Watchung, NJ 07069 -
Community Information
Watchung Profile
The Borough of Watchung was organized on April 20, 1926 and covers
an area of approximately 6.2 square miles. Watchung was settled in the
early eighteenth century and grew slowly until recent years. In 1960 the
population was 3,312 and in 2000 it was 5,613.
The Legend Of Watchung
Around 1670, a group of Dutch settlers was traveling from the Amboys
up an old Indian trail which is now Somerset Street. They were under the
leadership of Captain Michaelson. The Watchung tribe of the Lenni-Lenape
Indians was traveling the same trail for their summer trip to the ocean
to fish and collect shells for wampum.
During the night the settlers were camped near what is now the center of
the Borough. Deer Prong, an advance scout for Chief One Feather's tribe,
was shot when he surprised a sentry. During the skirmish, Captain
Michaelson was captured and was to be burned at the stake. Princess
Wetumpka, who was traveling with the Dutch, and had some years ago saved
the life of Chief One Feather, intervened and saved the life of Captain
Michaelson. The Indians befriended the Dutch and allowed them to settle
in the valley. The legend ends with the full tribal ceremony marriage of
the Princess and Chief.
Source: http://watchungnj.com/
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