The Fords of New Jersey: Power and Family During America's Founding

by Jude M. Pfister

Overview

Experiencing triumph and defeat during some of the most complex times in American history, the Ford family of Morris County, New Jersey, left an indelible mark on their community. Though there were few opportunities available at the time, the Fords rose to prominence in colonial America through their devotion to principle and a commitment to family. In the nineteenth century, the Fords adapted to the shifting economic and cultural landscape with grace and ingenuity. The stately home of the family, which was once George Washington's headquarters, has now become a monument to the remarkable times in which they lived. Their story is not just of one family or one place. Their story, in miniature, reflects the larger story of Morris County, New Jersey, and America.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781609490072
Publisher:	History Press, The
Publication date:	11/19/2010
Pages:	170
Sales rank:	931,132
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Dr. Jude Pfister has been at Morristown since 2004 and has been with the National Park Service in the field of historic preservation and cultural resource conservation since 1993. Prior to 1993, he worked for the Delaware State Archives. Dr. Pfister oversees the museum, archival and library programs at Morristown and has as his goal the integration of the separate disciplines into a single unit representing our cultural heritage. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Delaware State University in 1991, his master's degree from Washington College in 1993 and his doctorate from Drew University in 2007. He is the author of The First Decade of the United States Supreme Court, The Jacob Ford Jr. Mansion and several articles and reviews. In 2010, his book The Jacob Ford Jr. Mansion was awarded the Eastern National Board of Directors Author's Award. He also lectures regularly.

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Acknowledgements 11

Introduction 13

Part 1 The Development of New Jersey

1 Eighteenth-Century New Jersey 20

2 Iron and Economics 29

Part 2 Last Will and Testament

3 The Fords of New Jersey 42

Part 3 The Family at Work

4 Business Details 80

5 Mrs. Ford and John Jacob Faesch 89

6 A Difference of Opinion 93

7 Canfield et al. v. Faesch et al. 99

8 Ford v. Tuttle 105

Conclusion 113

Postscript 117

Appendix A Iron Industry in Morris County 119

Appendix B Washington's Looking Glass 129

Appendix C Fire Insurance Application of Henry A. Ford 133

Appendix D The Iron Mines of Morris County 137

Appendix E The Geology of New Jersey 155

Notes 159

Bibliography 169

Index 173