The Arch-Traitor’s Farmstead: The Abraham Staats House

The Raritan Valley of Central New Jersey is defined by its deep Dutch roots. Between 1720 and 1740, a “flood” of Dutch settlers transformed Somerset County into a thriving agricultural hub, leaving behind a legacy of stone architecture, religious tradition, and a fierce spirit of independence.

One of the most remarkable survivors of this era is the Abraham Staats House in South Bound Brook. For over 200 years, this homestead remained in the hands of the same family, standing as a silent witness to the birth of the American nation and the training of its first professional army.

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A House of Two Centuries

The property’s history begins in 1738 when Peter Staats purchased 305 fertile acres along the Raritan River. While the current home’s primary section likely dates to 1740, modern tree-ring dating has identified timber from as early as 1722—suggesting the house may be even older or was built using salvaged wood from the very first Dutch structures on the site.

In 1770, the property was given to Abraham Staats and his new bride, Margaret DuBois. Abraham was a true “Renaissance man” of the colonial era; he was a successful farmer, a professional surveyor, and a teacher of mathematics and navigation.

The “Arch-Traitor” and the Spy Network

When the Revolutionary War broke out, Abraham Staats didn’t just support the cause—he became a target. While the British offered amnesty to many rebels, they specifically excluded Abraham, labeling him an “arch-traitor.”

Local legend suggests Abraham’s notoriety came from his involvement in a sophisticated spy network. His enslaved worker, nicknamed “Tory Jack,” reportedly slipped into British-occupied New Brunswick to gather intelligence. The British eventually retaliated in April 1777, raiding the farmstead and plundering the family’s livestock and clothing.

Headquarters for a Baron: 1779

The Staats House earned its place in military history during the Second Middlebrook Encampment of 1779. For four months, the home served as the official headquarters for Baron von Steuben, the Inspector General of the Continental Army.

• The Parlors: Von Steuben occupied the two front parlors, while his staff camped in the apple orchard behind the house.
• Distinguished Guests: The house became a social hub for the high command. George and Martha Washington were frequent visitors. Martha famously admired a corner cupboard in the parlor—a piece of furniture that is still original to the house today.
• The Grand Review: In May 1779, von Steuben held a massive ceremonial review of 10,000 troops in the nearby fields to honor the French and Spanish ministers. A grand reception followed in the Staats’ orchard, attended by Generals Knox and Greene, Alexander Hamilton, and Lord Stirling.

Evolution of an Estate

As the Staats family grew in wealth and stature, the house grew with them:

• The 1800 Addition: Abraham added a new dwelling room and a spacious kitchen wing to accommodate his six children and five enslaved workers.
• The 1820s Greek Revival Wing: Abraham’s son, Isaac, added a grand two-story Greek Revival wing. This allowed him to have a modern, private residence separate from his sisters, who inherited the older half of the house. Much of the funding for this addition likely came from selling land for the construction of the Delaware and Raritan Canal.

Preservation and Discovery

The house stayed within the Staats-LaTourette family lineage until 1935. After a series of private owners, the Borough of South Bound Brook acquired the property in 1999.

Today, the site is a premier destination for those interested in Jersey Dutch history. Beyond the house, you can still see the stone foundations of the massive 18th-century barn and the restored smokehouse and corn crib.

If You Visit

The Abraham Staats House is a “living” site where ongoing archaeological digs and research continue to reveal new secrets.

• Location: 17 von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880.
• Tours: The house is open for regular tours and hosts the annual “Battle of Bound Brook” reenactment every spring.
• The Orchard: Walk the grounds behind the house where von Steuben’s elite guards once stood watch.
• The Interior: Look for the “Martha Washington” corner cabinet and the distinct contrast between the cozy 1740s Dutch rooms and the soaring 1820s Greek Revival parlor.

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For More Information:

• Friends of Abraham Staats House (www.staatshouse.org)