Oak Grove received its name because located in fine oak forests. It consisted of a grist-mill, saw-mill, blacksmith shop, and three other buildings: the Mill House, the Tenant House, and the Red House.

The original parcel of land that became Oak Grove Plantation contained 2,225 acres. It was owned by Thomas Gardener. the land was one of the three tracts included in the Third Indian Purchase of 1703. Thomas Gardener was a native of England. The family came to New Jersey in 1680. It does not appear that he ever lived on any part of his Hunterdon County property.

In 1847 Oak Grove was allotted to Josiah Wilson for $4,668.54. Josiah built and operated a steam powered grist-mill. He also ran a saw-mill. In 1849 he built a barn that still exists today (it has been restored by the Blew Family.) In 1860 he built the Mill House (the current home of the Blew Family.) Josiah sold his property to his son-in-law W. Howard Lake in 1885.

In 1899 W. Howard and Addie Lake sold their property to George W. Hyde for $10,000. The land eventually became part of the Rome Land and Improvement Company started by George C. Hall and J. L. Street, Real Estate Brokers and land Promoters. Together they started one of the biggest land schemes of all time in Hunterdon County.

What was billed as the City of Rome contained 3,000 lots, although the original survey map dated March 1, 1899 shows only 2,911. Lots were 100 by 25 feet and priced between $20 and $40 each. Planned avenues in the City of Rome ran north to south and were named Madison, Washington, Grand, Lexington, Johnson, Clinton, Hunter, Myrtle. Broad. Gates, Tompkins, Princeton, Williams, Newark, Saxony, Adam, Columbus, Nostrand and Boulevard. Streets ran east and west and were named Chestnut, Maple, Oak, Elm,Birch, Spruce, Pine and Cedar. No avenue or street was actually constructed!

The developers called the Mill House the Mansion Hotel, and the barn, The hotel Stables. Lots were sold from 1899 to 1912, mostly to people who lived in the city. They would travel by train to Flemington and then by horse and carriage to the Mansion Hotel. In the hotel they were entertained and many eventually purchased lots. Although lots were sold no family actually lived on their property.

There was no clear title to Josiah Wilson's original land until January 1963. At that time Mary Trimmer, who owned lands that contained the Mill House and Tenant House, had to advertise in papers for deed holders of The city of Rome lots to come forward. She had eventually had to buy out three claims.

Today Oak Grove Plantation contains 160 acres. It was purchased by Ted and Susan Blew on August 26, 1977. The Blews specialize in producing and marketing their own pork, grain, and fresh vegetable products.

On December 19, 1985, the Blews made history as the first farm family in New Jersey to enter their land into the Farmland Perservation Program.

 

 

In September of 1977, before we moved into our new home, I was painting a window sill in the first floor bathroom. The door was behind me and I sensed that some one was watching me. When I turned, I saw a woman in a long blue dress. Her hair was blond and she wore it swept up. She smiled, turned and walked up the spiral staircase in the hall. What shocked me was even though I could see her plainly, I also could see right through her. The pale wall and hall door were quite visible behind her. I ran to the stairs after her, with the paint brush still in my hand. She was gone. I even shouted, WhoÕs there? but to no avail. I never really believed in ghosts until that day.

We still have unusual things going on in our house. Many times we hear one or several people walking around in the master bedroom or walking down the stairs. Even our babysitters over the years have heard people walking. Do we investigate these noises? Yes, we did in years past, but never saw anyone. Now we just accept the fact that "other" people live in our with us.