What does this ruin in New Jersey have to do with Abe Lincoln?

This spot in Monmouth County, N.J., was once a blacksmith’s shop owned by Abraham Lincoln.

No, not that Lincoln. But there’s a family connection.

This Abraham and his older brother Mordecai arrived in Monmouth County sometime between 1710 and 1714. Mordecai is the 16th president’s great-great grandfather, so that makes Abraham Honest Abe’s great-great-great uncle. Abraham seems to be a family name; there’s another one in the family tree who is the president’s grandfather.

I heard about the Lincoln blacksmith shop and decided to make it the destination of a bike ride from West Windsor. The ruin is at the corner of Burlington Path Road and Harvey Road (between the corner and a house on Burlington Path).

Afterwards, my route takes you past Screamin’ Hill brewery, the state’s first farm brewery. (Read about a ride to the brewery here.)

Then it’s your choice. I took Trenton-Lakewood (CR 526) and Sharon Station Road instead of retracing my route back to Herbert Road, but it was busier than I expected. Consider the Union Transportation Trail (crushed-stone surface) as another option. (Read about a ride on the UTT here.)