NOTE: Remember that Far Hills and Bernardsville were part of Bernards Township until the 1920 so these names do cover those areas as well
History showcases some of the greatest reminders of where we came from. Many people new to the area don’t know the deep history in the area ties back to some of the originating families that chose this area back in the early 1700s.
In 1701, East and West Jersey’s 4th Governor Col. Andrew Hamilton and Proprietors wanted to settle the East Jersey province and appointed John Harrison for that purpose. Harrison made large purchases from the Lenni Lenape Indian tribe. As many have read, the area was purchased by John Harrison, agent of King James II, from Chief Nowenoik of the Lenapes, a real estate package of 3,000 acres for the equivalent of $50.
Note: a map of Harrison’s purchase is said to be at the New Jersey Historical Society. John Harrison had been living in Rocky Hill, New Jersey at the time of the signing.
The 3,000 acres was known then as the Passaic Valley bounded by the Passaic River on the east, Green Brook (Raritan River) on the west, the Dead River on the south., and Penn’s Brook on the north. The deed was dated June 24, 1717. After John’s death, his son Benjamin Alexander sold his dad’s entire purchase to Daniel Hollingshead and George Risarick, who then sold to Co. John Parker of Amboy and James Alexander from New York. Parker opened the Tavern in Bernardsville and Alexander kept his land and willed it to his son William, aka Lord Stirling.
Seven Early Settlers
1720 – James Alexander – Scotland
James Alexander, father of William Alexander (Lord Stirling) was a large landowner and had to deal with “squatters” on his land. James Pitney was noted as being on James’ land when he first arrived in the area. Research shows Cornelius Brees from Staten Island, bought land in 1720 from James Alexander on the East side of the Dead River which had been occupied by James Pitney. John Ayres son Obadiah also bought land from Alexander.
Harrison must have died, and the property passed through Hollingshead and Eisarick to John Parker (owned the John Parker tavern in Vealtown) and Alexander as early as 1720, for in that year Parker and Alexander sold a portion of the southeast corner of their purchase to Cornelius Brees, of Staten Island. The four proprietors had the lands regularly surveyed in 1727, and laid out into farms of from one hundred and fifty to two hundred acres each. These were drawn by ballot by the four joint owners at the spring term of the Supreme Court for 1728, held at Perth Amboy. The respective proprietors were then left to dispose of their lots on their own terms.
James Alexander, father of William Alexander (Lord Stirling), seems to have drawn what has since been known as the ” Stirling Property.” He was also associated with John Budd, of Philadelphia, in lands which extended north into Morris County. The land was listed as No. 121, James Alexander, Sept. 17, 1741, 786 acres in six tracts In Harrison’s Neck. The second piece was No. 99, to James Alexander, March 28, 1728, 272 acres on east side of North Branch of Dead River. A third plot, No. 142, was bought by James on July 10, 1744 containing 65 acres at Basking Ridge where son William built his Stirling Manor in 1761.
William Alexander, son of James Alexander, was born in New York City in 1726. Stirling led a brilliant military career and received praise from his colleagues as well as his enemies. After his death on Jan. 15, 1783, his wife Lady Stirling received a letter of esteem from General Washington. There are a series of boxes of documented transactions at the New Jersey Historical Society.
- The Mr. Local History Project has written additional research about William Alexander, the Earl of Stirling:
1720 – Cornelius Brees (Breese) – Staten Island, NY
About 1720, Cornelius Brees, of Staten Island, bought land land from James Alexander, ” on the east side of the north branch of Dead River, at the southwest corner of the Parker and Alexander’s area. It appears that James Pitney remained in this vicinity and became a freeholder, notwithstanding his first home was sold from under him to Brees since he was one of the trustees to whom the church lot was deeded in 1731. So Pitney was actually a squatter on the land Brees purchased.
Three members of the Brees family gave the ultimate sacrifice during the war. John Brees Sr., John Brees Jr.( b. 8 Nov 1738 ) and Stephen Brees all gave their lives fighting for the new nation and are buried in the Presbyterian cemetery. Cornelius served as a Sergeant in the NJ Frontier Militia in 1757 and 1758. John’s son Timothy (b.1758) Brees married Elizabeth Doty.
1722 – James Pitney – New Brunswick, NJ
James Pitney lived in New Brunswick, NJ prior to 1722, then moved Basking Ridge, NJ. He was a member of the First Company Militia Regiment in 1715. His will was dated April 13, 1750 and lists his wife, Susannah, and son Jonathan. Records indicate the Pitney’s settled in the Liberty Corner section of Bernards Township. James and his wife Susannah had three children: James Pitney, b. 1722, Liberty Corner,Somerset Co. and Benjamin Pitney, b. 1726, Liberty Corner. A third, Shubael Pitney, b. approximately 1731.
1727 (possibly 1717) – John Ayres (Ayers, Eyers) – Newbury, MA
John Ayres came from Woodbridge, New Jersey and was born on March 02, 1663 in Newbury, MA. Son of Obadiah Ayres and Hannah Ayres (Pike), husband of Mary Ayers and Ruth Ayres He had seven sons; John, Thomas, Obadiah, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Moses, and Aaron. He moved to Basking Ridge the same year Harrison bought the land from the Indian Chief Nowenwalk.
John Ayres, who settled on the Millstone, in 1717, is mentioned as having lands in the east part of the township in 1727. John Ayres is noted for donating 1 ½ acres which included the land on which a log meeting house stood in 1730 but it was said that the meeting house had probably been there since at least 1725 (the BRPC states 1717).
A document was found dated February 8, 1731 formally recognizing the donation of a “meeting house.” Basking Ridge was the first religious center in the area. It’s been noted that in addition to being a house of prayer, education was key as well and there’s mention of schooling there as early as 1720-1725. John died Oct. 4, 1732 at the age of 69 yet no one knows where he’s buried. His son John Ayers is buried in the BRPC graveyard.
John’s son Obadiah Ayres purchased 153 acres from John Alexander. It’s stated he later leaves for Warren County in Hacketstown sometime before 1753.
1736 – Alexander Kirkpatrick – Scotland
Another family worthy of particular mention was that of Alexander Kirkpatrick (b.1697), who settled at Mine Brook in 1736, on the farm lately owned by Henry Baird. The Kirkpatricks belonged to a noble family in Scotland. Alexander, the ancestor of the family in this country, was born at Watties Neach, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He removed with his family to Belfast, Ireland, after the birth of his son David,
about the year 1725. In the spring of 1736 he embarked at Belfast for America, and after a stormy
voyage of thirteen weeks, landed at New Castle,Del. Passing through Philadelphia, they wandered
up through the State of New Jersey (which was then partially settled, till they reached Bound Brook, and
thence went over the mountains to the place which they selected for a habitation. There being no roads in the country, they followed an Indian path through the wilderness.
When they came to a spring of water at the side of what has since been called ” Mine Brook,” there
they settled down, built a log house and went to work. The spot was well chosen, about two miles west of the present site of Basking Ridge. It embraced the southern slope of Round Mountain, in a well timbered region, with unfailing springs of pure water, the rich meadow-land through which Mine Brook runs. Alexander Kirkpatrick died on June 3, 1758. He is buried at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Henry Alward III – Woodbridge, NJ (First Generation American)
Henry Alward III was born on March 29, 1697 in Woodbridge, New Jersey. His father Henry was from Scotland and settled in Woodbridge. Henry III settled between Liberty Corner and Basking Ridge, near saw and grist mill once owned by Matthias Woodward (not Woodard as others quote). While historic documents mention Bullion’s Tavern (William Annin Hotel, Liberty Corner Hotel, Post Office, and currently a Exxon) we’ve narrowed it down that Woodward’s Mill was actually near Grist Mill Park and Road in Basking Ridge along Harrison’s Brook. So the plot thickens as to where Henry 3rd actually resided.
He was first married to Sara (Compton) Alward in 1715. After her death, he later married Anne Ford in 1721. We’re still looking for his original homestead area.
It gets confusing but this is the first of many Henry’s in the lineage, so it’s often confusing to follow. The Henry in Liberty Corner had eight children in all: David, John, Henry IV, Samuel, Benjamin, Sarah, Mary, Mercy, and Henry V. and William.
Henry Alward IV married Mary Cox and had eight children. Henry’s fourth son, Samuel, married Caty King, sister of John King, of Liberty Corner. Benjamin, the third son, married Sarah Ayers (Ayres), daughter of Elisha Ayers, and sister of Maj. John Ayers (Ayres), of Basking Ridge. William married Elizabeth, daughter of William Cross, and moved to New York. Henry III died in Basking Ridge in 1732 and is buried in the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Cemetery. in all there are twelve Alward’s buried in the churchyard.
1720 – John Johnston aka John Annan – Annin’s Corner – Scotland
John’s birth year, 1688, figures prominently in Scottish history. It marked the end of the 50 Years’ Rebellion, a bloody religious conflict. The rebels were the Covenanters, who were persecuted for challenging the King’s belief that he, not God, was the spiritual head of the Scottish church. “
Rather than give his son John up to be killed by King Charles I, John’s father James Johnston sent him and his family to America. John landed in the colonies in 1722 with his wife Elizabeth Van Dorn and three children, John Jr, William, and a daughter. The family was seeking religious freedom as they had married outside the church and did not want to be found in the New World, so they adopted an alias in the name of Annan. It later morphed into “Annin” and never changed after. The area over time became known as “Annin’s Corner.
John (Johnston) Annan initially purchased 270 acres of land from William Penn where the family settled. It is rumored that John Johnston knew fellow Scotsman James Alexander, who’s son later was referred to as Lord Stirling. Lord Stirling’s father Alexander had been purchasing large chunks of property in the Basking Ridge area. The homestead started with 270 acres but grew to over 2,700 acres covering from present day Lyons Road encompassing the entire community of Liberty Corner all the way north past where the William Annin middle school stands today.
The Mr. Local History Project has written additional research about the Annin’s of Liberty Corner
- The Annin’s of Liberty Corner: Patriots, Flag Company and a Middle School
- The American Flag Means More in Liberty Corner
1717 – The Meeting House That Became a Church
In Baskingridge, some Scotch Presbyterian families, who had settled there were worshipping in a log meeting house which they had erected a year or two previously.” The church can make a case for having been founded in 1716, but settled on 1717. The Basking Ridge congregation was recognized by the first Presbytery in the U.S located in Philadelphia in 1729.
The Trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation included James Pitney, Henry Rolfe (Newbury, MA) Mordecai McKeene, George Pack, Samuel Rolfe (Henry’s son), Daniel Morris, Thomas Riggs, and Obadiah Ayres (John’s son). That log cabin structure lasted until 1747 when a better structure was built. The Ayres lived in the area for over 100 years. The deed was not recorded until 1763.
Building on John Ayrer’s donation, in 1728 John Budd of Philadelphia donated 100 acres to the Basking Ridge congregation (he was from Phia). for the continued use of the”meeting house”.
The Presbyterian congregation of New Brunswick was later founded in 1738 and Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church became a part. John Cross was the first Moderator. The congregation believes John Cross is buried adjacent to the church but his grave has not been found. There are 35 of Cross’s descendants buried here. He had one son Robert (who had 11 children/8 sons and 3 daughters) and two daughters.
In 1750 a classical school, designed to prepare young men for college, was established in Basking Ridge by Dr. Samuel Kennedy, fourth pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and later run by his successor, Dr. Robert Finley.
1732 the Secret is Out
In 1732 the area started to take hold. The names are honored as many have street names across the town including Conkling, Alward, McCollum, Dayton, Doty, Boylan, Heath, Hall, Lindsey, Rickey, Lewis, Anderson, Whitaker and Hand families landed in the Basking Ridge. William Annin landed in Annin’s Corner (Liberty Corner) and built his stone home about 1760.
Abraham Southard migrated to Basking Ridge in 1735 migrating with his eight children from Hempstead, Long Island. His son Henry Southard was born in 1747 in Basking Ridge and lived 95 years. He had thirteen children. His son Samuel became a United States Senator.
83 Streets Were Named After Basking Ridge Residents
Based on our analysis and categorization, there are 83 street names in Bernards Township named after local residents (Rev War, Locals, Reverends). So is the street you live on named after a former Bernards Township resident? Now you know where to look.
Street Name | Origin |
ACKEN RD | Named for the Acken family of Liberty Corner, landowners and shopkeepers |
ALEXANDRIA WAY | Named for William Alexander, Lord Stirling (1726-1783) |
ALLEN RD, CR (652) | Named for Josiah Allen of Liberty Corner, descendent of Ethan Allen, American soldier and patriot, 18th Century |
ALLEN ST | Named for W. J. Allen who owned much land in Basking Ridge Village in mid-19th Century |
AMBAR PL | Named for settlers in the area, early 20th Century |
ANNIN RD | Named for the John Annin family (Johnstons of Annandale, Scotland). Their 1,000 acres in 1722 were called Annin’s Corner and later renamed Liberty Corner |
BALDWIN CT | Named for an old family of Liberty Corner, 19th Century |
BERNARD DR | Named for Sir Francis Bernards, provincial Governor of New Jersey 1758-1760 |
BROWNLEE PL | Named for the Rev. William Brownlee, sixth pastor of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church. Street originally called Back Street (1783-1860) |
CARSWELL CT | Named for the Carswell family, active in township community affairs since the 20th Century |
CHAPIN LN | Named for original estate of Chapin-Earhart family |
CHILDS RD | Named for William Childs, who moved the barn to the Old Mill Inn site and Samuel Childs, benefactor to the Bernards Township Library in the 1900’s |
CODDINGTON CT | Named for early settlers in the West Millington area of the township |
COLLYER LN | Named for John Collyer family, large land owners on south maple Avenue, 19th Century |
CONKLING ST | Named for the Conkling family, 19th Century settlers in Bernards |
COOPER CT | Named for early settlers in the township |
CROSS RD | Named for the Rev. John Cross, first pastor of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church |
CULBERSON RD | Named for the Culberson family, landowners for more than 150 years. The street runs through their property |
DAYTON ST | Named for William L. Dayton (1807-1864), U.S. Senator, Vice Presidential candidate and Ambassador to France |
DECKER ST | Named for early settlers in the township. Carl G. Decker sold to Wheeler Corporation in 1939 this tract known as the Bernards Plateau. |
DOGGETT CT | Named after the President of the High Meadow Hunt Club |
DOUGLAS RD | Named for the Douglas family who settled this area in 1765 |
DRYDEN RD | Named for John Dryden (1631-1700) English poet, dramatist and critic |
DYCKMAN PL | Named for the Rev. W. H. Dyckman, who preached in both the Basking Ridge and Methodist Churches, 19th Century |
E ALLEN ST | Named for W. J. Allen who owned much land in Basking Ridge Village in mid-19th Century |
E CRAIG ST | Named for Daniel D. Craig, banker and storekeeper, 19th Century |
E LEWIS ST | Named for the Edward Lewis family who arrived in the mid 18th Century and contributed to many township activities since 1730’s |
ELLIS DR | Named for Monroe F. Ellis, for whom Monroe Place was also named in 1900’s |
ENGLISH PL | Named for the Rev. James English (1810-1873), first pastor of the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church |
EVERSON PL | Named for original family on property before development in late 1900’s |
FORBES CT | Named for Dr. John Forbes, local physician, c1900’s |
GOLTRA DR | Named for James P. Goltra (1792-1871), farmer, judge and builder of the Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church |
GOVERNOR DR | Named for Sir Francis Bernards (1712-1779), NJ Provincial Governor, 1758-1760 |
GRANVILLE WAY | Named for John Carteret, The Earl of Granville, (1690-1763) British statesman and orator |
HAAS RD | Named for John V. Haas, farmer and owner of Sunnyside Farm in West Millington area |
HADLEY CT | Named for Henry K. Hadley (1871-1937) U.S. composer and conductor |
HARRISON BROOK DR | Named for John Harrison, agent of the King of England, who bought 3000 acres of land for $50 from the Lenai Lenape Indians in 1717 |
HARTLEY LN | Named for David Hartley (1705-1757), English physician and philosopher |
HENRY ST | Named for Parmenus C. Henry, owner of P.C. Henry’s General Store and other properties in the area, 19th Century |
IRVING PL | Named for Isaac L. Irving family of Liberty Corner—former mortician, wheelwright and blacksmith, 19th Century |
JOHNSTON CIR | Named for Johnston family who left Annandale, Scotland and arrived in 1722 in area known today as Liberty Corner |
KINNAN WAY | Named for Mary Lewis Kinnan (1764-1848) captive of the Indians, rescued and returned to Basking Ridge, 1794 |
KNOLLCROFT RD | Named for estate of Walter Reynolds, most of property now occupied by U.S. Veterans Medical Center, Lyons |
LAYTON RD | Named for Peter Layton of Liberty Corner, former mortician, wheelwright and blacksmith, 19th Century |
LEWIS ST | Named for the Edward Lewis family who arrived in the mid 18th Century and contributed to many township activities since 1730’s |
LORD STIRLING RD | Named for Lord Stirling, William Alexander (1726-1783), major general in the continental Army whose estate “Stirling Manor” was built here in 1762 |
LURLINE DR | Named for Lurline Eberkardt, accidentally shot while hunting |
LYONS PL | Named for David Lyons family here in lat 18tuh Century. Family owner land where Lyons Railroad Station is located and had encouraged Bernards to bring first railroad to area in 1872. |
LYONS RD | Named for David Lyons family here in the late 18th Century. Family owned land where Lyons Railroad Station is located and had encouraged Bernards to bring first railroad to area in 1872. |
MARTINSVILLE RD, CR (525) | Named for a thoroughfare in the Township which terminates in Martinsville (Bridgewater). Named for prominent Martin family |
MEEKER RD | Named for the Meeker family which had large land holdings since the mid 19th Century |
MILITO WAY | Named for the Milito family who occupied land and have lived there since the late 1800’s |
MONROE PL | Named for Monroe F. Ellis for whom Ellis Drive was also named in 1900’s |
MORRISON ST | Named for early settlers in the Township |
N ALWARD AVE | Named for the Alward Family who settled on land here in 1732 |
N FINLEY AVE, CR (613) | Named for the Rev. Robert Finley (1772-1817), fifth pastor of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and builder of the 1809 Brick Academy |
N VOORHEES DR | Named for Dr. Amadee Voorhees, country doctor in the mid-19th Century |
OAKLEY ST | Named for an early family which settled in the area |
OSBORNE PL | Named for J.H. Osborne’s sawmill and pond |
PENNINGTON ST | Named for Dr. William Pennington, country physician |
PITNEY CT | Named for James Pitney, first recorded settler in this area, early 18th Century |
RADEL PL | Named for a 19th Century farming family |
RICKEY LN | Named for Col. Israel Rickey (1744-1821), a valuable officer in the Revolutionary War |
RIGGS CT | The Riggs family settled in the area in the early 1800’s |
RUNYON DR | Named for early settlers in the West Millington area |
S ALWARD AVE | Named for the Alward Family who settled on land here in 1732 |
S FINLEY AVE, CR (613) | Named for the Rev. Robert Finley (1772-1817), fifth pastor of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and builder of the 1809 Brick Academy |
SCOTSMANS WAY | Named in honor of the Annin family, known as Johnston in Scotland. Settled Liberty Corner area in 1722 |
SOUTHARD PL | Named for the Southards, Father Henry (1747-1842), US Representative; Sen. Samuel L. (1787-1842), US Senator, NJ Governor, Secretary of the Navy |
SPENCER RD | Named for Austin P. Spencer, lost at sea in the North Atlantic while piloting a bomber on submarine duty, 1943 |
SUTRO PL | Named for the Sutro family which owned property on South Finley Avenue. Son Frederick (1879-1964) was executive director of NJ Park Commission |
THOMPSON WAY | Named for Harold Thomson, former mayor and township committee member 1948 -1956 |
TURNER ST | Named for Kenneth A. Turner Sr., Bernards Township Engineer, 1932-1957 |
TYSLEY ST | Named for early settlers in the Township. Tysley Avenue is in Bernardsville |
VAIL TERR | Named for Daniel Vail (1735-1793), large land owner & distant cousins of Alfred Vail, who with Samuel F. B. Morse invented the telegraph @Speedwell, Morristown, 1844 |
VAN DORN RD | Named for Ferdinand Van Dorn (1807-1902), who owned and operated the flour/grist mill in Franklin Corners |
VANDERVEER DR | Named for Dr. James Vanderveer (1838-1913), country doctor |
VOORHEES DR | Named for Dr. Amadee Voorhees, country doctor in the mid-19th Century |
W CRAIG ST | Named for Daniel D. Craig, banker and storekeeper, 19th Century |
W HENRY ST | Named for Parmenus C. Henry, owner of P.C. Henry’s General Store and other properties in the area, 19th Century |
WHITENACK RD | Named for the Whitenack family which settled here in the mid-18th Century and were large landowners |
WOLF LN | Named for Lyla Wolf Florio’s maiden name, property owner |
WOODWARD LN | Named for Woodward family which supplied grain and material to the Revolutionary War troops at Jockey Hollow |
Additional Information
- Did you know that Morristown was originally named West Hanover? True
- Did you know Tewksbury was originally New Germantown? True
- Basking Ridge became a local hamlet of King George II’s 1760 Charter recognizing Governor Sir Francis Bernards township officially.
- Need help researching your family?
- 1912 catalog of Basking Ridge Presbyterian Churchyard by Antoinette Quinby, founder and first President of the Woman’s Branch of the New Jersey Historical Society. It was later performed as well by local resident Nettie Allen who captured the stones’ epitaphs.
- Presbyterian Church in Basking Ridge – a historical disclosure.
Did you come across the name Rev. Francis Peppard? We believe him to be one of the first Pastors of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church? I am a descendant of his.
Yes we did – 4. Peppard, Mary, dau. of Francis & Clarrisa 1802
Peppard, Francis 1760
Peppard, Clarissa 1775
Peppard, Reuben C. 1806
Re: Brees family buried in the Presbyterian Churchyard
John Brees Sr. 1713-1803 is almost certainly buried in the cemetery, But in his sixties at the beginning of the war, it is unlikely that he served on active duty.
John Brees Jr. 1738-1829, Did serve in the war, but he is not buried in the cemetery. He emigrated after the war to Horseheads, NY where he is buried.
Stephen 1755-1833. served in the war. He lived his entire life in Basking Ridge and is buried in the cemetery. The grave is marked.
There has never been a King James III of England. The King of England in 1717 was George I.
James Francis Edward Stuart, the son of the deposed James II, was a pretender to the throne. He styled himself as the King James III of England. He left England as an infant in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution. He never set foot in England again; was never coronated; and never ruled England, Ireland or Scotland.
Great catch! This statement had been handed down for so many years, it took the internet to call it out. We’ve made the correction. It was actually King James II. Thanks for writing.
Any information on Daniel Hollingshead after he sold this land? Where he might be buried? I am a descendant of his.
My 7th great grandfather, James McCoy (1688-1747), died near Bound Brook at age 59. He was the first elder of the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church when it formed in 1738. His will says he resided “between the first and second mountains in Somerset Co.” Is that closest to Bernard? His will names wife Mary and daughters Margaret, Sarah, and Elizabeth McCoy, plus two slaves. Like him, his first wife Sarah (1693-1744) was buried in the Old Presbyterian Graveyard in Bound Brook. Her stone is the oldest there. I know little else about them. I do not know his parents or where he resided during his first 50 years of life. Can you tell me anything about him? Was he among the earliest settlers of the county? Might he have come from New Brunswick NJ since the Bound Brook church was formed from the New Brunswick Presbyterian church? Can you suggest any leads?
Thank you for the very informative Basking Ridge essay. My 7th great grandfather was Alexander Kirkpatrick and you did a very nice spotlight on him and his family. His wife’s name was Elizabeth but we have not been able to find her maiden name…any ideas where to look? Does she have a tombstone in Basking Ridge Presbyterian Graveyard next to Alexander?
Whom could we ask for permission to use the little illustration of the meeting house?
We’d like to use it in a family history book, which will probably have a very limited
sale potential.
Our ancestor, John Conn, owed ten pounds to the Brown estate, in 1750, probably for land he held on the E. Branch of Dead River.
Thanks, Bud Conn