Sandyston Township in Sussex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Westbrook - Bell House

Photographed By Cheryl (Rome) Thom

1. The Westbrook - Bell House Marker

Inscription. Johannes Westbrook, who was among the earliest permanent settlers of the Minisink region, built this homestead around the year 1701. It was subsequently fortified when incidents of hostility increased between the residents of New York and New Jersey during the height of the "Border War" between the two colonies. Ownership of the land was finally secured from its Lenni Lenape owner for five pounds sterling and a generous measure of rum. It is the oldest house still standing in Sussex County.

Erected 2003 by Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Sussex County Historic Marker Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey, Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1701.

Location. 41° 16.552′ N, 74° 49.365′ W. Marker is near Sandyston, New Jersey, in Sussex County. It is in Sandyston Township. Marker is on Old Mine Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Branchville NJ 07826, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Mine Road (here, next to this marker); Wyoming-Minisink Path (approx. one mile away in Pennsylvania);

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Hainesville, New Jersey (approx. 2 miles away); Brick House Village (approx. 2.3 miles away); Pennsylvania (approx. 2.7 miles away in Pennsylvania); Benjamin Alden Bidlack (approx. 2.9 miles away in Pennsylvania); Gifford Pinchot (approx. 2.9 miles away in Pennsylvania); Metz Ice Plant c. 1869 (approx. 3.1 miles away in Pennsylvania). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sandyston.

Also see . . . Historical Information and Pictures from the Historical American Building Survey, c1935. (Submitted on January 13, 2010.)

The Westbrook - Bell House and Old Mine Road Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cheryl (Rome) Thom, February 4, 2010

2. The Westbrook - Bell House and Old Mine Road Markers

The Westbrook - Bell House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cheryl (Rome) Thom, April 25, 2010

3. The Westbrook - Bell House

Photographed By Cheryl (Rome) Thom, April 25, 2010

4. The Westbrook - Bell House

Westbrook - Bell House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cheryl (Rome) Thom, April 25, 2010

5. Westbrook - Bell House

Buildings near the Westbrook-Bell House. The larger structure is a wagon house, the smaller a pig barn. Information provided by Burson W. Bell of Charlotte, North Carolina

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2010, by Cheryl (Rome) Thom of Newton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,451 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 13, 2010, by Cheryl (Rome) Thom of Newton, New Jersey. 2. submitted on February 4, 2010, by Cheryl (Rome) Thom of Newton, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 13, 2010, by Cheryl (Rome) Thom of Newton, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.