The Payne House
237 Washington Road, July 2023.
Historical Overview
Hidden by shrubbery at 237 Washington Road is a small bungalow with front porch and rear shed dormer. This - the Payne House - is a member of West Windsor's "100 Club" and a contributing element to the historic West Windsor community of Penns Neck.
According to township tax records, this house was constructed in 1918.[1] However, the Historical Society has not yet uncovered who built the house. The earliest confirmed owners (research is ongoing) were Henry Fry and Martha Fry, who in 1927 sold the property to Samuel and Edith Payne (husband and wife).[2] Samuel was the head of the painting division of Princeton University's Department of Buildings and Grounds.[3] He and Edith lived here for many years, and after their passing, it was inherited by their children.[4] The property has passed through the Payne family for many decades.
According to township tax records, this house was constructed in 1918.[1] However, the Historical Society has not yet uncovered who built the house. The earliest confirmed owners (research is ongoing) were Henry Fry and Martha Fry, who in 1927 sold the property to Samuel and Edith Payne (husband and wife).[2] Samuel was the head of the painting division of Princeton University's Department of Buildings and Grounds.[3] He and Edith lived here for many years, and after their passing, it was inherited by their children.[4] The property has passed through the Payne family for many decades.
Bibliography
- "West Windsor Tax Assessor Address List, 2019.” West Windsor, 2019. List of all residences in West Windsor with dates of construction, according to tax assessor. Sent to the Historical Society by Lorraine Jones and Dawn Moretti.
- Fry, Henry, Fry, Martha A., Payne, Edith, Payne, Samuel. “Deed.” West Windsor, 1927. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 612 Page 285.
- "Samuel Payne." Princeton Herald. March 27, 1966.
- Payne, Alice M., Payne, Victor W. E. “Deed.” West Windsor, 1972. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1911 Page 526.
