Atlantic Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Hartshorne Legacy
Photographed By Deb Hartshorn, March 1, 2011
1. The Hartshorne Legacy Marker
Hartshorne Woods Park is named in honor of the Hartshorne family. Richard Hartshorne (1641-1722), an English Quaker, settled in Middletown in 1669 and became one of Monmouth County’s most prominent early settlers. By the late 1670s he had acquired extensive landholdings of over 2300 acres, including Sandy hook and the Highlands of Navesink.
Richard Hartshorne was active in community and colonial affairs, and served in the Provincial Assembly. He was known as a skilled statesman and peacemaker. In a pamphlet published in London in 1676, he helped promote Quaker emigration to the young colony of East Jersey by his favorable portrayal of the area as healthful, fertile, and peaceful.
After Richard Hartshorne’s death, his landholdings were divided among his descendants. Over the years Hartshorne lands were gradually sold to private individuals and to the U.S. Government for coastal defense, but most of what is now Hartshorne Woods Park remained in family ownership into the mid 1900s.
Erected by Friends of the Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1669.
Location. 40° 24.092′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. British Campsite (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named British Campsite (approx. half a mile away); Friends of Monmouth County 9/11 Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Highest Point on the Atlantic Seaboard (approx. 0.6 miles away); Raritan Bay & New York Harbor (approx. 0.6 miles away); Longshore Sediment Movement (approx. 0.6 miles away); Henry Hudson Springs (approx. 0.8 miles away); Middletown Township Locust Historic District (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlantic Highlands.
More about this marker. On the lower left is an image of "Richard Hartshorne’s signature on a 1680 bill of sale."
In the center is a "Painting of Hartshorne Woods with Benjamin Hartshorne in carriage. By William Hahn, late 19th century." The caption reads, "19th century painters, illustrators and writers celebrated the Navesink Highlands’ picturesque scenery, depicting what novelist James Fenimore Cooper called one the most beautiful combinations of land and water in America."
On the right is an "1854
Photographed By Deb Hartshorn, March 1, 2011
2. Entrance to park on Navesink Avenue
On the bottom right is a "Painting of Navesink River and Rocky Point, now part of of Hartshorne Woods Park. By J.E. Buttersworth, mid 19th century."
Also see . . . Hartshorne Woods Park. Monmouth County Park System entry (Submitted on March 6, 2011, by Deb Hartshorn of Burlington County, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2011, by Deb Hartshorn of Burlington County, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,703 times since then and 65 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2011, by Deb Hartshorn of Burlington County, New Jersey. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 6, 2011, by Deb Hartshorn of Burlington County, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
