When I started planning this trail, I wanted to know some of the history of this tract. I went to the Historical Society at Havens Farm one weekend and met the town historian, Gene Donatiello. Though they were closed he gave my wife and I the cooks tour of the home and farm.
Historic Sites of Brick Township
New Jersey
by Gene Donatiello 1997
EARLY SETTLERS
The first settlers of the Brick Township area arrived about 1750 and developed the local saw mill industry. Eventually, other timber-related industries would develop, including the pinewood (charcoal) and turpentine industries. At that time, the area was part of Monmouth County and Shrewsbury Township, and later it would become Howell Township.
On February 15, 1850, the State Legislature of New Jersey created Ocean County. As part of the legislation Brick Township was created from sections of Howell and Dover Townships.
The town was named for Joseph W. Brick, the proprietor of Bergen Iron Works and the areas most prominent citizen. Mr. Brick operated Bergen Iron Works, which was located in present day Lakewood Township, from 1833 until his death in 1847.
When Brick Township was created it included an area extending from the eastern boundary of Jackson Township to the west the Atlantic Ocean to the east from Monmouth County on the north to Dover Township on the south.
SAW AND GRIST MILLS
Since the early settlers came to this area to develop the saw mill industry, there were many mills scattered throughout the area. These mills changed ownership many times during their years of operation. As early as 1755, John Allen established a saw mill on the north branch of Kettle Creek. Ownership passed to Benjamin Fielder, then to John, Reuben and Eden Irons on February 17, 1855. The mill, which no longer exists was located on Old Irons Road in the Lake Riviera section of Brick.
Also in 1755, Tunis Denise established his saw and grist mills near the Metedeconk area. In 1815, the Denise Mills were owned by Silvenus Bills.
On July 28, 1802, Issac Herbert purchased a dwelling and land on the west side of Herbertsville Road (also known as the Road to Point Pleasant or the Road to Freehold depending which way one was traveling) and on the north side of Saw Mill Creek. The creek was dammed up to create a mill pond providing water to power the saw at the mill. Further north off of Herbertsville Road, Thomas Tilton operated a steam powered mill on School house Road (also known as Cedar Lane before 1858).
by Gene Donatiello
On July 28, 1802 Abe Osborn purchased land on Herbertsville Road and the Road to Brushy Neck on which to build a sawmill. The Mill was later taken over by Thomas Tilton in 1831. Today the walking trail in the Sawmill Tract follows the Old Road to Brushy Neck. Swampy Creek, later called Sawmill Creek, was dammed up to create a mill pond, which would provide water power to operate the saw at the mill. The Sawmill turned local pine, cedar, and oak into useable lumber. Across Herbertsville Road from the Mill where the creek enters the Manasquan River at a place the locals called “Wood Landing” (Beaton Property in 2000), lumber was shipped to and from the Mill on barges. The Sawmill property would become known as the Sawmill Pond Tract in the 21st Century, and was developed by the Township of Brick into a passive recreation area. According to Brick Township Open Space and Recreation Plan of 2000, there are a total of 385 acres in the Sawmill Pond Tract.
In 1930, the Hulse family, residents of Brushy Neck, moved their house from Brushy Neck to 471 Herbertsville Road.
This path is approximately 1 mile or a 2 mile round trip. The main trail is wide and flat. There is one main branch that will take you over to the high school area.
I have tried to make this a family friendly trail. Caches are all hidden in the same fashion except for the bridge. Minor bushwhacking to them. Caches are large enough to accept small swag and TB's.
Please enjoy this trail.
If you like it, favorite points are welcome.
There is 1 new TB in a random cache for the FTF.