MLK: A Pine Barrens Reminiscence.

[Spung-Man]

During the 1960s our family business, Richland Grain Company, was the economic hub for Richland, a racially mixed Pinelands community. We were all greatly saddened by the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., in April 1968, and my father wanted to show our solidarity with black members of our village. My older brother, my younger sister, and I were dressed in Sunday’s best, then driven four hours into Washington, DC to participate in the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign. It was a grand multiracial effort to end poverty in honor of Dr. King, and my father's initiative left an indelible mark on us.

Blacks have long made substantial contributions to the rich cultural heritage of the Pine Barrens, yet even today their deeds are poorly chronicled. We must do a better job of recognizing that legacy in the future.

S-M

 

[Teegate]

It is nice that you have photo's from that day. Kudos to your dad!

 

[woodjin]

Your Dad was very responsible and wise to make this impression on you at such a young age.

 

[Spung-Man]

During the 2013 Richland redevelopment land sale, a pro-development committee-woman tried (unsuccessfully) to stop the auction on the grounds that Richland deeds had covenants that had to be honored. Little did she know what that meant! Here's an excerpt from the Toy Store's 1946 deed:

"...never at any time shall the premises be used or occupied for the purpose of the ​

manufacture or sale of alcoholic beverages; and further that the premises shall​

never be rented, used, occupied or sold by or to other than the caucasian race."​

In the old days the commercial center was to remain in local parlance "white bread, mayonnaise." Blacks lived in the New Rome section, north and west of the two railroads. That is where Stephan Colwell of Weymouth Furnace had his "Coal Grounds." According to the local lore (backed by scant records) this is the area where runaway slaves made charcoal. When they left for Vineland and Atlantic City after the Civil War, a Sicilian settlement of New Rome hatched and foundered on the WJ&SRR. Post WWI, Blacks from New York and Philadelphia were enticed by real estate agents to settle in New Rome. Ukrainian and Russian chicken farmers were routed to the south end of town. The Rail bar was then known as Uncle Mike's (Sotnychuk), and the Russian social hall (now a church, see map link below) was on Cedar Avenue.

http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.48270098047832&lng=-74.88857112797734&z=20&type=hybrid&gpx=​

S-M