Bound Brook in Somerset County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Frelinghuysen Tavern
This tablet marks the site of The Frelinghuysen Tavern. Here Hendrick Harpending, a shoemaker from Holland, built his home circa 1720, which later became a tavern, owned by his son, Peter.
Soon after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, the townspeople assembled on the street in front of this tavern to hear it read by their neighbor, Hendrick Fisher of South Bound Brook, President of the Provincial Congress of New Jersey, member of the Committee of Safety and an “enemy of the crown,” excluded from the General Amnesty offered the rebellious colonists earlier that year.
“Upon completion of the reading the crowd went wild with joy, carrying Fisher on their shoulders through the village, while the Presbyterian Church bell rang loud and long, cannons fired, and rousing toasts were drunk by the lusty Patriots gathered there.”
Erected 1960 by the Somerset County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1781.
Location. 40° 33.696′ N, 74° 31.886′ W. Marker is in Bound Brook, New Jersey, in Somerset County. Marker is on East Main Street east of Mountain Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bound Brook NJ 08805, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Van Horn Plaza (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bound Brook Library World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Locks on the D&R Canal (approx. 0.2 miles away); Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Stone Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bound Brook.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,289 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 14, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 17, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.