Here’s a Letter Signed by American Banker, Financier, Civic Leader, Developer and The Architect of Modern Asbury Park, New Jersey

HENRY CHRISTOPHER WINSOR

 

(1854 – 1922)

·       PRESIDENT OF THE ASBURY PARK-OCEAN GROVE BANK, and

·  OWNED OR SPEARHEADED MANY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN ASBURY PARK, NJ, DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1905-1920.

HERE’S A LETTER SIGNED BY WINSOR ON HIS “ASBURY PARK BUILDING and LOAN ASSOCIATION” LETTERHEAD, 2pp., DATED AT ASBURY PARK, NJ, JULY 27, 1900, CONCERNING “…THE SALE OF THE SHEPHERD PROPERTY…” and OPTIONS RE TRANSFERING THE BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION’S MORTGAGE TO JAMES H. SHEPHERD. WINSOR WRITES, IN PART:

“…Our intention is to let Mr. Shepherd have the property.  This matter however should be treated as confidential…”

The Letter Is Written to Fellow Prominent Monmouth County Politician, Jurist and Historian

SAMUEL CRAIG COWART

(1854   1943)

·       DISTINGUISHED NEW JERSEY LAWYER, POLITICIAN, HISTORIAN & POET,

·       SPECIAL MASTER IN CHANCERY COURT FOR MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY,

·       CHAIRMAN OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR MONMOUTH BATTLE MONUMENT COMMISSION FOR BOTH THE 125th and 150th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN 1903 and 1928,

·       HISTORIAN and AUTHORITY OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR DAYS IN MONMOUTH COUNTY, AUTHORING ADDRESSES and POEMS ABOUT THE BATTLE OF MONMOUTH,

·       DEAN OF THE NEW JERSEY BAR ASSOCIATION,

·       TRUSTEE OF THE NEW JERSEY MILITARY ACADEMY 1900s, and

·       MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF COLONIAL WARS, THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, THE NJ HISTORICAL SOCIETY, and THE MONMOUTH COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

In 1914, Maryland Governor James Fielder appointed Samuel Cowart to represent the State at the centennial celebration of Baltimore. On this occasion the lawyer read his own poem, 'The Starry Banner of the Free,' at the unveiling of the Sir Francis Scott Key monument.”

Another Autograph Letter Signed is included with Winsor’s letter, 2pp., dated at Asbury Park, July 27th 1900, re the mortgage.  The letter was written by

JAMES H. SHEPHERD

The "J. H. Shepherd" boldly painted on the side of this charming little stoneware advertising bowl was James H. Shepherd. Born in 1864 on a Freehold farm, Shepherd worked for a time as a farmer, but at the age of 25 turned in his plow for a career as a grocer. He built a dry goods and grocery store in West Freehold, later relocating to Emory Street in Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was highly active in local Asbury politics, civic concerns, and was also a Mason. Although plagued by economic issues, including a tangled mortgage and bankruptcy incident in 1900, Shepherd was apparently greatly respected and well-liked in the community. James Shepherd died at the age of 45 of liver cancer. (Source: Monmouth County Historical Association)

BIOGRAPHY OF HENRY C. WINSOR

Henry C. Winsor (often misspelled as Windsor), a prominent real estate developer and financial figure who significantly shaped Asbury Park in Monmouth County, New Jersey circa 1900.

Henry C. Winsor (1852–1922) served as the long-standing President of the Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Bank. Around the turn of the 20th century, he was one of the most influential civic figures in Monmouth County, collaborating closely with local leaders to transition Asbury Park from a seasonal religious resort into a thriving, year-round oceanfront city.

Key Footprints Circa 1900

The Winsor Building is an Excellent example of a well-designed commercial apartment investment property from the early 1900's, with typical business stores on the first floor and apartments on the second floor. The façade of the building is unusual in that it has survived for 75 years with little if any changes, due possibly to the fact that the building was owned, operated and maintained by family members of the original owner-builder, Henry C. Winsor.

BIOGRAPHY OF SAMUEL CRAIG COWART

Samuel Craig Cowart (1854 Dec. 16 - 1943 April 23), distinguished lawyer, poet, and politician, was the son of Enoch Lloyd Cowart and Anna Maria Bowne. He was born in Freehold, New Jersey on December 16, 1854, and attended the Freehold Institute from 1867 to 1873. He attended Princeton University (1873-1876), and then took up the study of law with Judge William H. Vredenburgh (ca. 1876-1879), and was admitted to the NJ Bar in 1879.

As an attorney practicing in Freehold, Cowart was a counselor and also a special master in Chancery. He married Florence Salome Shepard (b. 1869) in 1881. They apparently had no children. Cowart inherited the Craig House (‘West farm’) located on the Monmouth battleground.

Samuel C. Cowart was considered a local historian of note and was well versed in Monmouth County history, and his poetry reflected this knowledge. He was active in the Monmouth Battle Monument Commission, serving as Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements for both the 125th and 150th anniversary celebrations of the Revolutionary War Battle of Monmouth in 1903 and 1928.  He was also a charter member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

In 1916, Cowart was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress on the Republican ticket. He served as Dean of the NJ Bar, and was a member of the Monmouth Bar Association.

The Freehold Institute, established in 1844, became the NJ Military Academy in 1900, and Cowart served on its Board of Trustees. He was also a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, the Sons of the American Revolution, the NJ Historical Society, and the Monmouth County Historical Association.

An Elder in the Freehold First Presbyterian Church, he also served in that capacity when he returned to membership in the historic Old Tennent Church. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Monmouth Presbytery.

Samuel C. Cowart died on April 23, 1943, and is buried in the Old Tennent Church graveyard (Plot 113)

Cowart’s obituary in the New York Times (April 24, 1943) indicates that Cowart was a lifelong resident of Freehold, New Jersey and was "an authority on Revolutionary War days in Monmouth County . . . . " "Governor James Fielder appointed Mr. Cowart in 1914 to represent the State at the centennial celebration of Baltimore. On this occasion the lawyer read his own poem, 'The Starry Banner of the Free,' at the unveiling of the Sir Francis Scott Key monument."

The letter comes with its original stamped transmittal envelope (a US Postal Stationery cover), with “Asbury Park N. J.” cds American flag postmark and Savings and Loan corner card.

HENRY C. WINSOR

Spouse

Mary Ann Bartram

Father

Thomas Winsor

Mother

Aletta Shepherd Christopher

Children

Elizabeth Irene

Birth

21 Nov 1854 Bound Brook, Somerset, New Jersey

Death

6 Feb 1922 Asbury Park, Monmouth, New Jersey

Residence

5 Feb 1922 Asbury Park, Monmouth, New Jersey

Burial: Evergreen Cemetery, Farmingdale, Monmouth County, New Jersey

Plot: OLD SECTION


The document measures 5” x 9” and is in excellent condition.

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