Staats House (South Bound Brook, New Jersey) facts for kids
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Staats House
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Abraham Staats House, 2013
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 Staats House
Location in Somerset County, New Jersey
Staats House
Location in New Jersey
Staats House
Location in the United States
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| Location | 17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, New Jersey |
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| Area | 3.5 acres (1.4 ha) |
| Built | c. 1740 |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001483 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 4, 2002 |
The Staats House is a historic building in South Bound Brook, New Jersey. It is also known as the General Baron von Steuben Headquarters. This old house was built around 1740. It is now called the Abraham Staats House after its second owner.
During the American Revolutionary War, in 1779, the house became very important. It was used as the main office for General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben. He was a Prussian-American general who helped the American army. The Staats House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 4, 2002. It is seen as one of the best examples of Dutch settlement buildings in the Raritan Valley area.
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The House's Early History
The land where the Staats House stands was first given to Hendrick Staats in 1740. His father, Peter Staats, was from Brooklyn. In 1769, Hendrick gave the property to his brother, John Staats.
John then passed the house to his son, Abraham Staats, in November 1770. Abraham Staats lived there with his wife. After they both passed away, the property was divided among their children.
Revolutionary War Connection
The Staats House played a role in the American Revolutionary War. During the Battle of Bound Brook on April 13, 1777, British soldiers raided the area. They took private property, including animals, wheat, and clothes. Abraham Staats later reported these losses in 1782.
General von Steuben's Headquarters
General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was a very important figure in the war. He was appointed Inspector General of the Continental Army in May 1778. He arrived at the Staats House on March 26, 1779. This was during the second Middlebrook encampment, a time when the American army set up camp there.
Von Steuben had already started working on a special book. It was called Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States. This book taught American soldiers how to train and fight like a professional army. Congress approved his training guide on March 29, 1779.
A Special Army Review
On May 2, 1779, a big event happened near the Staats House. The army held a special review to honor important guests. These guests included the French minister, Conrad Alexandre Gérard de Rayneval, and the Spanish diplomat, Juan de Miralles.
General William Smallwood led four groups of soldiers. They showed off their amazing military formations. This demonstrated how well they had learned from von Steuben's training. After the review, about sixty generals and colonels had dinner. Von Steuben hosted this dinner in a large tent near the house.
At this dinner, the French minister Gérard shared exciting news. He told General George Washington that France would send more supplies. He also said that the French fleet, led by Charles Henri Hector d'Estaing, would help the American army in the war.
Images for kids
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Abraham Staats House, south view
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Somerset County historical information
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House and remains of the barn, 2018
