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Community Corner

Life for African Americans in the Late 1800's

Part one of a three-part column.

“Racism is not an excuse to not do the best you can.” -- Arthur Ashe

Usually week in and week out topics come to mind with ease for me, but this week it was a struggle. When that happens I visit the library for some ideas. With visits to Plainsboro and Cranbury, I found several interesting subjects for the next few weeks.  

In past columns I have mentioned the Negro Burial Ground at the Brainerd Cemetery, but until today I have not had much history of the families.

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I found an interview with Mrs. Viola Phares (pronounced Ferris) Nixon. In 1973, Mrs. Nixon was the oldest living person in Cranbury at 99 years old and heading for 100.

She was living at the Sunnyfield Nursing Home on Maplewood Avenue in Cranbury. Born in 1874 and having spent her entire life in Cranbury, she shared life experiences.

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Mrs. Nixon told the story of her kidnapping at the age of two by local Gypsies who persuaded her young sister to trade Viola for candy.  When her sister returned without her, the father and his employer, Nathan Guyre, took off by horse and wagon after the gypsies.

They reached a toll gate at the corner of North Main Street and what is today Route 130 as the gypsies were paying toll and they rescued the child.

When asked what she thought was the most exciting invention of the past century she cited the installation of an indoor toilet at John Silver's home.

Mrs. Nixon’s family has been members of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Cranbury for almost 190 years. Mrs. Nixon and her husband joined in 1922.

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