By Jaimie Julia Winters
While Kearny would not officially become a township until 1867, the land on which it stands today played an important role in the Revolutionary War.
Long before it was named for Civil War hero Major General Philip Kearny, the area was known as New Barbadoes Neck, a strategic tract of land between the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers. On July 4, 1668 — exactly 108 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed — Major William Sandford acquired the 30,000-acre tract from Chief Tantaqua of the Hackensack people, for 20 English pounds sterling, as was customary under English colonial land transactions of the era. Major William Sandford named the tract after his home on the island of Barbados. The purchase marked the beginning of European settlement on the land that would eventually become Kearny, making Sandford the area’s first colonial landowner and founder.
After Sandford’s death in 1708, ownership of the upper western portion of the grant passed to his friend, Major Nathaniel Kingsland. Two years later, in 1710, Kingsland sold the property for 300 English pounds sterling to Captain Arent Schuyler, a former Dutch trader and Indian agent. Schuyler’s acquisition encompassed present-day Kearny, North Arlington, Lyndhurst, and the community that still bears the Kingsland name.
Captain Arent Schuyler established a large estate here, and after copper was discovered on his property, one of America’s earliest steam engines was imported from England to pump water from the mine. The cedar plank road built to serve the mine eventually became today’s Belleville Turnpike, according to the township’s history.
When the Revolutionary War reached New Jersey, New Barbadoes Neck found itself on the front lines.
In September 1777, British General Sir Henry Clinton selected the Schuyler Mansion as his headquarters during a major military expedition into northern New Jersey. From its higher position overlooking the Passaic River crossings, British forces launched operations that culminated in the Battle of Second River, fought from Sept. 12–14, 1777, according to an account by Mike Perrone, president of the Belleville Historical Society.
The battle — the only Revolutionary War engagement fought in present-day Essex County — began when British artillery opened fire on the village of Second River, now Belleville. Local militia from the Second Essex Regiment, joined by Continental Army reinforcements, defended the river crossing with great determination. Although heavily outnumbered, the American forces successfully delayed the British advance before withdrawing with their artillery intact, according to Perrone.
The region had already contributed to the patriot cause a year earlier. During General George Washington’s retreat across New Jersey in 1776, militia from the Second River area fought alongside Continental troops to protect Washington’s rear guard from pursuing British forces under Gen. Charles Cornwallis. Their efforts helped preserve the Continental Army during one of its darkest moments — a retreat that ultimately led to Washington’s victories at Trenton and Princeton.
The original Schuyler Mansion remained standing until 1924, when it was demolished by a development company.
Today, few travelers crossing the Belleville Turnpike realize they are following a route once marched by British redcoats and defended by American patriots.
As the United States marks 250 years of independence, Kearny can proudly claim that its story began long before its incorporation. From colonial settlement and early industry to military strategy, New Barbadoes Neck played a part in the struggle that created the United States.
This Independence Day, Kearny can celebrate not only 250 years of American freedom but also its own place in the founding story.
Featured photo: The Battle of Moummoth. Public Domain Media/ Picryl
