Rittenhouse

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.

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.

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.