ITYt{IlFILlTTn

ACQUACKANONK LANDIIVG* - In Commerceand in war

This history of Acquackanonk is the his- tory wigwams but in sturdy cabins made of fire. Other saw and gristmills were tory of commerce and of the Revolution, tirnbers. An old Indian suggested"Michielse built later in the area, and the first Acquackanonk Landing was once the river set up a trading post on the island, which bleacherv in the state was that of Jarnes front part of Acquackanonk Township he did immediately after getting the deed Shepherdbuilt in I 8 t 3 on WeaselBrook which then was part of Essex County, and Apr. 4, 1678, the first building by a white on Highland Ave" i and it later became part of the City of man in Acquackanonk. A surviving direct , Passaic. It has an unusual history matched descendantof Hartman is Capt. Andrew T. Some of these plants were adjacent to only by a few other areas of its size. It is f)errom, vice-president of PassaicCounty Acquackanonk Landing, but all business noted primarily for its former shipptng ac- Historical Society. He was honored by and materials went through Landing, be- tivity as then the largest shipping port of former Passaic'sMayor Paul De Muro at coming at that time the largest shipping North Jersey and for its part throughout its Tercentenary Celebration Program. port in lrlorth Jersey. With this increase the Revolution, where Washington was in cornmercial activity, new roads Hartman was one of four brothers to whorn and saved with his army, and from which Pas- turnpikes were built from other credit must go for the purchase shortly areas. saic County and upstate were developed. to or through Acquackanonk after of theTamous Acquackanonk Patent Landing Being at the uppermost point of navigation with the only bridge over the Passaic from the trndiansin I 679 and from the on the PassaicRiver, once the "largest and River below Totowa. I-ords Proprietors of the Province of East There was the best fresh water fishing stream in the state'l first road, that formed River New JerseyMarch 15, 1684 by 14 fam- Drive and and one of the'greatest for shad, and on Lexington Ave. ilies covering all of Acquackanonk Town- and known as the King's which the first steamboat in the country Highway through ship, excepting Dundee Island and the Acquackanonk I-anding made its first trip, it developed into a thriv- and Point Patent issued to Christopher Hoag- beyond in 1707. It went to Newark. pcrt from which farm and forest pro- The land March 25, 1678 by Carteret cover- Acquackanonk Church Road, pre- tp and ore were shipped, inbound ma- viously a**, ing the Dundee section of Passaicadjacent an Indian trail and now Brook terials, supplies and equipment were re- to Landing. gray Ave. and later went also to the paper ceived, and later Alexander Hamilton's A large stone that was used as a marker for the Point Patent mills, built in 1707. Sip's Lane, now "Paterson- made goods" were wagonned to Van Houten Ave,, was laid out in 1724 Acquackanonk Landing. and later as a corner of the 14 acrescon- veyed to the Old First Church is now and later extended to Little Falls and In this growing process, Acquackanonk located at the southerly corner of Pas- Morris County. Bloomfield Ave. and Landing went through all stages of ec,r- saic and Grove. Mineral Spring built in 1803. The Paterson nomic development, frorn taming Indians and Hamburgh Turnpike started at and wilderness, harnessing waters for power lN COMMERCE - Once largestshipping AcquackanonkLanding in 1803-1809 port and navigation, through the wagoo, stage- in North Jersey - Frorn furs to Shipping as a toll road, later merged with the Paterson and New York Flankroad, coach, canal and railroad periods, and Acquackanonk Landing started in fur crossing emerged into the countyrs leading commer- trading rwith the lndians. Hartman set the bridge into Bergen County. The cial area and later as one of the states lar- up a trading post mentioned above on old colonial road to Hackensack gest industrial areas. During this early Dundee Island near the Indian Village. also started at thid bridge. period, first farm roads, some from Indian He had so much faith in the future of trails, and later turnpikes were constructed, Old Acquackanonk in fur, lumber, and F-or nearly 300 years there has been some then the first bridge over the farming that he convinced his brothers w&y, by ferry or bridge to cross the Passaic at Acquackanonk Landing where turnpikes and the 10 others to acquire the Acquack- River at Landing near the present bridge. crossed Ahd where there was a rope ferry anonk Patent. It turned out that the fur, At first by rope ferry ( I 6 82) then by crude previously. farm and lumber businesswas so good foot bridge built about 174A. Then, as if that a tannery, gristmills and sawmills (there ' ', First Settters- Being at the head of river by a dream, Essex County was no ! '1 soon appeared. The first tanner was PassaicCounty then) and Bergen County navigation surrounded by forested rolling Stephen Bassettand his tannery was hills for hunting, fishing and farming, it was authorized a new bridge to replace the 'quickly built in 1735 on Lexington Ave. (then inhabited by the early Dutch *a' old footbridge. This became the famous King's Highway built in 1707). He was Revolutionary bridge referred to below. ders, farmers, and explorers from New Am- ' probably also the state's first manufac- sterdam and It was later destroyed by ice about 1781- Communipaw, now Jersey City, turer. When he died in 17 63, it became seeking extend fur find- 2, and replaced by another bridge which to their trading and a brewery. The first gristmill in the i+g better farm lands. One of was also damagedby ice in I 81 I , and these was county was built in 1698 by John Brad- Hartman Michielse or.Vreeland - who is three more bridges were built since. - bury at Yanticaw Pond in the Delawanna believed to have been the first white man part of Acquackanonk. This later be- to have set foot upon, purchasdd land, Early Merchants- The first store in Passaic and came a papermill. The first papermill settled in Acquackanonk Township next to County was that of Robert Drummond whcr - in PassaicCounty was also in Delawanna. Hing. He found a well organized and operated a general store with post office It was the Kingsland mill which started ';"*._-rblished Algonquin Indian Village there and real estate and shipping business as a sawmill in 1741 then run by John across from what was known as Dundee , near the Acquackanonk bridge. He also Berry, member of the Provincial Con- owned and operated iron mines at Char- Island. But they were not Living in transi- gress. About I 8 l0 the Whiting Paper lotteburg and had interests in iron mines *Footnote-Use Co. (still in existance) and Melville of Pompton, Ringwood, and it was re- =., of Acquackanonkanp.Landing here- ,- in representsthe samearea as part of Acquackanonk Ctutis of the Saturday Evening Post ported he alsohad interests of some kind Tou'nship.Later, when Patersongoods came through family and then the Kingslands made in nearly every iron mine not only in Tl: *lryashington paper at this plant later destroyed by but also in s.everalmines in :', alwaysreferred to it asAcquackanonk . Bridgg *-' 1- i."' '.r, . ,jJ:r .. -:-..:1-;, adjoining New York and Pennsylvania. DURINGTHE REVOLUTION. Of ,these, Henry Garritse,Robert Drum- He wasa memberof the GeneralAs- WashingtonSaved With His,Army mond, MichaelVreeland, and John Berry semblyof the hovince of New JerseY Acquackanonk Landing's part in the were electedmernbers of the Provincial and a deputy of the Provinsial Congress' Revolution was as impressiveas that. Gongress.This mee{ing,washeld in Unfortunately he turned Loyalist and of any other areainvolved in the war. JamesLeslie's tavern, originally the recruited a battalion of Loyalists most- There are enoush historical markers churchparsonage ( 17| 3, and later ,r known ly f_rbmBergen County, but none from in the smali arei to substantiate. as the BlanchardHouse. Of the ;l Acquackanonk. His property was all above,,thefollowing wereburied in the U confiscatedlater. His geneial store Why WashingtonDecided on old AcquackanonkLanding graveyard : had beensold to John Low, then to AcquackanonkLanding as his M. Vreeland,H. Garritse,P. Peterie,J. SamuelSeeley. and then to Abraham Headquarters- Berry,T. Post,R. Ludlow, J. Spier,J. Ackerman who rnadeanother success Following the battle of White Plains Van Riper, L. Wessels,F. & C. Van of the business,as he built extensive and the concentration of British forces, Winkle,H. Post,Jr., J. Vreeland,A. Van docks for a line of boats plying between Washingtonpredicted they would enter: Riper,Dr. Roche. Ryderand Drummond hereand New York City, and at one New Jersey,and instructed his engineers turned Tories. time owned most of the Landingriver to survey and record safe areasfor re- front property. The businesswas treat. He then selectedAcquackanonk A rousing and memorable meeting was acquiredby Ryersonand Van "Bridge" wherehis troops would be held in the old tavern on July 3, 1776 to later consider the question Houten who later sold out to Peter safe. Retreating from Ft. ke, but of defense, should Peteralso ran boatsto New stopping briefly at Hackensackand the enemy invade. Acquackanonk Land- Jackson. point York, and alsoengaged in the timber found the people mostly apathetic, tre ing at that tirne was an important on and wood businesscut from his own decidedto go on to Acquackanonk the main artery from Newark to Hacken- woodlands. He alsobuilt the Ryerson's Bridge. More about his retreat to sack, Totowa, Paramus,and Pompton and Hotel, sincedemolished. His son,John follow. the only bridge between here and Newark. P. Jackson,was presidentof the United Strong speecheswere made by Chairman AcquackanonkLanding was on the main Benjamin Helme, John Sip, John {. Railroadsof New Jersey,and another Vreeland, and Rev. Henricus Schoonma- son, SchuylerB. Jackson,was ex-speak- artery of travel south to north and east with the only bridge over navigable ker, pastor of the Acquackanonk Church. er of the New JerseyAssembly. The Rev. Schoonmaker not only prayed and Peter Jacksonbusiness was later acquir- waters. ,AcquackanonkBridge w-asthe 'ed inost impo-rtant military point in North preached,but worked for the cause,go- by RichardMorrell and John A. Post ing about the country encouraging inha- who later went into the lumbef business. Jersey. Duiing the Revolutionary period. it was the center of military operations bitants to fight. His influence was wide powerful. parish for North Jerseyand the most strategic and His field or was point in,the entire colony. Acquackanonk large, extending from what is now Belle- The Drummond generalstore was the ville on the south to the New York State most important during the old daysof Landing led the state in Revolutionary activitiestill the end of the war. Wash- line on the north, from near Hackensack Acquackanonklanding. Therewere on the east to Morris County on the west. numerousother storesand workshops, ington establishedheadquarters under Lord Stirling till the war's.end. The Of all land owners in the area,it was be- Acquackanonk landing had been the lieved three fourths of the adult popula- headquartersfor lumber, timber, and all bridge was maintained againstat least six attemptsto wrest it from the Amer- tion was connected directly or indirectly kinds of building materialsfor over 200 with this church years,and from l7l6 to nearlythe close icans;the commandwas to hold it at i of that century wasthe only placein all cost of blood and money. It was The above committee servedindefatigabl|# this sectionof the statewhere such the headquartersfor all activities of with added duties of food conservation could be obtained,because of river the war for miles around and a strong- and hospital relief without pay till the end navigationand cheaptransportation. hold of the Americans. Three militia of the war. Henry Garritse was the most John Low is believed to be the first here companieswere organized in Acquackanonk influential and prominent man of his day, to engagein bgilding materialsat about Township; it wasstrong for Washington. furnishing secret information of great val- 1715. His successorwas the Anderson ue to the American army, and the only Lumber Co., successorsof William S. 'The abovewas confirmedlater by sub- man here who had the honor of a visit Anderson,Anderson Brothers, Anderson sequentevents and the final victory, from Gen. Washington. He was also the & Post,and Morrell & Postabout 125 and Washingtonestablishing headquarters first member of the legislature from this yearsago. The name.of Colfax also there. During one year all famousofficers district. Members of the PassaicCounty cameinto the Landingpicture. Robert of the Americanarmy were within the Historical Society had the painful exper- Colfax had a generalstore in competition bordersof SaddleRiver Townshipacross ience of witnessing recently the demoli- with Ackerman,but later went back to the river from Acquackanonk.With the tion of his once beautiful and well-kept Pompton. He wasrelated to Dr. William exceptionof Valley Forgeand the Vir- Dutch colonial house on Lexington Ave. Colfax mentionedbelow. ginia campaignagainst Cornwallis in 1781, (old King's Highway or WeaselRoad) on the Continentaltroops were constantly July 2, I 968 after fruitless efforts to save in or on the confinesof New Jersey. it, However, it could have been savedat By this time, beforerailroads took over, least temporarily with preservationmeans farms were prospering,travelers lvere Beforethe war, Acquackanonkwas the made availablea few weeks later. coming and going through Acquackanonk first to take action in this stateon the Events During the UVar'sProgress - I-andingby stagecoach,wagon, boat, or Massachusettsplan to set up correspond- horseback,and important highways encebetween colonies to keepinformed Washington's-Retreat- As mentioned crossedhere for north, soutll. east and of what was transpiringin Englandto. above, after the loss of F't. Lee, Washing- west. This was a stagetransfer point. wardsthe coloniesthrough electedcom- ton found BergenCounty a hot-bed of Some travelerswould stay over in the mittees. A Comnritteeof Observation Toryism ald willing to assistthe enemy smallhotels, tavernsor rooming houses. for Acquackanonkwas elected to check even as spies. The land was flat and protection from Drivers of wagonscarrying pro- for disloyals. The abovewas confirmed open with no tht larger farm forces equipped. His forces ducts,barrel hoopsand staves,poles, at a public nreetingat Acquackanonk enemy better were poorly clad, more than half forge and foundry products,lumber and BridgeMay 3, 1775. Electedto a Gen- without other materialswould alsostop over. eral Cornmitteewere: MichaelVreeland, shoes,feet bound in straw, clothing worn Dockswere full of cargoboats, and a- Chairman; Henry Garritse,Peter Peterse, to,tatters, Washington had no alternative long the shore were many passenger John Berry, Robert Drummond, Francis but to retreat to Acquackanonk Bridge, and .\- pleasureboats, some large, and regattas Post.Thomas Post, DanielNell, Richard leaving Hackensack in the afternoon and -*, wereheld. The oldestinhabitant there Ludlow, Capt. AbrahamGodwin, John arrivin-gat the Bridge about dusk of Nov once told W. W. Scott of yearsbefore Spier,Jacob Van Riper, lucas Wessels, 21, 1776. Gen. Greene had been sent to seeinglong linesof wagonsloaded with FrancesVan Winkle, CorneliusVan fortify Acquackanonk Bridge by construc- warescoming daily to Landingwhere Winkle, Henry Post,Dr. Walter De Graw, ting ramparts along the river shore inwhich boatstook york John Peer,Jacob Garritse, Jacob Vreeland, cannons were placed. Through all this and thenrto New and other I ports. Many of thesewere from Paterson. AbrahamVan Riper,and StephenRyder, more, Washington never indicated any de- V.{ Dr. NicholasRoche. Comrnittee Clerk. featist attitude. j

,t

l -2-- I By this time the peacefullittle village of evening...However,wo were lucky detachment crossedthe bridge and rested Acquackanonk Landing was beginning enough to gain the bridge before them; along the river at what is now Outwater to feel the fingers of war were beginning by which meanswe savedall our men..l' Lane near the fclrd. The other half went to reachher. On Nov. 9, 1776 Gen. The rear guard referred to in this letter north orr WeaselRoad to the forC area Stephenwas ordered to proceedimmedi- rxossedthe bridge about midnight, and and reuniting with the other part o1'the ately with his brigadeto Acquackanonk the next day Post (Capt. John Post detachment,af ter each plunderedon the to assistGen. Greene still there. On Nov. later) and his able body of men destroy- way l0 Gen. Mercerarrived with his troops, ed the bridge. At the moment Washing- ton was writing this letter, Paine started and on Nov. 14 Lord Stirling crossedthe ooThe Thesewere troops of Gen. Clinton, Brig. bridge with 8 regimentson the way to to write Crisis" and at the very Gen. Carnpbell,and Maj. Gen. Vaughn, Rahway. Washingtonalso had sentword next moment Washington actually star- sornecoming by boat from Nelv York up aheadto adviseall farmers to cart all ted to write, Paine opened up with the the HackensackRiver and then overland, movablestuff 2 or 3 milesback into the famous words: "These are the times sorneby boat to Elizabethtown Point to country, but they igjnoredthis to their that try men's souls". The next day; meet Clinton at Belleville. Gen. Vaughn sorrow later. Nov. 22, Nashington and his army left oameby boat on the Hudson to Ft. Lee for Newark, leaving behind Smallwood's and overland to the ford at Outwater The day Washingtonarrived at Acqua. Regiment to rest up fro m fatigue in Lane where they all met on September ckanonkwas cold and rainy, but the guarding the rear of Washington's re- 15, 1777, and lay there until every farm most tenselyexciting day in old Acquac- treat to Acquackanonk Bridge. The in that areawas looted anclrobbed. They kanonk. Every man, woman, and child Bridge was strongly held to the war's then started on their return to New York dreadedthe bloody carnagethat might end. with hundreds of horses,cattle and sheep, result. It was alsoknown that Gen. after a lossof some kitled, wounded, t&- Cornwallis was closely following Wash- The British army seemed in no hurry to ken prisoners and missing. There were ington. In expectationof his coming follow up Washington's retreat, but in- skirmishes near Acquackanonk Bridge. every farmer in the areawas aroused stead delayed pursuit severaldays to and started for the l"anding. A rousing feast on the larders of the Bergen farmers. As Gen. Clinton's raid was a great surprise meetirlgwas held. The old minister This is why Washington felt safe in stay; to everybody, incrludingWashingtoil, & made a ringing speech. About every ing overnight at the tavern and his men signal systern for warning the people of man offered himself to fight for liberty. scattered over the churchyard, but well the approach of the enemy was set up At the headwas a vigorousand able guarded. On Nov. 26, 1776 theBritish with signalstations, one for Acquacka- bodied man namedPost who promised crossedat a ford near present Dundee nonk was at the Notch, with gong at day and later enlisted. A decisionat the. Dam and later known as Robertsford. and bonfire at night. conferencewas that Post with a picked In coming down WeaselRoad (now body of volunteerswould destroythe Lexington Ave.), they seemedto be in After leavingValley F.orgeJune 18, 1778, bridge after Washingtoncrossed to no hurry, but were shot at often by Washington with his army passedthrough prevent the British from crossing.This irate farmers. They looted every farm, Acquackanonk July 9, establishinghead- body of men was quickly formed and house and barn in the vicinity as they quarters at the old tavern. In Septernber stationed at the bridge ready for ser- found everything in abundance here, the 177 8 the British begananother foraging vice. Most of the men in this group farmers being prosperous and wealthy. expedition and sent vesselsto carry the to help Post were membersof pres- The British evidently were not looking loot away. But Gen. William Winds with ent old families in this area. but for trouble as they never set foot on 1000 men quickly drove them out of thC spaceiloes not permit listing them. Acquackanonk village streets,but went state. The signal stations proving ineffec- \"-. to Anthony's Nose hill overlooking Ac- tive, Lord Stirling set up guard headquar- WhenWashington's army was seenap- quackanonk Landing. This site was la- ters at the sameold tavern and placed proachingin the distancea committee ter that of Paulison's unfinished mansion groups of his men along river drive and headedby Rev. Schoonmakerstood in and then of the old City Hall. While there WeaselRoad (Lexington Ave.) to protect the taverndoor yard. The placewas the British never fired a shot or engaged the farrners. Theseguards put an end to full of women with their childrenwho in a skirmish. enemy raids. had flocked there from nearand far. and scoresof farm wagonswere on the The bridgewhich had beendestroyed had Gen. Woodford'sbrigade passed through road and in open spaces.A convoy now beenrepaired but no measurestaken Acquackanonkon October 16 and 29, went out to escortWashington to the to protect it. The British took advantage 1778. Washingtonat headof his army 'bridge. It is recordedthat WallingVan of this in December177 6 andhbld it for visitedhere again December 2 and 3 on Winkle,one of the convoys,told his that winter and left in the springwithout way to winter quartersat Mitldlebrook. grandsonthat Washinlton'sarmy did a soldieror guard. When Washingtonwas He washere again on the 5th on the way not comeover the road but wasled ac- awareof this, he orderedGen. Heardto from Elizabethto Paramus,returning crossfields to the bridge. There were move part of his militia herefrom Pomp againon the 8th. - The PennsylvaniaLine about 3000 soldiersin line and wereen- ton. On July 30, 1777, Americanforces encampedhere from December9 to 12. campedin the church cemeteryarea. numbering4500 passedthrough Acqua- Washingtonwas welcomed with rousi4g kanonkLanding ontheir way to theSouth. cheers.Supper was servedto Washington *::?";."iffi'"1?,::i1ffii,fl::1fi-.11", and his staff in the dining room. After In September1777, Acquackanonkand incidentsin this writing, othersworth_y of supperWashington met local prominent adiacintarea were visited bv severalraid- mentionare grouped herewith: Brig. Gen. men upstairsto discussaffairs. Just be- ing.partiesof British troops-totalling Philip Van Cor-tlandtwas almost caught fore dark GeneralsIrvine and Heardand at*oirt6OOO men with horses,wagons and passingthrough Acquackanonkafter the ThomasPaine and with David Gordon cannon. Among them were Loyilists in- _WhitePlains battle. Arnold's MorrisCounty and LucasWessels were on a tour of in- cluding Capt. R6bert Drummond, a local IndependentLightllor-se were at Acquac- spectionof the old tombs, many of merchlnt frince who was picked'for kanonk soon after Washingtoncrossed the which wereof early settlers. Guards knowing the way from Befteville.No bridgeon his retreat. They servedas vi- were placedaround the houseand doubt this entire displaywas to strike dettesand as expresscarriers. ln De0em- grounds. terror in the heartsof peacefulcountry ber 1778,Gen. Putnam'sContinental army folk when they realizethe strengthof the divisionmarched from Paramusto Acquac- A letter by Washingtonto Gov. Living- King's army. Due to the absenceof kanonk. His First Virginia StateRegiment stondated Nov.2l, 1776at Acquacka- young men who were in the army and commandedby Col. Gibsonvisited Acqua nonk Bridge statesin part, "I have this only women and older men at home, the kanonk Bridgeagain August 22, 1781. O moment arrived at this place with Gen. invadersmet little opposition. Other ob- July 21,1780, the First Pennsylvaniapas--. Beall'sand Gen. Heard'sbrigades from jectivesof Gen. Clinton's invasionwas to sedthrough Acquackanonk.During 1780, Maryland and Jersey,and part of Gen. entrapunwary Americansoldiers and to detachmentsfrom the First Pennsylvania Ewing's from Pennsylvania. Three take away everyhorse, cattle, and swine were sent from Totowa through Acquac- other regiments,left to guardthe passes that could be found. From Acquacka- kanonk to Newarkand, elsewhere.During from HackensackRiver, and to seryeas nonk they crossedthe bridgeafteria . the first 3 weeksof July 1780,Washington covering parties, are expectedup this strugglewith bridgeguards. tlalf of the oo-.-hadhis headquartersat the --3- in Preakness.On June26,1781, Martha Besidesthe bridgeat Acquackanonk,the Shipping docks at Acquack. landing Washingtonpassed through Acquacka- next most important site at Acquacka- through which furnace and forge muni- nonk escortedby a guardof honor from nonklanding is the old cemeteryarea, tions (cannons,balls), forest, farm, and Gen. Heath'sdivision. Shepassed through which is probably unmatchedby the mine productswere shippedand received. severalother tilnes. July 4, l78l Conti- numberof encampmentsduring eachof Once largestshipping port of North Jer- (12) ---- .ntal Statetroops under Gen.Waterbury the 7 years,most of which areawill be seybefore railroads '.1 ssedAcquackanonk Bridge. August eliminatedby Route21. Hereis a list \4, 1781,Gen. Lincoln with the Light of encampmentsas recorded by histor- First district school in county. In use Infantry and the First New York Regi- ian Scott: nearly 200 years(l 3) ment passedthrough Acquackanonk.In I 776-'Nov. 14,by'Pennsylvania First storein county (14) August 1781,Washington and his corps troups.21 ,by Washington's Actual location of Acquack. Bridge passedthrough Acquackanonkto join army of 3000. (markersare elsevghere)(15) up with the Frenchdivision of the Amer- 1777- Jan.4,by enemytroops un- Actuallocation of BlanchardHouse ican Army, under Rochambeau. der Gen. Howe. June 6, by (markersare elsewhere)(16) Gen. Dongen'stroops. July 8 Old cemeteryand encamprnent Soonafter his crossingover the Acquac- to Sept.4, by Washington's grounds(oldest in county) (17) kanonk Bridgeand with the expbrience troops. Thereis alsoa stonetablet whereGen. he had with Toriescoming through Ber- 1778-June5, by Gen.Heard's guards Pershingreviewed and spoke to local gen,Washington spent much of his time taking Gov. Franklin a prisoner World Warveterans (18) while at the old tap house(Blanchard to Conn.;July, by Washington's (Numeralspinpoint markerlocations House)setting up a secretservice organ- troops. Sept.,Oct. by Pennsyl- Seemap last page) ization and arrangedto enlist certain vania troops. Dec. by Pennsyl- During the war inflation went rampant good men asspies, men acquaintedwith vaniaTroops. and prices skyrocketed. Things were al- around. JacobA. 7 - -J uly, by Cornwallis'and Howe's ' evervfoot for miles 17 9 rnostbeyond.reach for many. For in- Van'Riperwas one of the first. Others army. Oct., bY (len. Sullivans' stance,a pair of shoeswent to $50 or were: RichardVan Riper, Hale,Tall- army. more, a common cloak and hat cost$ 1000, madge,Culper. Spies for both sideswere 1780-July 5, by Pennsylvaniatroops. a silk handkerchief$40, a man'shat $400, activeat Acquackanonk.'InOctober 1780, Aug., by Gen. St. Clair'stroops. greenpeas $8 a peck, etc. Then, after the Major Parrset up a better watch and pa- I 781 -July 4, Americantroops had a war was turning in our favor and we were' trol. He installeda beaconand tower parade.Aug., by French trooPs. havingvictories, and in spiteof the depre- and a cannonon the mountain at Great Sept.,by Washington'strooPs. ciatedcurrency, speculation ran riot and Notch from which Acquackanonkwas Oct.,by Gen Hazen'stroops. merry makingseemed to haveno bounds. plainly seen. 1782--LordStirling, who was stationed At staid,old Acquackanonkdinner parties hereduring the remainderof the were hcld in the homesof John J. Vree- In thc summerof 1776,the blastfur- war, establishedpermanent quar- land, Henry Garritse,Christopher Steinmets, nacesat Hibernia,Morris County, had tershcre for his troops. Henry Averson,and others. Therewas a beenset up to r:rake3-pounder cannon Hereis a list of RevolutionaryMonuments lavishmilitary ball at the BlanchardHouse and balls. Mr. Huff, superintendent, and markersin Acquackanonklanding to in honor of (len. Stirling,the originalcom- wrote'Col..Knoxthat he had castover 35 indicatepart it playedand how the events manderof the bridgeguard, and to com- _ ns of shot and had no way of shipping are being perpetuated: memoratethe third ai',riiversaryof the de- '; with Ceorge *-Van- Arrangements were made struction of the bridge. No expensewas lderstineand CorneliusLudlow of Cenotaphfor local soldiersand sailors sparedas thosein chargewere farmersand AcquackanonkLanding to cart the shot of all wars( I ) merchantswho were rnakingmoney as to be put on boats. Monumentto Capt.John Post.Post's neverbefore, burial underneathwith soldiersof Revolu- F'orat least20 yearsafter the Revolution, BesidesCapt. John H. Post,Acquacka- tion and later wars,rn a 7 5 ft. dia. circle Fourth of July paradeswere held on Rivcr nonk had many heros. Another worthy (Postin center)(2) Drive in Acquackanonkvillage, participated of mention is Capt. DanielNeil, a youllg Capt. Post'stombstone with bolt and in by thosewho had beenin the services. successfulmerchant from Acquackanonk. shaft-bearingfrom old gristmill where he It washeaded by John Parceland Robert While brother-merchantRobert Drummond wasborn. (preservedby PassaicCounty Walker,former expressriders, William choseto join the Loyalists,Daniel Neil Hist. Society)(3) Conklin was drum-major,Jonathan H. talked to Washington,put his businessin Burial markerof Henry Garritqe, Osbornand Henry Walter,drunrmers, and another'shands, and becamecaptain of Washington'sinformer, mernberProvin- Abraham H. King and David fifers. just Crane, the EasternBattery authorizedby cial Congressand of first legislature.(by Virtually the whole villageand farmersfor the ProvincialCongress. He won com- ClaverackDAR) (4) rnilesaround would line up the route. Af- mendationfrom Washingtonat Trenton, Monumentfor Washilgton'sstaying ter the paradeall would assemblein front and almostthe last word he'heardwas here.Contrib. by PassaicSchool Child(s) of the old church for songsand stimulat- that of Washingtonwhen he was mor- Siteof first church in county. Minister ing speechesby the pastorand others. tally woundedat the battle of Princeton. and church took activepart in Rev.(6) Washingtonwith his surgeon,Gen. Rush, Tablet under tree, "Under parent DISTRICTSCHOOL AND ACADEMIE9 shook his hand expressinghope for a of this tree Washingtontook command As the early Dutch settlerswere ascareful quick recovery,but he died that night. of AmericanArrny" (plantedby Acqua- about the secularas they were of the re- Gov. Livingstonsuggested a monument kanonk LandingDAR) (7) ligiouseducation of the young, in those to his memory, but there is no recordof Wall tablet indicatinglocation of Ac- daysministers also acted as schoolmasters, anything done. quackanonkBridge and BlanchardHouse so that the history of the Old Dutch Re- asWashington Headquarten (by Acquack. formed Church at Acquackanonk is also Another hero who performed here mag- Ianding DAR) (8) the history of the school. In 1693 the first nificently wasGen. William Windsof Tablet listing "teal" DAR's (daugh- law of the state was passedfor establishing Rockaway,Morris County, one of the tersof Revolutionarysoldiers) by Acquac- public schools. Thereafter the school was bravestof Washington'sgenerals. He was kanonk LandingDAR) (9) separatedfrom the church and a new dis- with Washingtonon his retreat and was Gregory Ave. street marker for Acqua- trict school building was built near the stationedhere both beforeand after that kanonk Bridge and Washingtonheadquar- church in 1694. Guilliam Bertholf, the preventingBrit- first -. event,and succeededin ters(by N. J. Commissionof Historical church minister, become the school- \ raids. On one occasion,he was sur- Sites)(10) master in the first school in PassaicCounty. isedby the appearanceof a superior Gregory Ave. marker for Acquack. The school district had a radius of over 5 -enemy force in the distance,whereupon Bridge where Washingtonwas saved(by milesand included part of BergenCounty. he roaredwith his tremendousvoice: N.J. TercentenaryCommission) (! This building was in continuous useuntil "Open to the right and left, and let the l) 1870,for nearly 200 years,somewhat-of artillery through!", in a voice that struck a record. One of the teacherswasDr.William terror into the enemy,who retreatedhas- The following are unmarked sitesof pre- Colfax, an unclerofVice PresidentColfax tily, expectingan artillery attack, but Revolutionary structures now demolished and son of William Colfax, commander of therewas no artillery. somefiguring in the Revolution:. . Washington'sLife-Guards during the Revo-

--4- lution. He practiced medicine and taught of manufacturing plants, eventually cre- Made country's best dpmestic wines. i. school at the same time. ating one of the most concentrated and Washington selectedAcquackanonk diversified,areas in the country. Arnong Landing as a safe place for his army on At one time the building had two stories these were or still are the country's 'lar- his retreat. with the Academy bccupying the second gest handkerchief, worsted, industrial Acquackanonk Landing led the state. dloor. This was the birthplace and for : rubber makers, and heavy-duty electric in Revolutionary activities till end . lars the home of Nassau Hall Acad€ffiy, cables. The center of the community Was Washington's headquartersunder \qereparing boys fbr college, particularly'a shifted from the river-front to up-hill to Lord Stirling till end of war. feeder for Princeton. Being a thriving accomrnodate railroad transportation of Was on main artery of travel south town in the early days and with good freight and passengers.The Acquacka- to north and east. means of transportation (boat, stage, nonk name was changed through the Was center of military operations for and later one of the first railroads in New efforts of Alfred Speer to "Passaic" in North Jerseyand most strategicpoint in Jersey), there was an advantage of locat- 1854, and becameincorporated as a city entire colon/. . ing here the advanced seat of learning in in 1866. Acquackanonk Landing lost First white settler, first land purchase the northern part of the state. Although its name and identity, but the Delawanna in county and upstate. Newark had an acadeffiy, the courses of and Clifton areascontinued as Acquacka- studies did not include as many of the nonk Township. higher branches and languagesas Nassau Part of this Acquackanonk areahistory Hall Academy. Many young men pre- About this time, there were two men who was included in a history of Passaic ferred to come here on horseback as did were helping develop Acquackanonk. One which was entered in the Congressional those from north areas. Others farther was Alfred Speer who had vinyards in sur- Record by CongressmanCharles S. away boarded here in boarding houses. rounding areasand a large winery and JoelsonJanuary 17, 1967. At this writ- For girls, there was the Young Ladies warehouse at Landing near the bridge and ing the PassaicCounty Historical Society, Academy at Prospect near Park Place. made the best native wines and sherriesin spearheadedby Alfred P. Cappio, presi- the country. The other was CharlesM. K. dent and Capt. Andrew T. Derrom, vice In December 1802, membersof the As- Paulison,known as the Father of Passaic. president, is making an effort to have sociation for the Promotion of Useful He bought up land,i laid out streetson the this Acquackanonk Landing arca desig- I iterature decided to establishthe Ac- hill and changed Passaicfrom rural to ur- nated or dedicated as a national historic quakanonk Academy. It was construc- ban. He built his ',(castle"on Anthony's l r,nonument,although much of the old ted on ProspectSt., then part of old Nose Hill but never lived to enjoy it., , ' ' cemetery used as a Revolutionary en- years Kings Highway. lt csntinued until 1876, .: campment for seven may be obli- quick but during the last score years it became Acquackanonk village was fortunate in terated, unless action is taken, by the well known Young Ladies Seminary. successfully making the transition from Route 21 now under construction. There In 1859, Dr. John M. Howe erected a river-shipping economy to a formidable are few if any areasof similar size that Howe's Academy for children of select diversified industrial center. The exten- have been so active in the Revolution or families. Discontinued in 1870. sive prosperous surrounding farm areas have so many historical markers and mon- helped 'okeepan even keel". Acquacka- uments. nonk has gone through all stagesof eco- nomic development as mentioned previ- Some day monuments with tablets listing ously and survived. Many other towns troops that passedover the,bridgeand \ AILROADERA - DECLINEOF died on the vine or became ghost towns encampedin the cemetery areawould be YcouAcKANoNK LANDING along rivers, canals,on bypassedturn- informative and inspiring to future gener- pikes or abandoned railroads, or deple- ations, and certainly in the event of dedi- ted mines or stripped forests, lacking cating Acquackanonk Landing as na- For nearly 150 yearsAcquackanonk a inertia to changeand progress. tional historic monument, syrnbolizinga Landing had been a peaceful communit5r veritable "birth of a nation". Acquacka- made up of farms, the finest in the state To help bring Acquackanonk Landing nonk Landing could or should occupy an and owned by rich men, and commerce into better perspective,it was: important place in the Bicentennial Com- prospering with stageand wagon was Largest shipping port in North Jersey. rnemorative Celebration as it was the shipping. The natives traffic and river Irirst bridge across PassaicRiver stronghold of the American Army and But things were did very little traveling. Outlet for Hamilton's "Paterson-made" led the state in Revolutionary activities. soon to change with the railroad, and products and for upstate farm, forest, and looked good for railroad Acquac-kanonk rnine products, also for incoming materials, Much credit for the above is due the late Although short-haul railroad business. supplies. William W. Scott who lived at a time when businessstarted here in the early 1830's,, First church and cemetery, store, sons and graddsonsand others in the Rev- it was not until the h,rie Railroad came tavern in county. Cemetery atea used as olutionary period provided him with the in 1836 that shipping businesssuffered. Revolutionary encampment for 7 years. first hand information and from original The stagewagonand river contmerce First district school in county, in use documents still in their possession.Much came to a standstill and Acquackanonk nearly 2OAyears. has been recorded for posterity in his landing businesswas stagnant until the All famous American officers during History of Passaicand Its Environs. Also and Dundee Dam were one year were acrossriver from dg:quac- his father helped build the Dundee Dam and built in I 859, z project of Hamilton's kanonk Canal which started Passaic'sgreat indus- (SUM)' Society of Useful Manufactures Papermill owned by Saturday Eve- trial growth Industries were attracted by the water ning Post family JamesJ. De Mario farms in and water-power facilities; lush Had one clf first railroads (at first October 9, 1968 the area soon gave way to a gteat variety Acquackanonk to Paterson)

1 844 VILLAGE C)F ACQUACKANONK L()OKING WEST ACR()SS THE PASSAIC RIVER. .- 5- REVOLUTIONARYMONUMENTS & MARKERSIN ACOUACKANONKLANDING

Seepage 4 for descriptions

MAIN AVE. /^s O ff (1)

OLD CEMETERY AND ENCAMPMENTAREA ( 17)

ROUTE2I TO COME-. THROUCHHERE \ >\

il 2\

(e) o

(s) a (to) €(13) o (?) (11) X ( 16)

(12) (18)

( l4) (8) RIVBRDRN:

* (1s) PASSAICRIVER

-6-