Franklin Inn

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Franklin Inn in 2006

The Franklin Inn was built by Cornelius Van Liew in 1752.

1 Cornelius Van Liew
2 Revolution
3 John Wyckoff
4 Delaware and Raritan Canal
5 Meadows Foundation
6 Map

[edit] Cornelius Van Liew

Cornelius Van Liew (1734-1777) and his wife, Antje Bowman aka Anne Bowman, were married in 1757, and they lived in the house. Their children were: Frederick Van Liew (1758-?); Cornelius Van Liew (1762-?); Antje Van Liew (1764-?) aka Anne Van Liew; Marya "Mary" van Liew (1766-?); Deneys van Liew (1767-?); Johanis "John" Van Liew (1770-?); and Helena Van Liew (1772-?).

[edit] Revolution

During the Revolutionary War, British General Charles Cornwallis took over the house and used it as his headquarters for five days. Several thousand of his troops camped nearby in what is now Colonial Park. During the war, American Revolutionary generals used thehouse to hold meetings.

[edit] John Wyckoff

The Inn remained in the Van Liew family until 1822, when it was sold to John Wyckoff. He rented the property as a tavern around 1929. It was closed in 1916 with the onset of prohibition.

[edit] Delaware and Raritan Canal

The opening of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in 1834 brought in boat crews and a steady flow of customers that continued with the arrival of the railroad in 1870. The birth of the automobile brought an end to the building's use as a tavern, but it continued to operate and serve the public as a barbershop, an insurance agency, pet food shop, and an antiques store. bob