July 8, 1774
The Hunterdon Resolves are unanimously approved at Ringo’s Tavern. Delegates are also sent to a statewide meeting that selected men to serve in the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
December 14, 1776
Now known as the Flemington Raid, a mission to scout out rebel forces and find food for hungry troops turned deadly as Cornet Francis Geary and his light dragoons were ambushed by seven Hunterdon citizens.
December 14, 1776
Now known as the Flemington Raid, a mission to scout out rebel forces and find food for hungry troops turned deadly as Cornet Francis Geary and his light dragoons were ambushed by seven Hunterdon citizens.
December 25, 1776
On Christmas Day, George Washington re-crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey; the area where he crossed was then a part of Hunterdon County!
Year of 1828
The Hunterdon County Historic Courthouse is built after the original building burned down. Timbers from the original building were used in construction. A new jail was added in 1927.
May 30, 1891
The Hunterdon County Historical Society undertook the grisly task of confirming that Cornet Francis Geary remained buried where he fell in 1776. They found bones and four silver buttons.
Year of 1935
In the winter of 1935, the eyes of the world focused on Flemington and the Hunterdon County Historic Courthouse, where Bruno Richard Hauptmann was put on trial for the kidnapping and murder of the Lindbergh baby.
Year of 1959
Playwright Howard Lindsay wrote the script for The Sound of Music—most likely at his weekend and summer retreat, now known as the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead. Lindsay purchased property as a gift for his wife, Broadway and movie actress Dorothy Stickney.
Year of 1777
George Washington’s first visit to the Holcombe House—Alexander Hamilton may have also stayed at the house on this visit. Washington DID sleep here and returned in 1778!
Year of 1963
The Clinton Museum in the iconic Red Mill opens.
Year of 1953
The Hunterdon County Art Center—now the Hunterdon Art Museum—opens.
Circa 1790s
Before he became the third VP of the United States in 1801 and dueled with Alexander Hamilton in 1804, Aaron Burr stayed at Bonnell’s Tavern with his daughter Theodosia several times. There are no exact dates for their visits, but they’re recorded in the family records—the tavern has been in the Bonnell family for over 250 years!
Late 1920s-1930s
Elizabeth Vosseller, teacher of Paul Robeson and founder of the Flemington’s Children’s Choir resides at the Doric House (circa 1895). During this time, she also corresponded with Admiral Byrd during his 1928-1929 expedition to Antarctica. She wrote to all members of the expedition and they wrote back! The house is now the headquarters of the Hunterdon County Historical Society—visit them to see “Miss Bessie’s” letters and more!
Year of 1769
The Swift Sure Stagecoach Line begins operations. They advertised in the New York Gazette that their route along Old York Road went “through the finest, more pleasant, and best inhabited part of New Jersey.” The stagecoach completed the journey between New York and Philadelphia in two days and cost only a few dollars.
Year of 1776
Most New Jerseyans wanted to limit British control of the colonies, but they DIDN’T want to establish America as an independent nation—and some people paid the price for their opinions: In June 1776, Captain Thomas Jones was beaten in front of his tavern by club-wielding British Loyalists!
Year of 1777
Today the High Bridge Historic Committee hosts historic dinners and events at Solitude House, but about 250 years ago, the house served as a jail: In the summer of 1777, former Governor John Penn and Chief Justice Benjamin Chew were placed under a kind of house arrest; at that time, their parole was a document that bound gentlemen by their word of honor to remain in a specified location of their choice—they chose Solitude House!
Year of 1915
The Flemington Speedway opens. During it’s 87 year life, famous racers competed at the Speedway including legendary dirt and asphalt modified drivers Billy Pauch, Stan “The Man” Ploski, Sammy Beavers, and Al Tasnady. The track also attracted major NASCAR and open-wheel stars. Mario Andretti who won a 1963 ARDC midget feature at the track in 1963.
Year of 1776
56 men representing the 13 colonies signed The Declaration of Independence. Of the “Jersey Five” signers, former judge John Hart was from Hunterdon County!
Year of 1939
Philip Van Doren Stern wrote a story called The Greatest Gift that centered around Califon’s Main Street Bridge. Unable to sell it to any magazines, he decided to self-publish it in a Christmas card in 1943. His story was transformed just 3 years later into the iconic 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life!