RITTENHOUSE: Although Isaac Rittenhouse was left only five shillings by his father, William, it appears that he also inherited the tavern as well.
It was said that Isaac built the older part of the tavern in Rosemont in 1754. While he was putting up the rafters, news arrived of Braddock's defeat during the French and Indian War.
During the Revolution, the Rittenhouse family did their best to thwart the efforts of the British and Tories. In one case, Tory marauders were on a horse raid and as they approached the farmstead, Mrs. Rittenhouse signaled her son Samuel and the family's slave, Cato. While she chatted with the Tories, Samuel and Cato went to the barn and drove the horses into the woods until the Tories gave up the hunt. Another time Samuel and Cato were ordered to cart for the British Army. They took two horses and hid out in the Forests of Kingwood Twp. until it was safe to return home.
Recommendations from neighbors in the community that Isaac Rittenhouse be granted a licence to operate a "public house." The documents state that Isaac Rettinghaus lived on the "crossroad leading from Wm.[?]Reading's and Wm. McClane's[?] ferrys to Flemington and no Public House near it to entertain travelers, and said Rettinghaus having good conveniences for the entertainment of travelers... [1789-91] The wording changed to "from Ringoes old tavern to Wm. Reading's ferry" in 1795. On page 301, [type written in form] it states that "Isaac Ruttenhouse is of good Repute for Honesty and Temperance, that he has two spare feather beds, more than are necessary for his Family's Use, and that he is well provided with House-room, Stabling and Provender." [It's nice to know that some of my ancestral tavern keepers had good reputations!]
Isaac married Susannah Baker about 1757. They raised 11 children. Only Elizabeth, who married Cornelius Prall, Jr., left Hunterdon County. Isaac died in 1809 and Susannah in 1824.
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