Local History: Millburn on a Mug

This shaving mug in the collection of the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society opens a little window on life in Millburn around the turn of the last century and on some of its early residents.

Shaving mugs such as the Wilbur Denman mug seen here had the name of the owner of the mug because they were left at the barbershop. This way the owner could be assured of having the barber use his own mug when he went in for a shave. The National Shaving Mug Collectors Association Web site's primer on collecting shaving mugs notes:

"There was a time when shaving was more of a chore than it is today. Hot water was not available from the tap, so often the water had to be pumped from a well, boiled on a wood burning kitchen stove, and then carried to the bathroom—and then one had to shave with poor lighting. However, if you could afford the 10 cent cost, you could go to a barber shop, relax while reading the Police Gazette, meet friends, buy a cigar and get a professional shave with hot towels and your own shaving mug and soap."

Online genealogical records at Ancestry.com reveal Wilbur F. Denman was born in New Jersey in June 1858 and, for much of his life, seems to have been a clerk associated with a drug store. He married Mary Pettigrew and in 1900 was living with his wife, son, and mother-in-law in the home of his mother-in-law, Marietta Pettigrew.

Wilbur and Mary can be seen here in images scanned from glass plate negatives that are also in the collection of the historical society. The glass plates came from the estate of Edward S. Pettigrew, brother of Mary Denman, courtesy of former township resident Anne Smith and her brother Frank Gallitelli. Their father was employed by Mr. Pettigrew and they were given memorabilia from the estate when Mr. Pettigrew died in 1951.

In addition to the genealogical information, an 1895 edition of The New York Times noted "Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur F. Denman  of Short Hills are back from the Delaware Water Gap" and in the society's glass plate negative collection are images of the Delaware Water Gap, presumably taken on one of their vacations there.

Around 1920, Mary and Wilbur lived with her brother, Edward S. Pettigrew, in his home on Hillside Avenue, which can be seen here in an image scanned from the glass plate negatives. Edward can also be seen standing next to his Packard, of which he seems justifiably proud.

From Marian Meisner's history of Millburn Township, on the library Web site, we learn more about Edward Pettigrew: "Another Millburn benefactor, Edward S. Pettigrew, born here in 1867, died in 1951. His interest in landscaping, which he had developed as a hobby during his later life, was responsible for the fine shrubbery and plantings donated to some Millburn churches, St. Stephen's Cemetery, municipal parking lots, and other public areas. In July, 1952, the Edward S. Pettigrew Wading Pool in Taylor Park was presented to the Township by the Rotary Club and dedicated as a memorial to him."

A 1941 letter to the editor of The Item of Millburn and Short Hills confirms Mr. Pettigrew's horticultural interests and how that impacted life in Millburn for the first half of the 1900s: "It was pleasing to note the Town Fathers' appreciation of Edward S. Pettigrew's interest and attention to the Township landscaping needs. We can find evidence of his good citizenship and civic pride in all parts of the community as he has gone afield to bring order and beauty out of chaos. Millburn can and will thank Mr. Pettigrew by avoiding damage to the living things he has planted for our enjoyment."

The historical society will soon be scanning more of the Pettigrew images and hopes to have the image collection available online at some time in the future.