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2005 HISTORIC HOUSE AND BARN TOUR
12. Maple Shade, was constructed as Andrew Smith's "Mansion House" in 1828, disembark (Mount Pleasant Road). Samuel Green, Deputy Surveyor of West Jersey,
surveyed the one thousand acre John Hyndshaw tract in 1729. This parcel included lands that would later become the Village of Hainesburg. In 1816, Andrew Smith purchased the land upon which present day Hainesburg Village is situated, and built his "Mansion House" in 1828. The pioneer tavern was kept by Mr. Ridgeway in this building. The old road now known as Mount Pleasant, formerly ran immediately in front of the older portion of the house, parallel to the outside edge of the ancient sugar maples that line the home. The present owner related that about one year ago one of these gigantic maples toppled over in a storm. When it was cut up to be removed,
he estimated the tree's age to be 260 years. Andrew Smith sold what is now the village property to Jacob M. Blair in 1843, who in turn sold the property to the Beck brothers, who divided the land into lots. John Beck was living in this home in 1881. Since that time Maple Shade continued as a working farmstead. In the 20th century, pigs were raised here until the operation was transitioned over to a working dairy. In the 1960's, tragedy unfortunately struck when the main barn caught fire. All 135 cows were killed in the blaze.
June Benore Gleason, in an early 1950's pamphlet entitled Historical Paulinskill Valley, published by the Blairstown Press, claims that according to local tradition, General George Washington once stopped at this house. Although clearly unsubstantiated, it can be verified that Washington did pass through this area in July of 1782 ..
Mr. Gerry Manger, President, Broker of Record, and owner of the very successful Wyndemere Real Estate Company (having offices in Blairstown, Hope, and Sparta), purchased the property about 10 years ago and has worked hard to transform it into the picturesque, idyllic setting you see today. The Knowlton Township Historic Commission is truly indebted to Mr. Manger and Wyndemere for their gracious generosity and special support. Mr. Manger can be contacted at Wyndemere on
telephone number: 1 8007884042 - or - via the Wyndemere website:
http://WN.N.YNndemererealestate.com/