Johnson-Malsbury Farm

The barn and silo (left) in 2022.

Historical Overview

A large barn stands at 1640 Old Trenton Road, a few hundred feet from the road and directly next to an old silo. To their east are two metal garages (one 1-bay and one 3-bay) approached by a long driveway. A sign near the road marks this property as the "Mercer County Parks Commission Work Shop." Indeed, it is surrounded on all sides by Mercer County Park. However, the barn and silo are also the last remnants of the Johnson-Malsbury Farm and members of West Windsor's "100 Club."

The barn has a concrete block lower level with small windows and upper  level featuring siding and larger windows above. According to a 1988 survey, the barn was constructed in the early twentieth century.[1] Meanwhile, it's unknown when the silo - which is of a similar height to the barn - was built. In the very early 1900s, this was part of a (roughly) 140-acre farm owned by Samuel Tindall.[2] He had purchased it in 1880 from the heirs of Jonathan Watson for about $8,300.[3] Samuel was the son of Amos Tindall,[4] who had owned the large farm and distillery across the road at 1645 Old Trenton Road.[5]

It's unknown how long Samuel owned his farm, and ownership in the 1910s-20s becomes murky. However, by the 1930s, it was owned by a farmer named Walter D. Johnson.[6] The 1930 census shows him, at 57 years old, living here with his wife (Mary Anna Johnson, 61) and son (Blake, 20).[7],[8] Not listed was another son, Percy.[9] The 1940 census also shows the Johnsons living here, albeit only Blake (30), his wife, Edith (27), and their children D (6) and David Blake (1).[10]

Johnson-Malsbury farm, 1965.

By 1946 (if not earlier), the property had passed to Robert Knight and his wife, Clarice.[11] Walter was a farmer at Plainsboro's influential Walker-Gordon dairy farm and a member of Plainsboro's Town Council, Board of Education, and Zoning Board.[12] Meanwhile, Clarice was a "Gray Lady" American Red Cross volunteer at Fort Dix during World War II and chairman of Plainsboro's Free Public Library for many years.[13]

In 1946, the Knights sold the farm to Raymond Malsbury.[14] Twenty-two years later, Raymond sold the farm - then about 120 acres - to Mercer County for $233,000.[15] In the ensuing years, various structures were demolished, and the farmland turned into grass fields.[16],[17] However, at the time of this writing (2024), the barn and silo remain, albeit long converted into a County recreational workshop.

---

Bibliography

1. “Mercer County Historic Sites Survey: West Windsor Township, Mercer County, NJ.” Princeton, 1988. Conducted by Kinsey & Hand Associates.
2. “Automobile Driving and Trolley Map of Mercer County, New Jersey, 1905 : from the Latest Geological and Actual Surveys.” Map. Princeton University Library - Digital Maps & Geospatial Data. https://maps.princeton.edu/catalog/princeton-5q47rr19d, n.d. 
3. Robbins, George R., Tindall, Samuel, Watson, Joseph L. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1880. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 125 Page 391.
4. United States Census, 1880 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1880.
5. Tindall, Amos H. Tindall, William I. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1855. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 32 Page 94.
6. Fryer, H L. “Tax Maps of West Windsor Township.” Map. Trenton, New Jersey: H. L. Fryer, C.S., 1938. Revised by C. S. Sincerbeaux, 1938.
7. United States Census, 1930 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1930.
8. "Obituaries - Johnson." Allentown Messenger. May 18, 1933.
9. Ibid.
10. United States Census, 1940 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1940.
11. Malsbury, Raymond, Malsbury, Verna, Mercer County. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1968. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1810 Page 29.
12. "Obituaries - Robert E. Knight." Trenton Evening Times. August 26, 1957.
13. "Clarice H. Knight." Trenton Times. November 13, 1982.
14. Malsbury, Raymond, Malsbury, Verna, Mercer County. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1968. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1810 Page 29.
15. Ibid.
16. “West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 1965.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 1965.
17. “West Windsor Aerial Photography Composite Map, 1980.” Map. Historical Society of West Windsor - Map Archives. West Windsor, NJ, 1980.