Pompton Lakes

Pompton Lakes was originally part of Pompton Township, which covered an area from New York - New Jersey border south to its southwestern boundary along the Wanaque and Pequannock Rivers. It consisted of a long range of mountains. The valleys are fertile and the mountains rich in minerals. Dutch farmers were the first European imiigrants to settle in Pompton. As early as 1964 they purchased large tracts of land from the Indians and began building, farming and mining the rich land.
Captain Arent Schuyler of New York passed through the area and in June, 1694, purchased 5500 acres from the Indians, known as the Lenapi for "wampum and other goods and merchandise to the value of 250 pounds current money of New York". The site was on the Pequannock and Pompton Creeks. In November, 1695, Major Anthony Brockholst, also of New York, acquired title from the Indians to the same land. The territory now comprises most of Wayne Township. Schuyler and Brockholst were granted title to the lands by the East Jersey Proprietors. Part of this land was for mining. Both men settled in Pompton in 1697.
Situated at the junction of roads leading to Hackensack, Bloomingdale, Ringwood, Charlottsburg, Morristown and West Point, Pompton, with its ironworks and mineral wealth, became a busy hub for trade and a crossroads for the American armies.
The American and British armies fought back and forth across New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. General George Washington stayed at several Pompton Lakes Homes. Possibly, because of his friendship with Lt. Colfax, he stayed at the Yellow Cottage, more commonly known as the Yellow Tavern, an overnight stop for stage coaches.

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