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From: "Dane Coefer" <>
Subject: [NJHUNTER] Rittenhouse in Lequear's
Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 18:41:47 -0700


Originally published in the Hunterdon Republican, 1869-70. Republished in the Hunterdon County Democrat, 1956-57.
Published in book form by D. H. Moreau, Flemington, NJ, 1957.
(pp. 116-17) Early Settlers of Kingwood and Alexandria
"William Rittenhouse first settled at Rosemont in 1719. The old stone tavern was once the Rittenhouse homestead.
The original dwelling was built of logs. When the workmen were putting the rafters on the stone house, the news came
of Braddock's defeat. The original name was Rettinghuysen and is so written by William in his business transactions.
The first paper ever manufactured in Pennsylvania, was made by William Rettinghuysen, (probably the grandfather of
the one who settled in New Jersey) in 1790. <probably 1690?> The family had made paper for the Dutch for several
generations. Indeed, it is said that the first Bible ever printed with type, was printed on Rettinghuysen paper.
David, great-grandson of William of Germantown, became eminent as an astronomer. He worked on his father's farm
in Montgomery County, and at the age of twelve years began to show unmistakable signs of great mathematical
genius. Before he was 17, he constructed a wooden clock, without any instruction, and soon after made one of metal.
He followed clock-making several years, and rated his clocks by careful astronomical observations. He was commisioned
by the proprietory government of Pennsylvania to determine the most difficult portion of the boundary, since known as
Mason and Dixon's line. His instruments were of his own construction, and his decisions were considered of the highest
authority in scientific circles. He constructed a large orrery on a plan more perfect than any ever before attempted,
which was considered so valuable that it was purchased as soon as completed by Princeton College, where it is
now in use.
The Rittenhouse Family
"That stock of inventive genius which belonged to their Dutch ancestry, has not deserted the succeeding generations of
the family. During the Revolution the Rittenhouses had a tannery near Prallsville, and the general troubles made oil scarce.
During a freshet several large sturgeon came up the creek, and the receding tide left them in pools whence they could not
escape. A large number were thus secured, and the tanners conceived the happy idea of rendering them up for the oil,
which proved to be admirably adapted to their business. In trying out the oil they were induced to taste of the flesh, and
finding it good, frequently cooked it for the table. This is said to be the origin of sturgeon-eating on the Delaware.
"We find that in 1718, Robert Elton sold to Ralph Brock, millwright, 800 acres of land near Rosemont. In 1710, Edward
Kemp of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, sold Brock 200 acres, which he had purchased in 1709, of William Biles. Brock,
in 1734, sold the whole of this 1,000 acres to William Rettinghousen. He, 1742, conveyed it to Richard Green, of Morris
County. The tract lay northeast of Rosemont. James Dean now lives on a part of the land. The old Rittenhouse graveyard
is to be seen near Lambert Hoppock's house, above Prallsville. Several of the Howell family are buried there.
"William Rettinghousen had four sons: Isaac, Lot, Peter and Moses. His daughters were Catharine, who married Richard
Heath; Abigail, married Mr. Freeman, and Anna, married Mr. Dansville; Rebecca married Amos Bonham, from whom
William Bonham of Rosemont was descended.
"The Rittenhouse family have a traditional reputation for thrift, and shrewdness in managing their business, which has not
altogether deserted those of the present generation."
Hope this is helpful.


Dane Coefer
Ashland, Oregon
Researching Eunice Eura Manners <br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p>;

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