> Hi Arlene and Tom: The pictures and info about Plainfield were sent with my compliments. If it hadn't been for inquiries posted by you and Alice LaRue, I probably would never have taken time to re-read through the 1934 golden anniversary issue of the Plainfield Courier News that reminisced about life from 1884 forward. I found the copy in my late mother's trunk. Originally, I scanned the newspaper and cut out any reference that I found about my Smalley and Tier ancesters from Plainfield and North Plainfield. Apparently, I wasn't as thorough as I might have been and it took a second scan for information about the various fire companies looking for Hedden and Martin ancestors. My great grandfather, John H. Tier, was one of the four original founders and members of the Gazelle Engine Company and served as its foreman for 7 years before a fire chief was appointed. I found this info in his obituary. Perhaps of more importance to me is that the newspaper contained a 1778 map of the Blue Hills area prepared by Capt. Cornelius Vermule and its military post near the Washington Rock. In the map I found the properties of the original settlers and my more of my ancestors, the Vermules and Cadmus families who together owned over 1200 acres of land. Then I learned from the first issue of The Evening News Plainfield's (first newspaper) that my gg grandfather, Jasper Cadmus lost 13 horses in a fire at his livery stable in 1884 in downtown Plainfield. I also found an article dealing with my great uncles Albert, David and Newton Smalley (all brothers) who engaged in trotting and pacing races at the old Borough Park Track located at Plainfield and Tompkins Avenues in South Plainfield. Three brothers competing against each other along with others drivers must have provided exciting entertainment. Trotting races flourished in the Westfield-Plainfield areas until about 1914 when World War I started. Sometimes a second look provides much more information and I feel very lucky about finding more of my ancestors. I'm that I was able to obtain some information for you, and I thank you all very much for posting to: [email protected] Sincerely, William Smalley Cadmus [email protected]