May Meeting

The Society meeting of May 16, 2021 was held as scheduled outdoors in a very large tent on the grounds
of the Liberty Hall Museum, with everyone observing proper social distancing. It was preceded by
the meeting of the Executive Board, where some matters were discussed and acted upon.

Because of the virus there will be no Student Awards this year, but our annual picnic is still planned
for September 12 at the Hanson House backyard. It is hoped that by that time conditions will have
improved to allow this outdoor event. The Society will also try to improve communications with
other local historical societies.

There was a slight change in the scheduled program, as the intended speaker was not available,
but we had a great variety of “show and tell” items.

Show and Tell Artifacts

Laid out on the tables were old maps of this area, out of print books such as records of the
Presbyterian Church of Westfield from 1728 to 1928. Another book contained American marriage
records from before 1699.

Also on display was a large clay jug made years ago in a pottery works on Water Street
(now Elizabeth Avenue) near Broad Street in Elizabeth.

Some members gave very interesting explanations and details about the items they had brought,
while others just left them on the tables for our examination.

Pictures From Our Files

Pictured above is one of the earliest houses built in Elizabeth, and known as the Crane House.
It stood on the point of land formed by the crossing of Cherry Street by Morris Avenue, not far
from the Township of Union.

Built by and for the Crane family, it was occupied by them for more than two hundred years.
It was of a colonial design common in New Jersey, with one main section featuring eyebrow
windows and a small wing used as the kitchen.

In the front yard was a well with a rather unusual pump using a looped chain with cups that
carried water to a waiting container. The property also included an old barn, a corn crib,
and a hedge marking the boundary lines.

Around 1928, the Sun Oil Company leased the pointed end of the property for a Sunoco gas station.
After years of unprofitable operation, the station closed, and the land later changed hands.
Eventually, the Crane House was torn down to make way for a bank branch office.

Efforts to move the house to Liberty Hall Museum were unsuccessful.

Society Updates & Stories

The 1799 Debt Book purchased by the Society was recently loaned to the Elizabeth Public Library,
where it will be available for research. Due to its delicate condition, special care is required
when handling the volume.

Careful reading of its handwritten entries may shed light on early American families and residents,
including many historically significant names.

A previous newsletter story about a Christmas Day snowstorm prompted a member to share a personal
account of the difficult journey home from the hospital with a newborn child during that event.

Over the Back Fence

Times have changed. Now you can’t walk into a bank without a mask.