Vanderveer House

Cornelis Janse Vanderveer was the first of his kin to arrive in the colonies in 1659. He emigrated from Alkmaar, Holland to west Long Island. It was Cornelis’ grandson, Jacobus, who constructed the Vanderveer House. Jacobus was the first Vanderveer to settle in Somerset County, and in May of 1743 he bought the 439 acres that the house sat on. At the time, Jacobus already owned property near Hillsborough, and in Maryland and Virginia. Jacobus was a leading, respected citizen, who was active in numerous Somerset County courts. He established mills along the Raritan River near his property.  Jacobus was wealthy upon his death in 1777.  

The heirs of Jacobus’ estate promptly received his holdings in New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. Jacobus’ Bedminster estate was divided between his two sons, Jacobus (II) and Elias. The property northwest of the river was left to the eldest, Jacobus (II), and the Vanderveer House and property southwest of the river was left to the younger Elias. Unfortunately, Elias did not have much time to enjoy his inheritance.  

Elias Vanderveer died one year after his father, in November 1778, at the hands of British soldiers. He was captured by a British raiding party while helping the struggling Continental Army encamped nearby. Elias was a proud Patriot and died supporting the cause for independence. His tombstone states he died “in consequence of his cruel incarceration while a prisoner of the British Army.” The Vanderveer House and the surrounding property were left (under the guardianship of relatives) to Elias’ small children, Hendrick, and Phoebe.  

Hendrick became a respected physician in Bedminster Township, and he was known for his eccentricity. Phoebe and Hendrick spent their entire lives on the homestead, both unmarried. They owned several slaves. Hendrick revitalized his father’s mills and in 1820, built an impressive, three story, Federal style addition to the farmhouse, which he called “Vanderstade.” The wing that contained the original house became the kitchen and servant quarters.  

A few years before Hendrick’s death, he was frequently visited by Reverend Frederick Y. Cornell. When Hendrick died, Cornell claimed that he was in possession of his last will and testament. The will, kept in Cornell’s home, left the entire estate to Cornell as sole trustee. The will was contested and subsequently rejected by the court. During an inventory of the estate, ten other wills were found, and the court ultimately decided to divide the estate among five of Henry’s first cousins.  

The Vanderveer House was later purchased by John F. and Mari Vanderveer, who sold the property to Grant Schlay in 1915. Schlay was a wealthy land speculator who owned large plots throughout northeastern New Jersey. In the late 1970’s the property was sold to New Jersey Bell. As part of an agreement between NJ Bell and Bedminster Twp., the Vanderveer House was fully documented, and the rear section of the house was moved in May of 1976 to the East Jersey Old Town Village.