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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
Left from the junction on a graded road a few hundred feet to (R) the KATE
AYLESFORD HOUSE (private), erected 1762, on the shore of a lake. Standing behind
massive trees, the shingled mansion of two and one-half stories has simple, sturdy
lines. There are dormer windows and broad end-chimneys. Here lived Honore
Read, daughter of the Colonial ironmaster, who is said to have been the heroine of
Charles Peterson's novel, Kate Aylesford.
Much more exciting than the novel was an episode reported from the life of Miss
Read. Joe Mulliner was the Atlantic County Robin Hood, who stole liberally and
distributed his gain with equal open-handedness. When Honore Read issued invitations for a party one day during the summer of 1781, Joe, whose desire for the
handsome girl was legend, was omitted from the guest list. His record in shaking
down the wealthy landowners and local tycoons was a more important social consideration with the high-born Honore than his helpfulness to the poor. Turning
the methods of his pine woods forays, Joe made up for the snub by kidnaping the
hostess on the day of the party.
Honore was returned that night. Whether the ransom of whole-hearted affection
demanded by Joe was paid, nobody knows. Joe never made any disclosure in the
short span of life that remained before he was caught, tried and executed. Honore
wouldn't talk.
Across the road from the mansion, where the lake empties beneath a small highway bridge, are the RUINS OF PLEASANT MILLS. The old stone walls are mostly
intact, and much of the iron machinery that utilized water power for a more recent
paper mill remains. Powdered litter from dyeing operations has left bright colors
on the rotting floor. Miles distant from any contemporary industrial plant, the old
mill by the tree-swept stream would seem to merit the attention of a special kind
of ghost.
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