In this article, Mr. Bush begins with a discussion of the Caleb Farley farm in Headquarters, but strays from the subject of his headline to also discuss a farm just west of Sergeantsville, once owned by the Larew family. <\/em><\/p>\n

Originally, I had placed my annotations in the footnotes. But later on I discontinued that practice. Annotations are now part of the story.<\/p>\n

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Glen Eppelle Once Owned by Soldier of the Revolution<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Caleb Farley Had Large Acreage in That Section<\/strong>
\nPoulson Built Fine House\u00ac\u2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

by Egbert T. Bush, Stockton, N.J., <\/em>
\n published in the Hunterdon Co. Democrat, January 14, 1932<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I had long been quite sure that Caleb Farley, the Revolutionary soldier, owned and occupied what is now the beautiful \u201a\u00c4\u00faGlen Eppele\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 at Headquarters. Recent inquiry of a friend who was supposed to know, however, somewhat disturbed my assurance. He held strongly to the opinion that the Poulsons were the first of record at this place and had held it in that name until it was conveyed to Mattie H. Eppele, herself a Poulson. My own knowledge of the Poulson family did not confirm that opinion. And subject to investigation has shown that, although my friend had apparent reason for thinking as he did, the opinion was far from being correct.<\/p>\n

By Caleb Farley\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s will, dated August 23, 1808 and probated October 26, 1808, we find that he provided for his wife Ann Farley, bequeathed to his father Caleb Farley the income from a small trust fund for the term of his natural life, and made numerous other bequests, all going to collaterals with possibly one or two of no relationship. The executors named were Ann Farley, Jacob Fisher Jr., and Caleb Runk, who were empowered to sell and convey his real estate.<\/p>\n

Ann Farley, the widow, renounced the right to participate in the execution of the will, probably because she wanted to buy the farm for herself. Anyhow, in pursuance of the provisions of the will, the property was sold April 1, 1809, Ann Farley being the purchaser. It then contained 108 acres, 2 roods and 9 perches, including the tract later sold to Mrs. Eppele. May 14, 1814, Ann Farley conveyed the same property to Israel Poulson, the old-time preacher, for $6,513.37. That looks like a big price for such a property at that early day. But the good old preacher knew the value of land and had an eye to business. The farm lay in the rich and flourishing hamlet of Headquarters, which had been humming for half a century.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The price comes to about $60 an acre, which is indeed a very good price for the time. $40 an acre was more usual. Farley\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s wife Ann or Anna was the daughter of Jacob Fisher and Sarah Hoppock. Jacob Fisher Jr. was her brother. Ann was 56 years old when she sold the farm. She lived to the age of at least 81, but where she was living after selling the farm I cannot say. She had no children to move in with.<\/p>\n

By the way, I have eight Caleb Farleys in my database\u201a\u00c4\u00eea very popular name in this family. The Caleb that Bush is writing about was born on June 28, 1757 to Caleb Farley Sr. and Catharine Gray.<\/p>\n

Rev. Israel Poulson was pastor of the German Baptist Church known as the Dunkards. He owned another farm on Sand Brook-Headquarters Road, from which he donated a small lot for a church building in 1811. Once he moved to the Caleb Farley farm, he remained there for the rest of his long life.<\/p>\n

Long Owned by Poulsons<\/strong><\/p>\n

Israel Poulson held the farm until January 1, 1845, and then conveyed it to his son Daniel. By deed dated March 9, 1899, Charles Poulson, executor of Daniel Poulson, conveyed the same to George O. Poulson. December 23, 1908, George O. Poulson and wife conveyed the property to Mattie H. Eppele, the area of the principal tract then being 59 acres, 2 roods and 9 perches. With this was conveyed a lot containing less than one acre.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That small extra lot might have been the location of the Opdycke Burying Ground. I have not seen this deed, but am surprised no mention was made of its being a cemetery.<\/p>\n

Beer\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s Atlas of 1873 mistakenly shows the Glen Eppele farm owned by \u201a\u00c4\u00faJ.C.,\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 which stood for John Carrell, who owned the old mill property across the road. The Atlas also shows the corner where the White Hall Tavern stood being owned by Daniel Poulson. The old tavern was probably still habitable during Daniel Poulson\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s tenure, so it is unclear which house he was living in. Daniel Poulson (1813-1890) married Lucy Emley Opdycke (1813-1898) in 1842, daughter of George Opdycke and Amy Reading. Daniel and Lucy had nine children.\u00ac\u2020Their granddaughter, Mattie Poulson, married Frank Julius Eppele in 1889. The Eppeles were instrumental in saving the old Sergeantsville Hotel for the use of the Township as a municipal building. But that\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s another story.<\/p>\n

From this beginning, the Eppele holdings have grown apace, and the original has been so much improved that it is now known as one of the finest \u201a\u00c4\u00fashow places\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 in Hunterdon County. But it is not simply a \u201a\u00c4\u00fashow place.\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 It is and has been a practical and productive farm. For years it was noted as the \u201a\u00c4\u00faEppele Poultry Farm,\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 glorying in fine birds and profitable ducks, meanwhile producing fine fruits and good crops of grain.<\/p>\n

We are told on what seems to be good authority that the first dwelling here was built of stones and clay. Quite probable, for clay was often used instead of mortar in the earliest stone buildings.^{1<\/a><\/sup> But the same authority thought it was built by John Opdyke, the \u201a\u00c4\u00fabuilder of mills and mansion houses,\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 or else another of that family. This is possible, but it is more reasonable to suppose that the first dwelling was built at a still earlier period.<\/p>\n}

A Substantial House<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who built the substantial old house which is still standing very much improved and good for another century\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s service is not known. It was mentioned thirty years ago by one who had an eye for old things, as \u201a\u00c4\u00faamong the substantial old stone houses of the hamlet.\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 Opdyke may have built this one, for \u201a\u00c4\u00faold John\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 was a builder who took pride in making his work substantial. To me it seems most probable that Caleb Farley, who was himself a mason by trade, expended some of his skill and some of his available funds in building for himself and his Ann a commodious house that would be a credit to the community for many generations.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I agree with Bush on this point. Caleb Farley was present in Amwell, and probably living on this property by 1786 when he was taxed there. However, a dendrochronology test shows that the house was not built until 1806. Since we know Caleb Farley was present at this location for 20 years, it must mean that he had been living in another house on the property, perhaps at the White Hall tavern<\/a>. But he died in 1808, having only had two years to enjoy his new home.<\/p>\n

Mr. Bush pointed out that he did not write the headlines, which I am glad to know, since the claim that Poulson built the house is incorrect.<\/p>\n

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