TAPS at Shippen Manor
Just a heads up that the April 24th episode of Ghosthunters will be Shippen Manor in Oxford NJ
maja I'm working on getting a group into the manor for a 4 to 5 hour "lights out" session sometime after the show airs. Will announce details later!
I am a faithful "Ghost Hunters" fan. Loved that they were in Mine Hill last week! Can't wait to see Shippen Manor!
concerned resident
shelly I can't wait. We went there with my inlaws from England last summer. Should be interesting.
Alison The night before the "big snowstorm" last month. We were on site from 3pm until 3 am on a Wednesday with the reveal the following Friday at 3 pm.
Oh....almost forgot, TAPS will be investigating a public place in Chester next week. Can't say anymore, but the more adventurous souls should be able to spot the action by driving around a bit!
Is this on channel 24- SyFy? I do not see a listing for it, I thought TAPS is on Wednesday nights. Thanks
I am sorry that I missed this..but where in Mine Hill did TAPS investigate? When will it be aired?
georgea I love TAPS... I will look forward to watching the show...and hope to tend an event sometime soon.
aka Pepper Cat my name died a few weeks ago due to conflict. I will never change it again lol
The Mine Hill NJ investigation aired last week. The NJ Bar and Grill (AKA the old "Schoolhouse Pub") on Randolph Avenue was the subject of the investigation with the focus centering on a mam murdered by his mistress while playing pool. I used to hang at this bar back in the '70's, so it was a special case for me!
Most likely Public house in Chester...I actually saw a ghost there a few years ago, while it was empty before renovation had started up. Saw a woman in a 'bun' and old fashioned dress walk by two windows in upstairs room. Problem was, there was no body in there and there is a WALL between the two windows! Freaked me out. I guess this woman has been seen there a lot by others. Can't wait!! LOVE Taps, Want them to come to my house. I also live in Chester. 1850's house. Been in the family my whole life. Lots of stuff happens here!! Maybe next year!
John - Is that also where Hot Rods was for a while? I never really went there even though now my office is around the corner from there. But when Hot Rods moved out of the old place they were in on Randolph Ave, a couple of us went there not knowing they moved. It was the most bizarre thing - the doors were totally wide open yet not a soul stirring any where. We all had a really creepy feeling. I'm really sorry I missed that episode and will be watching this week.
I've mentioned my places before but Henryville House in PA is now torn down. You could still go over to Bristol PA.
Calico696 John-
Can you please give time and confirm date for the Shippen Manor show? Also, is it on SyFy? Thank you
Not sure what it was called in the '90's....last time I was there was 1981 or 2.
The Public House is incorrect! Try again.
Shippen Manor episode to now air maybe summertime.....which is good. Gives me more time to work with the folks at the manor for a special treat to attendees for a Hackettstown Life Ghost Hunt!
My guess for the Chester filming is the former Larrison's Turkey Farm Restaurant or possibly The Black River Playhouse(a former church). John C, Thanks for your info!!
mansfield mama 
Any adventures us HLer's can join in on? Who wants to start a group? I know you all secretly are as interested as I am!!!
It was Joann's up until 2007 (I think, that's when they closed). "Joann" died and the building was sold which was when it was turned into NJ bar and grill. I met my husband there in March of 2005, so it had a special place in my heart, it was such a dive but it was great!
njchia If it is close to the Black River playhouse, could it be the old French restaurant on the corner of Grove and Main St. I believe it might be an antique store now. i think i remeber that it might have been haunted.
John, I'm in. As you know, I'm the biggest skeptic. Bring it! lol, I love a 3 hour night 'LIGHTS OUT" adventure. The Delaware Fort was a fantastic experience, thanks for that! Great history, and some "strange events" there! I look forward to the next trip! Count me in!
Reggie 
suzique 
Thanks for the picture. Let us know if you find any spirits!!!! Thanks and Enjoy!!!
I am so excited to see the Shippen Manor show please let us no when u have the exact date. thnks so much LOVE the Show
miller momma What! lol! I drove around and around Chester last night and couldn't spot a van :( I have had my eyes PEELED all week and my WNJ in the back of my car ready to be signed at moments notice lol! Maybe I wasn't as observant as I thought hahaha!
JessM. 
Down in Western Maryland tonight.......had a great time at the manor and carriage house ar Cooper Gristmill in Chester! Don't know the results yet.
Now to the Piper House on the Antietam Battlefield!
I live in oxford nj, and exactly 5 minute walking distance from shippen manor. Can anyone confirm the exact date for the ghost hunters shippen manor episode? This woukd be greatly appreciated. I would loveto see if they found something. Thanks you in advance.
Joseph 
Late summer is all I can say. Nice article in today's NJ Herald about TAPS at the manor.
Joseph - Hello fellow Oxfordian :) Or would it be Oxfordite? Your last name wouldn't begin with a "K" would it???
Calico, the demonym for a person from Oxford is Oxonian... at least it is in England. Around here, I think they just call them inbred crackers (-;
ianimal ianimal - This isn't England and we just usually call 'em hillbillies or rednecks, depending on whether they play the banjo or not ;-)
Hmmmmm......... I need a beer after that one Ianimal! Are you going to make the next roadtrip?
Been there at Shippen Manor on Dec 30, 2009 and took a look around during the day. A lot of EVPS but only one terrific photo worthy of note. TAPS came after us - WE ARE THE SPIRIT SOCIETY OF NORTH JERSEY.
We would post something here but we can't because it's a top secret picture. :) And only for the eyes of real para investigators.
Bonju Patten 
Ryan (ligitty) When is the crew coming around again? I am open during the week for some Spooky fun if you need any extra's to tag along and help!!!
Pepper Cat I think John C is gonna let this one slide. I honestly had my hopes up though.
Show will air either September 8th or the 15th. Still working with Andy the museum curator about doing something special. I'll know more at this weeks happyhour.
Hi All -
My boss is a very BIG FAN of the show and she use to work at Shippen Manor.
She has heard that this show will air 9/8 at 10pm.
Also heard that on the same show they will be visiting Roarin Rock
We would love a confirmation - can't wait!!!
BLW 
Roaring Rock hasn't been filmed or visited yet. Maybe the winter. TAPS will be on Church Street this Friday Night
John- Nice pic of the guys on the porch of the Peter D. Smith house at Waterloo. Did they get to enter?
Greg No......it was basically a walk around, leaving DVR's and other recording devices on porches, rock walls, etc. Picked up some interesting sounds around town...but the evidence is still being looked at.
This coming Wednesday (Sept. 8) will be the Shippen Manor Show.
We will be conducting an investigation tonight in town. I am sure any evidence will be shared on the upcoming walking tours. Be sure to support the Historical Society and take their tour. Watch their website for details.
John C has a reminder n another thread. Just wanted to put it here.
Picky cat stopped eating her usual food, so now I have to run out and get something special. I wouldn't even do that for me. I'd better be back by 9PM!!!!
I'm planning on watching since I live right up the street from Shippen. Probably be disappointed as I'm not really fan of that show or have any belief in that kind of stuff. But you've gotta watch when it's filmed right in your town.
BTW John C - Was down at the Oxford Fire House last night and the bartender was talking about a ghost that she says she has seen there. Might want to pass that on to the TAPS people.
<---- watching aired episode online tomorrow night. thank god for syfy online. :) eventually i will have the next upgraded package to enjoy all of my shows.
Ashby IDK, thought it was kind of lame. The most important thing is showed was that Andy really needs a new hair style.....LOL
I didnt hear anything they said they heard! Wasnt as active as I thought it would be.
Calico I just posted on your FB what was up with Andys hair? LOL!
Christine I "heard" the footsteps & my son "heard" the voice say oh no - we did not "see" the shadow - I think it was just neat that I knew where the Manor was... and yes Andy's hair was a bit wacky.
As a ghosthunter fanatic from the beginning, I would say they were most kind to Shippen. Lameo segment, don't think they had the "feelin" but they were very, very accomodating and nice. OK, but where was the Hyatt hotel located at? A bit upscale for them....
I will be on their forum soon lamenting what I see as a stagnation on the show. After so many years, I think either they or I need to move on to the next level --- evolve or become extinct. Shippen was a good example at ridgidly sticking to format, hyping the lame up a bit for the ratings, and just not coming out as saying ---- this place don't hunt.
Wonder if they would have caught more if the heat was turned up?
Hackettstown Harold Bummer about Shippen Manor, was hoping for a little more there but oh well.
I actually ran into these guys once when they were in Philly. I always thought they they stayed in Holiday Inns but this time I saw the TAPS van being valet parked at the Sofitel! Supposedly some fans were able to find Jason grabbing a coffee in the lobby. It was funny!
There is no set place for us to stay. When in this area they go with whatever I can get in the way of block of rooms, and other etc's.
The Shippen episode only showed 24 minutes out of 900 hours of footage. Don't be surprised, but the Halloween live show might be filmed in Oxford. I will talk to Andy about his barber!
Photo is live from tonights taping at the Cross Estate here in Jersey.
Dear Forum members,
Andy Drysdale here. I have been reading this website for about six months and decided to visit it today.
I am terribly sorry that anyone was disappointed in the TAPS presentation, or in the way I looked. I have had mixed emotions about this project since it's inception. We were, however, treated with respect by the cast and crew. It was certainly not my intention to present anything to the public on our behalf that was of poor quality; I really don't think that happened. On both occasions, I spent several hours out in the wind and snow before I had to go on camera, so I'm sure I didn't look my best.
In the past thirty years of this business I have used myself up pretty well. Between blacksmithing at Waterloo and Wild West City, as well as a a host of related activities too numerous to mention here, including some serious horse injuries, I have crippled my body quite nicely. My eyesight has grown very dim, my hair is thinning and I know I don't see myself in the mirror as I should anymore. My whole life is involved in historical portrayals covering about 250 years. It is what I do. There is very short hair, long hair, sideburns, mustaches, beards, no facial hair at all, etc., etc. It is a bit upsetting to sometimes get caught " in between periods" and not quite know what to do.
In any event, I have done the best I could what with I had to work with. I have no vanity other than wanting to do the best period presentation for whatever the occasion demands. I will turn fifty next year and I suppose I should stay away from cameras from now on and concentrate on more important work than my appearance. Thank you for your honesty.
I hope that I have been a good friend to all over the years and I should like to think that the friendships developed over years have been as sincere as I believed them to be. All are welcome at our wonderful Shippen Manor. God's blessings upon one and all
Sincerely,
Andy Drysdale
Andrew Very well put Andy. But don't let the comments here get to you. Guess some folks can make comments about others without stopping to look in the mirror at themselves. I can be guilty of that myself!
I feel the show was done tastfully and I know Jay and Grant enjoyed learning about the history and stories surrounding the manor. They speak highly of you and wish to make a return (maybe Oct 2011). As I have said it the past, I feel the show has given you the chance to open new doors for the manor. I will be more than happy to help you anyway I can.
I'll try to stop over to Shippen after Belvidere on Sunday.
John C- On the episode following the Shippen Manor one (the one with meatloaf in NY) was it your camera that got drained of battery in that one room or was that another camera person?
Hello All,
My name is Jason Sweigert. I wanted to say the Shippen Manor episode was great. It was nice to see something in our own backyard. I can also say to the non believers and believers alike that Shippen Manor indeed has paranormal activity. I run a local paranormal group New Jersey Paranormal Investigation Team. In August of 2008, we were luck enough to get to investigate the Shippen Manor. Our team found evidence that would support the activity in the manor. In the basement we recorded the voice of a woman screaming for help. Anyone can view this by going to www.njpit.com . Scroll to the bottom of the page to watch the video. Please excuse the rest of the site for it is still under delvopment.
I would also like to say Andy came across just fine. He was very professional,well spoken and looked very natural in front of the camera. To those who leave negative comments it is out of jealousy. It is easy to say whatever you want hiding behind a computer. Not everyone is who they say they are on this page.
So, congratulations to Andy and the Shippen Manor well done!!!
Andy:
As much as I did want to comment on your hair, I got lucky and did not. But I did think it looked period, wasn't sure why, but figured you were just into it. The camera hates me as well, really hates me. Since the radio or other not visual mediums love me, I figure iits a trade-off.
As I said before, I thought Jay and Grant were kind to Shippen and that's probably because of you. For a lame hunt (not ur fault, ghosts is ghosts), they seemed overly gracious about it hyping it up as if something happened. And I think that's because they were being kind because of you, you must have done a great job at making them comfortable.
Some places are just not haunted or active at the moment. I have lived for 40-years in 1864-era houses, one here, and one on the route to Gettysburg which was three-bricks thick with burned timbers from the original homestead. Both houses were second-homes to the farmers who settled the areas. In either case, no spirits except invisible silent ones, not even in the stone basements ---- and I have been there many times at 3am..... Shippen may be haunted, but I doubt it. Your hair did not haunt me either....
;>)
John C: Antietam ---- now, that's gotta be haunted, the battlefield must be active. Of course, I spent the night sleeping over the triage center area in Gettysburg and not a peep, except me snoring. Maybe scarred the ghosties away.... I forumed Jay and Grant that I am getting ready to switch channels if they don't raise the bar. Need some emotion --- bring back Steve, Tango, or better yet, bring back Brian --- there's a firebrand!!! Just don't bring back Barry, he a dooooooche And the show is Ghost Hunters, not Ghost Teasers or Ghost One-Night Standers ---- we get it; things move, make noise, and if you set a recorder up in a vacuum, you will get any EVP. But if you want to really be a Ghost Hunter and you see a whole body apparition ---- stop da boat, stop da boat ---- don't leave, stay there and get it on film ---- ITS GHOST HUNTERS for gosh sakes --- we all watch for that one moment, after all these years, HUNT it done or this dog done hunting and gonna watch Bones. Going back, even for the most active of spots, does not seem to be in da formula (unless its a live H-ween lame show).
There is absolutely no reason for Andy Drysdale to explain anything to anyone. He has every reason to hold his head high. Andy devotes his life to the preservation of the rich history of our community. He never hesitates to share his vast knowledge with anyone. He is a talented re-enactor, performer, historian, and conversationalist. Andy had a fantastic screen presence on the Ghost Hunters Episode. His ever-present love of history and genuine desire to share his gift with everyone came through beautifully. I would like to congratulate Andy and his staff on a job well done!
Of course Lonnie - the comments here are just all in a bit of good natured humor. Don't take it all too seriously. ;-)
Dear Lonnie, Jason and Harold,
Thank you very much for your kind and gracious support. You all were so very nice and I am extremely grateful.
The NJ Paranormal Investigative Team is the most professional group with whom I have been associated. You folks are welcome anytime.
I suppose I shouldn't have let this young woman get under my skin, and I apologise, but if she had good manners, she wouldn't suggest that she was "good natured" or anything of the sort. As the old Doughboys of my youth used to say, "Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut!" Yes, I grew up with people from the late 18 and early 1900s. She just made me pretty damned proud of that, hair and all. I'll be drinking cocktails with my lovely wife here in Belvidere while she is dealing with young men wearing big pants and listening to crappy music. Enough said.
There is one thing that really bothers me, though. Much of the EVP's involve children. I really hate the idea of children being scared. It is painful. One wants to help or make it somehow better. Please share your thoughts.
Thank you all so very much,
Andy
Like I said, I think you could set a recorder up in a vacuum and get EVPs --- not really sure if they are even coherent much less responsive.
I think the things that impress me are the cattle prod shot that Jay took; the time Grant saw the face at the fort and had to go outside, the apparitian at the top of the light house. And, of course, Chris's back end at the library, butt that's another story.....
Yet until they find a full body app and stay there until they get it on camera and until they at least discuss malevalent spirits (yes or no) or go after some --- I am switching to Bones ---- GH is dead to me. Long live Brian!
And yes, I have learned much from talking to the 1900's generation, what a story they tell.
My favorite episode is the one that the picture frame moved across the table and it was caught on camera while I think Grant was sitting there. That was awesome and proof to me that something paranormal was there.
Andy we werent being mean or trying to tease you. We really are a nice bunch of people. I enjoyed seeing a local spot on TV specially TAPS!
Harold,
Thank you. That last posting of mine was more than a bit rude, misdirected at two different people and most poorly written. I have been having some encounters with some very disturbing young folks since Tuesday; body piercings, "big pants" and shaved heads, head-banging music, etc. I rather wish life was a little nicer for them and if they wish to be involved with this genre, I hope they will get out of this culture that they seem stuck in and have a broader view of history. I should not have insulted the woman who posted the comments and if she is reading this, I ask her forgiveness.
I get what you are saying; Jason S., Corey and Lonnie came in to Shippen as technicians; their committment to their interest was very professional. I was with them when they got that extraordinary EVP; what I mean is that I know this is no act of fakery. They were with me in the office when that DVD player picked up that voice. You get to know these NJPIT guys and your gut instinct is trust. Perhaps the "other side" responds better to genuine sincerity. I mean no disrespect to Jason and Grant, they were very nice, but as an old-time low-level actor I think I can recognise theatre when I see it and there was a strong element of it. Cripes, Corey was in the service and when you talk to him, you know he's a straight-forward, no-nonsense fellow. Every one of them is a gentleman and someone with whom one can be proud to associate.
If it is about combing my hair like my great grand-dad, then it isn't about science.
Tell me what you think. The last few years I've been teaching some classes to home schoolers about native americans. Being part Delaware, this has been a subject close to my heart. I've got this idea that if you lived in the pre-European contact scenario where your very survival depended on your highly-sharpened senses, this "paranormal" thing might be quite different. What I mean is that we are all filled with distracting noise from birth onward. We are totally overwhelmed from an early age and I think it completely dulls our senses. Without the "noise", perhaps our senses would put theselves to rights, The Indians saw a spirit in everything and interacted with them. Because they were primitive, stone age people? Or were they more in sync with reality because there was not one degree of separation, like us, when where you have to give up the contemporary world to try to understand something outside the norm...?
In any event, the one thing I have gotten from this experience is to have encountered a rather fascinating group of people with extraordinary ideas and interesting perspectives. Again, my apologies to the young woman for ever seeming rude. That isn't me. I've been a bit stressed and missing my simple days hammering iron.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Best,
Andy
John,
Relax, old friend. A certain amount of "negativity" has been going on since Tuesday night. This is normal and natural, human, I suppose. I should have kept my "eyes open and my mouth shut", like I said, but I failed to do so. This isn't a mistake I'm going to repeat in the future. I am the one with the personal failings, clearly, not the other people. They were simply expressing their opinions. If I had any brains, I'd keep mine to myself.
No farewell is necessary as you give so much to the community at large. You are someone I am proud to call a friend. Don't look at this as some sort of failing. I suppose it was bound to happen. I ask your forgiveness for my shortcomings,
Best,
A.
No failure on your part Chaplin. My upcoming resignation stems from other concerns that go back over the past year that I will not discuss. Sorry i was not able to get over to the manor today.
John,
We did miss seeing you. I'm very sorry that you hurt. Hopefully, nothing on my part. Reality is that this damned internet thing is too easy. Pain is inflicted without regard to feelings. It is a young person's world and one in which we who lived well before it should be more careful.
Again, you serve the community at large, you do your best and you have nothing of which to be ashamed. I see too remember that you are a Vietnam veteran as well. I was just a kid in those days, but I recall how dark they were. I can't imagine what they were like for you.
We are the last of a generation, John. The 20th century.Try to remember the good things; Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Good old movies that weren't so old, that reminded us about class, style and courage. Weren't we lucky to have a bit of that good stuff, even at the end of it? Don't let our old people down. They counted on us to do the right thing.
When we were growing up, I'll bet you heard the stories of the Civil War and your great-great whatevers as I did, from people that were old enough to have known them. Just as you, I grew up with people who were gassed in the First World War, people who loved their youth in the '20s, people who lived through the Depression and WWII. They weren't so old then and they loved us so much. I know that you are from Brookside and I was on the farm in Chester, just down the road. Didn't those stories stir your blood and fire your imagination? Weren't we lucky to live in such a pretty place at that time?
That is why you do what you do! And why you are so good at it. Our poor country is in more trouble than it has ever been. Anyone who sat in a gas line in the '70s like us thought it couldn't get any worse. Who knew how innocent that would seem now? When I see you, as I did at the Newton parade when we marched together, the flag was draped over your shoulders, you had that determined look on your face, and I was proud of you as all get out. I loved waving my sword in the air as a fellow patriot, as inadequate as I am.
Don't let us, or yourself, down, old friend. Be well. You have always worked hard and been a kind friend to all. Remember what we are all about, whether it is me on a horse or you with the flag. I'm going to keep slicking my hair down and driving my Model A to some hot jazz. You keep doing what you do, ghosts and all.
You couldn't do anything wrong if you tried.
Your Friend,
Andy
"Very well put Andy. But don't let the comments here get to you"
Practice what you preach John C. You been here a long time so you must have thick skin. Brush it of, and do what you do. Sifting through negativity reveals some very interesting and inspiring things.
Andy - I certainly never intended for my observational comment about your hair style to spark such a debate or to hurt your feelings. I've sent you a private message.
My sister in law from Wales met Andy a few years ago at Wild West City. He was wonderful to her and her two boys and she kept in touch with him when she finished her vacation. Her last visit here, Andy was wonderful enough to give us a private tour of the Manor. It was so interesting. A bit of a history geek myself, I love this stuff. It was so much fun to see the TAPS show and see Andy represent so wonderfully the place he loves.
Andy - know that Anneliese and everyone in Wales watched via internet and really enjoyed!
Andy - Love the hair ... own it ... You did a great job on camera ... I personally would have been a basket case ... with women it's wrinkles ... men it's their hair ... you looked great to me!!! : )
Sunshine : ) Andy,
I do trust that folks are really getting EVPs. My point is that if you hook a recorder up in outer space, you will get EVPS as well. They are everywhere.
Hmmm, Delaware --- Minsi? Which clan? I am sure earlier folks had heightened senses for the pananormal, to me --- its all just electrical in nature so all around us. And we are just electrical, chemical mechanisms (with souls and free choice for you non-evolutionary types) --- so why wouldn't we pick up on it and why wouldn't folks who weren't bombarbed regulary by photans and elctrons be more aware of it.
Meanwhile, I find the history of the area facinating, here's my Warren County fun factoids for example:
Most of the folks who “discovered” this region either never came here, were looking for something else or left very, very quickly.
The first area to be settled in the county is now virtually empty (the Minisink).
Where we live in the county today was virtually empty in the 1600’s (East of the Minisink).
Warren County is named for someone who was never here and never knew the area existed, Dr. Warren.
The county seat is located in Belvidere because the land was free.
It is named Belvidere because the word sounds beautiful, just like the scenery, but that's it ---- they just liked the sound.
Even though the county is landlocked and the Delaware River is not commercially passable beyond Belvidere, we have many ports like Port Murray, Port Warren, Port Colden, and Rockport.
We have the first commercial highway in the U.S. and it is probably the least traveled highway in the U.S. today.
Mining was one of the first major industries in the area, followed by steel production. Many of the mining towns (Mt. Bethel for example) have pretty much disappeared.
Oxford Furnace became the first U.S. smelting operation to use the hot blast process, while in 1859 Peter Cooper's furnace in Phillipsburg was one of the first in the U.S. to experiment with the Bessemer process and was the most productive furnace in America in the 1860’s.
One of the first settlers here was an escaped Revolutionary War prisoner from Britain.
Two Mastodons were discovered here, they went to Harvard…..
So cool. As the Indians used to portray and describe our area: "it's a really good place for an ambush...." See, just like this website!
Dear Folks,
What can I say? Such a nice group of people. Again, please forgive me my personality flaws. They are many.
Harold: thank you for your thoughts. I don't know which clan. Ir was on both sides of my Mom's family. Fact of the matter is that my people were very ashamed of not being all white. There is much that they could have told me, but they would refuse questions often as if I was asking something terrible. I've been able to piece the story together somewhat; at least I know why my great uncles had black hair and heavy cheekbones. A close relative once spat at me when I was ten or so that "At least I'm all European and you aren't..." Nice sentiment!
Ms. Calico wrote me a very nice personal email. I quite regret having said anything negative. She identified herself and sounds like a really nice person. I hope I get to tell her in person.
Ms. Sunshine: I shall and I will, thank you so much.
Anneliese: You are all so amazing. Many thanks. Joshua must be all grown up! Everyone in Wales. My goodness!
To all...Yes I have been overwhelmed with people and opinions and thoughts, etc., etc. I am very glad that I met you, even this way. I hope you will come and see me so that I can get to know you. I will tell you that as a former Morris County Parks employee, a sometime state representative and a former Federal employee, I have never felt so fortunate as to work for Warren County. From the Freeholders on down, I have received nothing but positive energy, support and concern for our museum and our mission. I really feel lucky to be in this place in space. I am your servant and pleased and proud of it.
Please encourage John; he is a longtime friend and I don't want any pain or frustration for him. I am so glad such nice people are out there. You are all the best. Please forgive any negative comments.
Warren County government has just preserved something like 20,000 acres of farmland, historic sites, etc. Local government , your neighbors and friends, can do good things. We are the last rural county in NJ. And we should be proud on account of our County government's good work.
I must "resign" myself from this forum as I have lots to do for Shippen Manor, and Oxford Furnace. But I thank you all for your interest in history and your extreme kindness to me. I must confess that I had no idea that so many people had such warm feelings. Bless you all. Come visit and share your thoughts. Our house was built by a Founding Father. That says it all.
Or, to quote our delightful Commission Clerk, Sally Shutler, when she is paid a compliment, she always says that it "is a reflection of you"...
Please let all good feelings be a reflection of "you",
Best Wishes to All,
Andy Drysdale
Andy your writing is probably the most sincere and proper grammar I have ever seen on this forum. May God Bless you and one day I will make it over Shippen Manor again. Havent been there in years!
PS: When I said state representative, I meant that I was appointed by the Division of Parks & Forestry to chair the NJ Living History Advisory Council in the 1990s. Nothing politcal. And Harold, your knowledge of history is spectacular!
A.
A-man,
I did a little research when I was searching deeds for my house, it was fun. So I created a little PPT and those tidbits were my cutesy summary. Been meaning to go to Sussex to get pre 1825 Deeds and see there brandynew document room, but time, time, time.
Supposedly, my house/land owned by Daniel Vliet, revolutionary war hero, family owned Post's Island, kind of like Cummins family as founders but now --- gone, gone, gone as a name sake. Hard to prove 100% that the deed matches the house which other sources do not collaborate...yet. Danville Mountain named after him (as well as Danville for 75 years before we called it Great Meadows).
But the funny part is all these people basically came from Kingston NY. Think someone said, hey --- wanna buy a swamp and they said sure, then went mining and drained the swamp, mines ran out, gardens keep growin and the rest is...... history.
Here's a parting shot from 1827:
Sheriff Mushback, in written protest, called the jail unfit for prisoners. We are not sure if there were escapees, but the back door did not have a lock. A committee was appointed. They reported the jail “in good order, and, their opinion, perfectly secure except for the back door, which they think requires a stout lock.”
See, even in 1827 they needed a committee to determine that a lock was missing; added value for your tax dollar, sure --- they added the word STOUT....
Andy,
I realize I am coming in at the end of this but hope you get to read my post.
I would just like to comment I have always thought of you as a gentleman, soft spoken and an informed historian. Do not take any of the negativity to heart I thought the episode of TAPS was good and that you looked ok to me. I may get in trouble with Mr.C (John) ha!ha! but I have always thought you very distinguished especially when you are portraying either a blacksmith, civil war chaplin or a frontier guardsman. I think the same of John when he is dressed in his Civil War uniform. So don't make any changes. Stay the gentleman and person you are. There are very few us who care about the history of this great nation and want to keep it alive.
Sincerely,
Pam Covert
Dear Folks,
Harold: Yes, a good stout lock was a good idea for the back door of the jail...Even if it took a committee...In addition to the mastodons, they also dug up some kind of half-moose/half-elk thing that now stands guard at the State museum. It is pretty impressive. We have some Vliet items at Shippen Manor, but they are from the Bloomsbury area. Garret Vliet was a teen-aged Revolutionary War soldier who served as late as the 1820s in the militia; we have the sword he wore when he greeted Lafayette in Trenton about 1824, as well as one of his ladder-backed chairs. His sister was Peggy Warne for whom the DAR chapter is named. We have have her spinning wheel. The Vliets maintain a pretty active family history "association" and we get descendants from all over.
Alison: Thank you, belatedly.
Pam: Many thanks for your kind words. I think John is very distinguished; Me, I'm not so sure! I don't know quite what he is giving up, but hopefully not all of his historical activities. I'm sorry that he is in any way unhappy. It has been a pleasure to serve as the 27th's chaplain when the opportunity has been open to me and I look forward to fulfilling that role in the future when I am able.
Best Wishes,
Andy
Here's something you might all enjoy...Of all my "living history" stories, this one is possibly the best. Five or six years ago I was asked to give a presentation on WWI
to group at an assisted living facility. The group was composed of mostly ladies, one or two men, and everyone was probably over eighty I guess. When I got done talking about the Doughboys (nearly everyone had an older brother, father or uncle in the war), I was answering questions informally when I felt a tug on the sleeve of my tunic. I turned around to see the beaming face of a lady who had to be ninety. Anticipating another family story from 1918, I was all ears.
"Yes, Ma,am. How can I help you?"
"Did you ever read about the Battle of Gettysburg?"
A bit startled, given the afternoon's topic, I said that, indeed, I had.
"Well, my great-grandfather was in it!"
"That's a great piece of family history," I said. "What side was he on?"
She thought for a moment and then said proudly, "My mother's!"
Regards to all!
A.
I don't know if Andy still reads this site, but I read his comment with sadness (and a little irony). I met Andy last year at Waterloo Village; I was as interested in looking at him as I was in listening to him (yes, I did listen, too; I remember his story about how he got into blacksmithing and growing up on a farm). Andy, you took the time to talk to my family about Waterloo Village, your past at Fosterfields and Cooper Mill, and blacksmithing in general. I felt bad we kept you so long - it was near the end of the day - but you never acted impatient or gave us the impression you were tired of talking to us.
In short, you made our visit interesting and educational, and as I said, you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about in the looks department. Hell, I thought you were younger - at the time I believe you said you were 49 and I remarked that you looked younger. That was the truth.
To everybody else on the site, Andy may or may not need a haircut, which is a very easy fix; teaching manners is not quite as easy. Scissors cut, but so do words.
FredAndFremont Leave a Reply
To comment on this topic, fill out the form below. If you would like to comment directly to one person, you may click on the envelope next to the posters name if they provided their email.
