Silvers-Mount Farmstead

Silvers-Mount Farm, July 22, 2022. From Paul Ligeti.

Historical Overview

Standing deep in farm fields at 1393 Old Trenton Road, is a 2-story, 3-bedroom T-shaped clapboard house with wrap-around Victorian porch. This house is accessed by a long gravel driveway spanning several hundred feet. Immediately behind this house is a small shed and at the end of the driveway is a 1.5-story guest cottage (possibly formerly a barn). These three structures are surrounded by agricultural land, which at the time of this writing (2023) sprouts a small sea of corn. This is the Silvers-Mount farm - a longtime local landmark and member of West Windsor's 100 Club.

The house is very likely the property's oldest extant structure and the main subject of this article. It seems to have been built in two sections, with the older portion being the rear portion with two interior end chimneys. Meanwhile, the date marked on the exterior concrete steps is 1935, and the exterior cinderblock chimney on the newer portion was reputedly added ca. 1974.[1]

The home's date of construction is unknown, but a house seems to appear at this location in an 1849 map of Mercer County (see adjacent image).[2] Back then, this farm was owned by Nelson Silvers,[3] who served as a West Windsor School Committeeman, Judge of Elections, and Superintendent of Schools for much of the 1840s-50s.[4] The 1850 census shows him living here with his wife, Elizabeth, and (presumably) their children: Mary, Hannah, Nelson, John, Elizabeth, William, and James.[5] It's assumed that, like many families back then, everyone helped out on the farm - growing crops, tending to livestock, and more.

Extent of 1862 deed with 2023 aerial imagery.

In 1862, the Silvers sold the property to Vincent Mount.[6] The 1870 census indicates he and his wife Susan co-resided with William, Margaret, Lydia, and Kitty Hutchinson, as well as a farmhand named Joseph Quigley.[7] Additionally, by 1880, Vincent and Susan had also adopted a young girl named Amanda Bottles.[8]

The Mounts owned the farm until 1899, when Holmes Carson purchased 53 acres for $2,100.[9] Ownership thereafter is uncertain until 1927, when Andrew and Mary Pochyla sold the farm to Henry and Minni Mara.[10] After them, in 1943, were Harold and Leone Tindall[11] (also owners of the adjacent Hutchinson-Tindall Farmstead at 1201 Old Trenton Road), who quickly sold the property that same year to John and Dora Knobl.[12] The couple held the farm for the next 29 years, finally selling it to the Levys and Delottos.[13] It has since passed to other owners.

Around 2001, the property became privately-owned preserved farmland.[14] Thanks to this action, the house, shed, and guest cottage still stand amid a small sea of agricultural fields, having witnessed generations of local history.

Silvers-Mount farmhouse, probably late 1900s/early 2000s.

Silvers-Mount-Knobl farm, 2024.

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Bibliography

1. Mount, Vincent, Silvers, Nelson. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1862. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 51 Page 395.
2. Otley, J W, and James Keily. “Map of Mercer County, New Jersey.” Map. Camden, New Jersey: L. Van der Veer, 1849.
3. Silvers, David, Silvers, Nelson. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1838. Located in the New Jersey State Archives, Middlesex County Deed Book 51 Page 395.
4. ​​“West Windsor Township Meeting Minutes, 1797-2012.,” n.d. Original Township Committee meeting minute database located in the Municipal Center.
5. United States Census, 1850 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1850.
6. Mount, Vincent, Silvers, Nelson. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1862. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 51 Page 395.
7. United States Census, 1870 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1870.
8. United States Census, 1880 - West Windsor Township.” West Windsor Township, 1880.
9. Ashmore, H. A., Carson, Holmes. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1905. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 232 Page 392.
10. Mara, Henry, Mara, Minni, Pochyla, Andrew, Pochyla, Mary. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1927. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 624 Page 17.
11. Mara, Henry, Mara, Minni, Tindall, Harold S., Tindall, Leone E. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1943. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 853 Page 187.
12. Knobl, Dora, Knobl, John, Tindall, Harold S., Tindall, Leone E. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1943. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 854 Page 23.
13. DeLotto, Joseph, Knobl, Dora, Knobl, John, Levy, Leon L. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1972. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1929 Page 539.​
14. “West Windsor Farmland Preservation Plan Element.” West Windsor Township, Au gust 18, 2010.