Van Veghten House Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Van Veghten House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Van Veghten House, looking east, 2018
Van Veghten House Location in Somerset County, New Jersey Show map of Somerset County, New Jersey Van Veghten House Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Van Veghten House Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	9 Van Veghten Drive Bridgewater, New Jersey
Area	1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built	c. 1725
Architectural style	Greek Revival
NRHP reference No.	79003253
Added to NRHP	October 10, 1979

The Van Veghten House is a historic building located in Finderne, New Jersey, a part of Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. It was built around 1725. This house played an important role during the American Revolutionary War. It served as the main office for Quartermaster General Nathanael Greene from 1778 to 1779. This period was known as the second Middlebrook encampment.

Today, the Somerset County Historical Society owns the Van Veghten House. They use it as their main office. It also features a museum and a library. The house is located along the historic Old York Road. This road connected the cities of Philadelphia and New York City in the early 1700s. The Van Veghten House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 10, 1979. It is recognized as one of the few remaining large homes along the Raritan River.

History of the Van Veghten House
What Does the Van Veghten House Look Like?
Images for kids
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History of the Van Veghten House

Who Lived in the House?

In 1697, a man named Michael Van Veghten bought a large piece of land. It was 834 acres along the Raritan River near Finderne. Michael's first wife passed away. He then married Jannetje Dumont on April 2, 1691. When Michael died in 1737, his son Derrick inherited the property.

The Van Veghten House During the Revolutionary War

During the second Middlebrook encampment (1778–1779), Derrick Van Veghten allowed General Nathanael Greene to use his house. General Greene was the Quartermaster General for the American army. He and his wife, Catharine Littlefield Greene, lived there. Derrick also let Greene's troops camp on his farm. He did not ask for any payment for this help.

George Washington at the Van Veghten House

On March 19, 1779, General Greene wrote a letter about an event at the house. He mentioned that General George Washington attended. Greene described it as "a little dance at my quarters a few Evenings past." He added that "His Excellency and Mrs [Catharine] Greene danced upwards of three hours without once sitting down." Greene thought it was "a pretty little frisk."

French Army Marches Past

On August 30, 1781, the First Brigade of the French Army marched past the house. They were led by General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau. They were following the Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route on their way to the Siege of Yorktown in Virginia. That day, they marched 13 miles. The Second Brigade of the French Army followed the next day, August 31. The American Continental Army also marched nearby on different roads. This was all part of a joint effort to win the war.

Later Owners of the House

Derrick Van Veghten died in 1781. His son, Michael Van Veghten (1764–1831), then inherited the estate.

What Does the Van Veghten House Look Like?

The Van Veghten House has two and a half stories. It also has a cellar. The foundation is made of brownstone. The first floor has special brickwork called Flemish bond on the south and west walls. Other parts use a simpler brick pattern called common bond. You can see iron beam anchors on the south wall. These are near the brick arches above the windows.

The house was updated around 1837. It was changed to the Greek Revival style. This style was popular at the time. The house now has four fireplaces with mantelpieces in this Greek Revival style.