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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
WESTFIELD, 8.6 miles (130 alt., 15,801 pop.), is a prosperous suburban
town with substantial homes, and parks, playgrounds and other evidence
of civic spirit. Many of its residents commute to jobs in nearby cities;
others are employed in local industries. The PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
Broad St. and Mountain Ave., is a white frame structure on the site of an
earlier building that was the scene of the Revolutionary trial of James
Morgan, who murdered the Rev. James Caldwell of Elizabeth (see Tour
10). Morgan was hanged on GALLOWS HILL, Broad St. at the north-east side of the town.
On Central and Mountain Aves. is (R) MINDOWASKIN PARK, named
for one of three Indians who sold the site to Gawen Lawrie, Scottish deputy governor, in 1684. In an old INDIAN BURIAL GROUND, Broad St. and
Springfield Ave., many relics have been recovered, and a few mounds
remain. Some of the implements are in the job Male Library, Plainfield.
The SCUDDER HOUSE (private), E. Broad St. opposite Gallows Hill Rd.,
was headquarters of the American General, William Alexander, during
the Revolution. It is a one-and-one-half-story, green-shuttered structure of
Georgian Colonial type, its broad side toward the street, with low roof,
two dormers, and a small porch. There is a small wing at each end.
Up Mountain Ave. in December, 1776, came in triumph a company of
Jersey militia, driving 400 cattle taken from British foragers at Wood-
bridge. This was the first occasion in this State, as officially reported, when
British troops fled from the Americans. Through this hamlet in 1777 General Alexander's division of Washington's army fell back before an attack
of the British army, which it had been harassing near Metuchen. Washington was attempting to lure the enemy against his strong position in the
Watchung Mts. The British under Cornwallis entered Westfield, but could
not be drawn farther.
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