Books by OCHS

  • By Ocean County Historical Society:  A unique area exists along the western shores of Little Egg Harbor Bay and Great Bay between the communities of Manahawkin and New Gretna.  These towns, located in the southern coastal section of New Jersey have a rich and charming history.  From the beginning, the region was rich in natural resources, providing fish, clams, oysters, lumber, and cranberries for early settlers.  The communities also enjoyed a temperate climate and navigable harbors, leading to the development of shipbuilding and trading as early industries.  Because of the isolation of the Tuckerton area from the larger population centers of the state, its small-town flavor and way of life were allowed to endure.  Many of the occupations of the settlers of the early 1700s survive to this day.  Downshore from Manahawkin to New Gretna seeks to capture the charm of the little towns in this region, the character of the people who settled here, many of whose families still remain, and the lifestyle lived in harmony with this pastoral environment during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  
  • Compiled by William A. King, Jr. and Adolph Wooley:  Late 19th century and early 20th century downtown Toms River is depicted in 56 pages of many photos never before published.  Photos include Washington Street, Water Street, Main Street and various other locations.  
  • By Ocean County Historical Society:  The Ocean County Historical Society is proud to present this collection of writings by and about Elizabeth Meirs Morgan.  Within its pages you will find the story of a life dedicated to preserving the history and natural environment of Ocean County for future generations and to inform today’s population of the treasures that abound in Ocean County.  Elizabeth wrote about the things she knew, the causes that she supported, topics that led her to further research—in essence, anything that interested her or that we (the reader and public) needed to know about.  
  • By Ocean County Historical Society: A compilation of facts and personal quotes and remembrances of Elizabeth Sculthorpe Force.  She grew up in the house that is now Ocean County Historical Society’s residence.  The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.
  • By Samuel Vaughn Merrick:  A combination of Sam Merrick’s biography of F, Slade Dale and Dale’s own writings about his nautical exploits throughout his life.  An unusual gentleman, Dale developed his love of boats in the waters of Ocean County.  
  • Compiled by Elizabeth Ann Grant:  The church and burying ground are located in Lacey Township, Ocean County, New Jersey on the east side of Route 9 in the Murray Grove section of Lanoka Harbor, just north of Forked River.  Many of the old settlers in and around Cedar Creek are buried here.  The book contains an alphabetical listing of the stones in the cemetery.  The list was compiled in June 1970 and includes the older section of the cemetery.  There is background information about Good Luck (Potter’s) Churchyard and Cemetery, excerpts from Rose Grover Garthwaite’s Good Luck Settlement, and excerpts from Kobbe’s Jersey Coast and Pines, pages 70-71 (Original printing 1889 Gustave Kobbe).  
  • By Robert H. Camp:  This book contains a listing of those service members who died during World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam and are honored posthumously.  
  • Indexed by Lawrence E. Barnes, DVM, MS & Carol Miller, MSW:  This index is divided into four sections.  Section I contains entries from the New Jersey Courier, January 1917 to December 26, 1919.  Section II contains entries from Ocean County Leader and The Beacon, Point Pleasant, New Jersey, January 4, 1918 to December 20, 1918.  Section III is an Appendix of Personal Photographs published in Ocean County Leader and The Beacon on December 20, 1918.  Section IV is an Index Code:  Military Branch or Notation, and Index Code for Towns of Ocean County.  
  • From the Ocean Emblem and New Jersey Courier January 1, 1861 thru January 3, 1867 Compiled by Larry Barnes DVM, MS & Betty Grant, RN:  This is an alphabetical index to people and events in the Civil War. The people and events reference Ocean, Monmouth, and Burlington County residents found in local newspapers on file at Ocean County Historical Society Research Center.  
  • By Ocean County Historical Society:  This reprint of an 1888 brochure contains pictures of the shoreline, the bluff, the railroad bridge. as well as many homes that still exist in the town.  The Borough of Island Heights was founded in 1886.  It describes the 1888 summer Camp Meeting.  Included are a sample program from the meeting along with interesting and amusing advertisements from period merchants and real estate brokers.  
  • By Captain Robert F. Bennett—U.S. Coast Guard, Retired:  This book contains two works.  The first is a reprint of Surfboats, Rockets, and Carronades.  It was originally published by the United States Coast Guard in 1976 and was long out of print. The second part is a researched chronological presentation of official correspondence and documents relating to the funding and creation of the early life-saving stations.  Information is included about the tools and equipment provided by the federal government as well as the early station-keepers.  Also referenced are some of the notable shipwrecks of the period from 1848 to 1871.  
  • By Jack Cervetto—1908-1995:  Jack Cervetto was not unique to having made a living in the pine barrens of New Jersey.  What distinguishes him from hundreds of others is the fact that he reflected on his life in his later years and recorded his memories.  He set goals for himself and his community, provided the leadership that was needed to accomplish a desired end, and was well-liked and respected by his associates, whether leading a deer hunt or debating an issue at a meeting of the Stafford Township Board of Education.