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| The Story of Stone Road Meadows "The last Farm in the Bayshore" Hazlet Township: The Story of Stone Road Meadows "The last Farm in the Bayshore" Written by Stephen Gale Dr. John Hazlet looked out from the belevedere of his hilltop mansion with pride. From this height it was possible to view the entire countryside around him. To the south were the large fields and woods of Holmdel. At the base of the hill lay a gully where the railroad would run., and directly opposite to the north was another hill where John Van Mater raised vegetables and fruit on a slope that faced Raritan Bay. This farmer, however, was not entirely pleased with his circumstances. The incline made it hard to plow the fields and it’s height difficult to obtain sufficient water. Actually, John Van Mater envied the situation of two distant relatives, brothers, who farmed the flat, almost level land closer to Raritan Bay and adjacent to a small creek. Gilbert Van Mater felt very satisfied on leaving the office of magistrate Alfred Walling. The retired judge had crafted a will leaving the homestead farm to the client’s son William, while bequeathing an equal amount of money for his second son, Joseph to farm the holdings of his in-laws Isaiah & Mary Thorne Hoff. The two farms were not far from each other as Poole Avenue led towards the Holmdel line. As was typical for Dutch farmers of Eastern New Jersey and Lower New York, Gilbert Van Mater had searched for land sufficient to provide for his family while bringing surplus crops to market. He ultimately settled on a tract of land, described in a document of the time as being along Monasconck Neck, a promontory of land extending between two creeks as they emptied into the bay. It’s highest point bordered other properties, and homesteads and it was here that Gilbert Van Mater constructed a simple home, and barnyard with a small stable, poultry shed and quarters for implements and farmhands. He carefully insured the improvements as enumerated on a policy of the time listing the dimension and use of each structure. The fields extended eastward across what is now “ Highway 36 “ to the center of Monasconk or Flat Creek “ as it’s meandering course lay in 1836 “ according to the deed. The ensuing years were ones of happiness and fulfillment for Gilbert. His young wife, Sarah Taylor of Middletown gave birth to two sons, William, and Joseph on the farm. The new Township of Raritan was thriving since its separation from Middletown. Acreage under cultivation multiplied along with a of grist mill, an independent school district and even an proposal for a railroad. Increasing traffic necessitated establishing road along the system informal trails. One of these was named in honor of Colonel Richard Poole and crossed another, the Keyport – Keansburg route in the vicinity of Gilbert Van Mater’s farm. The later road was “ stoned “ to keep it level and dry. Before the construction of the Highway 36, the intersection of Poole Avenue and Stone Road was known as “ Van Mater’s Corner “ As the convergence of the major east/west route along the Bayshore with the road to Union, the intersection was something of a landmark as farmstands sprung up selling produce for pleasure travelers to the shore, while wagons hauled produce and other goods inland to and from the docks. By the turn of the 20th century, the Van Maters were well known farmers and citizens of Monmouth County. John, although devoting less time to his farm on Holmdel Road, served in various capacities for the County Agricultural Extension. William and Joseph were cited as “ two of the most prosperous fruit and vegetable farmers of the County, “ in the Long Branch Daily News. William continued to profitably work the farm at Stone Road while he became involved with civic interests, serving as Township road supervisor and a member of the Board of Education. Home life was centered around his one son, Gilbert T., born, as his father on the farm and trained in agriculture. Despite the advantages of mechanization and transport for larger farms further inland, William, as many Dutch settlers, remained on his land and faithfully put in his crops. Young Gilbert T. Van Mater tried to respect his father’s wishes. The importance of agriculture, their heritage, even the need to get one’s hands dirty in the soil. Nonetheless, the later Gilbert was drawn to books, their facts and figures. After receiving his education, however, he did follow in his father’s footsteps and was placed on the Board of Education. Then in quick succession, was elected President of the Monmouth County Historic Society; and appointed Clerk of Raritan Township, a position he held for 29 years. Having found solace for his inquisitive mind, he continued to operate the farm, directing workers under his supervision. The Keyport Weekly of 1925 recounts the N.J. Horticultural Society’s ..” tour of outstanding orchards and vegetable farms passed by Gilbert Van Mater’s.” Later accounts describe his results with a new breed of tomatoes being used in the county. When age and infirmity prevented his active day to day supervision, Gilbert T. reluctantly sold the farm but continued to advise the new owners on it’s operation, much as his father and grandfather would have wished. Thus, despite his achievements in government, society and education, Gilbert T. Van Mater’s obituary lists him simply as a “retired farmer “ Today the Van Mater farm on Stone Road Meadows remains in operation, 180 years after it was established. Last year corn was grown, and this year a variety of vegetables were put in. Over at Bethany, Dr. John Hazlet’s home on the hill has succumbed to a housing development as have almost all township landmarks and farms. At Van Mater’s Corner although some of it’s field structures altered, outbuildings patched, and lands requisitioned, the view from Stone Road and Poole Avenue through fields of crops and framed by some of the native trees and vegetation, down to Monasconk ( Flat ) Creek remains much the same as when “ it’s meandering course existed in 1836. | ||||||||
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