The Van Liew-Suydam House is located at 280 South Middlebush Road in Somerset, New Jersey. It was built in the 18th century by Peter Van Liew. Joseph Suydam later built the part of the house that is visible today. The newest and largest portion of the house was built in 1875. Although the most recent long-term owner of the house was named French, the house has been named after its two initial owners.[1]
If the Van Liew-Suydam house was truly constructed in the late 1700s, it was probably constructed by the grandfather of Peter Van Liew, Cornelius Van Liew. Cornelius was the grandson of Frederick Van Lewe, the first Van Lewe to come to New Jersey from Long Island. Cornelius Van Liew was born on August 27, 1752 and died January 26, 1798. His son, Simon, was born August 29, 1782 and died August 27, 1824. Peter Van Liew, the eventual owner of the Van Liew-Sydam House, was the son of Simon and lived from May 19, 1823 to August 25, 1826.[2]