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  • Home
  • PRESERVE
    • Ecology
    • Invasive Species
    • Ponds
    • Clean Ups
    • Trails
  • ENJOY
    • halloween-22
    • Photos
    • Birding >
      • greenHeron
    • Trail Maps
    • Calendar
  • B W Kids
    • Nature Detectives - the latest news
  • Who We Are
    • Chuan-Chu Chou Blog
    • Perspectives on the Park
    • MemberInfo
    • presidentReport-1Q-21
  • Shop
  • JOIN

Fannie Queen (Jarvis) Donaldson & Samuel Jarvis

1118 Fanwood Avenue

​​One of the last to leave the neighborhood, Samuel Jarvis's family came north from Florida around 1900.
Picture

Picture
The home of Fannie Queen (Jarvis) and Samuel Jarvis at 1118 Fanwood Avenue.
Picture
Picture
The steps to Samuel Jarvis's home, as they appear today.
Samuel was born August 20, 1887 in Jacksonville, Florida to Charles and Fannie Queen Jarvis. 

He had an older brother Frank and a younger sister Florence.

The Jarvis family migrated north, specifically to New Jersey around 1900.  According to US Census records and street directories, the family lived in several towns before 1920, sometimes together and sometimes separated.

 In annual directories, Charles Jarvis’ occupation is listed as hotel porter and his sons, Frank and Samuel, are listed as waiters.  Charles Jarvis died at the age of 61.

In his 1919 WW1 draft registration, Samuel, now 29, reported that he is married – his wife’s name is Clara, they have a child, and a home address in Jersey City, but Samuel lists his employment as a waiter at the Breakers Hotel in Atlantic City.  Samuel served six months in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Dix.

In 1921, Fannie, mother to Frank, Samuel, and Florence, purchased 1118 Fanwood Avenue, located on the northeast corner of Fanwood and Netherwood Avenues in Westfield.  The home would remain in the Jarvis family for the next 55 years, as home to Fannie and, at various times, to her three adult children and her grandchildren. 

In the 1920’s, Florence married, moved to nearby Sims Place in Scotch Plains, and had five children. 

Frank died in 1953, Fannie died in 1958, having conveyed the home by deed to Samuel in 1954.  
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On the left is a photograph taken in 1964 by the Courier News of Samuel Jarvis sitting on the front steps of his home at 1118 Fanwood Avenue. He tells the reporter that he doesn’t want to leave his home and has nowhere that he can afford to go. Facing the threat of condemnation, Samuel sold his home to the Town in 1968 for $4,000, but with the right to remain in occupance for the rest of his life.

He died in 1976 at the age of 89. His sister Florence, died in 1980, survived by four children, eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and nineteen great-great grandchildren.  

​The image below is of those same steps as they appear today in the Park.
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Location

Brightwood Park is on the North end of Prospect Street.  Go past Franklin School and look for the entrance on the left.

What Our Members Are Saying

"I love the work you are doing at Brightwood.  Your efforts have shone a light on the essential elements of the park that we all cherish: its natural beauty and tranquility."

"I have a deep fondness for Brightwood park and would like to see it restored, remain natural and continue to be a site of passive recreation."

"I loved growing up in Brightwood Park !"


"I found Brightwood a few years ago and it's a great place to find wildlife, fish, and enjoy nature. Nice and quiet; good place to un wind and relax. Love it!!!"

​"As a resident for almost thirty years in the Brightwood area of Westfield, I am thrilled to see what is happening to improve and preserve Brightwood park for today and future generations. "


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