Just as the 1890-91 Rutgers school year was coming to a close, the July 1, 1891 Targum proposed, “The past year has seen the College presented with an athletic field now complete in its equipment and ready to be opened with the approaching football season. For this generous gift no more suitable name could be given to the grounds than by attaching the name of the benefactor, Mr. James Neilson, Rutgers Class of 1866, and calling the new athletic grounds Neilson Field.” Neilson Field would hold its first football game on October 24, 1891 and its last on October 15, 1938. Rutgers all time record at Neilson Field was 128-61-15. It was located between today's Quad and the Alexander Library (the smokestack, Records Hall and the parking deck now take up the space).
James Neilson (pronounced nel-son) became one of Rutgers longest serving Trustees. He died 20 months before his field was superceded by the opening of Rutgers Stadium.
His grandfather, Colonel John Neilson, was the man who read the newly created Declaration of Independence to the New Brunswick townspeople on July 9, 1776 (only the third town in America to hear the words brought in by riders).
You might wonder how it's possible for Rutgers student James to be only the grandson of John. It's possible when the Colonel has a son past the age of 70 and then that son has James later in life as well!
James Neilson (pronounced nel-son) became one of Rutgers longest serving Trustees. He died 20 months before his field was superceded by the opening of Rutgers Stadium.
His grandfather, Colonel John Neilson, was the man who read the newly created Declaration of Independence to the New Brunswick townspeople on July 9, 1776 (only the third town in America to hear the words brought in by riders).
You might wonder how it's possible for Rutgers student James to be only the grandson of John. It's possible when the Colonel has a son past the age of 70 and then that son has James later in life as well!