History of Kinnelon "The Dutch"

| History : The Dutch |

Content for the History Section is provided by Lucy A. Meyer in her book Kinnelon: A History
Published by The Kinnelon Bicentennial Committee (1976)

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The first settlers of the Kinnelon area were the Dutch. Initially they came over enhance their fur trading. It was rumored that beaver was plentiful in our area. During the early seventeen hundreds, many of these settlers migrated from the Rockaway and Pompton Plains valley. These valley areas had already been developed farmlands and new land was sought.

The farmers grew native vegetables such as corn, beans, & pumpkins. The local Indians taught many of their farming techniques to the Dutch. As farms became more prosperous, food became more plentiful. Pork rather than beef were the main source of meat for the Dutch. Income was sparse prior to 1750 due to the fact the farms were built to suit each household. After 1765 farms grew in size and farmers were able to sell some of their services and exchange products thus improving the quality of life. During the 1870's Farm products, such as huckleberries and chestnuts, were transported by horse to markets located in Newark. The trip could take up to two days.

A typical breakfast drink was home grown beer later to be exchanged for tea. Bread and butter with radishes accompanied their early meal. For lunch cabbage sale and meat was served. The meats were usually served as a stew. At night an Indian porridge was served consisting of cornmeal with buttermilk or milk poured into the center.

The popularity of alcohol presented many problems especially when tending crop. It was typical to see farmers sleeping during the day due to the consumption of alcohol thus the saying bushwhacked. It was common to see Dutch women over the age of 40 smoking pipes containing tobacco.

Transportation was slow due to the dirt roads, lack of railroads and canals. Oxen drawn wagons were the chief mode of transportation. Horses were a luxury at the time and not used as much. In fact during the late 1700's travel along the Pequannock River, the road to Charlotteburg, on the north border of present day Kinnelon became dangerous. Roving bands of hoods sought victims to rob and even murder was reported. One of the reasons towards this behavior was the split of loyalty towards England. Laws were not enforced due to the struggle of power between the Continental Army and England.

Other than farming, many of the residents worked in the local iron forges. Some of the farmers' allowed their lots to be used to make charcoal for theses iron forges. The London Company had operated many of these forges. By 1783 the forges had become obsolete due to the end of the Revolutionary War. A lists of the following names that appear on the 1767 Pequannock map of this area, H. Demot, Schyler, Veerland, & Odgen. An 1868 map listed thirty families in the Atlas of Morris County. Franciscos (Siscos), Deckers, Millers, Rickers, Meads, Wittys, Gormlys, Goulds, Tintles, Van Zilers, Sanders, Smiths, Van Nesses, Vreelands, Earles, Millidges, Kayharts, Milners, Etc. Many of these names are familiar today and can be seen at the Frederick-Kayhart cemetery in the Fayson Lakes section of the Borough.

One can still see a Dutch style home on Duchess Drive in the Fayson Lakes Section. This farmhouse was built in 1716 out of fieldstone. The kitchen was located at the lower level of the house to take advantage of a stream that ran diagonally under the house. This stream provided fresh drinking water as well as acting as a refrigerant for food. This stream now feeds Fayson Lakes, which provides for year round recreation for lake association members.