Pine Barren Folklore

[Tom]

Does anyone know a folklore tale about smoke stacks and a wizard? It involves one of the furnaces, a wizard and a lot of crows. My grandmother told it to me years ago, but I don't remember the exact story and haven't been able to find it anywhere.

Thanks,

Tom

[bach2yoga]

No, but it sure sounds interesting!
Renee

[MikeBickerson]

Tom, I think you're talkin' about Jerry Munyhon. The quick version of the story is that one day, Jerry was looking for work at one of the furnaces in the Pines, but was turned down. Some say that the furnace was shut down when he filled it with black and white crows. He was then given the job, and the crows flew away. Anyway, that's the version that appears in The Pine Barrens by John McPhee (pgs 71-72). He also did other crazy things, like have axs magically chop wood, have a rooster pull a cart, and make his walking stick walk by itself to go get whisky...

I know I've read a more in depth version somewhere. I'm fairly sure it was either "Pine Barrens Legends and Lore or one of Father Beck's books, or maybe both. I'll have to check when I'm back at my apartment...

[Tom]

Thanks Mike. That is the story I am talking about. According to my grandmother the ironmaster in that story was a forefather of mine. I want get a copy of the story.

[Ben Ruset]

Yup - it's in "Legend, Lore, and Lies." It's on page 33. Strangely enough, it was Hanover furnace. The operator is only known as "Jones."

You should be able to get the book in Barnes & Nobles or Borders. AFAIK it's still in print.

[MikeBickerson]

Yep, it's still in print, but is currently printed as Pine Barrens Legends & Lore by William McMahon. Crites knows why they dropped the "& Lies" from the end, but I checked both titles and it's definately the same contents. It'll run ya $10. You can also find used copies a bit cheaper at half.com...

[PineyPaul]

There is other stories of Joe Munyhon to. The story you are talking about is why on Burlington County Seal has Crows in it. Check the Burlington County Seal

[MikeBickerson]

http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/info/index.htm#

The best picture I can find of the seal of Burlington County is there, I couldn't find a larger image. I can't really tell if the birds are crows or not from that...

[Jerseyman]

Mike, et al.:

I have pondered the Great Seal of Burlington County and its origins for a year or more. In my opinion, the birds flying overhead are some type of waterfowl, possibly Canada Geese. Depending on which seal you examine, there are either 15 or 16 birds in the sky and I cannot say with certainty whether the specific number of them represents anything notable. I originally thought the bridge depicted on the seal is the first free bridge over the Rancocas Creek between Willingboro Township and Bridgeborough, Delran Township (originally Chester Township) constructed by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1819 to replace the tollbridge constructed in the mid-1790s. However, it might also be the Bass River bridge from down county. I have been seeking access to the original minutes from the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders to ascertain what the minutes say about the seal and when the county first created it. I believe it dates to circa 1820. I hope to look at those minutes sometime during the coming spring after I complete another project that has consumed much of my “free” time.

Best regards,
Jerseyman

[Pine Baron]

http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/info/index.htm#

The best picture I can find of the seal of Burlington County is there, I couldn't find a larger image. I can't really tell if the birds are crows or not from that...

Wikipedia says that they are seagulls.

[Jerseyman]

Wikipedia says that they are seagulls.

Sorry, Pine Baron, but I don’t consider Weakipedia an authoritative source for ANYTHING! The information is only as good as the person submitting it and anyone can go in and goof with it.

Best regards,
Jerseyman
__________________
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[MarkBNJ]

I think the reality is that most information on Wikipedia is accurate, and it fills in many of the corners that encyclopedias don't cover due to cost limitations. That said, you really can't cite wikipedia as a definitive source for the reasons Jerseyman points out.

[pinelandpaddler]

Indeed, Mark. Wikipedia is not easily fudged with, either. The bottom line is that dubious claims always need to be checked against their sources.

[Jerseyman]

Mark and Gabe:

While I agree that most of Weakipedia’s content represents true and correct data, I will not and cannot accept any of it at face value. If I EVER submitted an historic context or other documentation to a regulatory agency with a citation from Weakipedia, that governmental body would likely dismiss my report out-of-hand and I they would tell me to revise my source material and my text. As a result, I seldom consult this online source. For those not needing a high degree of accuracy and not required to use primary sources, then I’m sure Weakipedia fills the bill.

Best regards,
Jerseyman

[MarkBNJ]

I don't disagree, Jerseyman. There are sources, and then there are sources. Where I find wikipedia invaluable is in starting me off on a topic that likely no other online source would have covered in any detail. Say, Coppersmithing techniques, which I was researching a few nights ago. Whether wiki's data is definitive or not, what it does very well is provide a jumping off point to other resources which usually are.

Mark and Gabe:

While I agree that most of Weakipedia’s content represents true and correct data, I will not and cannot accept any of it at face value. If I EVER submitted an historic context or other documentation to a regulatory agency with a citation from Weakipedia, that governmental body would likely dismiss my report out-of-hand and I they would tell me to revise my source material and my text. As a result, I seldom consult this online source. For those not needing a high degree of accuracy and not required to use primary sources, then I’m sure Weakipedia fills the bill.

Best regards,
Jerseyman