Mount-Dupras House

Mount-Everett-Dupras House, July 2023.

Historical Overview

 Standing at 758 Village Road West is a 2-story Greek Revival house with small front porch and large 2-story additions. Behind the house is a 1.5-story L-shaped barn and at least two other outbuildings. This - the Mount-Dupras property - also houses a tree care and landscaping company at the time of this writing (September 2024) and is a member of West Windsor's "100 Club."​

The home's exact construction date is unknown, but it was likely built some time in 1849 or earlier.[1] At the time, this was part of a 133-acre farm owned by Robert C. Mount,[2] but a map from 1849 (pictured adjacent) seems to show an "M. Sunderland" living here - perhaps renting the property.[3] This was Mary Sunderland, who, per the 1850 census, also lived here with Abigail Davis.[4] Robert, for his part, was very active in West Windsor's government, as Overseer of the Highways, Judge of Elections, Tax Collector, and Overseer of the Poort from the 1810s-40s.[5] He was also an early trustee of the nearby but long-gone Clarksville Schoolhouse.[6]

In 1856, Richard deeded the house and 35 acres to his son, Thomas A. Mount.[7] The 1860 census shows Thomas living here with his wife (Jane), Children (Theodosia, George, Phebe, Richard, and Maria), and a farm laborer named Robert Tompkins.[8] However, within a few years, Thomas was dead[9] and until 1868, the property passed through several more hands, ending with John and Julia Depuy in 1868.[10],[11],[12],[13],[14]

Closeup of 1849 Mercer County map. Note "M. Sunderland" along Village Rd W.

The Depuys owned the house for the next 33 years, finally selling it to John and Jennie Drake in 1901.​[15] However, only three years later, the Drakes sold it to Beverly L. Everett and his wife, Emma M. Coleman.​[16] Beverly himself was one of West Windsor's Overseers of the Highways in the 1910s-20s[17] and a school bus driver for many years.[18]

Several further land transfers took place,[19],[20] until the property passed to Theresa and Charles Dupras in 1945.[21] As of the time of this writing (September 2024), the couple had owned the house for the longest period of time out of anyone, from 1945-87.[22],[23] The couple co-owned a poultry and Christmas tree farm - presumably on this very property - and Charles was a past director of the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers' Association.[27],[28]

The house has long since passed to other hands.

Mount-Dupras house, mid-late 1900s. From Peter DiMeglio.

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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. Mount, Richard C., Robbins, Enoch, Robbins, Louisa. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1839. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book B Page 379.
3. Otley, J W, and James Keily. “Map of Mercer County, New Jersey.” Map. Camden, New Jersey: L. Van der Veer, 1849.
4. United States Census, 1850 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1850.
5. “West Windsor Township Meeting Minutes, 1797-2012.,” n.d. Original Township Committee meeting minute database located in the Municipal Center.
6. Trustees of the Clarksville Schoolhouse. (1836, April 30). A Teacher Wanted. Emporium and True American. Trenton.
7. Mount, Richard C., Mount, Thomas A. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1856. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 38 Page 2.
8. United States Census, 1860 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1860.
9. "Died." Daily State Gazette & Republican. October 25, 1862.
10. Everett, James H., Everett, Rachel R., Robbins, Randal C. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1864. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 58 Page 17.
11. Everett, James H., Everett, Rachel R., Morris, Rebecca, Morris, William S. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1864. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 60 Page 23.
12. Morris, Rebecca, Morris, William S., Slack, Watson. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1867. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 67 Page 241.
13. Dye, Daniel S., Slack, Watson. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1868. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 69 Page 485.
14. Depuy, John, Slack, Ellen P., Slack, Watson. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1868. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 71 Page 292.
15. Depuy, Julia, Drake, Jennie R., Drake, John R. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1901. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 244 Page 340.
16. Drake, Jennie R., Drake, John R., Everett, Beverly L., Everett, Emma M. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1904. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 269 Page 514.
17. “West Windsor Township Meeting Minutes, 1797-2012.,” n.d. Original Township Committee meeting minute database located in the Municipal Center.
18. "Beverly L. Everett Dies at Age of 86." Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser. July 24, 1960.
19. Everett, Beverly L., Everett, Emma M., Turner, George E., Turner, George S. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1942. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 839 Page 183.
20. Cromwell, Erna B., Cromwell, Kenneth, Turner, George E., Turner, Roberta Hope. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1943. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 839 Page 127.
21. Cromwell, Erna B., Cromwell, Kenneth, Dupras, Charles E., Dupras, Theresa Mary. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1945. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 8906 Page 368.
22. Ibid.
23. Dupras, Theresa Mary, Schoenholtz, Diane, Schoenholtz, Drew. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1987. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Officer, Mercer County Deed Book 2425 Page 41.
24. "Theresa M. Helfrich Dupras." The Times. July 18, 2002.
25. "Obituaries - Charles E. Dupras." Town Topics. May 18, 1977.