Brown's Cranberry Bog

John Ashley Brown Biography

John Ashley Brown was born on June 17th, 1831 in Manasquan, New Jersey to Capt. John Maxon Brown (1808-1896), and Mary Newberry (Pearce) Brown (1807-1896). He had three siblings: Theodore S. P. Brown (1841-1911), Sarah Elizabeth Brown (1843-1918), and Adelaide V. Brown (1850-1936).

Both J. A. Brown, and his father were sea captains and wreckers (essentially salvaging valuables from shipwrecks near the coast). John Ashley Brown was also a life-saver and was stationed at Island Beach for the Life-Saving Service. In 1856, they helped to rescue 307 men, women, and children from the "New-York" which was a three-masted schooner that was caught in a storm. John Maxon Brown later purchased a hotel in the area of Barnegat Light and restored it in 1858. It was originally built in 1822 by Bornt Slaght of Barnegat. It was later re-named it the "Ashley House", after control of the hotel was effectively given to his children, including John Ashley Brown. In fact, the Brown family once owned a considerable amount of land in Barnegat Light that the area was nicknamed "Brownsville". In 1858, the family sold a parcel of their land to the United States Government for construction of the Barnegat Lighthouse.

John Ashley Brown would marry Mary Catherine Rogers, and would have several children together. The Brown family would come to Barnegat during the Winter, and travel to Barnegat Light in the Summer. John Ashley Brown passed away on September 28th, 1874 while captaining a ship off North Carolina. A ceremonial grave is located on the Barnegat Memorial Cemetery on West Bay Avenue. His remains were never found.

Hand-drawn portrait view of John Ashley Brown.
From Echos of LBI website / collection of Carole Inman Niemic.

1869 advertisement mentioning the Ashley House for sale in Barnegat Light.

From the August 4th, 1869 issue of "New Jersey Courier".

Brown's Cranberry Bogs

While the exact year of when the Brown Homestead in Barnegat was built isn't known, it is believed to have been built pre-1872, as the building and land is shown on F. W. Beers' Map of Ocean County as "J. A. Brown". The house in itself is unique for the area as it has a full basement. The actual living areas were once below ground. During the Winter time, the Brown children were known to have climbed out their windows and skate on the frozen cranberry bog. A rumor was that Theodore Roosevelt once stayed at the Brown Homestead whilst in the area (this has not yet been confirmed). John Ashley Brown sold cranberries and operated a large cranberry bog nearby. After his death, his wife, Mary Catherine Rogers, would continue to own the property for a little bit until the Brown family moved out of the Barnegat area.

The property was later sold to Arthur T. Cox from West Creek, New Jersey according to the May 16th, 1895 issue of "New Jersey Courier". Later on, John Bahr owned the property and then sold it to a party from New York according to the February 24th, 1898 issue of "New Jersey Courier" .In April of 1981, the house was documented by the New Jersey Office of Cultural and Environmental Services' "Historic Preservation Section" by M. May. In their description, they mentiond that the construction date was pre-1878, the style was vernacular (early 19th century), it was 2 1/2 stories, a cemented over foundation, asbestos siding, 3 bay fenestration, a gable (1 corbelled chimney), and a rectangular form. It was also noted in the report that it was not eligble for the National Register of Historic Places, and the site was in 'fair' condition at the time.

c. 1904 view of Brown's Cranberry Bog and the Brown Homestead. This view was used as a real photo post-card (RPPC).

1872 zoomed in view of Brown's Cranberry Bog from F. W. Beers' Map of Ocean County.
From Library of Congress.

1878 zoomed in view of Brown's Cranberry Bog from the Woolman and Rose Atlas Map of Barnegat.

September 1909 depiction of the Brown Homestead and surrounding buildings on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Barnegat.
From Library of Congress.

1895 newspaper clipping mentioning Arthur T. Cox of West Creek, New Jersey purchasing the Brown Homestead in Barnegat.

From the May 16th, 1895 issue of "New Jersey Courirer".

1898 newspaper clipping about John Bahr selling the Brown Homestead to a party from New York.

From the February 24th, 1898 issue of "New Jersey Courier".

1873 advertisement mentioning John Ashley Brown selling cranberries.

From the January 16th, 1873 issue of "New Jersey Courier".

Brown's Cranberry Bogs Today

Today Brown's Cranberry Bogs are no longer in operation with the former cranberry berms covered in thick woods. It is still possible to see the former berms though. The Brown Homestead is still present today, although with some modifications. On August 1st, 2023, I was given permission to metal detect the former Brown's Cranberry Bogs property. I made three trips so far on August 1st, 2023, August 2nd, 2024, and October 15th, 2024, most of my finds so far are iron relics (shown below) with a 1910 wheat cent making an appearance.

2024 view of the back of the Brown Homestead.

2024 view of the former cranberry berms of Brown's Cranberry Bog.

Assorted square nails. Over 50+ square nails have been found on the property thus far.
Found on various dates
(Aug. 1st, 2023, Aug. 2nd, 2024, and Oct. 15, 2024).

Unidentified artifact. This was found where an ice house was once located on the property.
Found on August 2nd, 2024.

Example of some coinage found on the property. A 1992 Lincoln cent, 1980 quarter, and a 1910 wheat cent. A 2000 quarter was also found (not pictured) on October 15th, 2024.
Found on August 1st, 2023.

c. 1910 part of a hook implement, presumably to hold a basket or something similar.
Found on August 2nd, 2024.

Much larger square nail.
Found on August 1st, 2023.

Part of a doorhinge(?).
Found on August 1st, 2023.

Half of a horse shoe.
Found on August 1st, 2023.

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