60-585: Covenhoven House , also known as General Clinton's Headquarters , is located at 150 West Main Street in Freehold Borough of Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States. The house was built around 1752–1753 by William and Elizabeth Covenhoven. The builder of the historic Old Tennent Church was retained for the job, and began work right after the completion of the church. In 1778, General Henry Clinton occupied this house as his headquarters from June 26 to
120-545: A bargain price, and this may have been the deciding factor why Freehold was selected over Middletown and Shrewsbury. In return for the heavily discounted price, Reid placed a restrictive covenant in the deed that, should the property ever cease being used as a courthouse, ownership would revert to the Reid family. Direct descendants of John Reid still reside in Freehold Township. Freehold was officially designated as
180-466: A cannon during the battle after her husband was wounded. In the aftermath of the Battle of Monmouth, Loyalist control of Freehold faltered. The town ceased to have a functioning municipal government, and the courthouse was closed until the end of the war. Minor clashes between loyalists and continentals flared up in town, with the violence peaking around 1780. Colonel Tye , an escaped slave and leader of
240-445: A female householder with no husband present and 33.6% were non-families. Of all households, 26.2% were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.48. 24.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
300-519: A household in the borough was $ 48,654, and the median income for a family was $ 53,374. Males had a median income of $ 35,855 versus $ 30,377 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 19,910. About 7.7% of families and 12% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over. Suburbanization within the vicinity of the Freeholds region has been due to its convenient location near
360-501: A large section of the village, and many wooden buildings, including Monmouth Courthouse, were burned down. Freehold also has an important place in the history of the bicycle . Cycling champion Arthur Augustus Zimmerman resided in the borough during his racing career in the 1880s and 1890s, and from 1896 to 1899 operated the Zimmerman Bicycle Co.; the company's bicycles were known as the "Zimmy." Today, Freehold Borough
420-411: A production plant in 1948, which closed in 2023. Town (New Jersey) A town in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. While town is often used as a shorthand to refer to a township , the two are not the same. The Town Act of 1895 allowed any municipality or area with a population exceeding 5,000 to become
480-456: A prominent loyalist guerilla force, conducted several raids in and around Freehold. One famous incident was the capture and hanging of Joshua Huddy by British Loyalists under the direction of Richard Lippincott. Colonel Tye was killed during the raid on Huddy's home. Patriots later cut down Huddy's body hanging from the gallows and buried it in Freehold, at Old Tennent Church. At the end of
540-531: A railroad station, with trains making regular stops, running along what is now known as Throckmorton Street, about one block from the courthouse. Freehold soon had public sewers in the village and in some of the outlying farmland. By 1883, there was an electrical grid and a telephone switchboard, at a time when these inventions were still brand new. These public advancements caused rapid economic growth in Freehold. The village of Freehold became an important commercial and industrial hub in central New Jersey. The farms in
600-470: A small benefit concert in Freehold for St. Rose of Lima. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the borough had a total area of 1.93 square miles (5.01 km ), including 1.93 square miles (5.00 km ) of land and <0.01 square miles (<0.01 km ) of water (0.10%). It is situated in the heart of Monmouth County and is located approximately 35 miles (56 km) south of New York City and 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Philadelphia . Freehold
660-438: A town through a petition and referendum process. Under the 1895 act, a newly incorporated town was divided into at least three wards, with two councilmen per ward serving staggered two-year terms, and one councilman at large, who also served a two-year term. The councilman at large served as chairman of the town council. The Town Act of 1988 completely revised the town form of government and applied to all towns incorporated under
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#1732787934550720-540: Is also about 16 miles (26 km) west of Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore . Freehold has an elevation of 174 feet (53 m) above sea level at its center. The borough is completely surrounded by Freehold Township , making it part of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Freehold Borough sits on
780-506: Is home to the Metz Bicycle Museum, where the only extant "Zimmy" can be seen. At the beginning of the 20th century, Freehold was an increasingly divided community. The issue of local tax dollars, used as funding for public works and infrastructure projects, was the primary point of contention. The Freeholders living in the downtown area, around the courthouse had very different ideas about how to spend public money compared to
840-526: Is still standing today, and is one of the oldest buildings in Freehold. In 1853, the Freehold Raceway opened. Though the original grandstand burned down in a fire, the racetrack is still open today, and is one of the oldest harness racetracks in America. The Great Fire of Freehold happened on October 30, 1873. The fire reportedly began in a commercial building on Main Street. It soon spread to engulf
900-427: Is up for election each year. Towns with different structures predating the 1988 act may retain those features unless changed by a petition and referendum process. Two new provisions were added in 1991 to the statutes governing towns, First, a petition and referendum process was created whereby the voters can require that the mayor and town council be elected to four-year terms of office. The second new provision defines
960-464: The 1980 Census , 11.3% (2.8% Mexican ) in the 1990 Census, 28.0% (17.3% Mexican) in 2000, 42.9% (29.6% Mexican) in 2010, and recently in 2020, a majority at 53.0% Hispanic. Meanwhile, the Black or African American population has decreased in recent decades: 17.1% in 1970, 19.8% in 1980, 18.2% in 1990, 15.8% in 2000, 12.6% in 2010 and 9.4% in 2020. In 2021, Freehold Borough became one of few towns in
1020-483: The A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Freehold Borough would have an Appalachian Oak ( 104 ) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest ( 25 ) vegetation form. The 2010 United States census counted 12,052 people, 4,006 households, and 2,660 families in the borough. The population density was 6,180.8 per square mile (2,386.4/km ). There were 4,249 housing units at an average density of 2,179.1 per square mile (841.4/km ). The racial makeup
1080-533: The Jersey Shore , and proximity to cities such as New York , Newark , Trenton , and Philadelphia . The region has, thus, been a longtime premier shopping destination in Central New Jersey . The borough is home to Downtown Freehold, located on East and West Main Street (County Route 537) . This downtown section has various eateries, bars, boutiques, historical sites, and other excursions. Within this section of town, there have been plans to revitalize
1140-592: The 12,052 recorded at the 2010 census , which in turn reflected an increase of 1,076 (+9.8%) from the 10,976 counted in the 2000 census . The Freeholds region, which includes the borough and Freehold Township (which completely surrounds the borough), is a commercial hub for central New Jersey . The borough is located relatively close to the Raritan Bayshore communities to the north, including The Amboys , Old Bridge , Matawan , Keyport , Keansburg , and Middletown , along with being relatively close to
1200-619: The Continental Army intercepted the column in Freehold (the area is now part of Freehold & Manalapan Townships). The Battle of Monmouth was one of the largest battles of the Revolutionary War, involving over 25,000 soldiers combined in Continental, British, and Hessian forces. The initial engagement was in doubt until Washington arrived because Charles Lee was retreating from the battlefield. Washington rallied
1260-561: The Continentals and strongly engaged the British forces and they held their ground on the battlefield. However, the British forces were successful in completing their primary goal, the evacuation of Philadelphia. Both sides claimed victory in the battle. Several notable figures during the Revolutionary War fought at the Battle of Monmouth. British forces were commanded by Sir Henry Clinton and Charles Cornwallis . The Continental Army
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#17327879345501320-514: The Freeholders living in the surrounding farmland. Tension within the community increased greatly in 1916 when a severe polio epidemic swept through Freehold. After contentious public debate, a referendum was held to on the future of Freehold, and voters overwhelmingly decided to split the town into two separate municipalities. On April 15, 1919, Freehold Borough formally separated from Freehold Township. Freehold residents generally refer to
1380-528: The Karagheusian Rug Mill’s closing in his 1984 song " My Hometown ". Brockway Glass Company built a facility on Center Street in 1955. Brockway Glass then proceeded to build additional facilities in the region in 1956, 1967, 1969 and 1976. The company ceased operations in the township in 1991, in which the site is now operated by the Freehold campus location for Iron Mountain , an enterprise information management services company. Nestle opened
1440-497: The Town Act of 1895 and to those incorporated by a special charter granted by the legislature prior to 1875. Under the 1988 act, the mayor is also the councilman at large, serving a term of two years, unless increased to three years by a petition and referendum process. The council under the Town Act of 1988 consists of eight members serving staggered two-year terms with two elected from each of four wards. One councilman from each ward
1500-597: The Tri-City region of Jersey Shore municipalities (and their vicinities) to the east, including Red Bank , Long Branch , and Asbury Park . What is now Freehold Borough was originally incorporated as a town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 25, 1869, from portions within Freehold Township . The town became independent of the township in 1888. On April 15, 1919, Freehold
1560-484: The area, and its closure had a devastating effect on the economic stability of the borough. The borough managed to turn around its economic decline by establishing the downtown area as a center for restaurants and nightlife. Several well-known local restaurants on Main Street are now crowded every night of the week. Freehold Borough was an important center of African American civil rights activity in New Jersey during
1620-466: The area. In 1685, Scottish Presbyterians from Scotland , along with English Baptists and Quakers from New England fleeing religious persecution at home, became the first to settle within the area. In 1693, along with Middletown and Shrewsbury , Freehold was established by act of legislature as one of the three original townships in Monmouth County. The name of the borough comes from
1680-505: The bays and inlets on the Jersey Shore . They also practiced some agriculture to augment their food supply. During this time, an important crossroad of two major Lenape trails was located in the area of Freehold. By the late 17th century, the English had begun to take over the area. In 1664, the Duke of York (later James II & VII ) granted a patent to Sir George Carteret to develop
1740-560: The borough is located in the Raritan Valley region within the New York Metropolitan Area , located about 33 miles (53 km) from Manhattan and 17 miles (27 km) from Staten Island . The borough has grown to become a commuter town of New York City . As of the 2020 United States census , the borough's population was 12,538, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 486 (+4.0%) from
1800-514: The borough was $ 23,331 (+/− $ 1,602). About 13.1% of families and 16.01% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 United States census there were 10,976 people, 3,695 households, and 2,571 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,501.1 inhabitants per square mile (2,124.0/km ). There were 3,821 housing units at an average density of 1,915.1 per square mile (739.4/km ). The racial makeup of
1860-559: The borough was 71.02% White , 15.83% Black , .55% Native American , 2.45% Asian , .02% Pacific Islander , 6.64% from other races , and 3.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.07% of the population. There were 3,695 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who
Hankinson–Moreau–Covenhoven House - Misplaced Pages Continue
1920-865: The borough, including the Manalapan EpiCentre (formerly, the Manalapan Mall) in nearby Manalapan Township , the Jackson Premium Outlets in nearby Jackson Township , and The Shoppes in nearby Old Bridge Township . In 2021, the Freehold Borough council approved an ordinance to opt-in for cannabis businesses to operate within the borough. In a 4–1 vote, the ordinance established the parameters and zoning regulations to where cannabis businesses could operate, including commercial manufacturing and limited professional office zoning categories. This would make Freehold one of
1980-464: The borough. On September 7, 1926, Freehold Borough annexed additional territory from the township. Freehold Borough initially prospered in the early 20th century. However, by mid-century, the Borough began to decline as downtown areas across the country shrank, and suburban areas began growing. In 1961, the A & M Karagheusian rug factory closed. This factory had long been the largest employer in
2040-407: The courthouse and the surrounding farmland were the seeds for the eventual division of Freehold into two separate municipalities in the early 20th century. As of 1745, the majority of families in Freehold were still Scottish immigrants. In modern Freehold today, many important streets bear the name of early colonial families, including Barkalow, Applegate, Rhea, Throckmorton, and Schanck. Freehold
2100-594: The courthouse. The success of the Continental Army at the Battle of Trenton helped to weaken loyalist control of Freehold. In June 1778, the British Army began a major strategic evacuation of Philadelphia . They attempted to protect a long, slow moving column of loyalist families, equipment, and other supplies seized in Philadelphia, as they moved towards ships in New York Harbor. On June 28, 1778,
2160-474: The different municipalities simply as the Borough and the Township. The borough, the downtown area around the courthouse, retained all the existing government buildings around Court Street and Main Street. The borough also kept the designation as county seat. Freehold Township, the farming communities that surrounded the courthouse, set up a new city hall complex on Schanck Road. The township completely encircles
2220-814: The downtown area, as outlined in the Freehold Center Core Revitalization Plan (2008), in which NJ Transit has sponsored a project in transforming the Freehold Center Bus Station into a Transit Village. This new designation would foster in the creation of a transit-oriented development zoning district around the bus station. Established in 1853, making it the nation's oldest half-mile harness racing track, Freehold Raceway offers horse lovers and bettors an opportunity to see harness racing . The raceway announced in September 2024 that they will close, with
2280-476: The election procedure in towns with wards. The mayor in a town chairs the town council and heads the municipal government. The mayor may both vote on legislation before council and veto ordinances. A veto may be overridden by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of the council. The council may enact an ordinance to delegate all or a portion of the executive responsibilities of the town to a municipal administrator. Fifteen New Jersey municipalities currently have
2340-557: The few municipalities in the state (including, Bellmawr , Egg Harbor Township , Montclair , and Woodbridge Township ) that has authorized the sale of cannabis in New Jersey , especially within the greater central New Jersey region. NJ Leaf, a medical cannabis dispensary located on Park Avenue , opened in March 2023 and is expected to also expand to recreational sales in the near future. Freehold Borough and Township began to grow in commercial and industrial manufacturing of goods during
2400-584: The final racing date being December 28. Completed in August 1990, the Freehold Raceway Mall is a super-regional mall located in neighboring Freehold Township . The mall was constructed at a cost of $ 125 million on a site covering more than 175 acres (71 ha) across from the Freehold Raceway over U.S. 9 , and it has a gross leasable area of 1,600,000 square feet (150,000 m ). There are many other shopping destinations outside of
2460-566: The late 19th and early 20th centuries. A & M Karagheusian , Inc. was a rug manufacturer headquartered at 295 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan . Manufacturing was located in Freehold Borough, New Jersey and operated for 60 years before closing in 1964. It employed 1,700 people at its peak operation in the 1930s. There was another factory in Roselle Park, New Jersey , that operated from May 19, 1923, to 1962. Bruce Springsteen wrote about
Hankinson–Moreau–Covenhoven House - Misplaced Pages Continue
2520-463: The morning of June 28, prior to the Battle of Monmouth that day. Clinton chose the house because it was clearly the finest home in the area. When he arrived there, he realized that Mrs. Covenhoven had already prepared for their visit. The house was devoid of the fine furnishings one would expect in such a home. The valuables had been hidden away in the woods, and the silver and china had been buried in
2580-661: The northern border between the humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ) zone and the humid continental climate (Dfa) zone, with the borough being one of the most northern localities in North America that has a humid subtropical climate. Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average temperature above 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average temperature at or above 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average temperature at or above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. According to
2640-544: The rest of Freehold benefitted greatly by being able to sell their products more easily in New York and Philadelphia. Both the village and the farms prospered together, however the public policies sought by the two different communities continued to grow further apart. The municipal government was increasingly divided between the villagers and farmers. In 1824, the American Hotel opened on Main Street in Freehold; It
2700-474: The seat of the Monmouth County government, and a court house was commissioned to be built on the land purchased from John Reid. The Monmouth Courthouse opened in 1715. A small village quickly began to develop around the courthouse. At first, the village was called Monmouth Courthouse. Over time, other government buildings opened near the courthouse, including a sheriff's office, a prison and a post office. A number of homes and commercial businesses also sprang up in
2760-615: The state (including, Bellmawr , Egg Harbor Township , Montclair and Woodbridge Township ) that has authorized the sale of cannabis through authorized dispensaries and for the allowance of cultivators, distributors, wholesalers, and manufacturers. The Lenni Lenape Native Americans were the earliest known people to live in the area that became Freehold. The Lenape were a hunter-gatherer society. They were largely sedentary, changing campsites seasonally. They were prolific hunters of small game and birds. They were also skilled fisherman, and were known to harvest vast amounts of clams from
2820-440: The village, including a blacksmith, a general store, a bank, a hotel, and saloon. In the area surrounding Monmouth Courthouse, many successful farms began to appear. The farms in Freehold were particularly well known for the production of potatoes, beans, and rye, which were sold in the markets of nearby cities. Freehold also became known for its excellent horse farms. The differences within Freehold between growing village around
2880-466: The war, the community was deeply divided, and nearly 120 loyalist families left Freehold, fearing persecution from their neighbors. Most of these families re-settled in Canada. During the early 19th century, Freehold steadily grew in size. The village around the courthouse was now called Freehold, along with the surrounding farmland. In 1852, when long distance railroad systems were first being developed,
2940-453: The word Freehold , an English legal term describing fee simple property ownership. In 1714, when the colonial government was deciding where to locate the county seat and courthouse, Freeholder John Reid, the first Surveyor General of East Jersey , wanted the county seat located in Freehold Township. Reid sold land suitable for use as a courthouse to the Board of Chosen Freeholders at
3000-401: The yard under some rose bushes. Clinton convinced Mrs. Covenhoven that her fine things would not be safe in the woods. If she returned them to the home, he said, they would be under the protection of the British army. She finally acquiesced, and the hidden wagon load was brought back to the house. According to a complaint she filed with the courthouse, she stated that once the wagon arrived, she
3060-703: The years leading up to the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954. In 2007, Jaye Sims became the first African American official to be elected to office. Bruce Springsteen grew up in the borough. His family lived in various homes on Randolph St, Institute St and finally South St. In 1963, he graduated eighth grade from St. Rose of Lima School, and graduated from Freehold Borough High School in 1967. In 1973, he released his first album, and rocketed to international fame. Springsteen has always remained loyal to Freehold and makes reference to it in several of his famous songs, including " My Hometown ". In 1996, he conducted
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#17327879345503120-495: Was 33.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 111.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 112.0 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $ 52,000 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 3,634) and the median family income was $ 60,471 (+/− $ 3,989). Males had a median income of $ 29,752 (+/− $ 8,068) versus $ 34,976 (+/− $ 8,305) for females. The per capita income for
3180-460: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.39. In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males. The median income for
3240-421: Was 65.72% (7,920) White , 12.57% (1,515) Black or African American , 0.52% (63) Native American , 2.89% (348) Asian , 0.07% (8) Pacific Islander , 15.35% (1,850) from other races , and 2.89% (348) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 42.87% (5,167) of the population. Of the 4,006 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18; 44.3% were married couples living together; 13.6% had
3300-577: Was a known center of patriot activity. The Declaration of Independence was publicly proclaimed, read aloud, from the steps of the Freehold Courthouse just a few days after being signed in Philadelphia. However, after British success at the Battle of Long Island , Freehold and all of Monmouth County fell under the control of Loyalists . The British government continued to operate the Freehold Courthouse, and several people involved in revolutionary activism were arrested and tried for treason at
3360-654: Was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 1, 1974, for its significance in architecture, art, and military history. The house is one of several houses owned and operated as a historic house museum by the Monmouth County Historical Association . Freehold Borough, New Jersey Freehold is a borough in and the county seat of Monmouth County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey . Known for its Victorian era homes and extensive colonial history,
3420-459: Was commanded by George Washington and Charles Lee . Charles Lee was court martialed by the Continental Army for his behavior at the Battle of Monmouth. Nathaniel Greene , Alexander Hamilton , the Marquis de Lafayette and Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben also fought for the Continental Army at the Battle of Monmouth. Another famous figure at the Battle of Monmouth was Molly Pitcher , who manned
3480-577: Was deeply impacted by the American Revolution . By the early 1770s, the Sons of Liberty were actively recruiting local members in Freehold, and were agitating the relationship between the British government and the colonists. In 1775, immediately after the Battles of Lexington and Concord , Capt. Elias Longstreet recruited the first company of Freeholders to join the Continental Army. Freehold
3540-400: Was incorporated as a borough, including all of Freehold and additional portions of Freehold Township, based on the results of a referendum held on July 8, 1919. Additional portions of Freehold Township were annexed on September 7, 1926. The Hispanic and Latino population has been rapidly growing in Freehold Borough for the last 40 years. The Hispanic population making up 4.6% (0.2% Mexican) in
3600-492: Was not allowed to bring anything inside the home. By morning, the entire wagon had been thoroughly ransacked, and virtually everything was pilfered except for a few insignificant items. One small act of mercy from Clinton was that he refrained from destroying the home; unlike the army, which had burned down several homes in the immediate area. Covenhoven House, listed as the Hankinson–Moreau–Covenhoven House ,
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