Bedminster Book Review: “The Story of an Old Farm” by Andrew D. Mellick is an unassuming title for one of the best history books ever written about New Jersey in colonial and Revolutionary times. The story centers on the farm and modest farmhouse built in 1751 in the heart of Bedminster. Originally published in 1889. Definitely recommended reading. Available for free download from Library of Congress:
https://www.loc.gov/item/01013406
The 1889 edition is can also be downloaded from the Internet Archive and from Google Books. The Bernardsville Library local history room has a copy of Lesser Crossroads, 1948, edited by Hubert G. Schmidt to delete the Mellick genealogy in the original.
I have an original copy of this book purchased by my father, Charles Melick, around 1985. he has since passed and we are trying to decide what to do with the book. We are considering donating the book. Is this something you would be interested in or could you recommend someone who would preserve and keep the book?
Good Morning,
Would you be able to send this in the mail to our family, He is my 7th generation great grandfather on my Father’s side of the family, my numer is 509-251-1544. I would be more than happy to compensate shipping I live in Washington State. Thank you
Hello,
thanks for inquiring about the book. we actually donated the book and no longer have it. The Somerset Hills Historical has it and is taking good care to keep it preserved.
Thank you for your interest. You may also want to check out another recent blog we did on the Moelich gravesites next to the Pluckemin Presbyterian Church. The link is below.
https://somersethillshistoricalsociety.org/2025/07/18/founding-family-rests-peacefully-in-pluckemin-nj/
Hello!
I have read Story of an Old Farm many times; and I have a copy of Lesser Crossroads. In recent years, I have identified a major error in the genealogy.
For years, I thought that I was descended from the “A” line (Johannes-Philip-John-David-Samuel); but since a Malick family from West Virginia has conflicting information about this line, some cousins and I did some research. It turns out that we actually are part of the “C” line of Johann Peter Moelich, who came to America in 1728. That line is Johann Peter-John-John-David-Samuel; and Samuel D. Melick was my great-grandfather.
This is interesting. I am descended from Veronica who Married Jacob Kline who helped found the tannery on the property. A Kline Tannery was part of my family tree marrying a Willett known for his shoe business in 1858.
Good Evening !! My 4th great grandmother was Eliza Melick . She was married to William Jackson Robbins . I haven’t read the book yet but I think I saw that it says they had no children but obviously they did. Maybe I read it wrong tho. I have been busy researching and came across this .
So great to hear from the family members! More details and stories always welcome. Thank you!