What Would The Allen House Owners Think?
In recent New Jersey news, the Historic Allen House of Shrewbury was damaged due to a car crash. The car, which ended up right on The Allen House property successfully wrecked the fence of the house and the front steps. This is clearly a devastation to the town of Shrewsbury, The Monmouth County Historical Association, and all local history lovers. As upsetting as this is to people today, in 2017, it is curious to think what the original owners would think of this misfortune had it happened in the eighteenth century revolutionary era.
The Allen House was built around 1710, making it one of the oldest homes in Monmouth County. Richard Stillwell, a New York Merchant purchased the land from a woman named Judah Allen who signed a deed for the land in 1679. Richard Stillwell resided in this home with his wife, Mercy and their children. Being a husband and a father, Stillwell would have felt endangered by this accident. He would have felt that it interferes with the safety of his wife, children- though this was simply a second home for his family.
Stillwell eventually sold the house to a man named Josiah Halstead, who transformed the house into the “Blue Ball Tavern”. The tavern was constantly busy, and was known as a popular meeting place among adults. Since in the revolutionary era there was clearly no internet or means of digital communication, the tavern served as the “social scene “of this time. The tavern was located near a public landing, which allowed great business for the Blue Ball. The tavern was spacious, as it was two stories high, and had four fireplaces. Josiah Halstead would be concerned for his business and finances if this incident occurred while he owned The Allen House. The Blue Ball being his only means of income would be a concern for him, also the fact that Halstead later wished to sell the Tavern and would have to get this fixed in order to do so.
Although both previous owners mentioned in this piece would be concerned for different reasons, the main feeling the owners would have would be confusion. The owners existed in the Revolutionary Era, where horses and carriages were the main means of transportation. The previous owners would be confused, and possibly frightened being that they would have had no idea what a car is, or how one can be manufactured. The owners would potentially believe this was an act of witchcraft or evil, given the fact that they did not have cars in this era.
Disclaimer: This article was not produced, or published as an attack to the motorist involved in the accident. This piece was produced as simply a means of education, and historical perspective. This in no way is meant to offend the motorist, or any friends and family of the motorist.
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