Henry LANDIS House built in 1750

Ringoes, Amwell Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey

1064 Old York Road, East Amwell, New Jersey, 08551 shown on Street View map from Google map. Was sold May 5,2022 by Virginia Harpell with RE/MAX House values, see 30 photos at Realtor.com.
Property Overview Historic stone home with a gambrel roof, the c. 1750 Henry Landis House is where the Marquis de Lafayette stayed while recovering from an illness in 1778 at age 21. Lafayette was a French officer who came to America to fight on the side of the colonists in the Revolutionary War (East Amwell Historic Pres. Comm.). Also, this landmark home is said to have been Washington's headquarters after the Battle of Monmouth. The property includes 2.5+ Acres with an in-ground pool and pool house, on gracious grounds with lovely gardens--originally over 300 acres during Henry Landis' ownership. Truly built as a home of a gentry landowner/farmer, the very spacious rooms include: Living Room with stone fireplace, Formal Dining Room, Kitchen, and Bedrooms (one en Suite). The upstairs Den can be used as 4th Bedroom. Gorgeous exposed beams worked by fine craftsmen, early wide pumpkin pine floors, stone fireplace, original millwork, early doors and some original hardware. The walk-up attic is not to be missed--would be wonderful for an art/yoga studio or office if finished. The large, dry stone basement is also quite interesting in that British prisoners of war were apparently temporarily housed here. This incredible early home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Ringoes Historic District. See the 89 page United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places November 9, 1999 Ringoes Historic District.

My sixth great-grandfather Heinrich Hirt LANDIS built a stone house around 1750 near Ringoes, East Amwell Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Still standing as a residence it has a historic sign in front. It is at 1064 Old York Road, Ringo's Tavern is at 1084, now State Route 179. The town of Ringoes is on John Ringo Road the town and tavern founder, now County Road 579, about 15 miles northwest of Trenton, New Jersey and 12 miles west of Princeton University.

Most of these images of the Landis House were supplied in 2005 by Kat a Find-A-Grave Contributor of Monmouth, New Jersey. Nadine Holder has black and white photos on her web site. Google Street Level View shows their photo of the house and surrounding neighborhood.

A new historic marker replaces the older 2005 which formerly stated:

"LANDIS HOUSE Built about 1750 by Henry Landis, local saddler. Lafayette, stayed here while being treated by Dr. Gershom Craven."

Amazing to learn Marquis de Lafayette was only 18 years old on July 4, 1776! From AGES OF REVOLUTION: HOW OLD WERE THEY ON JULY 4, 1776? by Todd Andrlik published August 8, 2013 in Journal of the American Revolution.

Page 14 of The 1950 Report of the Thirty-First Reunion of the Landis Family stated that Henry's land

"lay across the King's Highway, now called "York Road" (or U.S. Route 202) in the present village of Ringoes. Landis added to the original holding from time to time until he became possessed of at least three hundred acres. Besides farming he established the business of saddle making, employing several hands, and such was his reputation that customers came to him from as far away as Long Island, N.Y., Lancaster, Penn., and Wilmington, Delaware. In 1750 Henry Landis built on his farm a story and half, stone house with gambrel roof, which stands today on the east side of the road. It is not recognizable now, however, as the recent owner "modernized" it by removing the wing that extended from the north end, altering the windows and covering the outer wall with stucco. It is said that the Sunday meetings of the Brethren were held this house."

1. This text is also found on the Elizabeth Naas Landis Find a Grave page.
2. Reunions of the Landis--Landes families are at FamilySearch.org.
3. Report of the thirty-first reunion of the Landis-Landes families at Ancestry.com

Photos of the Ringoes Tavern sign and a similar Landis House sign are on Revolutionary War Sites in Ringoes, New Jersey.

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Quoting from The Brethren Encyclopedia (1984), page 722:

"Heinrich Hirt Landes, 1716-1809, member of the Brethren in colonial America. Heinrich Landes was the son of Johann Heinrich and Elizabeth Hirt Landes, among the first Brethren baptized in (1723) America. After learning the saddler's trade in Germantown, Pa, in 1737 he married Elizabeth Naas (1717-53), daughter of Johannes and Margaret Naas. They settled in Ringoes, NJ, where his well-known saddlery attracted customers from as far away as New York. In 1750 he built a house, still standing (1981), which was used for church services; it was noted in the annals of the Revolutionary War. Heinrich and Elizabeth Landes had ten children; following Elizabeth's death, Heinrich married Catherine Graff (b. 1734), to whom fourteen children were born. Landes was known as a 'just and good man and much loved by his neighbors.'" Donald F. Durnbaugh "Colonial America" (1967) 55, 210; J. P. Snell, "History of Hunterdon and Somerset Cos." (1881) 352, 355; G. S. Mott, "The First Century of Hunterdon Co," New Jersey Historical Society Proceedings, 2nd series 5 (1877-79) 73-74; J. W. Lequear, "Traditions of Hunterdon" (1957) 15; C. W. Larison, "Old Landis House," Flemington News )17 Aug 1905); H. G. Schmidt, "Rural Hunterdon" (1946) 229, 239.

Quoting from The Brethren Encyclopedia (1984), page 723:

"The story-and-a-half stone house with a gambrel roof built by Heinrich Landes at Ringoes, NJ, about 1750 has become a registered national historic landmark. It is said to have been used by George Washington as a temporary headquarters following the battle of Monmouth (1778). The French military figure Marquis de Lafayette was also a visitor. He once fell ill and spent several days in the house recuperating, attended by a physician named Gershom Graves. The house was also used as a prison for English soldiers. The original hasps and locks are still to be seen in the basement stonework. According to a local historian, Landes was much respected by his neighbors. 'Though religiously opposed to wars and fightings, and consequently taking no part in the Revolution, he was a favorite of (George) Washington, who, when in the neighborhood, would stop at this house; and when but taking observations, would walk up to him and pat him familiarly on the back, and call him a good fellow, or something of that sort.'" DFD J. W. Lequear, Traditions of Hunterdon, (1957), page 15.

The physician as shown on the historic sign, and an email from a 5th great-grandnephew, was Gershom Craven, not Graves.

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This photo shows what looks like 2 rows of openings above the windows. Perhaps for either wooden porch rafters or rifle port holes to repel both Indians and British Soldiers?

Shown below is the 1910 postcard of the Landis House from both Katherine Schaefer, a descendant of Henry Landis, and former resident Michael Burdge.

• Also seen on page 13 of the East Amwell Township, New Jersey municipal assessment web page.
• Formerly listed on page 4 of the Rolling Hills Girl Scout "Walking In George Washington's Foot Steps" Tour below Ringo's Tavern, which was also mentioned in George Washington's papers. They state: "The tavern of John Ringo was a busy place in colonial times. It was a natural stopping place on the road between Philadelphia and New York and about 4 miles from Coryell’s Ferry. As early as 1766, the tavern was a meeting place for the Son's Of Liberty, a secret faction who wanted to rid the colonies of the British. The house is a private residence now and has a historical marker in the front."

Henry LANDIS' arrival in 1737 to Ringoes the most important village in the whole Amwell Valley for several years where Henry built his 1750 stone house on Old York Road the main road between Philadelphia and New York is discussed on page 17 below in the 1878 book "The First Century of Hunterdon County State of New Jersey" by George S. Mott on Archive.org.

Henry Landis is on page 16-17 of the book The first century of Hunterdon County, state of New Jersey, by Mott, George Scudder, 1829-1901. cn, Publication date 1878. Page 16: Henry Landis, 80, acres of the 1,650 acres ofland bought in 1702 by Nathan Allen. Page 17: Henry Landis who came in 1737, carried on the saddlery business, in which he secured a reputation that extended from Trenton to Sussex. In the prosecution of this business he made money, and became owner of several hundred acres of land. In the old stone house which he built and which is now standing, it is said that Lafayette was confined by sickness for more than a week; and that he was attended by Dr. Gershom Craven, who practiced more than forty years in that part of the county.

Al Calderone, not related of Italian descent, a former resident of the Landis House in an email stated:

"It has gorgeous old growth pumkin pine flooring, hand hewn beams and yes, the shakle holder holes for the prisoners in the walls of the basement were still visible when I lived there for a brief time during 1985-86. It was a wonderful experience and I will never forget the wonderful memories of living there." and " I did have the honor of living in that grand house for about a year in 1985-86. It was a lovely experience. The house was charming with its original pumpkin pine flooring and hand hewn exposed bearm timbers. we used the hearth quite regularly which just added to the charm. The basement looked like a dungeon and although the shakles and chains had been long removed you could see where the holes were. The grounds were open and some old trees stll remained although none from the original period."

The Lawshe's were also members of the Amwell Brethren Church. A descendant ended up in Somerset, Wabash County, Indiana with my Albaugh, Eikenberry, Follis, Kingery, and Landis families.

1. Brethren Historical Sites in the Atlantic Coast Region - page 6 references this web page

2. 

   Is this the Dilts-Harley Graveyard in the fence across the
   street from the Landis House from Google Map Street View?

   Dilts Graveyard daughter Rebecca LANDIS RUNYAN buried here, with husband John RUNYAN, and John Ringo who started the town called Ringoes before it became Amwell. - Dilts Genealogy site
3. Images of New Jersey - East Amwell a 2010 book mentions Henry Landis - one of the authors was Kat Cannelongo
   • The Book Summary states

     "Bordered by the Sourland Mountains, East Amwell's fertile valley farmlands have been attracting settlers since 1720. The village of Ringoes, Hunterdon County's oldest known settlement, was founded at the intersection of two Native American trails that became major crossroads: the Trenton-Easton Turnpike and the Old York Road from Philadelphia to New York. Early residents included Johann Peter Rockefeller, ancestor of John D. Rockefeller, and John Ringo, rumored to have buried treasure in town. During the Revolutionary War, the Sons of Liberty gathered at Ringoes Tavern, the Marquis de Lafayette recuperated nearby at Landis House, and Capt. John Schenck led an ambush on British dragoons near his mwell home. Houses, mills, taverns, and general stores sprung up in Ringoes and smaller hamlets, as first the stagecoach and then the railroad brought prosperity and industry to this rural township. In 1932, what journalist H. L. Mencken called "the biggest story since the Resurrection" unfolded in East Amwell when Charles Lindbergh's son was kidnapped from his estate."

4. Google images of Landis House in Ringoes NJ
5. East Amwell Historical Society Holiday House Tour tickets on sale, Published: Nov. 13, 2018 on NJ.com had a photo of the Landis House.
6. History of East Amwell Township web site links to this Landis House web page.
7. Landis Family Burying Ground, now lost or perhaps was later called Dilt's Graveyard above.

8. February 27, 2017 post by Hunterdon County Historical Society on Facebook:
   Courtesy of John Allen and the Cemetery Committee:

   LANDIS BURIAL GROUND LOST AND FOUND!

   Members of the Hunterdon County Historical Society’s Cemetery Committee, chaired by Bob Leith, made numerous visits to the site of what was referred to as the Landis Burial Ground. You’ve likely seen the 1750 Landis House on Old York Road in Ringoes, where the Marquis de Lafayette was treated when ill during the Revolution. The owner was Henry Landis whose daughter, Rebecca, and her husband, John Runyan, are buried in these Grounds. Previous searches for the site behind Kirkpatrick Memorial Church were unsuccessful in locating any headstones known to have been there… until now. Sue Apgar and Bob Leith discovered two stones during a visit 17 February. The next day six people removed much of the thick vegetation and by the end of the day had located 13 more stones, none with any dates or letters. There was daily activity in the newly “rediscovered” Burial Ground and, as of 22 February, there are twenty-five graves located! Among the most exciting was a 1739 headstone, which was lauded in the Bicentennial Committee’s 1976 “A History Of East Amwell” book as “the earliest tombstone located… in the Township” (page 196). Credit to Bob Leith, Leslie Leith, Ray Simonds and the clean-up crew in the photograph for this amazing find!

   John F. Allen, Jr.

9. News from the Society’s Cemetery Committee April 18, 2017 phyllis hartzell at the Hunterdon County Historical Society

   Landis Cemetery Rediscovered [includes two photos of a 1739 tombstone]

   By Leslie Leith

   The HCHS Cemetery Committee has had a three-year mission to identify all the cemeteries in Hunterdon County using GPS coordinates. Many of the older abandoned cemeteries are difficult to find. Recently committee members Bob Leith and Sue Apgar visited the Landis Cemetery in Ringoes looking for the burial site of Elizabeth Naas. Elizabeth was daughter of Johannes Naas, founder of the Amwell Church of the Brethren whose own grave in Moore Cemetery was recently marked with a new headstone. Bob’s previous trips with other committee members, John Allen, Dave Harding and Ray Simonds were fruitless.

   In the overgrown and abandoned cemetery, they could not find survey pins or evidence of burials following research of the cemetery boundaries. This time with Sue was different, the headstone for John Runyan d. 1815 was discovered as well as a short row of unmarked stones. This overgrown piece of property in East Amwell, a quarter mile north of the John Ringo monument, was originally called Harley Burying Ground and is one of the county’s oldest burial sites of its first white settlers. A 1918 Hiram Deats list documented eight marked headstones and several unmarked.

   My visit came two days after Bob and Sue’s exploration. Ray Simonds helped me overturn a large rock I found under 2 others. There, in plain chiseled letters, we saw WW 1739. Ray reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture copied from HCHS’s Ron Schultzel Cemetery Collection. It was the exact rock we were standing over! Since then, workers have exposed several rows of evenly spaced stones in neat north-south patterns. Four of the documented marked stones are accounted for along with over thirty-five unmarked stones. The clean-up continues. Watch for further details on the HCHS website.

10. Landis House on Historical Marker Database HMdb.org.
11. Hunterdon County, New Jersey GenWeb
12. Brethren List postings on the Landis House: August 3, 2005 my posting, and August 2, 2005 Michael Burdge,
13. East Amwell Historical Society to Offer Walking Tour of Ringoes was September 20, 2014
14. The East Amwell Township web page stated Lafayette recuperated at the LANDIS House from the famous Revolutionary War 1777 winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
15. Exploring Ringoes A Self-Guided Tour #6 on map with good historical description pdf from East Amwell Historical Preservation Committe.
16. Lafayette Stayed Here watercolor painting Wandering in Hunderdon County by Dan Campanelli
17. Nadine Holder posting about house photos
18. Nadine Holder LANDIS web page
19. New Jersey Markers on Waymarking.com
20. REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES IN RINGOES, NEW JERSEY on Revolutionary War New Jersey.
21. Ringoes New Jersey has photos of local landmarks including the Landis House on Street to the Left blog.
22. Ringoes Tavern on Historical Marker Database - the Sons of Liberty met here during Revolutionary War era - John Ringo descendant story on GenForum
23. Showcase Persons: Heinrich Landis and George Washington - on the March 22, 2010 Miller Bechtold Families blog - effort to clarify Revolutionary War status by Marty Miller who lives in nearby in Princeton, NJ.
24. Township of East Amwell, Hunterdon, New Jersey official web site
25. West Jersey History Project has several Landis House in their Ringoes photo album from ca. 1905-1910

Other Follis Families with connections to well know American icons are on my Six Degrees of Separation page.

If you find research that adds to, or contradicts mine, please leave a Comment on my Follis Families in the United States Facebook page, or send me an Email.

Page updated: October 26, 2023

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