Port Mercer Store
Port Mercer, 1900s or 1910s. In the center of the photo are the barn (left) and store (right). The inn at 4271 Quakerbridge Road is on the right edge of the photo.
Historical Overview
Two structures once stood directly between the Delaware and Raritan Canal and 4271 and 4273 Quakerbridge Road, in the historic West Windsor/Lawrence community of Port Mercer. These were Port Mercer's store and adjacent barn.
According to Woodward and Hageman's History of Burlington and Mercer Counties, "the first merchant there was Alfred Applegate, who is said to have begun business about 1840 and continued until 1848."[1] It's presumed that the store sold usual items, such as groceries and dry goods hard to find elsewhere. By 1854, John A. S. Crater was associated with the store;[2] In 1878, the establishment was operated by W. T. Allen & Bro, when it was robbed. Newspaper articles describe items stolen (and thus likely merchandise) as "shirts, shoes, knit coats, penknives, cigars" and more.[3] At some point in the 1800s, Evan Cook was also a proprietor; in 1883 Judson Allen operated the store as well.[4] Around 1895, Charles Mather, who later lived in the adjacent house at 4271 Quakerbridge Road, assumed management of the store. He sold farm machinery, among other items.[5],[6],[7]
In the 1950s, the store and barn were demolished by the Harlow family. A garden was built in its place.[8] at the time of this writing (2023), a small shed stands there as well.
According to Woodward and Hageman's History of Burlington and Mercer Counties, "the first merchant there was Alfred Applegate, who is said to have begun business about 1840 and continued until 1848."[1] It's presumed that the store sold usual items, such as groceries and dry goods hard to find elsewhere. By 1854, John A. S. Crater was associated with the store;[2] In 1878, the establishment was operated by W. T. Allen & Bro, when it was robbed. Newspaper articles describe items stolen (and thus likely merchandise) as "shirts, shoes, knit coats, penknives, cigars" and more.[3] At some point in the 1800s, Evan Cook was also a proprietor; in 1883 Judson Allen operated the store as well.[4] Around 1895, Charles Mather, who later lived in the adjacent house at 4271 Quakerbridge Road, assumed management of the store. He sold farm machinery, among other items.[5],[6],[7]
In the 1950s, the store and barn were demolished by the Harlow family. A garden was built in its place.[8] at the time of this writing (2023), a small shed stands there as well.
Bibliography
- Woodward, Evan Morrison, and John Frelinghuysen Hageman. History of Burlington and Mercer Counties with Biographical Sketches of Many of Their Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Everts & Peck, 1883.
- "City Items." The State Gazette. October 16, 1864.
- "Burglary." Daily True American. March 6, 1879.
- Woodward, Evan Morrison, and John Frelinghuysen Hageman. History of Burlington and Mercer Counties with Biographical Sketches of Many of Their Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Everts & Peck, 1883.
- Lee, Francis Bazley. Genealogical and Personal Memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey. Lewis Publishing Company, 1907.
- "Mather Dies at 89." Trenton Evening Times. November 26, 1952.
- Arrowsmith, Carrie. “Carrie Arrowsmith Pens Port Mercer Reflections.” Princeton Recollector 6, no. 8, May 1981. https://theprince.princeton.edu/princetonperiodicals/?a=d&d=princetonrecollector19810501.2.2&srpos=5&e=------198-en-20-princetonrecollector-1--txt-txIN-%22cARRIE+ARROWSMITH%22------.
- West Windsor Township: People - Purpose - Progress. West Windsor, New Jersey: West Windsor Township, 1964.