| 1722/00/00 |
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Benjamin Ogden, by will, gives his sons John and Benjamin a tract "where son John now dwells." If any of this dwelling still exists, it is most likely the small section of Flemish bond with glazed headers. |
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| 1742/00/00 |
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Oldest portions of the Belcher-Ogden House can be dated from the discovered a 1742 cast-iron fireback. Hewn oak Timbers and some of the rafters appear to have been reused suggesting reconstruction after either the 1742 date or the c 1722 period. |
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| 1751/00/00 |
Jonathan Belcher |
Home |
In order to make the home more "commodious" for Governor Jonathan Belcher, the west two bays are added. Leasing from the Ogden's, Belcher's house will functioned as the colonial seat of New Jersey government until his death. |
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| 1751/10/07 |
Jonathan Belcher |
Life |
Approaching his 70 birthday, Jonathan Belcher writes that he commonly drinks "besides water and small beer about half a bottle of old Madeira a day." |
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Madeira Wine |
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| 1752/00/00 |
Jonathan Belcher |
Life |
For you must know that if I indulge my taste in any one thing more than another it is in malt drink. - Jonathan Belcher |
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Bard's The Original Sorghum Malt Beer |
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| 1752/09/00 |
Jonathan Edwards |
Guest |
In September, Rev Jonathan Edwards visits Governor Belcher, "who savors much of the religion", several times. |
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| 1754/09/30 |
Rev George Whitefield |
Guest |
I am now at Governor Belcher's, who sends your Ladyship the most cordial respects. His outward man decays but his inward man seems to be renewed day by day. - Rev Whitefield to Lady Huntington |
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| 1757/08/31 |
Jonathan Belcher |
Died |
Jonathan Belcher dies in Elizabeth, New Jersey. |
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| 1758/00/00 |
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William Peartree Smith moves to Eliz-town from New York. In all likelihood, he buys the property from John Ogden. |
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| 1778/10/00 |
Marquis de Lafayette |
Life |
Marquis de Lafayette attends the Catherine Peartree Smith and Elisha Boudinot wedding in Elizabeth, New Jersey. |
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| 1778/10/00 |
Alexander Hamilton |
Life |
Alexander Hamilton serves as a groomsman at the marriage of Catherine Peartree Smith and Elisha Boudinot in Elizabeth, New Jersey. |
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| 1778/10/00 |
George Washington |
Life |
George Washington attends the nuptials of Catherine Peartree Smith and Elisha Boudinot in Elizabeth, New Jersey. |
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| 1778/10/00 |
Elisha Boudinot |
Groom |
Catherine Peartree Smith marries Elisha Boudinot at the brides home in Elizabeth, New Jersey. |
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| 1778/10/00 |
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The bride's parents, Mary Bryant Smith and William Peartree Smith, give Catherine and Elisha Boudinot a silver brandywine bowl as a wedding present. Later know as Washington's Bowl, Brandywine bowls are used to serve brandied raisins. |
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| 1778/11/00 |
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About a fortnight after the Smith-Boudinot wedding, the house is invaded by British soldiers and, not procuring captives, they destroys the furnishings in the building. |
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| 1788/00/00 |
Rev David Austin |
Home |
Rev David Austin, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, buys the Smith Mansion, becoming his parsonage from 1788-1797. |
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| 1797/04/29 |
Aaron Ogden |
Home |
Aaron Ogden buys the Smith house by deed. An influential Federalist, Ogden's home will be the focal point of numerous visits with such notable figures as Aaron Burr and Marquis de Lafayette. |
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| 1812/00/00 |
Aaron Ogden |
Home |
Aaron Ogden is elected New Jersey Governor. |
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| 1823/00/00 |
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Governor Ogden loses the property, due to financial difficulties and it is bought at a Sheriff's sale by a son, Judge E B Dayton Ogden. |
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| 1898/00/00 |
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This rear wing is built by Warren Dix using materials salvaged from the original kitchen wing which was deteriorating at the time. Dix tore the entire frame wing off the gable end, and in doing so discovered a cast-iron fireback giving the date 1742. |
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| 1965/00/00 |
Gerald Watland |
Architect |
The Belcher Mansion is restored by architect Gerald Watland. While he seems to have completed a very good restoration, no record is known to exist of his documentary and architectural research conducted during the restoration. |
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| 2017/01/20 |
George Washington |
Life |
Made by Gerrit Onkelbag circa 1700, Washington's Bowl (private collection), a Brandywine bowl reportedly used by George Washington to drink punch, is sold at auction for $372,500. |
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Old English Punch |
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