The Hoff Mills Inn
Pittstown, New Jersey
The Hoff Mills Inn / The Pittstown Tavern
The topic I chose to write about is the Pittstown
Tavern, which today is called the Hoff Mills Inn, located in the center of
the village of Pittstown. It was the first tavern in this area. I picked Hoff
Mills Inn because I thought it would be great to learn about a restaurant
that I can eat at today, where George Washington’s troops possibly ate
and slept there over 200 years ago.
The original Pittstown Tavern was made of stone and had only five rooms, a
stone kitchen and a cellar. Charles Hoff Jr. sold the tavern back in 1762.
Many people owned the Pittstown tavern after Charles Hoff. William Davison
owned it in 1777 and then John Rockhill in 1781. Other people owned it from
1793 to around 1800. They were James Chadburn, Peter Van Kirk and Isaac Bennet.
Then in 1801, the tavern was remodeled and renamed The Century Inn by Moore
Furman. On February 17, 1913, the Inn burned and was later rebuilt.
Even though the Inn burned and was rebuilt, the outside of it still remains
the same as it did 200 years ago. Right now they are renovating the inside
of the Inn. I learned that the inside has changed a lot since the 1700’s.
I rode by the Inn one day when it was getting renovated and wondered what
it looked like inside. The stone on the outside of the Inn looks really old
to me because it doesn’t look like the stone used on buildings today.
During the Revolutionary War time, Pittstown, where the Inn is, was the center
of New Jersey’s most productive farm area in the county. The Pittstown
mills and possibly the Pittstown tavern were used back then to give supplies
to General Washington’s troops in Morristown, and to General Sullivan’s
troops in Easton Pennsylvania.
After the Revolutionary War, part of the militia of the county came to Pittstown
once a year in June, for a parade and to be retrained to fight. The Inn was
important to the men in the militia when they came to Pittstown because they
could eat and sleep at the Inn.
I learned a lot about the Inn and how historical it is. I’m glad I chose
the Inn for this essay.
I found my information in a pamphlet titled “Things of the Past.
Ann
Spring, 2002
The Hoff Mills Inn
I’m
going to tell you about the Pittstown Inn. The Pittstown Inn had 5 rooms.
The Pittstown Inn also had 2 acres of meadow, but later it was sold. The Pittstown
Inn was remodeled in 1809 by Moore Furmand. It remainded the same until February
2, 1913 when it burned down. I think it would have been scary when it burned
down.
It was rebuilt later with doomer windows. I’ve never seen doomer windows
before but they sound neat. The Pittstown Inn was owned in the 1970’s
by Mr. and Mrs. James Farley. They intended to use the name Pittstown Hotel
as well as Century Inn.
This building is important to me because it has been here so long it’s
one of the most important buildings in Franklin Township. This building has
made it’s self special to Franklin Township and also special to me.
Maria
Spring, 2002
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The Hoff Mills Inn I chose to write about the Pittstown Inn, the first
tavern in Hunterdon County, because I love historical Inns. Someday
when I am sixteen I hope to work there. I like the kind of activities
they hold and I just love eating out! Kelsey |
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The Hoff Mills Inn The Hoff Mills Inn is an important historical
place to me because it has been here longer than my family. The Hoff
Mills Inn is about two and half centuries old. My family only came
to North America 170 years ago from Scotland. My great grandfather
could have gone to the Hoff Mills Inn and I can still go there today.
I am surprised that it has stood all these years. Josh |
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The Hoff Mills Inn These are the reasons why I think the Hoff Mills Inn is the most historic place in Franklin Township. The Hoff Mills Inn was the first tavern in this area. Although no one knows who kept the well-kept, two acre, stone tavern, Charles Hoff Jr. offered it for sale in 1762. It had 5 rooms, a stone kitchen and a cellar. Soon after, Isaac Fitznandolph, a son-in law of Hoff, purchased the property. The present inn was remodeled in 1801 on the same site by Moore Furnam, and remained until it was burned on February 2, 1913. Pittstown played an important part in the Revolutionary War, due to the efforts of Moore Furnam. He purchased most of the village before the war and changed its name from Hoff Mills to Pittstown. Since it was located in the center of New Jersey's most productive agricultural county Pittstown became the hub to furnish supplies to General Washington in Morristown and General Sullivan in Gaston. After the war, part of the militia of Hunterdon County assembled in Pittstown once a year in June for a parade, inspection, and review. This was an important day for the innkeeper! The earliest owner was Daniel Farnsworth. The old tavern house at Cherryville was built in 1739. About 1820 it was kept by one Fonner who died and was believed by the superstitious to haunt the tavern. In 1830, it was kept by Rauben McPherson, who was killed by falling from the mow of the shed in January 16, 1831. It is presently owned by Mr. and Mrs. James Farly. The outside is the same, however, the interior has changed a lot in order to satisfy modern needs. There is also a barn behind the Hoff Mills Inn; it is called the Creek Side Horse Farm. The barn stands on the farm property with three other adjacent to the tavern. This was included in the sale of the tavern house lot in 1831. This barn with the others remained in farm use until recent times. About turn of the century it was used as part of a milk collection center for shipment on the railroad. I received information from the back of the menu from the Hoff Mills Inn, from a book that has information listed about the Tavern, and information from the internet, that helped me write about my topic. Nicole C
Spring, 2000 |
The Hoff Mills Inn I am doing the Pittstown
Inn because it is many centuries old. Charles Hoff, jr. sold it in
1762. Isaac Fitz Randolph, Charles Hoff’s son in law, purchased
the property. Isaac Fitz Randolph died in 1768. Amy |
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The Hoff Mills Inn A historic place in Franklin Township is The Pittstown Mill. The Pittstown Mill was built in the 1730s. The mill was originally called The Hoffs Mill. During ownership of Pittstown by Charles Hoff Jr., there were 2 gristmills, one overshot wheel and one with a breast wheel. Their location is not known. County historians Snell, in 1881, asserted that Moore Furman for Army purposes built this mill when he was Deputy Quakermaster. He established his lumber business there, which was later carried on by his son, Mercer. His son-in-law, Clifford Eichlin, succeeded him. The attached frame building was used as an office prior to 1948. Today the mill is used as a store. I think the Pittstown Mill is historic because of its name. I learned a lot about the Pittstown Mill. I got my information from my teacher and Mr. Ed Stout. I wonder what will happen to the mill in 20 years! Kate
Spring, 2000 |
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The Hoff Mills Inn Hoff Mills Inn, the first tavern in this vicinity, was offered for sale by Charles Hoff, Jr. in 1762. It was described as containing five rooms, a stone kitchen, and a cellar underneath the building. But nowadays, in the year 2000, Hoff Mills Inn is still a great tavern, or as we call it a restaurant. My family and I go there a lot because Hoff Mills Inn is well managed, has great food, is very sanitary, and it's all at a very reasonable price. But, the thing I like most about Hoff Mills Inn, is the way they didn't change much of it since 1762. Now, they have pictures hanging up in the building showing what it used to look like. Plus, they display old tools in one room, and old advertisements in another. Hoff Mills Inn was a great place to go in the mid-1700's and will be for many years to come, and that's why I think it's the most historic place in Franklin Township. Andrew
Spring, 2000 |
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The Hoff Mills
Inn The Hoff Mills Inn in Pittstown has a long history as a building in Franklin Township. In 1762, the owner was Charles Hoff Jr. He wanted to sell it and said it had 5 rooms, a stone kitchen, and a cellar. The Hoff Mills Inn was built before the Revolutionary War. In 1800, Moore Furman built the present tavern. Moore Furman changed the name of Hoff's Mill Inn and the village of Pittstown. Tradition says that Pittstown is named in honor of William Pitts. He was a British salesmen who spoke up for America colonist during the Revolutionary War period. In 1913 the Inn burnt down and it was rebuilt. In 1989 Richard Buxton changed the name from Pittstown Inn to Hoff Mills Inn. I believe that the Hoff Mills Inn is the most historic place in Franklin Township, because it was built before the Revolutionary War and it is still open today as a restaurant. Case Hoff
Spring, 2000
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The Hoff Mills Inn I would like to tell you about the Hoff Mills Inn. I chose the Hoff's Mill Inn because my family likes to eat there and I wanted to learn more about it. The Mill is located in Pittstown NJ. It is called the Hoff Mills Inn because Pittstown used to be called Hoff's Mill. The name of the town was changed during the Revolutionary War by Moore Furman in honor of William Pitts. The current building was built by Moore Furman in 1801. It replaced the original tavern which was owned by Charles Hoff Jr. The new building had 3 floors. The first floor was for common travelers such as carters. The second floor was for more respected travelers and public meetings. The third floor was for bedrooms for overnight guests. To this day the outside of the stone building looks much the same as it did back then. In 1913 the inside was destroyed by a fire and had to be rebuilt. The inn still serves as a restaurant but is no longer used as a hotel. Andrew |
