Joseph Sharp

Joseph Sharp (c. 1709–1776) was an early settler of New Jersey, landowner, supporter of education, an iron manufacturer and industrialist. His flour mill provided flour to American troops in the War of 1812.

Joseph Sharp authorized the first school in present day Sussex County to be built on his land as early as 1799. A subsequent school was built in the place of the first school, again, on Sharp's land. Later, in 1823, New Jersey Governor Daniel Haines purchased land from the Sharp family to erect another school. Today, Joseph D. Sharp Elementary School, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey is named for Joseph Sharp.

In 1768, Joseph Sharp erected a forge and furnace called the "Sharpsboro Iron Works", on the Wallkill River. The village around the Sharp Iron Works became known as Sharpsborough, and then Hamburg. The village was originally named Wallings after an original settler, Joseph Wallings Sr. Due to the expensive nature of the venture and competing forges, Sharp abandoned the property in 1774. Stephen Ford used the Sharp Iron Works to secretly produce cannonballs for the British during the American Revolution. After reclaiming the property, Joseph Sharp Jr. built the stone grist mill in 1808. Sharp's mill provided the flour for the American troops of the War of 1812. The mill continued to serve the needs of the agricultural community of Sussex County.

Present day Hamburg, in Sussex County, was called Sharpsboro until 1795.

Joseph Sharp was a landowner and, after a group of investors led by William Penn and previously the Duke of York, owned the land where the present day Wallkill Golf Club is located.

In 2004, the Board of Chosen Freeholders and Historic Marker Committee of Sussex County erected an historical marker for Joseph Sharp, located at 41° 8.789′ N, 74° 34.638′ W. Marker is in Hamburg, New Jersey, in Sussex County, on Gingerbread Castle Road.

...
Wikipedia