History: A Blacksmith in Matawan 120 Years Ago

120 years ago, Charles A Scott advertised on page 4 of the 13 September 1890 edition of the Matawan Journal that he was now able to offer the services of Uriah Sickles to shoe horses at his carriage, wagon, and machine shops in Matawan. Given the large size of the font type, Uriah Sickles must have been quite the asset to Scott's business.

The 1880 Federal Census for New Jersey shows Charles A Scott (30) and his wife Ella (28) living in Shrewsbury, where Charles was occupied as a blacksmith. Uriah Sickles (52), his wife Fannie (50), and their children Josephine (25), Willie (18), George (14), and Minnie (12) were living in Matawan Township, where Uriah was also occupied as a blacksmith.

He was living in Marlboro in 1860, per Rootsweb.

Uriah N Sickles (23), his wife Fanny (22), and their son John (9 months) were living in Atlantic Township in 1850, according to that year's census. (Atlantic Twp was formed out of portions of Freehold, Middletown, and Shrewsbury in 1847 and became Colts Neck Township in 1962.) Uriah was listed as a blacksmith.

Uriah N Sickles (35) enlisted as a Private in Company E of the 29th New Jersey Regiment on 3 September 1862, according to the Register of the Commissioned Officers and Privates of the New Jersey Volunteers in the Service of the United States, page 512.