This is a petition to gather interest in changing the name of the creek that runs past Conines Millpond behind lakeview drive and along the northern side of 526 in Allentown and Upper Freehold New Jersey. The name of the creek is Negro Run, and would be changed to Ashby Creek. "Ashby," is in reference to Civil War veteran and past Allentown resident Sgt. George Ashby. George Ashby was the oldest New Jersey Civil War veteran when he passed away at 102. The purpose of this name change is to acknowledge a great resident of our town and serviceman to our country. Here is more history on George Ashby.
When George Ashby died at his residence on Pearl Street, Allentown, he was the last remaining New Jersey Civil War Veteran.
Born in Virginia, he was farming in Crosswicks, New Jersey when he decided to accept a $100 enlistment bonus to join the Union Army. In August 1864 he was mustered in as a Private in the 22nd United States Colored Troops, but soon after he was assigned to fight in the 45th United States Colored Troops.
His regiment was assigned to the Union's Army of the James, and placed in the all-African American XXV Corps, commanded by Major General Godfrey Weitzel. As part of the operations around Petersburg, Virginia, George Ashby's regiment fought in the battles of Chapin's Farm, New Market Heights, Darby Town, Fair Oaks, and Hatcher's Run. After the Confederate lines were broken in April 1865, it took part in the final pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia that ended with General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
15 Comments
This recognition is important to keep the family name and history straight for both sides of Our horrendous Civil War.
Thank you for bringing this issue to my attention and for providing me with an opportunity to support renaming the creek for an important local hero.
long overdue. sergeant ashby deserves to be remembered properly by the folks living here in town.
It would seem our town would be better served by honoring a prominent citizen rather than defaming any part of our great community
Do you have any information about what land he owned or where he lived? I could use it for the review.
Dear Mr. Meara: We are pleased to inform you that the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, at its November 8, 2018 meeting, approved your proposal to change the name of Negro Run in Upper Freehold Township to Ashby Creek. The change has been made in the Geographic Names Information System, the nation’s official geographic names repository, which is available and searchable online at https://geonames.usgs.gov. The entry reads as follows: Ashby Creek: stream; 4.2 mi. long; in Upper Freehold Township, heads 0.2 mi. W of Wrightville at 40°10’53”N, 74°30’54”W, flows W to Doctors Creek, 0.6 mi. SE of Allentown, 5.5 mi. SW of Assunpink Lake; the name commemorates George Ashby (1844-1946), a black Union soldier who worked on a farm in the area; Monmouth County, New Jersey; 40°10’15”N, 74°34’40”W; USGS map – Allentown 1:24,000; Not: Negro Run. Sincerely, Jennifer Runyon, research staff For Lou Yost, Executive Secretary U.S. Board on Geographic Names Reston, VA 20192-0523 (703) 648-4550
This is a continuation of the efforts of others in the 1990's.
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This is a petition to gather interest in changing the name of the creek that runs past Conines Millpond behind lakeview drive and along the northern side of 526 in Allentown and Upper Freehold New Jersey. The name of the creek is Negro Run, and would be changed to Ashby Creek. "Ashby," is in reference to Civil War veteran and past Allentown resident Sgt. George Ashby. George Ashby was the oldest New Jersey Civil War veteran when he passed away at 102. The purpose of this name change is to acknowledge a great resident of our town and serviceman to our country. Here is more history on George Ashby.
When George Ashby died at his residence on Pearl Street, Allentown, he was the last remaining New Jersey Civil War Veteran.
Born in Virginia, he was farming in Crosswicks, New Jersey when he decided to accept a $100 enlistment bonus to join the Union Army. In August 1864 he was mustered in as a Private in the 22nd United States Colored Troops, but soon after he was assigned to fight in the 45th United States Colored Troops.
His regiment was assigned to the Union's Army of the James, and placed in the all-African American XXV Corps, commanded by Major General Godfrey Weitzel. As part of the operations around Petersburg, Virginia, George Ashby's regiment fought in the battles of Chapin's Farm, New Market Heights, Darby Town, Fair Oaks, and Hatcher's Run. After the Confederate lines were broken in April 1865, it took part in the final pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia that ended with General Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
15 Comments
A positive and uplifting action. Thanks for making a difference , this is what makes America great!
This recognition is important to keep the family name and history straight for both sides of Our horrendous Civil War.
Thank you for bringing this issue to my attention and for providing me with an opportunity to support renaming the creek for an important local hero.
long overdue. sergeant ashby deserves to be remembered properly by the folks living here in town.
It would seem our town would be better served by honoring a prominent citizen rather than defaming any part of our great community
Do you have any information about what land he owned or where he lived? I could use it for the review.
Dear Mr. Meara: We are pleased to inform you that the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, at its November 8, 2018 meeting, approved your proposal to change the name of Negro Run in Upper Freehold Township to Ashby Creek. The change has been made in the Geographic Names Information System, the nation’s official geographic names repository, which is available and searchable online at https://geonames.usgs.gov. The entry reads as follows: Ashby Creek: stream; 4.2 mi. long; in Upper Freehold Township, heads 0.2 mi. W of Wrightville at 40°10’53”N, 74°30’54”W, flows W to Doctors Creek, 0.6 mi. SE of Allentown, 5.5 mi. SW of Assunpink Lake; the name commemorates George Ashby (1844-1946), a black Union soldier who worked on a farm in the area; Monmouth County, New Jersey; 40°10’15”N, 74°34’40”W; USGS map – Allentown 1:24,000; Not: Negro Run. Sincerely, Jennifer Runyon, research staff For Lou Yost, Executive Secretary U.S. Board on Geographic Names Reston, VA 20192-0523 (703) 648-4550
This is a continuation of the efforts of others in the 1990's.
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A positive and uplifting action. Thanks for making a difference , this is what makes America great!