Vought house inspires book

by Curtis Leeds / Hunterdon County Democrat

Photo by Ben Scheetz

LOCAL HISTORY -- Don Sherblom of Clinton Township has taught politics and history at Seton Hall and City University of New York. His latest lesson is The Vought family, Loyalists in the American Revolution, a book that explores the background of the historic Vought House, which he and others saved from demolition by the school board and hope to eventually acquire and restore.

CLINTON TWP. -- Realtor Don Sherblom has seen a lot of real estate deals up-close. But he calls his group's project to acquire the circa 1759 Vought House, which sits on the Clinton Township Middle School property, "The most exciting real estate deal I've ever been involved in, so far."

For Mr. Sherblom, it's all about history. That's what inspired his new book, even though the real estate transaction hasn't happened yet.

The township's K-8 school district acquired the house when it purchased the 65-acre Johnson Farm for $3.4 million five years ago. Although the school board planned to save the property's landmark white barn, it planned to raze the stone house to make room for the school. That sparked protests from the chairwoman of the township's Historic Commission, county historian and retired teacher Stephanie Stevens, and township residents such as Mr. Sherblom. Together, they convinced the state Historic Preservation Office, which is part of the Department of Environmental Protection, to order that the house be preserved.

Mr. Sherblom says that's because the Vought House is no ordinary old house. And that's the subject of his new book, which, as the title The Vought Family, Loyalists in the American Revolution suggests, is about the family that built the house as much as it is about the house itself.

The house was built by Christopher Vought, a European refugee, when the area was still part of Lebanon Township. During the Revolution, Mr. Vought and his son remained loyal to the king. According to Mr. Sherblom, whose research draws from previous studies prepared for the school district and the township's Historic Commission, the Voughts were locally known as leaders of the Loyalists, and became part of the Loyalists' largest military organization. The house became a Loyalist meeting place and base of operations, where raids against neighbors were planned and disruptions of Revolutionary activities were plotted. Eventually, the Voughts would join forces with the British Army itself.

Of course, the Voughts chose the losing side in American Revolution. Eventually, they would again become refugees, fleeing to Nova Scotia.

The house itself is a combination of classic German architecture, such as the energy-efficient "bank house" design, and incorporation of the emerging American style, such as its center hall and gable-end chimneys. Experts who have studied the house say it is especially notable for its rare plaster ceilings

Printing of the book was paid with a $1,700 grant from the county Cultural and Heritage Commission. It costs $5 and can be purchased at Clinton Book Shop on Main Street, or online at 1759house.org. (Add $2 for shipping if you buy online.)

Mr. Sherblom said book sales started strong. The first four copies sold online were to Christopher Vought, a direct descendant of the house's builder. He lives in Massachusetts and bought a copy for each of his sons and his brother, Mr. Sherblom said.

The book doesn't end Mr. Sherblom's commitment to the house. His group, 1759 Vought House Inc., is a nonprofit that hopes to acquire the house from the school board, and eventually turn it into museum that would promote study of the Revolutionary era. For that to happen, school officials will have to subdivide the property and decide how to transfer ownership. School business administrator Daria Wasserbach said the district has hired appraiser Robert Heffernan of Lebanon to conduct an appraisal for $550. He was at the house Monday, she said, and the board is expected to review the results early next year.

Mr. Sherblom, who works at Re/Max Town & Country in Clinton, said he doesn't think the house has much value. It's designation on the state Register of Historic Places, location in an environmental buffer, lack of amenities and derelict condition all mean it has to be conveyed to someone "willing to protect it, to take on its stewardship," he said, something his group is willing to undertake. "I think it's the most important historic site in Hunterdon County," he said.