Sewaren in Middlesex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Cedar Cliff

Photographed By John A. Lande, January 12, 2022

1. Cedar Cliff marker

Inscription. Ballard family home
Lawrence Ballard died serving in WWI
Clark family home since 1921
Horatio D. Clark
Active in Sewaren Civic Association
Daughter, Kay Clark Burns
1895

Erected by Woodbridge Township Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 40° 32.908′ N, 74° 15.328′ W. Marker is in Sewaren, New Jersey, in Middlesex County. Marker is on Cliff Road north of Holton Streeet, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sewaren NJ 07077, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cooper-Neuberg House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boynton Beach Popular Seaside Resort (approx. 0.2 miles away); Arthur Kill / Staten Island Sound (approx. ¼ mile away); 510 East Avenue (approx. ¼ mile away); Gorham Boynton House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Second World War Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lawrence Tennant Ballard (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sewaren Free Public Library (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sewaren.

Regarding Cedar Cliff. Located at 434 Cliff Road, this three-story

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home was constructed in 1895. It was the home of the Ballard family, one of the most influential families in Sewaren. The Ballards named the Queen Anne style house, “Cedar Cliff.” Mr. Ballard was a banker and his son Lawrence was the only man from Sewaren to die serving in World War I. A second son, Louis, was named the secretary of the Free Public Library Association in 1927. Louis’ daughter, Ruth Ballard, was the chairperson of the Women’s Club of Woodbridge Township. The Ballard’s eventually sold the house to Charles Lewis. Mr. Lewis had a ship repair yard at Boynton Beach.

In 1921, Horatio D. Clark purchased the house. Mr. Clark served as executive secretary of the Toy Manufacturers Association of America in New York City. Mr. Clark also led the business sessions of the Sewaren Civic Association for the betterment of the town. According to Mrs. Kay Burns, Mr. Clark, her father, owned a sled with ball bearing wheels and a hand brake. He often allowed the neighborhood children to ride down his driveway in the backyard.

Today “Cedar Cliff” is owned by Catherine “Kay” Clark Burns. The house has a high pyramidal hipped roof, projecting polygonal side bay on the left, garage with jerkin-head gable and dormer at the back of the house. The phrase “Cedar Cliff MDCCCXCV” was written in a small stained glass window on the south facade but was removed when the windows

Cedar Cliff House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John A. Lande, January 12, 2022

2. Cedar Cliff House

were replaced. The dining room fireplace depicts the three witches from Shakespeare’s play Macbeth on the three iron plates.

Style: Shingle Style. Projecting polygonal side bay at left; garage in rear with jerkin-head gable and dormer.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2022, by John A. Lande of Woodbridge, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on January 28, 2022, by John A. Lande of Woodbridge, New Jersey. Photos: 1. submitted on January 21, 2022, by John A. Lande of Woodbridge, New Jersey. 2. submitted on January 31, 2022, by John A. Lande of Woodbridge, New Jersey. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.