James Alexander, father of William Alexander (Lord Stirling) was a large landowner and had to deal with “squatters” on his land. Source: Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Seven Early Settlers 1720 – James Alexander – Scotland On the left traveling east on Lyons Road to Maple Ave, past Lord Stirling’s manor, up North Finley to the Basking Ridge Church then back onto N. Bullion’s Tavern (Liberty Corner) was actually Annin’s Corner prior to the War.

Louis Alexandre Berthier (a French military engineer) created this map in 1781 is one of the earliest found showcasing early Liberty Corner and Basking Ridge. Parker opened the Tavern in Bernardsville and Alexander kept his land and willed it to his son William, aka Lord Stirling. John Parker of Amboy and James Alexander from New York.

After John’s death, his son Benjamin Alexander sold his dad’s entire purchase to Daniel Hollingshead and George Risarick, who then sold to Co. The 3,000 acres was known then as the Passaic Valley bounded by the Passaic River on the east, Green Brook (Raritan River) on the west, the Dead River on the south., and Penn’s Brook on the north. John Harrison had been living in Rocky Hill, New Jersey at the time of the signing. Note: a map of Harrison’s purchase is said to be at the New Jersey Historical Society. As many have read, the area was purchased by John Harrison, agent of King James II, from Chief Nowenoik of the Lenapes, a real estate package of 3,000 acres for the equivalent of $50. Harrison made large purchases from the Lenni Lenape Indian tribe. Andrew Hamilton and Proprietors wanted to settle the East Jersey province and appointed John Harrison for that purpose. In 1701, East and West Jersey’s 4th Governor Col. King James II was John Harrison’s employer along with NJ Governor Andrew Hamilton.

Bernard township library