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The Old Dutch Parsonage is a historical house at 38 Washington Place in Somerville, New Jersey. [1]
It was the home of the first ministers of the first Dutch Reformed Church and was built with the pooled funds from the congregations in Somerville, New Jersey, and Raritan, New Jersey, in 1751. The first occupant was Reverend John Frelinghuysen (1727-1754), After Frelinghuysen died in 1754, the house was occupied by his widow, Dinah, and their two children, plus several men studying for Seminary. One of them was Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, who would be the next occupant of the house as he replaced Frelinghuysen as minister. Hardenbergh also married Frelinghuysen's widow in 1756. [2]
This house was set to be knocked down in 1913 by the Central Railroad of New Jersey, which now owns the home. The house was moved adjacent to the Wallace House, which was built in 1775. The two houses were in varying stages of use and disuse until the mid-1940s when they were given to the State of New Jersey. Today they are administered through the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.
[edit] Burials
Old Dutch Parsonage cemetery
[edit] Harmanus Barkeloo
Harmanus Barkeloo II (1745-1788) aka Herman Barkeloo (b. February 23, 1745 in New Utrecht, New York City - d. November 8 or November 10, 1788, Somerville, New Jersey) Harmanus Barkeloo II was the son of Harmanus Barkeloo I (1705-1763) aka Harmanus Van Barkelo, and Sarah Nevius Terhune (1710-1760). Harmanus II married Elizabeth Duryea (1742-1820) on May 31, 1675 in New Utrecht, New York City. Harmanus and Elizabeth had the following children: Ann (Nancy?) Barkeloo; Sarah Barkeloo (1766-1837); Harmanus Barkeloo III (1773-1842); and John Barkeloo (1778-1849). Harmanus II died in 1788 at the age of 43, of smallpox and he was buried at the Old Dutch Parsonage on Washington Place in Somerville. His tombsone reads: "Mr. Harmanus Barkeloo, who died the 8th of November 1788 from smallpox on his way from Philadelphia to his place of residence, age 43 years".
[edit] John Waldron
John Waldron (1737-1790) who died in 1790 at age 53.
[edit] National Register of Historic Places
The Old Dutch Parsonage was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, it is Building #71000514.
[edit] References
