(This material, provided by the Editor of the Hopewell Valley Historical Newsletter, adds more information about the property. The article includes several supporting footnotes, which are not copied here.)

A definite date of construction of the former wheelwright shop, now a residence, at 141 South Main Street in Pennington cannot be documented but deeds and mortgages of the period can help us narrow the time period. When George Laning brought his property from John M. Vankirk and his wife, Frances, for $80 in 1825. His purchase was described as a 3/4 acre lot "beginning at a stone stnding by the side of the great road." It is probable that he built his home within the next six months for his bride, Catherine, whom he wed on 20 May 1826.

By 1835 the description of his property mentioned "the house and lot of land wheron the said George Laning now lives on" George had apparently borrowed $1,820 from Abigail Smith and one can guess that he used this loan to build his shop. George also borrowed money from Levi Ketcham to Pennington at the same time. Did he use this money to help repay Abigail?

On an 1860 survey map of Pennington made by Beers and Lake, the wheelwright shop is located just north of the former Pennington Methodist Church -- the correct location according to all research. Beers' 1875 Atlas of Mercer County indicates that the shop was still in operation at that time. The structure was converted to a home in the late 19th century retaining the hand pegged roof rafters, two-brick deep walls and other other original features.

Laning Wheelwright Shop, page 1
return to 137 South Main Street
Rev: Oct 19, 2003