Ghosts Along the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers

by Patricia Heyer

The historic region between the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers has formed the basis for countless accounts of apparitions, hauntings and unexplained phenomena. For more than one hundred years, reports have circulated that the ghost of merciless slave master Lewis Morris can be seen scouring Passage Point Plantation in Rumson, with a gaping hole where his heart should be. The frozen waters of the Navesink were a popular destination for iceboat sailing, and many still claim to see the face of a drowned teen in the ice after a tragic incident in 1906. The native Lenapes and colonial Dutch told eerie tales of the ancient forest of Ole Balm Hollow in Middletown, including phantom riders and the echoes of crying children. Local author Patricia Heyer recounts haunted tales of the two rivers peninsula.

144 pages, Paperback

Published September 14, 2020

Reviews

[Penelope Marzec · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains short, scary stories from far back in the beginning of New Jersey all the way up to more contemporary times. The setting for all the tales is in Monmouth County in the area of the two rivers. Some of the legends are truly unbelievable, but others are more plausible. For instance, the sea serpent may have actually been an oarfish. The most interesting thing about this book is the bibliography. The author did a significant amount of research gathering these accounts.

I enjoyed this book, especially since many of the places are familiar. However, I would not visit any of them on a dark night.

[Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly what it says on the tin: a short and sweet collection of paranormal phenomena along the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers. It goes into detail about certain sightings and events, first establishing a sighting or event and then following the people involved in much the same way a traditional narrative would. What I was more impressed by is how the book recounts actual historical events I know little about, such as Prohibition, as well as events I had never heard of, like the Oyster Wars and the Twinbrook Zoological Park. Even if you’re a skeptic, you’ll find something of value here. It’s only 136 pages so if you can get your hands on a copy and have an interest in the paranormal or obscure history, I’d say it’s well worth your time.