Monday, May 28, 2012

So that's where the name came from...

Barron House c. 1803
574 Rahway Avenue
Built in the early nineteenth century, this was the home of the Barron Family for many years. The Barron name was an important one in town, as the family was one of the first to settle in Woodbridge in the late seventeenth century. Well known for their patriotism and philanthropy, the Barrons made many contributions to their country and native town. This was the home of Joseph Barron, a Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge. Joseph Barron’s sons, Thomas and John, were successful business men who contributed to Woodbridge’s commercial  and educational enterprises. Thomas C. Barron was a wealthy merchant and philanthropist, who held a partnership in a major house engaged in the West India trade. Upon his death, he willed $50,000 for the establishment of the neighboring Barron Library. His brother John, who became skilled in cabinet making, established a manufactory in Woodbridge. Later in life, he tended a farm just beyond the heart of Woodbridge, which stood upon the land through which Barron Avenue runs. His son, Dr. John C. Barron, served as a surgeon in the United States Volunteer Army with the Sixty-ninth New York Regiment. Upon the death of his uncle, Thomas C. Barron, he donated land from the Barron Estate, on which the library still stands.
In the late nineteenth century, the Barron House was purchased by the Boynton Family, known for their luxurious summer resort on Boynton Beach in Sewaren. The colonial home, which stands along Rahway Avenue, is today an apartment house.

2 comments:

  1. Ginny Shaffer KershawMay 29, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    This home was also owned by Dr. Charles H. Rothfuss...It was used as his office and housed many of his treasures from his Safari's..His home was on Green Street and his children Martha Jean and Charles went to WHS.

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  2. Hi, I am a WHS grad a bit earlier than 1970. There was a Mrs. Maybell Boynton at WHS, who taught English to "College Prep" Juniors. I wonder if she was related to the Boynton Family. I lived in Iselin, but I have been to the Woodbridge Public Library. It was a classic old mansion type house with a circular gabeled covered balcony in the 1960's. At that time it was also caddy corner from a small grocery store. Next to the grocery store was the Woodbridge Elks Lodge. I have not been to downtown Woodbridge for around 30 years. I live in Los Angeles, CA now.(Anonymous: Pen-Name: "The Paper Boy.")

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