It's located about two miles west of the Mt. Bethel Baptist Meeting House, north of the second range of the Watchung Mountains. The property bounds Mountainview Rd. and extended, at one time, to both sides of Round Top Rd. In the early l800s it was called Oakwood Farm and consisted of the house as shown, a barn, a smokehouse and several outbuildings. The house, a typical New Jersey farmhouse, was probably built in two stages. The first stage was a single all-purpose room with a small stairway leading up to a sleeping area. The taller two-story wing was added as the family grew and finances improved. The house faces due south, as was the custom, so that the sun would quickly melt the snow and the farmer's access to his outbuildings and stock would not be hindered. The smokehouse is still visible from the road and recently a new wellhouse was constructed over the old hand-dug well. The 25-foot deep well was used daily until last year. Despite its shallow depth, there was always water enough for today's modern conveniences, much to everyone's surprise. Years ago when the one-room schoolhouse on Mountainview Rd. was in session, the teacher at recess time often sent a student down to this well to fill two buckets with water for the school. The well was known for its good-tasting water. Records at the Somerset County Court House indicate that the property was owned by the brothers, Stephen and Daniel Manning, in l812. Their father, Joseph Manning, purchased the property from Nathaniel Dunham on April 23, l777 for "l65 pounds of lawful money ...." A Hills-Morgan map shows that Ephriam Dunham owned the l00-plus acres in l766. This same lot of land and premises was deeded to Henry Moore in l819. George C. Coddington purchased the property in l849. His heirs, Imogene, Christiana and Rachel, continued to live here until the place was sold to Walter and Grace Marder in l930. In l949 the Wallaces purchased the property from the Lindsays. But not all the records are at the County -- in the house on the wide pine boards going down the cellarway there are penciled notations of importance to the family living here at the time. One reads, "First snow, Nov. 16, l872." Another, "Set hen on duck eggs in hog house, May 7, l888." The house was modernized in l931 with electricity, running water, inside plumbing and closets, which were not found in early homes. Over the years the Wallaces installed a new heating system and roof, added a wing on the east side of the house, built an attached gazebo and put up a blue fence. The house is at 88 Round Top Rd. |