The Horseneck Tavern

Celebrating Essex County

​In 1702 settlers first purchased the “Horseneck” Tract of land from the Lenape Native Americans. This purchase included land spanning from the Watchung Mountains to the Passaic River in present day the Caldwells, Verona, and Montclair. When viewed on the map this area of land resembled a horse’s neck, hence the name. Years later the settlers on land purchased from the Lenape were faced with eviction from the East Jersey Proprietors who stated their deeds meant nothing since the land wasn’t purchased from the crown. This led to the Horse Neck Riots. On September 19, 1745 Samuel Baldwin of Horseneck was evicted and taken to Newark prison. A group of settlers angry with the arrest broke Samuel out of prison. This event along with others following became known as the Horse Neck Riots and historically some of the earliest examples of revolution against the crown. The name of our tavern is a representation and celebration of our area’s roots and history.  

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