History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 161

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 161
USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 161

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The lot purchased by Ann West fell into possession of the Duchess of Gordon. Gouverneur Morris, as agent, sold 600 acres, April 1, 1801, to John Van Derveer. It was divided between him and Abram Quick, and is still in possession of their descendants. They both came from Ten-Mile Run in that year. Part of the lands purchased were in the township of Bedminster. John Van Derveer settled on the north part, containing 410 acres, and Abram Quick on the south part, of 230 acres, where he lived until his death, at an advanced age. The homestead is now in possession of Abram Van Nest; the other part is owned by Abram W. Ten Eyck. Mr. Quick was a man of great energy, and served the public in various offices,-justice of the peace, president of the New Brunswick and Easton turnpike, and elder in the Reformed Church of North Branch. His son Abram now lives at Somerville.

Jacob Ten Eyck before 1752 (how long before is not known) purchased land on the east side of North Branch of one Quinton W. Cohnmart, on the Riddle and Ackman tracts, also on the west side of the stream, where his old homestead still remains. He died before 1760. He left four sons,-Abram, Matthew, Conrad, and Peter. Aug. 25, 1763, Matthew, Conrad, and Peter sold a small lot to Rynier Van Nest. In 1770, Conrad sold a part to a Jacob Ten Eyck. A part of this property is still in the hands of the family. The western portion of the tract came down to the river, and was purchased by John Robinson; but little is known of its early title. Whether he lived here or not is an open question. Before the Revolution a part of it was owned by Peregrine Lagrange, a lawyer. He was an adherent of the Crown, and for his loyalty suffered the confiscation and sale of his property. This property was purchased at auction by William Paterson, afterwards Governor of the State. Here- sided at this place for several years, and after the Revolution removed to New Brunswick. His dangh- ter, afterwards wife of Gen. Stephen Van Rensse- laer, was born at this place. Several young men who afterwards arrived at distinction-among whom were Aaron Burr, Gen. Morton, and John Young Noell-here studied law with Governor Paterson. It is also probable that Frederick Frelinghuysen, An- drew Kirkpatrick, and George M. Troup, Governor of Georgia, were of the number. The property passed to Peter B. Low and Daniel Kinney. It now belongs

* The deed convoying this property is on record in Perth Amboy, Liber I, folio 153.

+ Ann West was the wife of John West, merchant, and daughter of Governor Thomas Rudyard. After the death of her husband she became the wife of Robert Wharton, and subsequently of Gov. Andrew Ham- ilton.

659

BRIDGEWATER.

to II. S. Long, who occupies the east half, and Alex- ander II. Brokaw, who owns the west half, on which the old house stood. East of this a farm was owned by Judge Van Derveer in 1815. Garret Rosenboom was in possession still farther east adjoining in 1764. The place is mentioned in the relaying of the Great Road that year. Next east, a plot owned by Rynear Veghte before 1800 descended to his daughter, Mrs. Jacob Van Doren ; it was afterwards owned by John I. Staats. Mrs. Voorhees owned a farm still farther east. Jacob Van Doren also owned (about 1800) a lot of land on the river in this tract. The east farm in this tract, and adjoining the land of the second Indian title, was owned forty years ago by Femmetje Brokaw. The last two or three farms mentioned were in the Graham & Co. lot, west of their tract in the second title.

FOURTHE INDIAN TITLE.

It will be seen by the description given that the term "on both sides of the Raritan River" is used. On the map accompanying the Elizabeth bill of chan- eery the plot is laid out, and its south side is on the Raritan River. It runs back on both sides of the North Branch, which is early spoken of as the Raritan. Its southwestern corner was at the junction of the North and the South Branches. The deed conveying this title (on record at Perth Amboy, Liber 1, fol. 154) recites :

" That Inwark, Corwalunuch, Manamiassamit, and Agnamapamund, Indians, by dood bearing date the said 19th day of November, 1681, for the consklerntion in goods therein mentioned, paid them by Jolin Bob- Inson, William Pinhorn, Richard Jones, and Matthew Taylor, did soll to the Lady Propriotrix of East Now Jersey, widow of the said George Car- torot, a tract of Innd on both sides of llaritan River, adjoining the upper bounds of the two last deeds aforesaid, and running up the rivor to a place Tuckaramohackinge, and in depth four miles on both sides of tho Bald Barttan Ilvor,* as by the said Deed convoyed,"

After the land under these Indian titles passed to the proprietors and was laid out, sales were made of the north part, embraced in the third and fourth.t William Pinhorn, mentioned as one who paid goods to the Indians for Lady Carteret, had a tract of 500 neres surveyed to him on March 3, 1697. This was on the east side of the land embraced in this title, and extended south to the river and north to Ackman's lot, mentioned in the third title, which extended back of Pinhorn's and west to the North Branch. Lord Neill Campbell purchased a tract of 1650 acres, which was surveyed to him Jan. 9, 1685, mentioned as being "on the North Branch and the Raritan." This largo traet was bounded on the south and west by the North Branch and the Raritan River, on the north by the Ackman plot, and on the east by the plot of William Pinhorn. To whom Lord Campbell sold, or at what time, is not definitely ascertained. The north part was purchased about 1720 by Jacob Ten Eyck. A part of it, embracing a large traet, was

left to Mathew Ten Eyck. Others of the Ten Eyck family owned lands in this tract. The homestead of Jacob Ten Eyck was on the west side of the Branch, where he also owned a large tract. The lower or southern part of his purchase passed many years later (from 1750 to 1770) to William Crook. At his death John Elmendorf and Abraham Ten Eyek were made executors of his estate. It passed to John Elmendorf, and is now in possession of George McBride.

Of the plot east of Lord Campbell taken by Wil- liam Pinhorn, the lower part is now in possession of Peter V. Staats and John Van Derveer. It was early owned by Peter Whorley, and later by John Simon- son. The land on the west side of the North Branch; will be mentioned in the history of Branchburg town- ship.

Many other families settled in the limits of the four Indian titles given that are worthy of mention, but it is impossible to give the location of all. Much infor- mation ean be obtained as to the settlement by refer- ence to the civil lists of the early years.

ORGANIZATION.

The township of Bridgewater was formed by letters patent from George II. dated April 4, 1749, and it is without doubt the only official " letters patent" for the formation of any township in the county of Som- erset of which any record is kept. This charter was in the possession of the township clerk until within about two years, but is now missing. It is written on parchment, and, fortunately, a copy was made some years ago by Dr. A. Messler for his "History of Som- erset County," and is here given :

" Sto PROVINCIE NOSTILE. NOVA CESEREA IN AMERICA.

GEORGE the Second by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France nod Ireland, King, Defender of the faith, etc., TO ALL to whom theso presents shall come GREETING. Know that we of our Especial Grace Certain knowledge and Mero Motion Have Given and Granted, and by these presenta do give and Grant for us our Heirs and Successors to tho Townships of the South or most part of the Northern Precluet of our County of Somerset in our Province of Now Jersey within the following boundaries, to wit. Beginning at the mouth of Bound Brook where it Einties into Bariton, thenco up the said Bound Brook to the mouth of Green Brook ; thence up the snid Brook to the King's Road at Lawrence Ituth's Mill, thenco northerly up the said Road to the Top of the Second Mountain, thenco westerly along the top of the said Mountain to tho Gap by Jacob Brewor, thonco down the sald Gap to Chambers' Brouk by McDonald's Mill, theaco down the said Brook to the North Branch thenco up the said Branch to Luomatong to the Division Lino between East and West Jersey, thence along said Line to the South Branch of Raritan River, thenco up said Dranch to the mouth of the North Branch of said Rivor, thonco down said Raritan to the place where it began To be and romain a Perpetual township and Community, in word and in

Į Doc. 12, 1792, the following advertisement appeared in The Guardian, of New Brunswick :

" The Fulling-Mill of tho subscriber, at the North Branch of Raritan, is now in completo repair, and will be attended the onsning season by the same person who gave such general satisfaction in the last year. The Fullfor is amply provided with material of overy kind to finish cloth In the most fashionable colours and in the best minner. Every order uf customers shall be attended to, and every effort shall be made to do them perfect justice.

" Jonx HARDENDURO."

Cornelius Van Derveer, a miller on the North Drauch, was the owner of this mill aftor 1812, and carried on the business.

* Meaning the North Branch.

t The history of some of theso lands will be found under the third title.

660

SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Deed to be called and known by the name of the Township of Bridge- water. AND WE FURTHER GRANT to the Inhabitants of the township aforesaid and their successors, and to choose annually a constable, over- seers of the poor, and overseers of the highwaye for the township afore- said, and to enjoy all the Privileges, Rights, Liberties, and Immunities that any other township in our said Province do or may of Right enjoy, and the said Inhabitants are hereby Constituted and nppointed a Towo- ship by the name aforesaid-To HAVE, HOLD AND ENJOY the privileges aforesaid to them and their successors forever. IN TESTIMONY whereof we have Caused these our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of our said province of New Jersey to be hereunto affixed.

Witness our Trusty and well-beloved Jonathan Belcher, Esq., our Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over His Majesties Prov- ince of Nova Ceserea or New Jersey and Territories thereon depending in America, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral in the same, etc., at our City, of Burlington in our said Province the fourth day of April in the twenty-second year of our Reign, Anno Dom MDCCXLIX.

" (Signed) READ.

" Let the Great Seal of the Province of New Jersey be affixed to the within Letters Patent.

"To the Secretary of the Province of New Jersey,

" J. BELCHER."

The first book of record of the township is mostly preserved, from the organization till 1808. The leaves that contain the record of the election of officers of 1749 and 1750 are gone, and the first that appears is of an election held on March 12, 1751, as follows :

" The TOWNSHIP OF BRIDGEWATER, 1750.

"Att a Meeting Ifeld thie 12 Day of March, 1750, att the House of George Middagh, by the Inhabitants aforesaid, for Chusiog officers accord- ing to the patent Granted as nforesaid and acordiog.to an act of assem- bly provided for that Purpose, &c.,-viz. : Jolin Broughton, Clark ; Daniel Blackford, Conetalde; Matthew Ten Eyck and son, Richard Compton, Overseers of the Poor; Henry Stevens, John Vroom, Freeholders; Thomas Anther, Jun., Lucas Tipple, John Harris, Lncas Belyon, Commissioners, of which two is to be choesing by ye Court; Francis Cossart, Assessor for the Township ; Tobias Van Norden, Collector for aforesaid; Heodrick Van Stay and Abraham Bodine, Isaac's Son, Assessore for the Poor.

" Overseers of ye Highways for ye yenr 1751, For Overseers of the High- way: Harper Hoes, In the room of Frederick Bodine; Edward Hnll, In the room of Richard Hall; Samnel Staats Coejeman, In the room of Jere- minh Van Nest ; James Wilson, In the room of Andris Cossine; Andris Ten Eyck, Jun", In the room of Wm. Mckinney; Rynear Van Nest, In the room of Jerry Reemer; Powel Auther, In the room of John Neilson; Denice Tunison, In the room of Folkert Sebring; John Sebring, Jun'r, In the room of Joseph Colter."

The following is a list of township officers as far as can be ascertained. From 1808 to 1854 the town rec- ords are lost, but for that period a few names have been obtained from other official sources; from 1854 to 1880 from the record of the township board .*

TOWNSHIP CLERKS.

1752-57, John Broughton; 1758-88, Jacob Van Norstrandt; 1789-1808, John Brokaw, Jr. ; 1824, Dickerson Miller ; 1827, Thomas Talmage; 1834-35, James Van Derveer; 1836-37, Aaron Van Natta; 1838, A. C. Mollison ; 1839-41, P. T. E. Tunison; 1854-55, John W. Taylor; 1856- 58, Jnores Bergen ; 1859-61, Jamee T. Van Derveer; ISG2-63, John I. Van Derveer; 1864-65, John II. Bunn; 1866, John I. Bergen; 1867, Colin R. Covely; 1868-69, Caleb Brokaw ; 1870-75, Matthew Van Derveer; 1876, A P. Sutphin; 1877, Eugene S. Donghty, Jr .; 1878-79, Cornelius Vanderbeek ; 1880, W. W. Dorlnnd.

FREEHOLDERS.

1752-57, William Crook, John Vroom ; 1757-61, William Crook, Matthow Ten Eyck, Andrew'e son; 1764-68, Aaron Lane, Peter Van Nest, North Branch ; 1768-60, Aaron Lane, Peter Dumon; 1770, l'eter Dumon, James Castner; 1771-75, Samnel St. Coejman, James Castner; 1775- 76, Edward Buon, William Lane; 1777-80, William Lane, John Sy- monson ; 1781, Thomas Farmer, Hendrick D. Vroom; 1782-83, Thomas

Farmer, John Symonson; 1784, Matthias Baker, John Symonson ; 1785-86, Thomas McElratb, John Symonson; 1787-88, Jonathan F Morris, George B. Van Nest ; 1789-92, John Elmendorph, Jonathan F. Morris; 1792, John Hardenburgh, John Elmendorph; 1792-95, Jonathan F. Morris, John Elmendorph ; 1795, John Hardenburgh, Richard Hall; 1796, Jolin Elmendorph, John Hardenburgh ; 1797-98, George McDonald, John Hardenburgh ; 1799, John Elmendorph, George McDonald; 1800, Dickinson Miller, John Elmendorph ; 1801-2, John Elmendorph, John Frelinghuysen; 1803-4, John Frelinghuy- sen, Jacob De Groot ; 1805-8, Jacob De Groot, Jacob Ten Eyck ; 1808, Cornelius Van Horne, Jacob Ten Eyck ; 1824, Andrew A. Ten Eyck, Charles Toms ; 1834, Cornelius Waldron, James Martin ; 1839, Henry Van Middlesworth, Peter Van Nuys; 1854-56, John C. Garretson ; 1857-58, Simeon Dunn; 1859, Eugene S. Donghty; 18G0-61, Jacob Long; 1862-64, Joshua Martin; 1865-67, John R. Parsells; 1868, Samuel M. Tunison; 1869, John McBride; 1873-74, James T. Cox ; 1875, Joseph McBride ; 1876, Asa R. Dilts; 1877-78, Joseph McBride; 1879-80, John D. Voorhees.

COLLECTORS.

1752-53, Tobias Yan Norden; 1754-55, Hendrick Fisher, Jr .; 1756-72, Jacob Van Norstrand; 1773, Jacob Ten Eyck, Jr .; 1774, William Lane ; 1775-84, Peter Dumon, Jr .; 1785-86, John Hardenburgh (Ist); 1787-96, Philip Van Arsdalen ; 1797, Jonathan Ford Morris; 1798- 1800, Philip Van Arsdalen; 1801-7, Henry Van Derveer; 1808, John Brokaw; 1824, John H. Voorhees; 1834-35, N. V. Steele; 1837-39, Denny S. Hall; 1840-41, John H. Voorhees; 1854, Simeon Dunn; 1855-57, John Hardcastle; 1858-60, John I. Todd; 1861, Kortenins G. Schenck; 1862-63, George W. Reed; 1864-66, Orson C. Code; 1867, Walter Cammann; 1869, Aaron C. Martin; 1871-80, John S. Ammerman.

TOWN COMMITTEE.+

1798-99, Jacob De Grote, Benjamin Harris, Garret Tunicon, Peter Studdi- ford, Richard Hall ; 1800, George McDonald, Tbomns Talmage, Joseph Doty, John Simonson, Garret Tunieon ; 1801, Garret Tunisoo, John Simonson, Joseph Doty, Thomas Talmage, George McDonald, Ed- ward Eloiendorf; 1802, Thomas Nesbitt, Garret Tunison, George Mc- Donald, Joseph Doty, Joha Simonson; 1803, Andrew Howell, Joseph Doty, George McDonald, Garret Tunison, Thomas Nesbitt : 1804-5, General Morris, John W. Hall, Edward Randolph, Philip H. Van Ars- dalen, Garret Probasco; 1806, Dr. Morris, Garret Probasco, Philip Vno Arsdalen, Andrew Howell, Jolin W. Hall; 1807, Dr. Morris, Joseph Mollesou, Philip Van Arsdalen, Andrew Howell, John Brokaw ; 1808, Dr. Morris, Israel Runyan, Philip H. Van Arsdalen, Daniel Latourette, John Wyckoff; 1824, Cornelius Van Derveer, George Vosseller, Abenlom Martin, John Ross, Charles Toms; 1825, Ferdinand Van Derveer, Cornelius Van Derveer, George Vosseller, John Frelinghuysen, Cornelius Van Horn ; 1826. J. Frelingbnysen, Cornelius Van Ilorn, Cornelins Van Derveer, John Ross, Absnlom Martin ; 1827, Cornelius Van Derveer, John Ross, Abenlom Martin, George Vosseller, John Wyckoff; 1828-29, Corneline Van Derveer, Absalom Martin, Peres Bonney, Garret Ditman, John Wyckoff; 1830- 32, Cornelius Van Derveer, John Frelinghuysen, Peree Bonney, HIenry Tunisou, John Wyckoff, Jr .; 1833, Auther Schenck, Peter Van Nuys, John Ross, Robert Cross, Edward Campbell; 1834-35, Dennis Hall, Peter R. Hall, Robert Cross, John Ross, Edward Camp- hell ; 1836, Abram Quick, Peter R. Hall, Peree Bonney, N. G. Steele; 1837, Abram Quick, Peter N. Hall, N. G. Steele, S. K. Martin, Peres Bonney; 1838, Abram Quick, Jonathan Higgins, Jolin Steele, Jr., John C. Garretson, Samuel K. Martin ; 1839, Aaron J. Auten, Jona- than Higgins, John C. Garretson, John Steele, Jr., Samnel K. Mar- tin ; 1840, Samnel Hall, Aaron J. Anten, Jolin C. Garreteon, John Steele, Jr., Samuel K. Martin; 1841, Aaron J. Auton, Samuel Hall, John R. Staats, Kortenine G. Schenck, Cornelius Sebring; 1854, Jolin M. Mann, Archibald C. Mollison, Charles G. Wilson ; 1855, John M. Mann, Charlee G. Wilson, William N. Adair; 1856, John M. Mann, Charles G. Wilson, Kortenins G. Schenck ; 1857-58, John M. Mann, N. McCord, Kortenine G. Schenck ; 1859, Jolin M. Mann, Nathaniel McCard, Daniel Talmage; 1860-61, John M. Mann, Joseph HI. Hoff- man, Archibald C. Mollison; 1862, Leonard Bunn, John Ross, John M. Mann; 1863-64, Leonard Bunn, John Ross, John V. Wortman ; 18G5-67, Andrew V. D. B. Voseeller, Jereminh Whitennch, Androw Rockafellow; 1868-69, Andrew V. D. B. Vosseller, James II. Cuin, Lawrence V. D. Shepherd; 1871, Andrew V. D. B. Vosseller, James

¿ The first town committee that appears in the Election Record is dated April 9, 1798.

* In 1777 n constable was elected in place of " Wm. Sickles, killed by the enemy, April 13, 1777."

661

BRIDGEWATER.

IT. Cain, James McNnbb; 1872, Andrew V. D. B. Vosseller, James J. Qolck, Andrew Rocknfellow, John A. Schenck ; 1873, John A. Schenck, John McCullongh, A. V. D. B. Vosseller; 1874, A. V. D. B. Vossellor, Henry S. Long, David Todd; 1877, A. V. D. B. Vosseller, David Todd, Coornd Steln, Charles M. Young, William Van Nostrand; 1878, A. V. D. B. Vosseller, Charles MI. Young, Conrad Stein, David Todd, llenry 8. Long; 1879, Conrad Stein, A. V. D. B. Vosseller, Henry S. Long; 1880, Conrad Steln, Alexander II. Brokaw, Benja- min F. Littell.

No changes were made in the territory of the town- ship from its organization till the setting off of Branch- burg in 1845. The following action, however, was taken at a meeting held in April, 1799:

" A move was made at our annual town-meeting for a division of the township, or a part thereof, on which a voto was taken of the sense of the town was made known. It was ngreed unanimously that the town committee be authorized to draw up a remoustrance and present to the next session of Assembly to oppose the same."

It is evident that the township was not divided at that time, as its territory remained intact.

. THE POOR AND THE POOR-FARM.

The first action taken by Bridgewater in reference to the poor of which any record is kept was at town- meeting March 13, 1764, when it was agreed to raise the sum of £100 (proclamation), and the further sum of £125 (proclamation money), by a tax "at some con- venient time between this and next fall." Overseers of the poor were elected from the organization of the township, but no record was kept of any proceedings, if any were made. March 18, 1766, an agreement was entered into by a committee composed of the free- holders and overseers of the poor, with Benjamin Harris, he agreeing to take care of the poor chargeable to the town at his own expense for one year from May 1, 1766. The committee agreed to pay him the sum of £125, proclamation money. March 17, 1767, the committee met, and agreed that the poor belonging to the township be sold to the lowest bidder " altogether, to be kept under the care of one man."

Although the town-meeting of 1768 agreed "that there shall be a work-house erected at some convenient plaee, in conjunction with one, two, or more townships, for the maintainance of the poor," none was built until after 1807, as in that year the town, by resolu- tion, petitioned the board of freeholders "to purchase or build a suitable house for the accommodation of the poor of the county." The township records from 1808 to 1824 are missing, during which period a poor- honse was erected. Mrs. Drearwell was chosen keeper of the poor-house, to take possession April Ist. She received sixty cents per week for each pauper, with the privilege of the poor-house lot. Drs. MeKissack and Skillman were chosen physicians, at a salary of $15, increased to $40 the next year under Dr. William Griffith. April 11, 1831, it was

" Resolved, That a farm bo purchased for the use of the poor, nt the discretion of the town committee, and that the committee sell the present poor house establishment."

The committee in July bought a farm of 3084 acres, in possession of Rynear and John Van Nest, execu-

tors of George Van Nest, deceased. Edward Camp- bell purchased the old property* for $516.99. In the November following he, as the lowest bidder, took charge of the poor-farm, and was followed by Tunis Soper.

It was found that the expenses of keeping the poor- house exceeded the proceeds of the farm, and the town-meeting of 1838 resolved to sell the latter. March 20, 1840, a portion of it (120 acres) was sold to Nathan Auten. It is now occupied by John Davis.

No change of any importance occurred in the man- agement of the poor or of the poor-farm until 1867, when a contract was made with Asa R. Dilts for the erection of a new building, which was completed in 1868 at a cost of $9779. The old building was sold to A. V. D. B. Vosseller for $167. The report of the committee on the poor-farm for 1880 shows the follow- ing :

Inventory of stock nnd goods $2972 51 A verago number assisted io the poor-house ... 12 Number of tramps assisted. 400 Cost of support at the poor-house. $945.61 3448.74

Cost of support outside.

From Oct. 1, 1874, to April 1, 1875, 3500 tramps were assisted, and 3000 from Oct. 1, 1875, to April 1, 1876. A steady diet of bread and water in later years has somewhat reduced this number.

VILLAGES.

SOMERVILLE.

This village is located on the north bank of the Raritan River, and on the line of the New Jersey Central Railroad, by the route of which it is 38 miles from the city of New York. The South Branch Rail- road connects this village with Flemington, -a dis- tance of 154 miles. It is slightly elevated from the river, which is on the south, and also from Peter's Brook, on the east and south. This brook runs through a valley which varies in width, ns it goes back from the river, from a quarter of a mile to a mile and a half. A range of mountains to the north forms a delightful prospect. The population of the village, by the cen- sus of 1880, was 3108. It contains the court-house and the public offices, seven churches, three hotels, post-, express-, and telegraph-offices, three newspaper- offices, a public-school building, young ladies' insti- tufe, depots of the New Jersey Railrond Company, and is the eastern terminus of the South Branch and Flemington Railroad. The Lehigh Valley, or Easton and Amboy, Railroad passes through the township. A station is at South Somerville.

The establishment of this location as the county- seat at "Tunison's Tavern," the building of the court-house and the log jail in 1783, and the decision of the Consistory of the congregation of the Dutch Church of Raritan to build a church edifice at this

* The house and lot were nt Adamsville, al the foot of the mountain.

662

SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

place, were the leading causes that determined the fu- ture of the village. It was known, however, as Raritan until about 1800, from which time the village has borne its present name. The Tunison tavern was built about 1770 by Cornelius Tunison, its first landlord. Its location was the same as that of the present Fritts' Hotel, of which the old tavern building forms a part. From the first it seems to have centralized all town mat- ters. Prior to that time a tavern was kept by George Middagh, at the place where Mrs. F. F. Cornell now lives, and another by Cornelius Bogert, and later by John Arrison, in a house which now forms a part of the Frelinghuysen homestead. At these two taverns town meetings were held from 1749 to 1769, and at the latter principally from that time till the com- pletion of the court-house. The court-house stood nearly in the centre of the present street, on the lot now owned and occupied by Dr. Wilson. The log jail was erected on the lot where the old building still stands.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 161

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170