The 1884 handbook states: “The Pleasant Valley Vigilant Association was organized Feb. 3, 1872, at the Pleasant Valley School House.” The first set of minutes located at this point in time is dated Feb. 6, 1874.
The purpose of the Pleasant Valley Vigilant Association was stated in the Feb. 1, 1884 constitution and by-laws as follows:
“Its objects shall be the protection of its property, and the detection, pursuit, apprehension, arrest and prosecution of thieves, tramps, marauders and other depredators on persons and property, and recovery of stolen goods.”
The Pleasant Valley Vigilant Association is the only vigilant association left in New Jersey. Most of them ceased to exist decades ago. The “detection, pursuit, apprehension and prosecution of thieves, etc.” was taken over by state and local police law enforcement early in the twentieth century.
In the 1800’s, horses were the means of working a farmer’s land, his means of getting his goods to market for income and his family’s transportation. A stolen horse could be devastating to a resident of Pleasant Valley’s predominant farming community.
In the early part of the 19th century before the Delaware and Raritan Canal was opened in 1832 and the Belvidere Delaware train line went past the west end of Pleasant Valley Road in 1852, access to the remote farms of Pleasant Valley was not easy. The construction of those two new means of transportation made getting to Pleasant Valley much easier.
At the end of the Civil War in 1865, there was an increase of vagrant persons accessing the area. Eventually theft became a problem in the hitherto for peaceful Pleasant Valley area.
Recognizing the need for residents to protect and recover their property and goods, on March 29, 1878, the New Jersey Legislature approved “An Act to Authorize the Formation of Pursuing and Detecting Companies.”
Back then there was no 9-1-1, and there was no state or township police force. At best there may be a constable or a county sheriff with large areas to cover. Not until 1922 was the New Jersey State Police force created.
The state police established two barracks, one in North Jersey and one in South Jersey staffed by 81 brand new officers using 61 horses, 20 motorcycles, one truck and one car. That provided little or no coverage for the farms of central New Jersey. Near the same year, Hopewell Township Police Force began with one part-time sheriff.
There is no record of the PVVA ever being a “vigilante” group or acting as such. Being “vigilant” describes being alert and watchful, keeping a lookout for danger or difficulties, being wary of trouble. A vigilante is someone who takes the law into his own hands, someone who dispenses justice without the authority of being an officer of the law, prosecutor or judge. The “e” added to the word changes the meaning a great deal.
Over the years, the membership expanded to persons from all over Hopewell Township and even a few from neighboring communities. With this change came a change in the occupations of the members and a variation of cultures and beliefs.
For many years membership was valued as a measure of social status. Politicians, lawyers, doctors, teachers, sheriffs and even a judge and a pastor are listed in the rolls during the middle years of the Association.
During the approximate century and a half of the PVVA there were major changes and developments in travel, communications, farming, law, education, types of employment, technology and societal norms. These changes all had an impact on the mission and the purpose of the association and how it was carried out.
Not long after the beginning of the PVVA it added the purpose of insuring its members when a theft or loss occurred. In the early part of the 20th century cars came on the scene. The location and recovery of a car is recorded in the 1914 minutes.
Officers and directors were elected at annual meetings. The purpose of the Directors was to assign “Pursuers” to preplanned routes and direct them out in the event of a theft. Article 2, Section 6 of the PVVA Constitution states:
“It shall be the duty of the Directors at the annual meetings to appoint a suitable number of persons and assign them their several duties, station and routes. The length of which shall be at least thirty miles. In case of property of the member being stolen or crime being committed against this member…”
Why Does the PVVA still exist?
So why does this die hard group of locals continue to meet once a year, elect officers, collect dues and share a meal?
When asked of current PVVA officers, why continue the PVVA? These were the responses:
“I believe it is necessary to maintain our historical roots. It provides a historical record of Hopewell Township which provides the community with access to the past. The new members, although not farmers, are dedicated to preservation of past events, traditional lore, and a desire to be related to their community. Thus I feel it is worth our time to maintain this endeavor.”
“I joined for the direct connection it gave me to my home in the valley, as well the connection to the history of the valley, a chance to be a part of the community and acknowledge through the continuation of the Vigilants a less temporal view of Hopewell Valley… and I like history.”
“For me, it’s remembering and preserving this part of our local history. We live in an area with many layers of history, some well-known, some not so much.”
In 2002 past president of the PVVA, Nicholas Tuz, concluded his synopsis of the association with this summation: “for the good and noble purpose of fellowship, preservation of history, fun and just sitting down for a meal together.”
The annual meetings of the PVVA still continue “for the good and noble purpose of fellowship, preservation of history, fun, and just sitting down for a meal together.” Current meetings still indeed do exactly what past president Tuz stated, and there is always a lot of clowning and a guest speaker.
This year’s meeting and luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. The speaker will be Earl Groendyke from the Sons of the American Revolution. New PVVA members are always welcome.
For information on how to join the Association and the meeting/luncheon location, please send your contact information to: pvva1872@gmail.com prior to Oct. 12 and a board member will contact you with details and to answer any questions.
