The 4th Annual Reenactment of the Arrest of Derrick Van Veghten by Hessian Jaegers comes to Raritan Public Library’s historic Gen. Frelinghuysen House.

As George Washington retreated across New Jersey through “The Times That Try Men’s Souls,” Hessian Jaegers came to Somerset County. On St. Nicholas Day, December 6, 1776, they seized Derrick Van Veghten at his home on the Raritan River, taking him captive to guide the British Army’s military maneuvers through the Watchung Mountains in pursuit of the Continental Army and Gen. Charles Lee.

This interactive reenactment is based on the original account of Capt. Johann Ewald who participated in the arrest and features reenactors of Hessian Jaegers and a reflection on the colonial Dutch holiday traditions of St. Nicholas Day. Wear colonial costume if you are able and be a guest of Derrick Van Veghten on the night of the arrest.

? Free Refreshments & Season’s Greetings.

Please register with SCLSNJ: https://sclsnj.libnet.info/event/14938402

? Honor the 250th Birthday of U.S. Armed Forces and consider bringing a gift from the Wish List for the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park: https://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/memorial-homes/menlo-park/documents/wish-list.pdf

Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites are supported by the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association, Proud Partner of Revolution NJ.

The Raritan Historic and Cultural Committee and Raritan Public Library courteously provide the historic Gen. Frelinghuysen House as venue for this program.

? The Revitalization of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites is underway “Down the Brook” for Revolution NJ. The historic rehabilitation of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage is supported in part by Semiquincentennial Grants from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

? Revolution NJ is New Jersey’s official observance of the 250th anniversaries of New Jersey’s first Constitution July 2, 2026 and the American Revolution in New Jersey from 2024 – 2033. The Borough of Raritan and Somerset County are Revolution NJ Communities.