The Jewell Farmstead
Overview
This well-preserved house, sitting on around 2 acres of property, is one of West Windsor's oldest. Constructed c. 1768 by the father of English settler William Dey Jewell, it stands adjacent to a small detached garage and north of a large red barn. It was owned by the Jewell family for at least 150 years, as their name appears on maps at this location as late as 1905. The property first shows up on an 1849 map of West Windsor under ownership by a "W. D. Jewel," and later in 1875 under almost the same name. The latter map also suggests that the property was 222 acres of farmland:
This well-preserved house, sitting on around 2 acres of property, is one of West Windsor's oldest. Constructed c. 1768 by the father of English settler William Dey Jewell, it stands adjacent to a small detached garage and north of a large red barn. It was owned by the Jewell family for at least 150 years, as their name appears on maps at this location as late as 1905. The property first shows up on an 1849 map of West Windsor under ownership by a "W. D. Jewel," and later in 1875 under almost the same name. The latter map also suggests that the property was 222 acres of farmland:
One additional interesting note is that Hickory Corner Road to the southeast used to run straight towards and perpendicular to this property from the south, ending at Old Trenton Road (as can be seen in both the 1849 and 1875 maps). Like many historic agrarian streets, this avenue was specifically constructed to veer towards a certain property - in this case, 1912 Old Trenton Road. However, the construction of the Village Grande development c. 2000 removed a significant chunk of this road. Similarly, the development of adjacent suburbs and schools dramatically reduced the size of the property, which was still functioning as a farm as recently as 1988. Part of it still remains at the southern border of West Windsor. Like the house, it is a remnant of an agrarian West Windsor - mostly gone but still lingering throughout the township...
Play the slideshow below to explore more photographs of the property!
