Peters Family Papers Finding Aid
Peters Family Papers, 1984-1994
Collection Number:
LHP3CHS060000US
Finding Aid Publication Date:
Published in 2015. ©Copyright Chester Library.
Descriptive Summary
Title:
Peters Family Papers
Creators:
Thomas and Madeline Peters
Dates:
1984-1994
Extent:
0.5 linear feet (5 legal folders)
Abstract:
The Peters Family Papers document Thomas and Madeline Peters’ research concerning their property at 6 Bakers Road in Chester Township, as well as Thomas’ membership in the Chester Optimist Club. The collection spans 1984-1994, and contains their land record research and Turtle Racing News newsletters from the club. The Bakers Road research includes the history of the land formerly owned by the Peters and the area of land where Bakers Road intersects North Road.
Language:
English
Repository:
Local History Department
Chester Library
250 W. Main Street
Chester, NJ 07930
Phone: (908) 879-7612
Fax: (908) 879-8695
Email: debra.schiff@ChesterLib.org
http://www.chesterlib.org/
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
This collection is open for research.
Copyright restrictions apply. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Physical Access:
The items in this collection may be used by patrons who abide by the guidelines of the Local History Department.
Technical Access:
No additional technology is required to use this collection.
Conditions Governing Reproduction:
While some materials in this collection are in the public domain, in other cases copyright restrictions may apply. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Preferred Citation:
[Identification of item], Peters Family Papers collection of Chester Library, Chester, New Jersey.
Collection Processed By:
Debra Schiff, Local History Librarian in 2015
Finding Aid Author:
Debra Schiff, Local History Librarian
Description Control:
Description based on DACS.
Biographical History
Thomas R. Peters was born on April 14, 1950 in Yonkers, N.Y. He attended Western Michigan University and Fairleigh Dickinson University, but did not complete his Bachelor’s degree. He received his Project Management Institute Certification from Villanova University. Madeline C. Peters was born on June 30, 1949 in Newark, N.J. She received her Bachelor’s degree in History with a double minor in English and Political Science.
After their first marriages ended, Thomas and Madeline (then Caruso) met in Morristown when he lived in Fairfield, N.J., and she in Peapack-Gladstone. After they were married, they moved to Chester in January of 1984. Thomas’ children from a previous marriage, James and Jennifer, lived with them at their home at 6 Bakers Road in Chester.
Thomas was a member of the Chester Optimist Club from 1985- 2008. The club is an organization that raised funds for school and recreational activities targeted toward children. The Peters family became involved with the annual turtle races held by the Club. (All turtles were returned to the wild because several turtle species are endangered in New Jersey.) He also served as Chief Cook during the Black River Middle School Science Fairs until his death in 2008. When his children were of school age, Thomas was a soccer coach for Jennifer’s traveling team, and he was involved in Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball. Madeline raised funds and worked at the food booth for the PTA and various baseball teams. The Peters also were members of the St. Lawrence Church.
In 1984, the Peters discovered that their road was not a public road. They researched Bakers Road and discovered that it had been visible on maps of Chester since 1869. Additionally, the road was used to transport iron ore from Chester mines to the Horton Train Station. No train station remains in the former station location.
The two types of materials in this collection relate to the Chester Optimist Club and research on the land at 6 Bakers Road. Thomas Peters’ membership in the Club led to his collection of Turtle Racing News newsletters from 1985-1994. In 1984, the Peters researched the roads, leases, previous owners, and other information available relating to their land and bordering lots. Most of the research materials are either notes or previously published items, including N.J. Statutes. Of note is some correspondence with Larry Lowenthal, author of Chester’s Iron Heyday and Iron Mine Railroads of New Jersey, among others.
This collection of records is divided into two series in order of importance and quantity:
There are two series of materials in this small collection. Series 1 is Bakers Road Research, 1984. It comprises 4 folders following the original order of the items, as they were collected and filed by the Peters. Series 2 is Newsletters, 1985-1994. It fills one folder in chronological order (also the original order of the newsletters).
Corporate Names/Organizations Subject:
Andover Iron Co.
Chester Railroad
Subjects:
Iron mines
Road repair
People:
Barker, Charles
Budd, Daniel
Lowenthal, Larry
Peters, Madeline C.
Peters, Thomas R.
Places:
Black River Wildlife Management Area
Chester (N.J.)
Chester Township (N.J.)
Morris County (N.J.)
New Jersey.
Genre Terms:
Correspondence
Deeds
Land records
Maps
Container List
Box 1, Subject Files and Newsletters, 1984-1994
| Box | Folder | Description | Dates |
| 1 | 1 | Bakers Road Research, Correspondence | 1984 |
| 2 | Bakers Road Research | 1984 | |
| 3 | Bakers Road Research | 1984 | |
| 4 | Statutory References for New Jersey, Municipalities, Chapter 67, Streets, Tunnels, Bridges, and Viaducts | Undated | |
| 5 | Turtle Racing News | 1985-1994 |
