Trewartha’s Candy Store, Dover, New Jersey
My regular readers will know that my 4x great grandma Charlotte Phillips and her husband Samuel Trewartha are two of my fav ancestors, and I’ve written about them from time to time.
Born in the 1820s, they grew up in Cornwall, England and in the English 1861 census Samuel Trewartha’s occupation was given as Copper Miner, while Charlotte’s was Confectioner. This is followed by an entry in the 1866 Directory for Redruth (England) where Samuel is listed as a Sugar Boiler, so obviously they were making candy to supplement his income from mining.
It was in 1867 that they made the lifechanging decision to move from England to the United States, ending up in Rockaway and Dover, Morris County, New Jersey, and they opened a candy store there … which from what I can tell was a wonderful store, with an incredible reputation and ran for at least several generations, with her son John and his wife Minnie running it in her later year, and I believe some granddaughters did after that, with Black Rock Candy being their signature treat.
While I know a fair bit about Charlotte’s life from records, one thing I didn’t have is any photos of Samuel, Charlotte, the candy store. That is, at least until cousin bait worked, and some distant relatives saw my previous posts, and have sent me some photos, and have kindly allowed me to share them with you here.
So I must say a HUGE, HUGE thank you to Glenn Rush who sent me the photos below, and has allowed me to share them with you. And also to Eric Bullfinch who has sent me a map showing the exact location of the store in Sussex Street, Dover.
Mrs S. Trewartha’s Confectionery Store in Dover, New Jersey, late c.1800s
as for who is in the photo – possibly Zella (far left) and Minnie (far right) and possibly Charlotte (second from left)
a 1970s candy box of Trewartha’s Black Rock Candy, complete with biography of Samuel Trewartha “Candy Sam”
Charlotte and Samuel’s son, John Trewartha’s memorial card
obituary for Minnie Trewartha with photos of her and John
obituary for Minnie Trewartha
Zella May Trewartha, at age 20
1899 Robinson Map of Dover, Morris County, New Jersey – showing Sussex Street with Mrs Trewatha’s shop circled
So now I’m hoping that with help from my new family contacts, I’ll be able to construct a tree of the US side of the family, which of course are half-siblings to my George Phillips who emigrated to Australia.
To view my earlier related posts, you can find them here:
Family History Through the Alphabet Challenge: N is for … Never-Ending New Stuff and New Jersey
Family History Through the Alphabet Challenge: P is for … Charlotte PHILLIPS
Christmas Time at the Candy Store
10 Responses to “Trewartha’s Candy Store, Dover, New Jersey”
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Wow. What a great haul.
That is exciting to have so much shared with you.
Great story, Alona. I’ve got Trewarthas from the Redruth and Gwennep area too!!
I think we are related. Candy Sam is my 3rd Great Grandfather. Even have all kinds of memorabilia like the orange box above
Well now I know we are! My dad is Glenn – he just told me he sent that stuff.
So awesome! Do you have ancestry.com? We should link our families!
Hi Garrett, yay … another cousin! I’ll send you an email with some family info. Just give me a day or two, as things are busy at the moment. But I’ll be in touch soon.
Hi – I remember my grandparents, Gladys (Roskrow) and Buford Brooks bringing Black Rock Candy when they would visit us. My Father is related to the family through an Eliza Trewartha who married James Roscrow. She was born in Redruth Cornwall. I am still doing research but am excited to show these pictures to my father who is 92! He remembers the store.
I believe my grandfather, Samuel T Bryant, worked at that store but I was told it was called New York candy store! Please respond to this. Thank you
I was so excited to see this picture and I remember seeing the orange boxes both in our home and in my grandparents’ home. I would like to know more about the family as I have been researching on ancestry.
I know that this is a long shot but does anyone know whether there is something currently available that is similar to the Black Rock candy? Or, has anyone found the recipe? My father has been asking and I would love to be able to find or make it. I am also interested in hearing from anyone in the family.