John Frelinghuysen (minister)

John Frelinghuysen (1727 – September 5, 1754) also known as Johannes Frelinghuysen was a minister in colonial New Jersey whose work in education laid the groundwork for the establishment Rutgers University (as Queen's College in 1766) and the New Brunswick Theological Seminary (in 1784).[1][2]

John Frelinghuysen (1727–1754)
Tombstone
Born1727
Holland
DiedSeptember 5, 1754
Old Dutch Parsonage in Somerville, New Jersey
Resting placeSomerville Cemetery, Somerville
OccupationMinister
Spouse(s)Dinah Van Bergh
ChildrenFrederick Frelinghuysen (1753-1804)
Parent(s)Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen

Biography

John Frelinghuysen was the second son of Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen (1691–1749), a German who had lived for a short time in Holland before emigrating in 1720. John married Dinah Van Bergh (1725–1807), and they had two children: Eva Frelinghuysen (1751 – c. 1826), Frederick Frelinghuysen (1753–1804), who became a major general in the American Revolution.

John preached in the revivalistic style of Calvinism that his father was known for as part of the First Great Awakening. He continued to serve the parishes in New Jersey that his father had served at Raritan, Millstone, and North Branch. John lived in the Old Dutch Parsonage in Somerville where he served the three local congregations until his death. He took in students and a room in the house served as a Dutch Reformed religious seminary. This center of education was a forerunner of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary and Queen's College, which later developed into Rutgers University.[2][3] John died on September 5, 1754 and was buried at the Somerville Cemetery, Somerville.[1]

Children

John married Dinah VanBerg and had the following children:

References
  1. Encyclopedia of New Jersey. Rutgers University Press. 2004. ISBN 0-8135-3325-2. Archived from the original on 2008-07-05.
  2. The Founding of Queen's College, From "Seminary of Learning" to Public Research University: A Historical Sketch of Rutgers University, by Thomas J. Frusciano, University Archivist, Rutgers University Libraries. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  3. Library History, Raritan Public Library. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.