The reading room at the Raritan Public Library

History

The General John Frelinghuysen House, which currently accommodates the Raritan Public Library, belonged to one of the most prominent families of New Jersey and has its historical origins in the early eighteenth century. The land upon which the house stands was a section of a large tract of land purchased by Dutch settlers in 1683 from a Native American tribe for a paltry sum. Cornelius Middaugh was one of the earliest owners of the Frelinghuysen property and it is believed that he may have constructed what is now the west wing of the house. Built in the early 1700's, the west wing is identified as the oldest section of the house and is presumed to have been used as a tavern, as well as a public meeting hall and jail for the then governing Township of Bridgewater. The solid, unfinished style of this low structure reflects the economical nature of the early Dutch settlers who utilized the home in its totality. The small wooden structure faces north to what was known as the Old York Road, once a wilderness trail that grew into a major artery connecting New York and Philadelphia. During the pre-revolutionary era, the New World saw many New Jersey towns, such as Raritan, develop along the Old York Road.

As Raritan evolved, so in turn did the General John Frelinghuysen House. Colonel Frederick Frelinghuysen, John's father, was the first Frelinghuysen to acquire the property, which became familiarly recognized as the Homestead. Frederick, or a previous owner, may have been responsible for constructing the first brick story adjacent to the clapboard frame sometime before 1780. This section of the house is dated with more confidence since the building material, glazed headers from Holland, was a popular feature used by affluent homeowners between 1740 and 1780. By 1810, during John's tenure, the second brick story had been added and the house was given its finished Federal style.

From the late nineteenth century to early twentieth century, the house underwent renovations and alterations which were historically insignificant, and will be only briefly mentioned. When Peter Frelinghuysen purchased the house in 1970, the structure was soon donated to the Borough of Raritan. In 1971 the house was recognized for its historic value and placed on the National Register and New Jersey Register of Historic Places. During the early 1970's the house was partially restored with alterations and additions for use as a library under the supervision of architect John Dickey. Today, further plans are underway to restore the General John Frelinghuysen House to its original grandeur. Proposed restoration work is being funded by a matching grant from the Historic Preservation Bond Program under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Historic Trust. Further barrier removal work is being funded by the Somerset County Community Development Block Grant Program.

Although there is little precision regarding dates of early construction, lore about members of the distinguished family has endured through the years. The first Frelinghuysen to set foot in the New World was the Reverend Theodorus Frelinghuysen who left Holland to practice religious freedom. He arrived in the Raritan Valley area in 1719. Theodorus is remembered as a highly intelligent, zealous pastor who at times used methods so vigorous and passionate that he served to shock and confuses his congregation. As history has shown, however, his heavy-handed tactics sustained a positive spiritual growth in the community. Religious fervor echoed throughout the colonies and this 'Great Awakening' would flourish over the next few decades. Theodorus's son, Johannes, was also an influential force within the religious community, and, though he lived a very short life, he was one of the founders of a religious training school, which eventually became Rutgers University. The next generation of the family entered into law and politics. Frederick was a Princeton University-educated lawyer, who, like his son for whom the house is named, served his country extensively in government and the military. Throughout the twentieth century, later generations of the Frelinghuysen family have been involved in state and local community interests.


Timeline

  • 1681

    On May 12th James Graham, Cornelius Corsen and Samuel Winder purchase a tract of land on both sides of the Raritan River from Native Americans for one hundred and twenty pounds, or approximately eighty cents at today's value.

  • 1683

    A grant of 1,904 acres is patented to Graham & Co., and the territory, known as Lot No. 7, is subdivided into four tracts.

  • 1693

    On October 26th James Graham deeds a subdivision of his tract to Peter Van Nest, a Dutchman who migrated west from a Long Island settlement.

  • 1709

    On May 1st, Peter Van Nest deeds the land to his son-in-law, Derrick Middaugh. Cornelius Middaugh (1698-1778), Derrick's son, will come into possession of the property upon the death of his father.

  • 1734

    Cornelius sells the south portion of the land to his brother, George, who establishes a tavern there. This property, which is then sold to Richard Duyckinck and later F.F. Cornell, is located on Glaser Street behind the Frelinghuysen House.

  • Early 1700's

    A one-and-a-half-story wooden structure is erected, and is used possibly as a pre-Revolutionary tavern, public meeting hall, and/or prison. This structure, now known as the west wing, is the oldest section of the General John Frelinghuysen House.

  • Late 1700's

    Colonel Frederick Frelinghuysen purchases the property, which becomes known as the “Homestead” property. The one-story brick house is built adjacent west to the wooden structure sometime between 1740 and 1780, a fact based on the use of glazed headers, a material exclusive to the era. This section could have been built by Frederick or Cornelius.

  • 1804

    Upon the death of Frederick, General John Frelinghuysen, his oldest son, inherits the homestead property.

  • 1810

    John has a second story added to the brick house and renovates the interior. The house is now finished in the then popular Federal style, prominent in the U.S. from 1790 to 1830.

  • 1833

    After the death of John, two of his six children, Sarah and Katherine, continue to occupy the house.

  • 1850

    A Neo-classic portico is added to the north entrance. The four columns represent Equality, Liberty, Freedom, and Law. A two-story wing is added to the rear of the house on the west side. The wing is demolished during the 1974 restoration and addition work.

  • 1921

    Katherine's will provides that her niece and two nephews shall inherit the house.

  • 1923

    Two mantelpieces located on the first floor and the front doorway are removed from the house and relocated to the home of Joseph Frelinghuysen in Far Hills, NJ. A two-story wing is added to the rear of the house on the east side, replacing an earlier porch. The wing is also removed during the 1974 restoration and addition work.

  • 1924

    David Glaser purchases the Homestead property, and extra rooms are added to the rear of the house. In 1951, it is managed by Glaser Realty Co. Inc. Most of the additions are demolished during 1974 renovation.

  • 1970

    Peter H.B. Frelinghuysen, a former NJ Congressman, buys the property for $30,000 from the Glaser family and donates it to the Borough of Raritan for public use as a library and museum.