Raritan Public Library

The 4th Annual Reenactment of the Arrest of Derrick Van Veghten by Hessian Jaegers comes to the historic Gen. Frelinghuysen House, home to Raritan Public Library. As George Washington retreated across New Jersey in the darkest days of the Revolutionary War, 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 as their guide for military maneuvers through the Watchung Mountains in pursuit of the Continental Army. The 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.  Free Refreshments & Season’s Greetings. Register with Somerset County Library System of New Jersey: 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/.../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 use