Old Dutch Parsonage facts for kids
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Old Dutch Parsonage
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Old Dutch Parsonage, 2017
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 Location in Somerset County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 65 Washington Place, Somerville, New Jersey, United States |
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| Built | 1751 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000514 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 25, 1971 |
The Old Dutch Parsonage is a very old house built way back in 1751. It's located in Somerville, New Jersey, in Somerset County, New Jersey, USA. This house is special because it was once home to important religious leaders and teachers. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 25, 1971. This means it's a nationally recognized historic site. The house is a great example of a mid-1700s brick building.
Contents
History of the Old Dutch Parsonage
Early Years and First Ministers
This two-and-a-half-story brick house was built in 1751. It was a home for the first ministers of the Dutch Reformed Churches in the area. People from both Somerville, New Jersey and Raritan, New Jersey helped build it.
The first person to live in the house was Reverend John Frelinghuysen. He was a minister who also taught students who wanted to become ministers. These students were called seminarians. Reverend Frelinghuysen's son, Frederick Frelinghuysen, later became a captain in the Continental Army.
A New Minister and College Founder
After Reverend Frelinghuysen passed away, one of his students, Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, moved into the house. He lived there with Frelinghuysen's widow and her children. In 1756, Jacob Hardenbergh became the new minister. He also married Frelinghuysen's widow.
Hardenbergh was very important in starting Queen's College in 1766. Today, this college is known as Rutgers University. In 1785, he became the first president of Rutgers University. He moved out of the Old Dutch Parsonage in 1781. However, the house continued to be used as a parsonage, or minister's home, until 1810.
Later Owners and Moving the House
In 1810, a man named Peter Stryker bought the house. He then sold it to the Doughty family in 1836. The Doughty family owned the house until 1907. At that time, they sold it to the Central Railroad of New Jersey.
In 1913, the railroad planned to tear down the house. But instead, it was saved! The house was carefully moved to a new spot. It was placed right next to the Wallace House, which was built in 1775.
Notable Burials at the Parsonage
Behind the Old Dutch Parsonage, there is a special place called the Old Dutch Parsonage Burial Ground. This cemetery has graves from the early 1700s.
Some of the people buried there include Harmanus Barkeloo II (who lived from 1745 to 1788) and John Waldron (who lived from 1737 to 1790).
See also
