George "Butter" Johnson

George "Butter" Johnson. George was a musician all his life. He moved across the bridge to New Hope, Pa. married, worked as a house painter and vanishes from the family letters and newspapers around 1918 which was the time of the flu epidemic that killed hundreds of thousands of Americans.

How George got his nickname: This turn of the century article provides a charming peek into small town life and what constituted "funny" at the time. "Rube Water Melvin" is Fred. "Tub Butter Johnson" is George"

"Susie" is a play on John Phillip Sousa, a rock star of the era. 

Fred Melvin

Fred Melvin poses, ca 1908 in the Lambertville Citizen's Band in which he played cornet along with his brothers George and Harry Johnson. This appears to be the wall that still stands next to the home he lived in at 164 York Road.

Hattie Melvin Bell

Hattie Melvin, born in 1890 at age 16

Hattie Melvin Bell, ca age 20

Miss Hoyd, The Milliner

Miss Hoyd was born Maud Elizabeth Johnson- later married to Luther Hoyd, was the sister of the aforementioned musicians George and Harry of the Lambertville Citizen's Band. She is the granddaughter of Revolutionary War soldier Furman Titus. Maud grew up on York Street and later moved to Jersey City where she worked as a maker of ladies' hats.

Not the Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band

The Lambertville chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR,) a Civil War veteran's group pose with the Major Angel Post 20 band. Cornet player Harry Johnson, stands in the front row, second from the left. Ca. 1899.

Dr. Clossan's Office

On the corner of Bridge Street and North Main Street. The building with the cupola is the Fleetwing Hook and Ladder Company. The card which is dated April, 3, 1907, was mailed by Hattie Bell to her older sister Maud. Look for the gaslight on the corner. 

Fire at the Perseverance Mill

A real photo post card mailed by Hattie Melvin of York Street to her sister Maud, dated May 11, 1906. Their brother, Fred Melvin is marked above the x. Hoses from the horse-drawn fire wagons pump water from the canal. The Mill was across the canal from the train station.