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Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2003
The Old Mine Rd. branches R. from US 206 at MONTAGUE, 0 m.
(520 alt., 40 pop.)
(see Tour 6).
Almost invisible in a tiny weed-grown patch at 0.2 miles (R) are a few
tombstones and a granite marker on the SITE OF MINISINK CHURCH. This
was the second of four Dutch Reformed churches organized along the
Delaware River in 1737 by the Rev. George Whilhelm Mancius of Kingston, N. Y. The first was at Port Jervis, N. Y.; others were at the mouth
of Flat Brook and at Du Puy Ferry on the Pennsylvania side. The first
pastor, the Rev. John Casparus Fryenmuth, served all four congregations.
At 1.1 miles is (L) a row of 10 tiny white cabins with green window
trim, a modern note in the historic section. Each summer members of the
North Bergen Patrolmen's Association vacation here.
At the entrance (R) to a private road, 2.4 miles, the Chinkchewunski
Chapter of the D.A.R. has placed a large granite marker that points out
the location of nearby historic spots.
Right on the private road to the BELL House (private), 0.1 miles a small stone
structure with a wooden gable and with windows only 1 foot above the ground.
The ninth generation of the same family lives in the house. In the dark basement,
early residents hid from the Indians.
Just behind the barns, and on the property of an adjacent farm, a hole in the
ground and a few stones mark the SITE OF WESTBROOK FORT, one of a chain of
seven forts along the Delaware constructed for defense against Indians. Today tall
maples stand guard. Johannes Westbrook, an early settler, deeded land in 1731 to
the people of the Minisink for a cemetery and a schoolhouse.
At 0.5 miles, through a gate and down a sandy lane to the Delaware River. Opposite this point is MINISINK ISLAND, the home of the Munsee or Wolf Clan of the
Lenape Indians, and the starting place of the Minisink trail to the sea.
At 2.6 miles is (R) the ENNIS HOUSE (1734), in which lived William
Ennis, the first school teacher of the region.
The RUINS OF FORT NORMANOCK, second in the chain of forts, are R.
at 3.1 miles The fort was named for the island to the west in Delaware
River.
At 5.8 miles is (R) the FISCHER or METTLER CEMETERY, about a block
square, without benefit of fence, church, or trees. Many of the early settlers, including Evan Bevans, a Revolutionary soldier, were buried here.
At 6.7 miles is the junction of three dirt roads with a macadamized highway.
Right, down a sharp incline, to DINGMANS FERRY, 0.1 miles, and the only toll bridge
(pleasure cars 25 cents) north of Burlington. The bridge is high above the river,
which flows clear and strong at this point. On the New Jersey side a smooth rocky
ledge serves as front yards for summer cottages. Built 35 years ago, the wood and
steel bridge earns up to $100 a day during the summer. The town and bridge were
named for judge David W. Dingman, who lived down the river and who, during
revolutionary times, frequently appeared in bare feet and nightshirt for court sessions in his home.
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