
7. Robbins, Deborah, Robbins, Ezekiel, Vannest, George, Vannest, Jane. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1838. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book A, Page 259.
8. ​United States Census, 1860 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1860.
9. Robbins, Deborah, Robbins, Ezekiel, Wyckoff, Elizabeth M., Wyckoff, Peter J. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1866. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 66, Page 77.
10. Wyckoff, Elizabeth M., Wyckoff, James, Wyckoff, Peter J. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1867. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 67, Page 329.
11. ​United States Census, 1880 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1880.
12. “Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church Graveyard.” West Windsor, New Jersey, n.d. About 1,200 internments with gravestones memorializing families dating back to the mid-1700s. This specific reference is for James Wyckoff's gravestone.
13. Drake, Eleanor, Robbins, Wyckoff, Lydia C., Wyckoff, James V. N. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1894. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 195, Page 166.
14. Hawk, Frances C., Hawk, Maurice H., Snook, Thomas R. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1912. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 349, Page 244.
15. Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church. (n.d.). Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church graveyard. West Windsor. Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church graveyard gravestones, which often list birth dates, death dates, and ages of those buried there - including those of many of West Windsor's oldest families.​
16. Mitchell, James. “Maurice H. Hawk,” 1963. 
17. “Maurice H. Hawk, School Board Aid.” Trenton Evening Times, August 30, 1972. 
18. ​​“West Windsor Township Meeting Minutes, 1797-2012.,” n.d. Original Township Committee meeting minute database located in the Municipal Center.
19. “Hawk School Opens Doors Tomorrow.” Trenton Sunday Times Advertiser, April 5, 1964.
20. Cox, Howard Lee, Hawk, Frances C., Hawk, Maurice H. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1933. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 715, Page 210.
21. Hall, Patricia. “A Child at Heart: The Fanciful World of Johnny Gruelle.” Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History 2, no. 4, 1990. "Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History" is a quarterly magazine published by the Indiana Historical Society.
22. Ibid.
23. "The Return of the Vaccine Wars." The Wall Street Journal. February 20, 2015.
24. Gruelle, John B. Design for a Doll, issued September 7, 1915. 
25. Hall, Patricia. “Johnny Gruelle, Inspired Illustrator.” Raggedy Land. Accessed August 21, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20150910091740/http://www.raggedy-ann.com/jgill.html. 
26. Gruelle, Johnny. Raggedy Ann Stories. Chicago, Illinois: P. F. Volland Company, 1918. 
27. Gruelle, Johnny. Raggedy Andy Stories. Chicago, Illinois: P. F. Volland Company, 1920. 
28. Gruelle, Johnny. Raggedy Ann Stories. Chicago, Illinois: P. F. Volland Company, 1918. 
29. Gruelle, Johnny. Beloved Belindy. Chicago, Illinois: P. F. Volland Company, 1926. 
30. Banta, Richard Elwell, and Bruce Rogers. Indiana authors and their books, 1816-1916: Biographical sketches of authors who published during the First Century of Indiana statehood, with lists of their books. Crawfordsville, Indiana: Wabash College, 1949. 
31. "Johnny Gruelle, Cartoonist Dies Suddenly in Florida." New Canaan Advertiser. January 13, 1938.
32. Hall, Patricia. “A Child at Heart: The Fanciful World of Johnny Gruelle.” Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History 2, no. 4, 1990. "Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History" is a quarterly magazine published by the Indiana Historical Society.
33. Hall, Patricia. Johnny Gruelle: Creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy. Pelican, 1993. ISBN 978-0882899084.
34. Ibid.
35. Marchant, Robert. “The True Story behind the CT Doll at Center of ‘Annabelle’ Film Series.” Greenwich Time, July 1, 2019. https://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Demonic-doll-of-screen-fame-has-ties-to-14060967.php. 
36. McLoughlin, Pam. “Real ‘Annabelle’ Story Shared by Lorraine Warren at Milford’s Lauralton Hall.” New Haven Register, October 4, 2014. https://www.nhregister.com/living/article/Real-Annabelle-story-shared-by-Lorraine-11382545.php. 
37. "Raggedy Ann Is Now 30, But Still Young to Kids." The Sunday Times (New Brunswick). January 2, 1949.
38. "Thirtieth Birthday of 'Raggedy Ann.'" Scarsdale Inquirer (New York). March 11, 1949.
39. "Raggedy Ann Is Now 30, But Still Young to Kids." The Sunday Times (New Brunswick). January 2, 1949.
40. "Thirtieth Birthday of 'Raggedy Ann.'" Scarsdale Inquirer (New York). March 11, 1949.
41. Ibid.
42. "In and Out of Books." New York Times. August 21, 1960.
43. "Andy 'Dandy'; Ann - 'Man!'" Town Topics. September 2, 1960.
44. Ibid.
45. Hall, Patricia. Johnny Gruelle: Creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy. Pelican, 1993. ISBN 978-0882899084.
46. Ibid.
47. ​​“West Windsor Township Meeting Minutes, 1797-2012.,” n.d. Original Township Committee meeting minute database located in the Municipal Center.
48. “A Full and Eventful Life: Longtime Princeton Resident Lynn Cox Scheffey, Dies at 94.” Planet Princeton, March 17, 2025. https://planetprinceton.com/2025/03/12/a-full-and-eventful-life-longtime-princeton-resident-lynn-cox-scheffey-dies-at-94/. Obituary for Lynn Cox Scheffey
49. Cox, Caroline Benham, Cohen-Schatz Investments, Scheffey, Caroline Cox. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1983. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 2490, Page 855.
50. “A Full and Eventful Life: Longtime Princeton Resident Lynn Cox Scheffey, Dies at 94.” Planet Princeton, March 17, 2025. https://planetprinceton.com/2025/03/12/a-full-and-eventful-life-longtime-princeton-resident-lynn-cox-scheffey-dies-at-94/. Obituary for Lynn Cox Scheffey
51. “West Windsor Township Meeting Minutes, 1797-2012.,” n.d. Original Township Committee meeting minute database located in the Municipal Center.
52. "W. Windsor gets deadline to find way to buy park." The Times. May 16, 1989.
53. Cohen-Schatz Investments, Scheffey, Caroline Cox, West Windsor Township. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1989. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 2513, Page 975.
54. "West Windsor Park Dedication is Planned." Town Topics. June 23, 1993.
55. "Piece of its history demolished by WW." Princeton Packet. October 18, 1996.
56. "West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 2008.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 2008.
57. "West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 2010.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 2010.