The Poet Of Matawan

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting a friend for dinner at a local restaurant, The Brass Rail, located along a stretch of Route 79 also called Freneau Avenue in Matawan, New Jersey. Good food, good prices, and welcoming atmosphere makes it a worthwhile stop. I did a bit of reminiscing as I was leaving, thinking of all the different names the building has had over the years. The one that stands out: The Poet's Inn.

The Poet's Inn opened in 1961, with the name honoring the memory of Philip Freneau, who lived in the original house at that location, circa 1700's. Philip Freneau was, among other things, a poet, and newspaper editor. He was often called the "Poet of the American Revolution". Through his newspaper he a strong critic of George Washington and was close friend of James Madison. 

The area surrounding the restaurant is also known as Freneau and has a Fire Company, cementary (where Philip Freneau is buried) and several parks with that name.

One of those parks is tucked in a quiet area where Matawan, Marlboro and Old Bridge borders converge, off Monastery Lane. Freneau Woods Park, part of the Monmouth County Park System, covers 209 acres of wooded land which once belong to a Basilian monastery, the Basilian Fathers of Mariapoch, as well as the Freneau family. There is a 1.6 mile trail with more trail development planned in the near future.

We went to explore the park over the weekend. We were disappointed that while it boasts a Visitor Center, it was closed. 

Visitor Center

Chapel

Love this old tree

We did walk along the unmarked trail, which was easy to follow until we came to a fork. Going to the right, we found, leads to an large swath of land following the electrical power lines. There were further paths along this but the area was so swampy at this time we couldn't go far. Backtracking, we picked up the park trail which loops around to the parking lot once again. Perhaps, one day we will go back to visit the center and see what progress has been made on the other buildings. We didn't see much but did get to listen to a woodpecker and watch a nuthatch climbing around a tree.

It could be considered one of those little known gems.

Not much green this time of year but this tree like moss was pretty.

We decided not to take this path!!

On the Death of Benjamin Franklin
By Philip Freneau (1752–1832)
(April 17, 1790)

THUS, some tall tree that long hath stood
The glory of its native wood,
By storms destroyed, or length of years,
Demands the tribute of our tears.

The pile, that took long time to raise,      
To dust returns by slow decays;
But, when its destined years are o’er,
We must regret the loss the more.

So long accustomed to your aid,
The world laments your exit made;      
So long befriended by your art,
Philosopher, ’tis hard to part!—

When monarchs tumble to the ground
Successors easily are found;
But, matchless Franklin! what a few      
Can hope to rival such as you,
Who seized from kings their sceptred pride,
And turned the lightning’s darts aside!