Talk:Old Dutch Parsonage/Temp

The Old Dutch Parsonage is at 38 Washington Place in Somerville, New Jersey.

History
It was built in 1751 as a home for the first ministers of the Dutch Reformed Church. It was built with money provided by the congregations of Bridgewater, New Jersey and Raritan, New Jersey. The first occupant was Reverend John Frelinghuysen (1727-1754) and his wife Dinah. Frelinghuysen died in 1754, the house was occupied by his widow and their three children as well as boarders that were studying for the ministry. One of them was Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, who would be the next occupant of the house as he replaced Frelinghuysen as minister. Hardenbergh also married Frelinghuysen's widow in 1756 as was common among ministers.

This house was set to be knocked down in 1913 by the Central Railroad of New Jersey which then owned the land. The house was moved to be adjacent to the Wallace House, which was built in 1775. Around 1945 the houses were given to the State of New Jersey. Today they are administered through the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry. Buried in the cemetery are Harmanus Barkeloo II (1745–1788) and John Waldron (1737–1790).