Zephaniah Drake (abt. 1752)

Born about 1752 in New York Colony

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Duncan Knobloch [send private message]

Biography

Zephaniah was born about 1752.

Property: Build the Publik House. 1810, Chester N.J. Note: #N53.

Research Notes

Note N53Built in 1810 by Zephaniah Drake, this beautiful brick structure served as a hotel and tavern in the heart of Chester. Mr. Drake was a proprietor of the first line of stage coaches, making the tavern a famous Publick House and stagecoach stop between New York and west to Pennsylvania. Acquired in 1854 by William Rankin, a well known educator, the Inn served as the Chester Institute, a classical college preparatory school. Shortly after (1862), the Hotel and Tavern were reopened by Daniel Budd. Several proprietors, since, maintained the structure and continued to run the Hotel and Tavern. In the 1900’s, she was registered under the National Historic Registry as an historic American building. Ever since, she has served as a “Publick” gathering spot once again in the heart of our community - memories and many tales indeed have been made! Age and time took a toll on the building and forced her recent closing. Working with Studio G2 Architects in Bernardsville the Lubrano family preserved and reopened her, including replication of the original two-story porch and balcony, returning the tavern to its central “Publick” place in the community. Great strides have been made to continue her preservation as she enters her third century. This landmark building will continue to undergo gradual renovations in order to preserve the Inn and to return her to the community she has served for so long…

Sources

• Unsourced family tree handed down to Duncan Knobloch.

• The early Germans of New Jersey : their history, churches and genealogies; Author: Chambers, Theodore Frelinghuysen, p. 341, Pages 741; Language: English; eng; en; Publisher: Dover, N.J. : Dover Printing Co.; Date: 1895; Location: Allen County Public Library; http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/.[1]