History
The Reckless House—In the beginning the Sexton Family owned the property that our museum is located on. Jacob Sexton sold 101 acres to John W Reckless (b 1790) and his wife, Hannah (McKnight) for $3,850 on 28 April 1814. They built this Federal-Style farmhouse in 1815 and had one son, John W Reckless (b1815) while living there. On 01 April 1819 Benjamin Shinn (1778-1835) purchased the property from John and Hannah Reckless.
On 01 April 1819, Benjamin Shinn (1778-1835) purchased the property from Joseph and Hannah Reckless. He lived there for nine years as a single man. In 1828 he married his brothers’ widow, Rebecca (1789-1829) and adopted her six children. Francis (1815-1846), Martha (1817-1853), Benjamin (1819-1900), Job (1820-1901), William (1826-1901) and George (1828-1904).
His wife Rebecca died on 17 October 1829. In November 1831 he married Mary Loveland (b1782). They had one daughter, Abigail (b1832). On 24 January 1835, Benjamin Shinn died leaving a will directing that his house and farm be sold within one year, giving his wife and family permission to occupy the house until its sale.
Joel Wainwright purchased the property from the estate of Benjamin Shinn on 18 February 1835. On 22 April 1836 he sold the 101 acres to Jane Bryan. The term “plantation” was used on the deed. This could be part of the Crosswicks Valley Plantation.
Jane (Nutt) Bryan (1809-1877) was the widow of Mahlon Bryan (1802-1834). They had three children: Sarah Jane (1829-1902), William (1831-1900), Anna (1834-1889). Jane appeared as head of household in the 1840 Federal Census, having a household of seven people. Besides her children, the others were a laborer named Stacey Chalender (1827-1887), a boy named William Powlson, a servant Alice Applebee, who we believe is our residential ghost, and a farm laborer name George Bell. Jane died in 1877 leaving her estate to her three children.
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