All,
This morning before 7AM I was at Dave Amato’s house with Rob who I work with, on a mission that has been a few years in the making. But first let me start from the beginning for the new members who missed what I am about to explain.
If you have Beck’s "More Forgotten Towns of South Jersey", get it off the shelf and read chapter 30 titled “Nothin’ in Nothin In Rockwood”. If you don’t have it I will help you out below.
While reading that chapter years ago, I was fascinated when reading Beck’s account of his visit there in the mid 30’s. He encountered the Fords who were running the bogs at Rockwood for Haines and were not knowledgeable on the history of Rockwood.
So in 2004 things finally came together where it appeared I would find out if the stone(s) were still there. After a month of leg work, and help from RednekF350, I learn there were quite a few of them, and I felt it best to ask for some help. So on 11/23/04 Steve (Behr655) and I spent the day roaming the swamps of Rockwood for these elusive stones. Most of the day was somewhat disappointing, and our time was running out. Our last stop was the hardest to reach and we were exhausted. Walking round and round in circles at this location and finding nothing was disappointing. We squatted down to rest since there was nothing nearby that wasn't wet, and as we stood to leave, Steve tripped over something in the weeds.
Since then Ben’s research, along with mine on Rockwood has taken us as far as New York City. I wanted to know more about the Rockwood family and town that the Fords knew little about, but was content in knowing that I had found the last remaining stone. But had I?
Recently while looking over some old maps, I found one that was different than the others I had viewed. It alleged that I had missed one, farther away from where Steve and I had been looking. The question was is it still there since I had been disappointed how many had not been. So I decided to do what I prefer to do best, and that is search, which brings us to this morning before 7AM.
Our first stop was Dave Amato’s house to take more photo’s and look the place over more. Then off to look for the stone. Even though it was going to 50 today, at 7AM it was 25. Everywhere we walked was water about to go over our boots, and ice that as water flowed over it became like glass. Walking was slow and cautious all of the way. A few deer stands, beaver activity, and water everywhere. Finally we reach the location. Peering into the water we saw nothing! We jumped from stump to stump until we seemed trapped. Discussion ensued and we decided to go just a little bit farther. I was trapped and had to backtrack somewhat and Rob was able to move ahead. Suddenly a yell from him and the day was all worth while. There is a second inscribed Rockwood stone don’t you know!
In the center of the photo.
Rob taking a photo of it
We arrived home by 9:45AM, the day complete for me
The mysteries of Rockwood are becoming less and less.
Guy
This morning before 7AM I was at Dave Amato’s house with Rob who I work with, on a mission that has been a few years in the making. But first let me start from the beginning for the new members who missed what I am about to explain.
If you have Beck’s "More Forgotten Towns of South Jersey", get it off the shelf and read chapter 30 titled “Nothin’ in Nothin In Rockwood”. If you don’t have it I will help you out below.
While reading that chapter years ago, I was fascinated when reading Beck’s account of his visit there in the mid 30’s. He encountered the Fords who were running the bogs at Rockwood for Haines and were not knowledgeable on the history of Rockwood.
So in 2004 things finally came together where it appeared I would find out if the stone(s) were still there. After a month of leg work, and help from RednekF350, I learn there were quite a few of them, and I felt it best to ask for some help. So on 11/23/04 Steve (Behr655) and I spent the day roaming the swamps of Rockwood for these elusive stones. Most of the day was somewhat disappointing, and our time was running out. Our last stop was the hardest to reach and we were exhausted. Walking round and round in circles at this location and finding nothing was disappointing. We squatted down to rest since there was nothing nearby that wasn't wet, and as we stood to leave, Steve tripped over something in the weeds.
Since then Ben’s research, along with mine on Rockwood has taken us as far as New York City. I wanted to know more about the Rockwood family and town that the Fords knew little about, but was content in knowing that I had found the last remaining stone. But had I?
Recently while looking over some old maps, I found one that was different than the others I had viewed. It alleged that I had missed one, farther away from where Steve and I had been looking. The question was is it still there since I had been disappointed how many had not been. So I decided to do what I prefer to do best, and that is search, which brings us to this morning before 7AM.
Our first stop was Dave Amato’s house to take more photo’s and look the place over more. Then off to look for the stone. Even though it was going to 50 today, at 7AM it was 25. Everywhere we walked was water about to go over our boots, and ice that as water flowed over it became like glass. Walking was slow and cautious all of the way. A few deer stands, beaver activity, and water everywhere. Finally we reach the location. Peering into the water we saw nothing! We jumped from stump to stump until we seemed trapped. Discussion ensued and we decided to go just a little bit farther. I was trapped and had to backtrack somewhat and Rob was able to move ahead. Suddenly a yell from him and the day was all worth while. There is a second inscribed Rockwood stone don’t you know!
In the center of the photo.
Rob taking a photo of it
We arrived home by 9:45AM, the day complete for me
The mysteries of Rockwood are becoming less and less.Guy
Real nice find Guy,looks like had a very interesting and a very short day.Great photos as always.
