Charles Pfizer Jr. purchases the Essex Hunt Club, it's hounds, equipment, and the hunting territory.

Working for Mr. Pfizer was Tommy Madden, who began as Pfizer's coachman, and works in charge of the stables of harness horses and polo ponies. He was a stableman, stud groom, trainer, and veterinarian. He later takes over the Kennels in Gladstone, where Pfizer builds living quarters for Tommy and his family.
Find out where he worked and lived prior to working with Pfizer.

Pfizer relocates the Hounds Pack to Walton Cottage, aka the Walton House, a resort hotel (later called the Alpton- See Below) property located on Kahdena Road near Morristown, and houses the dog kennels near Maplewood officially splitting off from the Essex County Country Club.
At the Sussex Avenue end of Kahdena Road was a 61 acre farm called "The Alpton" purchased by Robert R. Reily for $22,500 in 1899. Earlier owners were Lewis W. Walton and E. C. Row. Mrs. Lousie Riley ran a large boarding house at "Alpton" until it was destroyed by fire in 1913. There were golf links and tennis courts there as well. Records also indicate a Sheriffs sale of 58 acres of the Walton House from Louisa B. Walton in the Oct 16, 1896 The Jerseyman - Follow up with Barry Thomson.

1892,
Oct 8

First Hunt in Somerset Hills Area?

The Morristown Society watches as The Essex County Hunt "gathered about the Green to witness the start ...making it's way toward Boonton, and a beautiful sight it was as the men in their bright colors followed the hounds across the field. Numerous carriages followed as near as they could. On "Columbian Day, Wednesday, the Hunt met at Hillcrest Farm, the beautiful place of Mr. J. W. Odgen on Loantaka Terrace.

The following Wednesday (October 14, 1892), Mr. and Mrs. Ogden entertained about one hundred and fifty guests at the Hunt Breakfast, and the run was more attractive to the onlookers than usual, as the hounds were started without a long drive. Charles Pfizer Jr. was in attendance. (The Jerseyman- Friday, October 14, 1892).

In 1892 Charles Pfizer relocates the kennels and stables adjacent to Yademos (across Mendham Road), to the former estate of Robert Seney (The Maples) on the Bernardsville mountain known as Walescott Kennels. (Verify) The properties that were part of this area totaled over 1,000 acres. In 1898, Robert Seney sold 50 acres and what became known as The Maples to Francis Loyd.

Noted that Hunts averaged two per week.*

Pfizer relocates the Hounds Pack to his friend George Ingraham Seney's (1826-1893) property, while Pfizer Jr. begins looking for appropriate permanent accommodations. The Seney estate, known later as The Maples (named Maples by owner Francis Loyd in 1898). then noted as the Bernardsville section of Bernards Twp. The Maples, which is later owned by Francis Loyd (Brooks Brothers President) is demolished in 2004. Francis Loyd is an experienced breeder of Scottish Terriers that were kept on the 50 acre property called Walescott Kennels.

Pfizer Jr. purchases a 150 acre farm in Gladstone from Cornelius Wyckoff Schomp, converting the farm barns into large stables and kennels. There is a "Upper Kennel" on Pottersville Road (Currently known as the present location of The Willow School) and the "Lower Kennel" on Old Chester Road (between what is known as (Brook Hollow Drive North to Pfizer Drive) in Gladstone. In addition to the kennel and stables, Pfizer redesigns the farm barns as stables and kennels and the farm house had rooms for "Charley Pfizer's" guests and a big two story room with containing a large oak room with a vaulted ceiling, gallery, and an enormous stone fireplace for his famous 'hunt dinners' every Saturday Night.*(p.25)

Working for Mr. Pfizer was Tommy Madden, who began as Pfizer's coachman, and later was in charge of the stables along with his huntsman Willie Howard.

This is not the current site of the Essex Hunt Club off Holland Road in Peapack (that's in 1913). Why was there no fancy estate name etc. or what was he building there? See if there are any pictures of the upper and lower kennels and interior of the Clubhouse.
Sidebar: Is Holland Road named after Capt. Tom Holland, who married Pfizer's daughter Lulu.

Willie Howard comes to Gladstone with Charles Pfizer Jr. and serves as huntsman for the Essex Hunt. His favorite horse was "Ninette", and actually named his first daughter after this filly. After "Ninette" dies (the horse), he buries the fillie at the Bedminster Inn (Hotel).

In 1898, upon his retirement with Charles Pfizer, Willie and his wife, Bertha, purchase the Bedminster Hotel, upon retiring as worker for Charles Pfizer, which later becomes the Howard Hotel, the forerunner to Willies Tavern. Howard also owned the Peapack Hotel.

Willie Howard had another hobby - "cock fighting ". He had many coops set up in secluded spots in back of the Pfizer kennels. "Each Sunday morning he started out with an old mattress over his head and went the rounds, stopping at each coop to toss the birds about...to strengthen their feet and wings."(Recollections of the Essex Hunt) (Photo circa 1905 THSSH).

Willie was a huntsman and had a favorite horse "Ninette". Being trown from Ninette so many times, Willie was nicknamed the "India Rubber Man." He named his youngest daughter after Ninette, and even burried Ninette (the horse) behind the Bedminster Inn (aka Willies Tavern).

Essex Hounds Meet - October 1896
October 10- Morristown Green
Wednesday, October 14th, Basking Ridge
Saturday, October 17th, Washington Valley
Wednesday, October 21st, New Vernon
Saturday, October 24th, Bernardsville
Wednesday, October 28th, Lyons
Saturday, October 31st, Far Hills
* Geroge P. Messervy, temporary Acting Master)
*Recollations of the Essex Hunt - Frederick W. Jones

Pfizer purchases George Seney's estate (actually it was in the hands of his son Robert Seney and his Somerset Land Company) at the corner of Mendham and Pfizer Road in Bernardsville, a stone house built for Robert Seney, son of George Seney in 1881. Architects were Lamb and Rich of New York. Confirm the date of the purchase. Yademos (someday spelled backwards) built by George Seney, is directly across the street from The Maples, which is on the corner of Mendham Road near Lloyd Road in Bernardsville.

President of Pfizer and Company since 1900, Charles Pfizer's title was strictly honorary In 1905, the Board of Directors, consisting of Charles Pfizer Sr, his brother Emile, William Erhart, and John Anderson (CEO) demand and received Charles Jr's resignation. The resolution said he was to "cease and desist from in any way participating in the business of Charles Pfizer & Company."

Pfizer Website Notes: - "Emile Pfizer was made president at a special board meeting held at the end of 1905, when his elder brother Charles Pfizer, Jr., noted huntsman and cross-country steeplechase rider with no real interest in the business, was asked to resign as president and director."

Charles Pfizer Jr. sponsors the first Farmer's Day outing at 1:00pm in Pottersville at the Pottersville Hotel (built by Whisky Hank (Henry) Fleming - later renamed the Sutton Hotel), as a stag affair (men only). Music was provided by the Black Diamond Quartet and over 300 farmers were present. (Frederick Jones - Recollections of the Essex Hunt) Feb. 11 was a Friday. Photo Courtesy Somerset County Historical Society.

The Farmers Day Race is held for the first time, Saturday, 2pm, October 23, 1914, under the sanction of The Hunts Committee of The National Steeplechase and Hunt Association. Sponsored by the Essex Fox Hounds at "The Club House", Peapack, NJ (see race day program to the left) (Jones Book).

The course was set from the crest of a hill, on Dr. Henry Lance's farm, thru Frederick Bull's farm, Mrs. George Messervy, and the land leased by the Essex Fox Hounds. After a glorious dinner served outside the Clubhouse at approximately noon, over 200 farmers and guests climbed the hillside to view the event. The main race was the Whippany Challenge Cup, transferred from the Whippany River Club, in Morristown to the custody of the Essex Fox Hounds until some owner wins it three consecutive times. Prize money was set at $150 and registration was limited to bona-fide hunters owned by members of the Essex Fox Hounds or Essex Hunt. The course was over approximately 3 1/2 miles and contained 30 fences. Five horses started the event. The race was won by Shelton E. Martin's Miss Meadows over Nina by a short neck, depriving Charles Pfizer outright ownership of the cup (he had two wins previous on record).

First New Jersey Hunt Cup is held as part of the Farmers Day Race at what is known as the Far Hills Fairgrounds (the site of the annual VNA Rummage Sale) -Jones Book. “Second Annual Farmers’ Day Race Meeting” is held October 23, 1915 – three years after the first – and featured the very first running of the New Jersey Hunt Cup. (Recollections of the Essex Hunt mentions this to be THREE YEARS after the first, which would have made this race start in 1912? VERIFY.)

Between 500 to 600 guests attended the event, which began with an elaborate luncheon, served under large tents. Sanctioned by the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association, it’s mission, as described in the official program: “to provide a course to test the qualities of a hunter, the steeplechases will be laid over a fair hunting country (Post and Rail).”

The race was set for horses who are the property of and ridden by members of recognized hunt clubs, or members of the U.S. Army. The race was easily won by Arthur Fowler (jockey was Mr. George Gilder) on Oxygen. In addition to this trophy, the President of the Essex Fox Hounds, (Freddie Bull) presented a challenge cup which becomes the property of the owner winning the cup three times. The course was over 4 miles of fair hunting country. Of the six entries, four went on to the post. Oxygen led for virtually the entire distance and eventually won by over thirty lengths. (NY Times -Oct. 24, 1915)

The New Jersey Hunt Cup moves to Grant Schley's Froh-Heim Estate in what was then called Bernards. (Today it is Far Hills/Bedminster). The New Jersey Hunt Cup race still remains on the Far Hills Race Meeting's race card today. However, the first race was always the Farmer's Race.(Jones)

The event came to be known as the Essex Fox Hounds Race Meeting – a two-day event patterned after the English agricultural shows of the time. (mcgraw email). Photo - Turpin Book

William Bassett purchases Froh-Heim two years after Evander Schley's death, who renames the estate Moorland Farms, after a property that his mother had purchased in nearby Pottersville (Bedminster). That property had originally belonged to the Moore family which is now part of the grounds of the Purnell School.

Somerset Medical Center of Somerville, NJ becomes the primary benefactor of the Far Hills Race Meeting. Previously, the event proceeds were used to fund the Essex Fox Hounds. It was said that if the social aristocrats wanted to engage in public libations and equine activities, they at least should benefit a worthy cause. The offer was first extended to Morristown Memorial, who rejected the offer. The second request was made with the Somerset Medical Center in Somerville, who gratefully took the organizers up on the offer (J. von Stade discussion / 2006) Who coordinated this partnership event and why?

John von Stade, the longest-tenured president in the history of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, completes 16 years of service and resigns. The museum's eighth president, von Stade, 67, will succeed Martha Gerry as chairman of the museum's Board of Trustees. PH (908) 953-8375-John has has also been chairman of Somerset Medical Center Foundation, and Chairman of the Far Hills Race Meeting Association.

87th Running of the Far Hills Race Meeting. If this were a cronological event, going back 87 years, this would put it at 1920 as the first. But the first was in 1915 (NJ Hunt Cup's first) so there must have been 6 years where the event didn't take place.

Answer must be that the first event is recorded as 1915 (the first NJ Hunt Cup). 93 years have passed, and with this year being the 87th Running, then there were six times that the event was not held. (Confirm)
1917, 1918 (WW1), 1942,1943,1944,1945 (WW2)

PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE NEW JERSEY HUNT CUP

1915 Arthur A. Fowler's "Oxygen," 165 lbs. (Mr. G. Gilder)
1916 Nicholas L. Tilney's "Wayside"
No Run 1917-1918 (WW1)
1919 Welsh Strawbridge's "River Breeze," 165 lbs. (Mr. W. Strawbridge)
1920 R.B. Strassburger's "Wolferton If," 165 lbs. (Mr. WT. Fleming)
1921 R.B. Strassburger's "Wolferton [1," 165 lbs. (Mr. C.N. Kline)
1922 R.B. Strassburger's "Wolferton ll," 162 lbs. (Mr. E.M. Cheston)
1923 Mrs. M.M. Maddux's "Oracle It," 165 lbs. (Mr. R. Belmont)
1924 Mrs. A.C. Burrage's "Stilts," 165 lbs. (Mr. A.C. Burrage, Jr )
1925 A. Filmore Hyde's "Bulgar," 165 lbs. (Mr. W.F.Sabater)
1926 F. Ambrose Clark's "Moccasin," 165 lbs. (Mr. A.C. Bostwick)
1927 Howard Bruce's "Billy Barton," 165 lbs. (Mr. A.G. Ober, Jr.)
1928 Mrs. M.K. Stevenson's "Alligator," 165 lbs. (Mr. F.C. Thomas)
1929 Mill Creek stable's "Sea Soldier," 165 lbs. (Mr. Rigan McKinney)
1930 Howard Bruce's "Hubar," 165 lbs. (Mr. G. Blakiston)
1931 W. Congreve Jackson's "Sennarcherib," 165 lbs. (Mr. F.C. Thomas)
1932 Howard Bruce's "Hubar," 165 lbs. (Mr. R.G. Woolfe)
1933 Carieton H. Palmer's "Round du Roi," 165 lbs. (Mr. E.H.B. Allen)
1934 Mrs. T.H. Somerville's "Trouble Maker," 165 lbs. (Mr. N. Laing)
1935 Northwood Stable's "Indigo," 165 lbs. (Mr. C.R. White)
1936 Mrs. Frank M. Gould's "Ostend," 165 lbs. (Mr. R.G. Duffey)
1937 John Strawbridge's "Coq Bruyere," 165 lbs. (Mr. R.P. Hamilton)
1938 John Strawbridge's "Coq Bruyere," 165 lbs. (Mr. G. Strawbridge)
1939 Allison Stern's "Lucier," 165 lbs. (Mr. R.G. Woolfe)
1940 C.E. Tutle's "Blockade," 157 lbs. (Mr. J.F. ColwiI4
1941 Mrs. Frank M. Gould's "Hold Forth," 165 lbs. (Mr. N. Cleland)
Not run 1942 through 1945 (WWII)
1946 John Strawbridge's "Bungtown," 165 lbs. (Mr. F.H. Powers, Jr.)
1947 Mrs. C.S. Richard's "Tino Wave," 158 lbs. (Mr. J. Arthur)
1948 Lee L. Chandler III's "Royal Mission," 159 lbs. (Mr. G. Stephens)
1949 Mrs. Simon T. Patterson's "The Cardinal 2nd," 157 lbs. (Mr. E.Weymouth)
1950 Mrs. John Strawbridge, Jr.'s "Jester's Moon," 161 tbs (Mr. W. Dixon)
1951 Bliss Flacus' "McGinty Moore," 168 tbs (M. Ferral)
1952 G.T. Weymouth's "Done Sleeping," 168 lbs. (Mr. E. Weymouth)
Not run 1953.
1954 Mrs. Wm. J. Strawbridge's "Lands Corner," 161 lbs. (Mr. B. Murray)
1955 Charles Cann's "Galant Ship,' 161 lbs. (Mr. Charles Cann)
1956 Mrs. C.P. Denckla's "Ned's Flying," 149 lbs. (Mr. P. Fanning)
1957 Mrs. Henry Obre's "Coupe de Vite," 164 lbs. (K. Field)
1958 Alfred H. Smith's "Grand Chat," 168 lbs. (J. Aitcheson, Jr.)
1959 Miss Audrey Riker's "Golden Fly," 155 lbs. (Mr. B.H. Murray)
1960 Mrs. Wilfrid Wood's "Latin Lancer," 146 lbs. (Mr. L. Neilson, 3rd)
1961 Bliss Flaccus' "Trout Line," 163 lbs. (R. Houghton)
1962 T.B. Glynn's "Allan Adale," 153 lbs. (R. Woolfe)
1963 Woodcrest's "Red Lion Mike," 157 lbs. (Mr. B. Tagg)
1964 Race declared void
1965 Russell B. Jones, Jr.'s "Boating Party," ** 146 lbs. (Mr. R. Jones, Jr.)
1966 David L. Ferguson's "Leeds Don," 168 lbs. (T. Walsh)
1967 Mrs. Nelson Slater Jr.'s "Stutter Start," 159 lbs. (Mr. C. Meister, Jr.)
1968 Redmond Stewart, Jr.'s "Haffaday," 171 lbs. (Mr. L. Nielson, 111)
1969 George T. Weymouth's "Island Stream," 168 lbs. (Mr. J.R.S. Fisher)
1970 Mrs. Nelson Slater Jr.'s "Stutter Start," 160 lbs. (Mr. K. Freeman)
1971 Charles C. Fenwick, Sr.'s "Happy Orphan," **162 lbs. (Mr. C.Fenwick)
1972 Mrs. H. Nelson Slater, "Devil's Brolly," ** 152 lbs. (Mr. R. Howard, Jr.)
1973 Rokeby's Stable's "Chapel Street," 170 tbs (L. Neilson)
1974 H. Turney McKnight's "Still In All," 173 lbs. (A. Riker)
1975 Mrs. Rosalie Culver's "Dosdik," 165 lbs. (Charles Fenwick, Jr.)
1976 Foxbrook Farm, "Devil's Brolly," 157 lbs. (Reese Howard, Jr.)
1977 Helen Polinger's "All There Is," 156 lbs. (Ross Pearce)
1978 Charles S. Bird, Jr.'s "Christmas," 161 lbs. (R.P.S. Hannum)
1979 Mrs. Miles Valentine's "Cancottage (GB)," 165 lbs. (Joy Slater)
1980 Mrs. Miles Valentine's "Cancottage (GB)," 165 lbs. (Joy Slater)
1981 W. Wallace Lanahan, Jr.'s "Sam Son of a Gun," 176 lbs. (Charles Fenwick, Jr.)
1982 W. Wallace Lanahan, Jr.'s "Sam Son of a Gun," 168 lbs. (C.C. Fenwick)
1983 Jeremy Gilliam's "Redgate," 164 lbs. (Jeremy Gilliam)
1984 Mrs. Miles Valentine's "Cancottage (GB)," 165 lbs. (Joy Carrier)
1985 Tee Pee Stables "Exploding Fortune." 168 lbs. (Jeff Teter)
1986 Mrs. J. Maxwell Moran's "Tom Miller (IRE)," 163 lbs. (Anne Moran)
1987 Foxbrook Farm's "Freeman's Hill," 160 lbs. (William Meister)
1988 Sheppard Worrall Stable's "Von Csadek," 163 lbs. (Patrick Worralil
1989 Sheila Williams'"Call Louis", *165 (Jack Fisher)
1990 Monkton Stables' "Pacific Parley," 155 lbs. (Joseph Gillet)

*Recollations of the Essex Hunt - Frederick W. Jones