The Tale of Two
Vanderveer Homesteads

Bedminster Did Have Two Historic Vanderveer Homesteads

Both Somerset and Middlesex Counties have homes that boast the famous Dutch Vanderveer name. While both belonged to the Vanderveer family, there are two brothers of the Vanderveer family that bring interesting histories to the two properties. Who would have figured that corporate giant AT&T would be the one to ultimately separate the two. It's a strange note to history that both houses originated in Bedminster Township, while only one remains there today.

It all began back in the early 17th century. There was young Cornelius Janse Dominicus Vanderveer, who is said to be the first of this line of Vanderveer's to the new world back in 1659, landing in west Long Island arriving aboard the ship De Otter. Once settled in the town of Flatbush, he would have ten children with his wife Tryntie Mandeville. But it is the 9th child, Jacobus that this story is about.

This story is about Jacobus Vanderveer (Sr). son of Cornelius, and father of three children; Jacob, William, Hendrick. Jacob's name would change to Jacobus and his trek to Pluckemin began. Jacobus Sr. (son of Cornelius) seems to have been the one who wanted to explore and stake his claim when land opportunities began to open up west of Flatbush, New York. Other than his older sister Jacoba, who settled and started her family near Hopewell, New Jersey, Jacobus is the only other family member to break from Long Island and move west into the dutch farming country of what is known today as Somerset County, New Jersey.

Jacob Sr's Roots in Bedminster

Two of Jacobus Vanderveer's children stayed and continued to settle in the area known as Bedminstertown and Pluckemin. They were: Jacobus Vanderveer (Jr) and Elias Vanderveer. Elias resided on the eastern side of the North Branch of the Raritan River and Jacobus resided on the western side of the river which today is just West of Route 206. One house remains while the other was partially dismantled almost 230 years later and the original kitchen wing section being relocated to Piscataway, New Jersey.

We do know that based on research done by Holt Morgan Russel, Architects in Princeton, NJ, Jacobus Vanderveer Sr. purchased what can be referred to as the "western section" of the property back in 1743 from Daniel Axtell. It is on this 439 acres that Jacobus Vanderveer Jr. decides to build what is known today as the Jacobus Vanderveer/Knox house. But that was only because there was already an eastern homestead.

Will Contested

Both homesteads would stay in the Vanderveer family under Henry Vanderveer, the son to Elias until his death in 1868, when several people came forward claiming to have Henry's last will and testament. Testimony heard during the appeals process did describe both properties. Samuel S. Hartwell, who prepared a house inventory, recounted finding ten other wills, most of which were not properly executed. At the will hearings during the appeals process, the documents were contested and the house was left to be divided among five of Henry's first cousins.

View Vanderveer Brothers Map in a larger map

Map Simulation

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries the Vanderveers were well-known members of the community. Jacobus, the elder, served in several ways. He was Justice of the Peace, an active member of the Dutch Reformed Church and instrumental in forming the church's Bedminster congregation.

In 1759, Vanderveer donated land where the church was built north of Pluckemin. Aside from their civic and religious contributions, Vanderveer family members were staunch supporters of the American struggle for independence. Elias Vanderveer, "an active and spirited Whig," was taken prisoner during a British cavalry raid on Pluckemin in 1776.

Lawrence Vanderveer served as a surgeon during the war and was also taken prisoner by the British. Jacobus Vanderveer, the younger, is known to have helped supply the army.

Download the Digital Timeline of the Vanderveers and the Vanderveer house. Click Here