Morristown’s recycling center sits on land she donated. Who Was Julia Burnham Sherman?

By Meghan Chapuran

In 1902, Julia Antoinette Burnham Sherman donated a parcel of land for preservation purposes to the Morristown Improvement Association, which was later acquired by the town in 1916.

The Lake Road property now houses the town recycling center, which has drawn attention from state environmental officials.

Who was Julia Antoinette Burnham Sherman, and what led her to gift this land to be preserved over a century ago?

Click here to see Julia Burnham Sherman’s land as it is shown in the 1910 Mueller Atlas of Morris County (look in the top right corner).

At first glance, the only information on Julia appears to be a simple obituary from 1915, which states that she was 88 years old at the time of death and was the widow of Byron Sherman, who had died in 1899.

She was the daughter of Gordon Burnham and spent most of her life in Morristown, where she was an active member of the South Street Presbyterian Church and gave generously to charity.  Julia was survived by two daughters and a son.

Following another clue, Julia’s only brother Frederick Gordon Burnham appeared in the 1900 book, Biographical, Genealogical and Descriptive History of the State of New Jersey, in which she is indirectly mentioned twice.  The biographical sketch mentions that Julia was living in the old Condict homestead (then known as the Burnham place); however, she was only referred to as “Mrs. Byron Sherman.”

Furthermore, the Morristown chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s website also lists Julia Burnham Sherman as one of its founding members in 1895.

With limited source material in Julia Antoinette Burnham Sherman’s own voice, we can understand something more about her through the overarching influences in her life, including the beliefs and aspirations of those around her.  Understanding what her husband and brother did with their wealth and influence, for instance, provides some insight into her own actions and why she gave this land to Morristown.

Julia Antoinette Burnham was born on July 31, 1828, in New York to Gordon and Marcia Burnham.  The oldest of three children, Julia’s younger brother, Frederick Gordon Burnham, was born on June 29, 1831, and a third sibling died in infancy.

Her mother’s father was Judge Silas Condict of Morris County, and was widely known for his integrity and financial resources.  Her grandfather, Col. Ebenezer Condict, died while serving as a commissioned officer in the Revolutionary War while he was encamped at Morristown.  Her maternal grandmother was Charlotte Ford.

Gordon Burnham, Julia’s father, was a large wholesale merchant in New York City for many years.  In 1840, when Julia was around twelve years old her father moved the family to Morristown, New Jersey, and also managed extensive real estate holdings in New York City until his death in August 1881.  His wife, Marcia, followed him death in November 1884.

On November 30, 1852, Julia married Byron Sherman, who was four years her senior and, according to the 1860 Federal Census, was a merchant.  Together, they had five children, and Byron became known as “one of Morristown’s best known citizens.”

In the years before his death, Byron devoted his time to charitable work around Morristown; he was an active member of the Board of Trustees of the South Street Presbyterian Church and of the Morristown Memorial Hospital.

Byron was also a member of the Washington Association, American Geographical Society, and New Jersey Historical Society.  He developed a rare taste for a wide array of landscape gardening, which resulted in the beautification of the countryside and roads of his own neighborhood, located in the section of town beyond Speedwell Lake.  Byron also lent his talents to the improvement of the grounds surrounding Morristown Memorial Hospital.

Julia grew up in a family that was steeped in American history and that had played a role in the development of the colonies, in the Revolutionary War, and the growing of Morristown.  Her family was active in the church, and her husband was not only involved in the church but gave both his time and money to charities.

She also gave to charities, as was stated in her own obituaries.  Julia and her husband Byron had a shared interest in history trough their involvement with the Washington Association and the New Jersey Historical Society, as well as her founding role in the local chapter of the DAR and in keeping the Condict homestead in the family.

Julia Antoinette Burnham Sherman’s brother was an accomplished and charitable person in his own right.  Frederick Gordon Burnham graduated from Harvard Law School and was admitted to the New York bar as an attorney in 1853.

In 1858, he joined John Van Buren to create the firm of Van Buren & Burnham.  At this time, he was also one of the most prominent barristers and orators in the state of New York.  He fell ill in 1864, which forced him to retire from his New York City firm and travel for his health.  When he regained his health, he was admitted as an attorney in New Jersey in 1868, and settled in Morristown.

In 1885, Frederick travelled to the Berkshire Hills in New York to purchase 580 acres of land, including some large Shaker buildings, to develop a large farm.  His wife suggested they set aside a portion of the property for use as a home and school for wayward boys.

However, by 1886, Frederick had given the entire property over to “serve the purpose of raising delinquent boys to an honorable manhood.”  He eventually purchased additional property which totaled 1,000 acres.  The farm became known as Burnham Industrial Farm, and the name later changed to The Berkshire Industrial Farm.

Frederick served as the organization’s founder, first superintendent, and president for many years, and spent time on its upkeep well into his eighties.  Morristown also benefited from his charitable and preservation efforts through the 1911 gift of land that became Burnham Park. Click here to see Frederick Burnham’s property that became Burnham Park.

As a member of the Presbyterian Church, Julia was known to be generous to charitable causes, in accordance with her upbringing and expectations as the member of an affluent family.

While we cannot know for certain why Julia donated the parcel of land 90 Lake Road, Morristown’s recycling center, some clues exist in her family’s gift of and for charitable purposes, and her husband’s love of gardening and landscaping.  It is likely that Julia’s mindfulness of her family’s legacy, and her love of Morristown, weighed on her decision to set aside land for the enjoyment of future generations.

SOURCES

• Carter, Burnham.  The Berkshire Industrial Farm, 1886-1926: The Story of Forty Years’ Work among Boys. The Berkshire Industrial Farm, 1926.
• Lee, Francis Bazley.  Biographical, Genealogical and Descriptive History of the State of New Jersey. (Newark, NJ: New Jersey Historical Publishing Company, 1900).
• Obituaries. The Jerseyman, 1 March 1899.
• Obituaries.  The Chronicle, May 1899.
• Obituaries.  22 September 1915