I Like Tuttles

In 1882 Carrie Tuttle Brahn was the first Brahn born within Spring Lake's borders. In 1898, Charles Russell and Sarah welcomed Charles Wilbur as the first Spring Lake Brahn boy. In technical terms neither of the kids were born in “Spring Lake”. They were in fact born in Como, which was its own town from 1881-1899. In 1899 Como became a part of North Spring Lake, which became a part of The Borough of Spring Lake in 1903.

In 1873, Joseph Tuttle of Newark conceived of the seaside town of Brighton. This development would inhabit the middle of town near Brighton Ave and included Sea Plain Train Station. The town was anchored by a hotel, what we know today as The Breakers. In 1882 it was named The Wilburton By The Sea in honor of Charles Wilbur Tuttle who, with Robert Worthington, Joseph Tuttle had tasked with completing the layout and construction of Brighton's roads and cottages. 

This was not the only honor to be bestowed upon CW Tuttle. Of course, we're all familiar with his namesake road where Mountz School resides. Maybe not so familiar is that Carrie and Charles Brahn seem to have acquired their middle names in honor of Wilbur Tuttle and his wife. Two thirds of Carrie Tuttle Brahn’s name matches Mrs. Carrie Tuttle while her much younger brother's middle name follows Mr Tuttle’s.

One would gather that this tribute indicates a deep family connection. However, limited evidence exists aside from a mortgage lent to Charles and Sarah Brahn for their purchase of the Gifford Homestead. In August 1884 Charles Wilbur Tuttle lent $220 to the Brahns' at a repayment rate of 6%. Less than 2 months later Tuttle would sell the rights to this loan to a RL Stout. The mortgage being top contender for the Brahn children's naming loses merrit as we notice Carrie was born 2 years prior to the agreement. This would suggest family ties predate 1882 long enough for the Brahns to develop a strong affinity for the Tuttles.

CR Brahn and CW Tuttle were appointed officers in North Spring Lake together in 1887. Brahn was appointed “inspector” and Tuttle and Commissioner of Appeals but this comes well after the timeframe we're trying to pin down. None of our research thus far indicates any family tree connections. CW Tuttle was born in Newark, NJ in 1853 whereas CR Brahn and Sarah Brand came from Red Bank and Como respectively. Hopefully this road block is only temporary and we can one day determine what connected the two families. This article began as a profile to be written about the first Spring Lake Brahn kids but quickly devolved into the Tuttle/Brahn connection because I found it too interesting to ignore. Check back here soon as we continue to share Brahn Family and Spring Lake History.