Roseberry Homestead
Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Original home of Revolutionary War Patriot John
Michael Roseberry.*
The Deplorable Condition of the Roseberry Homestead
National Register of Historic Places Site in a State of Disrepair
The Roseberry Homestead, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is located at 540 Warren Street
[Ed. Note: The homestead is on the odd number side of the street,
even though the number is 540. It is in front of the school building at
525 Warren], in Phillipsburg, NJ. This stone house dates from around the period of the Revolution
and is probably the oldest structure in Phillipsburg. This two-story,
stone, center-hall Colonial home was built in the late eighteenth century
by one of Phillipsburg’s earliest and most influential settler families.
The house has a bank cellar and other original details inside and out,
although some later revisions were made. John Roseberry, Sr.,
[Ed. note: According to genealogical information, Michael Roseberry,
born abt 1682, was the progenitor of the Roseberry clan in Northwest, NJ.] was
one of Phillipsburg’s original settlers; and a member of the Roseberry
family sold 300 acres north of this house for new housing to accommodate
the growth of Phillipsburg following the construction of the New Jersey
Central Railroad in 1852. (from
Historic Sites of Warren County.)
According to Wayne Sherrer, President of the Phillipsburg Area
Historical Society, the society mounted a major effort to restore the Roseberry
house on Warren Street in Phillipsburg about 30 years ago. Unfortunately, disagreements about
the direction of the restoration once the basic work was done led to factions
which ultimately caused the old society's dissolution. The building is
actually owned by the Phillipsburg School District. A grant was awarded for preservation/restoration for the Roseberry house, but the grant money
is being funneled through the Warren County government. To date, the Phillipsburg
History Society has been unable to get any answers from the governmental
officials about when any contracts will be signed for the work to be done.
The historical society are especially distressed at the building's current
condition, since some of its members were involved in the work done in
the 1970's.
The Society welcome anyone's assistance in moving the project along, but they are at a loss regarding what action would be
effective. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Contact the Warren County government through its website if you wish to register your concern about the condition of the Roseberry Homestead.
*At the time of his birth, the home was located in
Greenwich Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. This area later was incorporated as Phillipsburg and Warren County was formed. The plaque on his grave
at Pioneer Cemetery in Point Pleasant, WV, incorrectly states that he was
born in Green Co., PA. He enlisted at Hunterdon County, NJ.
