Coffee House, Tavern, and History in Bernards Twp. Madisonville Village

Coffee? We’re not serving coffee! So why call it a “Coffee House?”

In the early 1800s, a “coffee house” was primarily a central gathering place for social, political, and business interactions, rather than a venue for serving coffee. These establishments functioned as important public meeting places where people gathered to read newspapers, discuss current events, debate politics, and conduct business. The term “coffee house” had become more associated with the function of the space, as a center of communication and commerce, than with the actual beverage.

Coffee House Corner

Our research assistants transport us to a simpler time and place, when farming, provisioning, and neighborhood connections were the norm of the day. Throughout the day, a small collection of residents would walk or ride their horses to a meeting place. At the northern end of Basking Ridge, you could venture over to Vealtown at the time to what was then the John Parker Tavern (now the Old Library), or to a new spot opened at the turn of the 19th century, which became known as the Coffee House on what is now North Maple Avenue. Welcome to the community, where you now have a place to join, collaborate, and engage in discussions on the topics of the day.

Turner Homestead / Coffee House Tavern / Crossroads Tavern

Historical analysis, as documented in the State Historical Preservation Office to award the honor to be added to the State and National Historic Registries, reveals that the house was built in 1804 and is a classic example of a New Jersey framed farmhouse. It later served as a crossroads tavern, meeting place, and stagecoach stop, playing a vital role in the community’s social and commercial life. Known as the “Coffee House Tavern,” it was central to the Madisonville section of Bernards Township, a name that first appeared on a deed in 1809. The property was listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places in 1977.

The property’s ownership history includes individuals such as Daniel Doty, Isaac Southard, Jacob Burtt, Joseph Doty, Levi Clauson, Benjamin Albro, and his daughter Lydia, the Dayton family, and Kenneth A. and Marjory L. Turner, Jr.

In 2024, a discovery was made on the property. The 1804 building had a secret. There were two parts to the Coffee House: the one we knew about in 1804, and another foundation that was discovered, which appears to be an earlier part, possibly dating back to 1780. Let’s dig in……. (little archaeological humor.)

Doty & Southard Store Came First

The Dotys and Southards of Basking Ridge have a deep family history in Basking Ridge and New Jersey, marrying into family names such as Morris, Lewis, Doty, Rickey, McCollum, and others. In Basking Ridge, many streets and properties are dotted throughout the neighborhoods around the Southard farmstead (now known as the Ross Farm), making you feel like you’re truly in their world. As they chose what became the Franklin Corners section of Bernards Township, the area was really more of Southard-town.

We introduce to you Isaac Southard, who was the seventh of 13 children of Henry and Sarah Southard, born in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, on August 30, 1783. Isaac attended the Classical School at the Brick Academy in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. He would then work for Doty & Southard, the family business, a place known today as the historic Coffee House in the Madisonville section of Basking Ridge—the 1806 tax records list Daniel Doty and Isaac Southard as each half-owner of the store.

On September 6, 1804, Daniel Doty bought 17 acres, including a store, from David Simpson for $468. This was the first recorded deed to the Coffee House property.

Three years later, in 1807, Isaac would marry Mary Wright (Doty), the daughter of Daniel Doty, at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church. The Doty family was also a founding family of Basking Ridge and owned numerous properties along North Finley Avenue and North Maple Avenue.

Coffee House Era

When we use the term “coffee house,” the name implies a “community gathering spot,” which typically serves as both a home and a business, a gathering space where neighbors would come to congregate, read a newspaper, or discuss the issues of the day. The Revolutionary War was over, so there was always something to discuss regarding the new nation; however, the general topics of the day were more centered around weather, gossip, and provisioning. So the coffee house era was most likely the decade from 1804 to 1814.

Morphing a Coffee House into a Tavern

In 1814, Jacob Burtt had an idea to transform the coffee house into a tavern, so he purchased the Coffee House and established a tavern that would become known as the Crossroads Tavern. This was the first recording of a tavern permit for the space. The Crossroads Tavern became the center of activity and entertainment for the farms and other small communities within a several-mile radius from about 1814 – 1829, when the last tavern permit was issued.

Residents would have found comfort and camaraderie over a range of popular drinks of the era. Hard cider was the most common beverage, made from the abundant apple and peach harvests. Beer and English-style ales were also widely consumed, often brewed locally and relatively low in alcohol. Rum, imported from the West Indies, was the most favored distilled spirit and frequently used in mixed drinks like punch and grog. Brandy made from apples or peaches, as well as increasingly popular frontier whiskey, were also available. Warm concoctions like “flip”—a mix of beer, rum, and molasses heated with a red-hot poker—were standard in colder months.

Private Residence

Based on the tavern permits, it’s assumed that when the permits ceased to be renewed in 1829, the business became a private residence. However, the name “Coffee House” was no longer associated with a specific property, but rather with a broader area.

The Albro Family

Miss (Lydia) Albro owned the property around the coffee house from 1823–1905. The Albro family established the firm of Albro & Brothers in 1849 at 156 Bowry in Brooklyn, New York It dealt in teas, coffees, wines, spices, and other imported fancy goods.  The bulk of the items in this collection pertain to Lydia A. Albro, who resided on an eighteen acre estate between Morristown and Basking Ridge.  Tax bills suggest that she inherited the estate from her father, Henry, upon his death around 1868.  She was a regular contributor to the American Female Guardian Society.  Lydia never married.  Whether she lived alone or with other family members is uncertain.

Continuing Research

Today, the house at 214 North Maple Avenue, built in 1806, now sits on 1.2 acres and has been preserved as a private residence, recognized for its historical significance. It was added to the New Jersey State Register of Historic Places on March 28, 1977, and to the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1977.

• Archaeological excavations conducted in 2023 and 2024 by Monmouth University’s Richard Veit unearthed stone foundations beneath the current structure, suggesting the presence of earlier buildings on the site. These findings indicate that parts of the Coffee House may date back to the 1780s or earlier and could have been relocated to their current location. Future research is planned.
• A 1809 deed referred to the area as “Madison Village.” We’re still trying to locate an 1818 S.W. Edwards map that showcases the area. There is also a Thomas Gordon map of New Jersey printed in 1828 that showcases the Coffee House Tavern.
• There is an indication that when John Fairchild purchased the property, no more tavern licenses were issued, which likely marked the end of the Coffee House.

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Side History
The “Madison” Ville Hamlet of Bernards Township

While we delve into the history of the Coffee House, it’s essential to mention Madisonville, formerly known as Madison Village, one of the village hamlets within Bernards Township, alongside others such as Basking Ridge, Franklin Corners, Liberty Corner, and Lyons. The township itself was chartered in 1760 and encompasses several historic hamlets, originating with ties to Basking Ridge’s own Lord Stirling, also known as General William Alexander. But why was it referred to as Madisonville? Interestingly, there are local ties to our 4th President, James Madison.

James Madison (1751–1836) was the fourth President of the United States and one of the most influential Founding Fathers. Often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution,” Madison played a pivotal role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Early in Madison’s life (mid-20s), Monroe served as an aide-de-camp to Major General William Alexander, known as Lord Stirling, the most famous Continental Army General from Basking Ridge, New Jersey. When Madison was just 25, a gunshot wounded Madison during the Christmas Day surprise attack on Trenton after crossing the Delaware. General Stirling brought Madison back to his home in Basking Ridge to recover. This period marked a significant phase in Monroe’s early military career, providing him with valuable experience and exposure to high-level military operations. He was appointed as Alexander’s aide-de-camp in November 1777, and Monroe was commissioned as a Major on Alexander’s staff.

Just over a year later, in December 1778, Monroe resigned from his commission and his position as aide-de-camp on Stirling’s staff. Following his resignation, he would pursue a career in law and politics, eventually ascending to the presidency. Hence, someone thought to honor Madison and name a small section of Basking Ridge in his honor.

Southards other Properties

Cross

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