Thomas Vreeland Jackson and John Vreeland Jackson, born in 1800 and 1803
respectively, were slaves on the estate of the Vreeland family in Greenville. They
were freed between 1828 and 1830. Like other freed slaves they did whatever
possible to earn a megar living. Thomas and John became oystermen in the
Communipaw marsh area. In 1831 they bought land in the Greenville area from the
widow Elizabeth Gautier for $240 to pursue their occupation. Within that same year
the Morris Canal Company purchased a portion of their land for $125 to construct the
canal. When they worked they traveled back and forth over the same path to the Bay
and their small parcel of land. That path is now known as Winfield Avenue.
As they continued to work their trade their home also served as a "station" on the
Underground Railroad where they helped numerous slaves escape further north.
This recovered artifact found on private property at about 3 foot in depth is a good example of
the kind of oysters that were harvested during that period.
respectively, were slaves on the estate of the Vreeland family in Greenville. They
were freed between 1828 and 1830. Like other freed slaves they did whatever
possible to earn a megar living. Thomas and John became oystermen in the
Communipaw marsh area. In 1831 they bought land in the Greenville area from the
widow Elizabeth Gautier for $240 to pursue their occupation. Within that same year
the Morris Canal Company purchased a portion of their land for $125 to construct the
canal. When they worked they traveled back and forth over the same path to the Bay
and their small parcel of land. That path is now known as Winfield Avenue.
As they continued to work their trade their home also served as a "station" on the
Underground Railroad where they helped numerous slaves escape further north.
This recovered artifact found on private property at about 3 foot in depth is a good example of
the kind of oysters that were harvested during that period.
Oyster
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