P.O. Box 235
Colony Lane & Colony Trail at Braddock Mill Road
Marlton, New Jersey 08053
UMLCC History
In the late 1600s, when William (1666-1729) and Elizabeth (1668-1746) Evans emigrated to the New World from Wales, the area that is now New Jersey was inhabited by the Leni Lenape Indians (aka Delaware Indians). After living for some time in a cave for lack of other adequate shelter, William and Elizabeth became owners of 300 acres of land in Evesham Township, Burlington County in what was then West New Jersey. When William and Elizabeth bought their land, it was solidly in Evesham Township. That land today would be in Mount Laurel Township.
EVESHAM TOWNSHIP
William and Elizabeth Evans were two of the first Europeans to settle in Evesham Township. Their youngest son, John Evans (1708-1746), inherited his parent's (Mt. Laurel) homestead. Their eldest son, Thomas Evans (1693-1783), purchased 1,000 acres near Marlton. It was the descendants of Thomas who came to own the land that is now the Union Mill Lake development in Evesham Township.
.jpg)
1700
1867
Evesham Township didn't always look
the way it does today. In fact, it was first called "Eversham".
In the 1800's, all of New Jersey was being divided into smaller and more manageable Townships. By the late 1800s, Evesham Township had been divided into five separate townships.
2020
THE EVANS TRACT . . . THE UNION MILL TRACT
In the late 1800’s, when Evesham Township was having its greatest growth spurt, descendants of Thomas Evans (1693-1783) owned many small parcels of land throughout the Township. All of these "Evans-owned" parcels totaled abut 1,000 acres. These parcels were located just southeast of Marlton and came to be known as the “Evans Tract”.
Upon his death, John Evans (1774-1841), great grandson of Thomas Evans (1693-1783), bequeathed approximately 300 acres of land to his three sons, Ezra Evans 1 (1800-1879), William Evans (1806-1863), and David Evans (1810-1875). This acreage was located in the western portion of the Evans Tract in the Milford section of Evesham Township. This 300 acres contained Union Mill Pond and and saw mill and was known as the "Union Mill Tract.
William Evan's (1806-1863) son, William J. Evans (1843-1912), purchased the portion of land inherited by his uncle, Ezra Evans (1800-1879), who never married. William's other son, Joseph Evans (1838-1909), inherited his father's land upon his death in 1863. It was Joseph Evans' (1838-1909) land which would eventually become the Union Mill Lake development.
An 1871 handwritten indenture between "Ezra Evans, David Evans, and Joseph, and William J. Evans, party of the first part, and Joseph (Mary) Howard, a colored woman, party of the second part", was executed on February 3, 1871. The purchased land is described as being “three acres and seventy-five hundredths . . . more or less” and the sale price was “thirty five dollars current lawful money of the United States of America”. It was identified as “being part of the tract known as the Union Mill Tract, [bequeathed] in the will of John Evans (1774-1841), deceased". It is also described as being “in the line of land belonging to the estate of Thomas Evans" (1693-1783; son of William & Elizabeth Evans/great grandfather of John Evans 1774-1841). The land description mentions the “Union Saw Mill Pond” and includes mention of the sawmill, previously owned by John Evans (1774-1841), located on the pond. This sawmill was located on what is now Union Mill Lake and in the late 1800s, after John's death, was operated by his son, Ezra Evans (1800-1879).
c.1850 Evans-owned land in Evesham Township;
All descendants of William and Elizabeth Evans
c.1850 Estimation of Evesham Township Founding Family Land Tracts
1871 Deed From Ezra Evans, David Evans, Joseph Evans, & William J. Evans to Joseph (Mary) Howard. This tract of land contained part of what is now the Union Mill Lake development.
MARLTON, MILFORD, KRESSON, KENILWORTH, & UNION MILL
Marlton and Milford were both villages located in the Evans Tract during the 1800s.
Milford was located where Kresson Road and Route 73 now intersect, and later came to be known as “Kresson”.
Milford encompassed a wooded area with meandering streams and several lakes. Because of these water resources, Milford became home to grist mills, saw mills, fueling mills, and cider distilleries (thus the name "Milford"). Two of the lakes located within Milford were the Kenilworth Lake and the Union Mill Lake, both of which hosted its own saw mill. The Milford section also contained swamps which were later developed into cranberry bogs.
Fun Facts: In the late 1800s, the Evans Tract was home to two saw mills, a grist mill, and a railroad station. In 1883, Milford had one schoolhouse with 108 school-aged children who attended school 8.3 months per year. One male school teacher and one female teacher educated all of these children at a monthly salary of $25.
1872 Map - Evesham Township identifying
Ezra Evans (1800-1879) Mill on Union Mill Lake
EZRA EVANS (1800-1879) SAW MILL ON UNION MILL LAKE
Early Evesham Township was the location of many saw mills, grist mills, cider mills, and fueling mills.
Research indicates that the dam located at the northern end of Union Mill Lake and Braddock Mill Road was once the location of an early saw mill which was built by John Evans (1774-1841) great grandson of Thomas Evans.
This saw mill was later inherited and operated by John's son, Ezra Evans (1800-1879; great-great grandson of Thomas Evans).
The mill site is identified on the 1876 map of Evesham Township as "Ezra Evans Saw Mill".
The mill was demolished in the early 1900s, but the original wooden dam survived until 2020 when it was replaced with a concrete dam due to extreme deterioration.
In 2001 the site was specifically identified as the location of an early 19th century saw mill. It was designated as "historic" per the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Historic Preservation Office and the New Jersey Office of Cultural and Environmental Services, Historic Preservation Section. Official documentation states that archeological evidence may still exist in the dam area.
c.1800s Evesham Township working mills
Ezra Evans (1800-1879)
A local mill which can be used as an example of what the Ezra Evans Mill may have looked like.
EZRA EVANS (1800-1879) FUGITIVE SLAVE SANCTUARY
Part of Ezra Evans' land holdings within the the Evans Tract included Kenilworth Lake.
Ezra Evans allowed fugitive slaves, who had escaped from the south through the underground, to settle around Kenilworth Lake. At one time there were 40 of these slave families. Evans gave these slaves a deed for their lots but these deeds were never recorded. Before he died, Evans required the slaves to give back to him their deeds, thus leaving them no proof of having had ownership.
Anecdotal data indicates that southern slave holders would plant colored spies within the Kenilworth settlement. After getting the necessary information, these spies would return South. Raiding parties would travel north, kidnap these fugitive slaves, and take them back to the Southern slave holders. To counteract this the settlement would post lookouts. If there was any sign of a raid, the lookouts would give the signal and the slaves could run to the woods and hide.
EARLY BLACK SETTLEMENT
Even earlier than the Civil War, there was a small Black community in the Milford/Kresson section of Evesham which existed into the 1930s. It was located at the intersection of Route 73 and Kresson Road. There were seven houses built on little lots once owned by the Venable Family. Eventually there was an African church and school in the community.
SALE OF UNION MILL TRACT
Joseph Evans (1838-1909), great-great-great grandson of Thomas Evans, married Lydia Wills (1843-1936).
In 1931, Lydia, along with her adult children, William Henry Evans (1870-1952), Anna Wills Evans (Sharpless) (1873-1966), Ezra Evans (1874-1954), and Joseph Stokes Evans (1876-1946), consolidated the late Joseph Evans' land under the ownership of the Joseph Evans Company, of which Ezra Evans (1870-1952) was named president.
Ezra Evans (1870-1952) was the great nephew of Ezra Evans (1800-1879), who operated the saw mill on Union Mill Lake in the late 1800s. He was also the great-great-great-great-great grandson of Thomas Evans.
It was this land that was purchased in 1950 from the Joseph Evans Company by Elmer J. and Helen (Collier) Lucas, and would ultimately become the Union Mill Lake development.
c. 1890
Front: Parents - Lydia (Wills) Evans and Joseph Evans
Back: Children - William Henry Evans (1870-1952), Lydia Wills Evans (Sharpless) (1873-1964), Joseph Stokes Evans (1976-1945), Ezra Evans (1874-1954)
1931 Deed transferring land from Estate of Joseph Evans (1838-1909) to the Joseph Evans Company by wife, Lydia W. Evans, and children, Ezra Evans, Joseph S. Evans, William Henry Evans, and Anna W. (Evans) Sharpless.
Relevant deed begins at bottom of page 1
1950 Deed transferring land from the Joseph Evans Company to
Elmer and Helen Lucas. The deed is signed by Company President, Ezra Evans (1874-1954).
The land in this deed is the land which was transferred in 1931 deed (see above) from the estate of Joseph S. Evans (1838-1909) to the Joseph Evans Company.
ELMER J. LUCAS & THE UNION MILL LAKE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Over the next three years, Elmer Lucas planned a residential development on his new land surrounding Union Mill Lake. He separated the land into three distinct sections, then sub-divided those sections into 54 separate lots.
38 of the lots were lakefront properties.
16 of the lots were non-lakefront properties located a very short walk from the lake the lake.
5 of the total 54 lots were retained by Elmer Lucas. He retained:
-
One lakefront lot for construction of a "Beach" for the lake community residents.
-
One non-lakefront lot for construction of a "Clubhouse" for the lake community residents.
-
Three lakefront lots for his personal use
With Lucas retaining 5 lots, this left 49 lots - 34 lakefront and 15 non-lakefront - available for sale.
In 1950 when Lucas purchased the Union Mill Tract, a few modest dwellings existed sporadically along the Union Mill Lake front. These dwellings had served as summer retreats for members of the Evans' family and their guests. The earliest of these dwellings were built in the 1940s and are still standing today. When purchased by Elmer Lucas, many had no electricity nor indoor plumbing. These original dwellings have since been renovated and added-onto transitioning them to comfortable, year-round residences.
THE UNION MILL LAKE COLONY CLUB
Elmer Lucas and several original Union Mill Lake property owners decided to create a governing association for the new Union Mill Lake development.
On February 19, 1954, the Union Mill Colony Club was incorporated as a non-profit organization with the purpose to "promote the general welfare, good order, and prosperity of the lake community located at or in the neighborhood of Union Mill Lake, in the Township of Evesham, County of Burlington, and state of New Jersey." This legal incorporation gave this new organization the right to create bylaws and elect trustees
Soon after, a clubhouse was built on the 'Triangle" which served as a community gathering place for lively social events held throughout the year. Historical records indicate that the clubhouse hosted frequent and well-attended events such as Card Parties, Holiday Socials, Special Occasion Celebrations, Dances, Youth Activities, and Meetings, to name just a few.
THE 50's & 60's
Elmer Lucas:
-
In 1954 deeded UMLCC the “Beach” lakefront lot (Block 71.01, Lot 1)
-
In 1955 sold one of his two personally-retained lakefront lots (Block 71.01, Lot 29).
-
In 1959 sold the other of his two personally-retained lakefront lots (Block 71.01, Lot 18).
-
In 1962 deeded UMLCC the “Triangle” non-lakefront lot/clubhouse (Block 72.01, Lot 1)
-
Somewhere along the line, Elmer Lucas deeded UMLCC his final personally-retained lakefront lot (Block 70.01, Lot 9)
The Union Mill Lake Colony Club now owned three lots:
-
One lakefront lot with a dedicated use as a beach:
-
One non-lakefront lot dedicated for a clubhouse
-
One undeveloped lakefront lot
1954 Deed transferring land from Elmer Lucas to UMLCC. This parcel of land, used as the community beach, was now property of UMLCC
1962 Deed transferring land from Elmer Lucas to UMLCC. This parcel of land, was known as "The Triangle" and was the location of the community Clubhouse.
SUMMER RETREAT
During the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s, most of the buyers of Elmer Lucas’s Union Mill Lake lots bought their properties with the intent of creating week-end and summer lake retreats. These properties were mostly “second homes” to local citizens. Original Union Mill Lake property owners maintained primary residences in towns as close as Haddonfield, Maple Shade, Atco, and Berlin. They built modest homes on their new lake properties and made quick trips to Union Mill for some rest, relaxation, and socialization with other lake community residents.
By the 1990s, many of Elmer Lucas’s original lots had changed hands multiple times. Some early residents retired, sold their primary residences and moved to Union Mill Lake permanently. Others sold their lake properties to people who intended, from the start, to live year-round on the Lake.
SETTLING IN
By the late 1960s, Elmer Lucas had sold all 49 of his originally available lots, as well as the 2 lots that he had retained for himself and he had deeded 3 lots to UMLCC.
Over the years, some residents purchased adjacent lots to their current properties as they became available for resale. New buyers also purchased available adjacent lots from Lucas and other owners. In cooperation with Evesham Township tax officials, these adjacent lots were combined into single properties. Although most residents live on just one lot, there are several residents who have built single-family homes on two, three, and even four combined lots.
1962 LAKE DREDGING
In 1962, Elmer Lucas contracted to have Union Mill Lake emptied and dredged. In the 1800s, there had been a saw mill on Kenilworth Lake, the lake just south that feeds Union Mill via a small stream named Barton's Run. The Kenilworth saw mill dumped years of saw dust into the run which was carried up into Union Mill Lake. Lucas discovered layers of this saw dust during the dredging operation.
END GAME . . . The 2000s
The original 16 non-lakefront lots are now:
-
8 privately-owned properties, each with a single-family home lived in year-round
-
1 undeveloped lot owned by theUMLCC (the "Triangle")
The original 38 lakefront lots are now:
-
22 privately-owned properties, each with a single-family home lived in year-round
-
1 privately-owned, undeveloped lot
-
2 privately-owned, adjacent, undeveloped lots
-
2 nonadjacent, undeveloped lots, both owned by the UMLCC (the "Beach", and lot 9 in Block 70.01)
-
4 adjacent, undeveloped lots owned by Evesham Township
Today, 30 single-family homes sit on 44 of the original 54 lots each occupied by year-round residents.
The clubhouse on the “Triangle” was well-used during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Unfortunately it was torn down in 1990 due to deterioration. It was never rebuilt and the "Triangle" today remains a vacant lot.
The "Beach" remains a common area where both lakefront and non-lakefront UMLCC members gather to enjoy the socialization, sand, and the roped-off area for safe swimming.
Eight lakefront undeveloped lots - UMLCC's third lot, three privately-owned lots, and the four lots owned by Evesham Township - remain wooded areas which provide habitat for local wildlife and rustic ambiance to the lake environment.
FLASH FLOODS Of JULY 12-14, 2004
On July 12, 2004, very heavy rainfall occurred over parts of eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the northern Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware and eastern Maryland). The majority of the excessive rainfall, particularly over New Jersey, occurred in just a 4-hour period during the late afternoon and early evening hours on July 12.
Burlington County received the greatest rainfall report (13.2 inches) and the most severe flooding. The excessive rainfall caused record-breaking flash flooding along nearly every stream in the Rancocas Creek Basin, leading to the failure or damage of 44 dams in Burlington County. The governor of New Jersey declared a state of emergency on July 12 for the hardest hit communities in Burlington County. On July 16 President Bush declared Burlington County a federal disaster area.
The combination of the dam failures and stream flooding caused flood damage to about 1,000 homes in total, countless water rescues from vehicles and homes, the closing of 25 major roads including the New Jersey Turnpike, New Jersey State Routes 70 and 73, the contamination of drinking water and failure of sewage systems, and serious damage or destruction of fourteen bridges. Some roads remained closed for weeks following the flooding, as portions of their infrastructures needed to be completely rebuilt. Total property damage from the flooding in Burlington County was estimated at 50 million dollars.
Although the Union Mill Lake Dam did not fail, it did take a beating and was included on the NJ DEP list as one of the dams sustaining significant damage during this 1,000 year storm. Kenilworth Lake Dam – just upstream from Union Mill Lake - was one of the dams which did fail. The dam was not immediately rebuilt. Kenilworth Lake was ordered to be drained in 2005. Between 2004 and 2014, when the Kenilworth Dam was finally rebuilt, Union Mill Lake was the recipient of tons of bottom silt build-up traveling from the dry Kenilworth Lake through Barton's Run.
Government Task Force Report on Flash Floods of July 12 & 13, 2004.
HURRICANE IRENE 2011
In 2011, Hurricane Irene took its toll on Union Mill Lake and its 100 year old dam. Temporary repairs were rapidly performed by Evesham Township. In early 2017, an engineer inspection determined that the integrity of the dam was worsening and it was at risk of failing in the event of another severe storm like in 2004. Such a failure could severely flood properties downstream.
Ongoing dam deterioration was also contributing to instability of the well-used Braddock Mill Road, which runs atop the dam.
In 2017, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ordered that Union Mill Lake be drained of its water in order to safeguard the dam from potential failure.
More Hurricane Irene photos HERE
END OF 100 YEAR OLD DAM
From early 2018 through late 2020, the residents of the Union Mill Lake development had an empty lake! During this time, the UMLCC worked with the DEP and Evesham Township to create a plan to repair the road and dam and restore the lake. UMLCC and Evesham Township received a 1.5 million dollar DEP loan for a full dam rehabilitation and Braddock Mill Road restoration.
100 year old dam to be replaced (photos 2016)
Empty Lake 2017-2020
New dam under construction July 2020 through December 2020
New Dam ! Spring 2021 !
NEW DAM ! FULL LAKE !
This project began in July 2020 and was completed in December 2020. And to residents’ delight (and relief!) water returned to Union Mill Lake! It’s not a mirage!
The UMLCC worked with all of its members and residents to restore the resources and beauty of the Union Mill Lake and its surrounding community after almost three years with a dry lake bed. The fish, turtles, and frogs returned, as did the canoes, kayaks, and fishing rods. The life jackets came out of storage. Neighbors are outside once again chatting across the lake from their docks and roasting marshmallows over their fire pits at lakeside. Despite a rainy day, we revel in the sound that the raindrops make when they hit the lake surface. We even welcome that wavy light reflecting from the water in through our bedroom windows and onto the walls waking us up earlier than we’d planned.
We are thankful for Elmer Lucas and his vision and we are thankful that we get to live this wonderful lake lifestyle. Mostly though, we are thankful that our dam and lake has been restored .... and that we won’t have to worry about an empty lake for at least another hundred years!
Welcome Back Union Mill Lake!
Citations for the historical information compiled above can be found HERE