Robbins-Snyder House
The Robbins-Snyder house, September 2023.
Historical Overview
A small, 2-story, "Cape Cod" style house with detached 2-car garage stands at 800 Village Road West. This is the Robbins-Snyder house. At the time of this writing (September 2024), it is noted for being owned by just two families despite its century of existence. This is also a member of West Windsor's "100 Club."
According to West Windsor Township tax records, the home was constructed in 1924.[1] At the time, the property was owned by Howard and Lillian Robbins (husband and wife), who had purchased the lot three years prior from Frederick and Margaret Robbins of Dutch Neck.[2] The 1930 census shows the couple made a living as musicians in an orchestra. Music must have been a large focus of their life, for Howard's obituary in 1955 referred to him as "an orchestry leader and square dance caller for 60 years,"[3] while Lillian's (1969) similarly said she was "known 30 years ago for her part in a popular area band ... the Robbins Orchestra."[4]
Shortly after Lillian's death, the property passed to the Snyder family.[5] They have kept the house since then.
According to West Windsor Township tax records, the home was constructed in 1924.[1] At the time, the property was owned by Howard and Lillian Robbins (husband and wife), who had purchased the lot three years prior from Frederick and Margaret Robbins of Dutch Neck.[2] The 1930 census shows the couple made a living as musicians in an orchestra. Music must have been a large focus of their life, for Howard's obituary in 1955 referred to him as "an orchestry leader and square dance caller for 60 years,"[3] while Lillian's (1969) similarly said she was "known 30 years ago for her part in a popular area band ... the Robbins Orchestra."[4]
Shortly after Lillian's death, the property passed to the Snyder family.[5] They have kept the house since then.
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.
- United States Census, 1930 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1930.
- "Robbins, Dance Caller, is Dead at Age of 77." Trenton Evening Times. April 12, 1955.
- "Mrs. Lillian Robbins, Band Organizer." The Evening Times. July 15, 1969.
- Robbins, John Frederick, Robbins, Lois V., Snyder, Claire, Snyder, Kenneth.. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1970. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1863 Page 566.
