Uncovering the Hidden History of Estelle Manor—A Story of Legacy, Land, and One Remarkable Woman

My non-fiction book on Rebecca Estell Winston Bourgeois, the first NJ woman mayor is in the works.

I’m in the Middle of writing The Life and Times of Rebecca Estelle Winston Bourgeois. It’s going to take some time.

Many of you who are reading this are from South Jersey, and you know the town of Estelle Manor and probably passed through it without even realizing it. A vast stretch of Pinelands, quiet and unassuming. But beneath those towering pines lies a history waiting to be unearthed—a story of land, power, and an extraordinary woman named Rebecca Estelle Bourgeois Winston

The Estelle family’s roots in America go back to Daniel Estelle of Langdale County, England, who eventually settled in Gravesend, Long Island, where he acquired land and built a home. He later moved to Middletown, (in now NJ) a haven for Protestant dissenters. 1633 he received a 271-acre land grant from King George I and Queen Anne turned it into a staggering 7,000-acre legacy from a bequest by Kind George II.

But this story isn’t just about land—it’s about Rebecca Estelle, a woman and whose family name has been nearly forgotten despite the impact she left behind. This project is about reclaiming the story of her family and her giving her the recognition she deserves as a tough political infighter and the first female mayor in New Jersey.

I’m diving deep into the archives, uncovering lost narratives, and bringing this history to life. Currently, there is little about her anyway. It’s a pretty big task. And I am asking for your help by setting up a Kickstarter donor campaign.

This book isn’t just about history—it’s about rewriting the narrative, spotlighting a women who shaped our State’s past but was left out of the history books. While this story will resonate with everyone, I especially call on the women who understand what it means to fight for recognition. Let’s bring Rebecca Estelle’s story to the forefront together.

Thank you, Lou.