High Bridge in Hunterdon County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Old Iron Mines

Photographed By William Honachefsky Jr, November 13, 2004

1. Old Iron Mines Marker

Inscription. In use from
C. 1730 - 1889
Supplied ore for
Solitude (Union) Forge
Ore made into cannonballs
for use of Revolutionary Army
Owned by:
William Allen and Joseph Turner
1742 - 1778
Robert Taylor and Family
1778 - 1863
Thomas Iron Company
1863-1872
Taylor Iron Works
1872-1889

Erected 1975 by The Historical Society of High Bridge (now maintained by Union Forge Heritage Association).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812 • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1730.

Location. 40° 40.285′ N, 74° 53.657′ W. Marker is in High Bridge, New Jersey, in Hunterdon County. Marker is at the intersection of Fairview Avenue (New Jersey Route 513) and Mine road, on the right when traveling north on Fairview Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: High Bridge NJ 08829, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. High Bridge and the Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Joseph Parish (approx. 0.2 miles away); The American Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away); T.I.S.C.O. Complex (approx. 0.3 miles

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away); Taylor Wharton Iron and Steel Company (approx. 0.3 miles away); The TISCO Complex (approx. 0.3 miles away); C.K. Hoffman Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Taylor Iron and Steel Company (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in High Bridge.

Regarding Old Iron Mines. The original area, known as West New Jersey, was inhabited by a division of the Lenape Indians and settled around 1700. In 1742, William Allen leased a 300-acre site extending from present day Califon, New Jersey, to Pattenburg from the West Jersey Society, on which he and his partner, Joseph Turner, established the first ironworks in Philadelphia's colonial times. In 1752, Allen and Turner purchased 10,849 acres in Bethlehem and Lebanon Townships which included our present-day High Bridge. In early 1758, Robert Taylor came to the area from Ireland at the age of 17. Well educated, he first taught school in Kingwood Township, but became bookkeeper for Allen and Turner toward the close of 1758 having taken residence with then ironworks Superintendent Colonel Hackett in a house now a portion of the Taylor mansion (now Solitude House

July 15, 2006

2. Old Iron Mines Marker

located at 7 River Road). When Colonel Hackett died in 1775, Robert Taylor was chosen as his successor.

Source: NJN Television (http://www.njn.net/television/specials/life360/themesbridges.html)

Additional commentary.
1. CH Vivian Photo
The CH Vivian Photo is from the Taylor Wharton 250th Anniversary Booklet published in 1942. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted January 23, 2008, by William Honachefsky Jr of High Bridge/Clinton Twp, New Jersey.

Union Forge is adjacent to Solitude image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Honachefsky Jr

3. Union Forge is adjacent to Solitude

A nearby Union Forge Marker? image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Honachefsky Jr

4. A nearby Union Forge Marker?

A group of forges here known as Union Forge cast cannonballs for Washington's Army and sent them in Wagons to Trenton, Brunswick, and Morristown. These Forges were visited by many Military Officials and members of Washington's Staff.
An artist's vision, or a real marker? Please tell us where it is!

The Country's Oldest Iron and Steel Producer image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Honachefsky Jr

5. The Country's Oldest Iron and Steel Producer

An article by C. H. Vivian featured in the Taylor Wharton 250th Anniversary Booklet published in 1942. Regrettably the text is unreadable in this medium.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2008, by William Honachefsky Jr of High Bridge/Clinton Twp, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,979 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on January 28, 2008, by William Honachefsky Jr of High Bridge/Clinton Twp, New Jersey. Photos: 1. submitted on January 22, 2008, by William Honachefsky Jr of High Bridge/Clinton Twp, New Jersey. 2. submitted on January 22, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 21, 2008, by William Honachefsky Jr of High Bridge/Clinton Twp, New Jersey. 4. submitted on January 19, 2008, by William Honachefsky Jr of High Bridge/Clinton Twp, New Jersey. 5. submitted on January 21, 2008, by William Honachefsky Jr of High Bridge/Clinton Twp, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.