Other Brick Companies Along the Raritan

M.D. Valentine and Brothers was one of the Woodbridge clay companies. It was started in 1866 by M.D. and James Valentine in order to manufacture lath brick for scouring pipe, tile, and brick (Woodbridge Township, 2006). One kiln remains on the site, the last such kiln in Middlesex County (Murtha, 2004: 27).

Salamander Works was started by French immigrants Lefoulon and De Casse. Both bricks and pottery were produced here until a fire in 1896 destroyed the plant (Sayreville Historical Society, 2001: 68).

The Perth Amboy Terra Cotta Company (originally the Alfred Hall and Sons Fire Brick Works) was awarded the contract to supply 2,000 tons of terra cotta for the New York Produce Exchange Building. Other famous buildings by this company include Madison Square Presbyterian Church in New York and the Philadelphia Museum (Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission, 2004: 27).

Valentine Brickworks, Woodbridge circa 1875 (Historical Association of Woodbridge Township collection of Robert McEwen)	Salamander Works in Woodbridge circa 1880 (Historical Association of Woodbridge Township collection of Robert McEwen)
Perth Amboy Terra Cotta circa 1896 (Perth Amboy Public Library)