The Titus Farm - South Brunswick NJ - New Jersey Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

The marker is on the plot of ground at the end of Benson road. It is in South Brunswick that does not have its own zipcode. Marker is in this post office area: Dayton NJ 08810,

Marker Name: The Titus Farm Marker Type: Official NJ State Marker text: The Titus Farm-For 53 years, Thomas Titus and his descendants farmed this plot of land. Once an enslaved person, his remains lie here in an unmarked grave, as if keeping watch over the old farmstead. Gerardus Beekman, the slave holder, was a member of the prominent Beekman family of New York and New Jersey. In 1814, Beekman penned his final wishes, “I will that my negro man Thomas shall have freedom after serving my heirs, or any man he shall choose, so long as a time to make fifteen years from the first day of March Eighteen Hundred and Two.” Although not yet a free man, Thomas and his wife, Sarah Tenbroeck, purchased a small farm for $50 from Ferdinand Van Dyke, in August 1817. On August 3rd, 1818, the official manumission was written and filed at the county clerk’s office in New Brunswick. Thomas farmed this land for the next 32 years. Oats, wheat, potatoes and corn were cultivated near an orchard of peach trees. Thomas and his wife Sarah also raised twelve children, six of whom were born after the family’s manumission. On July 21st 1849, Thomas Titus died of the Plaque at 64 years of age. Dedication Date: 01/01/1979 City: South Brunswick County: Middlesex County Group responsible for placement: Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders Web Link: Not listed

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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   10/14/2021 Don.Morfe visited it