Lying along the Passaic River, the farmstead was first developed early in the second half of the 18th century. At one time, the property encompassed 340 acres with 14 structures including a Dutch framed farmhouse, wagon house, and large English framed barn. The first notable resident was Reverend Samuel Kennedy, a distinguished local minister and founder of a prestigious classical school who purchased the property in 1762. Later the property was acquired by Colonel Ephraim Martin, an officer in the Continental Army and highly respected politician who was instrumental in the ratification of the federal Bill of Rights. The Stelle family acquired the property in 1794 and farmed the land through 1852. The property was actively farmed for over 250 years before being acquired by Bernards Township in 1999.