Millstone Township is a township in western Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is located within the Raritan Valley region and is a part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 10,376,

The township was named after the Millstone River, a major tributary of the Raritan River, and whose name originated from an incident in which a millstone was dropped into the river. The headwaters for the Millstone River originate in the township.

The township has been ranked as one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the American Community Survey for 2013–2017, Millstone residents had a median household income of $156,891, more than double the statewide median of $76,475 and ranked ninth in the state among municipalities with more than 10,000 residents.

History

thumb|left|The [[Bairdsville, New Jersey|Thomas Baird Homestead, owned by one of the first families to settle in Millstone, seen at twilight]]

Millstone was originally inhabited by Lenape Native Americans prior to colonization. The township was said to have been founded by an English tanner, Clark prior to the Revolutionary War. Following colonization, Millstone ended up consisting of several villages, of which Clarksburg retains its historic character the most prominently. John Perrine purchased a large tract of land north of Clarksburg, which became known as Perrineville.

During the American Revolutionary War, Millstone held a secret post for the Continental Army, known as Signal Beacon #21. The Rising Sun Tavern, the township's first business, was used as an outpost by George Washington and later a headquarters for British General Sir Henry Clinton. The tavern accommodated other famous figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Joseph Bonaparte. The tavern was located on a stagecoach route between Philadelphia and Freehold.

United States president Theodore Roosevelt created a presidential retreat in Millstone.

Millstone was formed as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 28, 1844, from portions of Freehold Township and Upper Freehold Township, as well as part of Monroe Township in Middlesex County. The portions taken from Monroe Township were relinquished in 1845. On May 29, 1937, portions of the township were taken to form the borough of Jersey Homesteads (now Roosevelt).

The township has been one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the American Community Survey for 2013–2017, Millstone Township residents had a median household income of $156,891, ranked 9th in the state among municipalities with more than 10,000 residents, more than double the statewide median of $76,475.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 37.18 square miles (96.30&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), including 36.61 square miles (94.81&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of land and 0.58 square miles (1.49&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of water (1.55%). Other unincorporated communities and place names located entirely or partially within the township include Baird, Bairdsville, Bergen Mills, Burksville, Carrs Corner, Carrs Tavern, Charleston Springs, Disbrow Hill, Ely, Elys Corner, Fair Play, Hillhurt, Holmeson, Pine Hill, Smithburg, Stone Tavern and Sweetman.

The township borders Freehold Township, Manalapan Township, Roosevelt and Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County; East Windsor and Robbinsville Township in Mercer County; Monroe Township in Middlesex County; and Jackson Township in Ocean County.

Major bodies of water

thumb|left|The namesake [[Millstone River flows through the township.]]

Due to the township's unique location in the center of New Jersey, it is the home of numerous headwaters for various important rivers, brooks, and streams that flow throughout the state. The township is located on a ridge within the geographic heartland of New Jersey. The township falls within the hillier terrain and fertile soil found in the Inner coastal plain, while a small sliver of the eastern border of the township (which borders Jackson Township) is located within the flat terrain and sandier soil found in the Outer coastal plain.

Much of the township is centrally located within the much larger Raritan Valley region's watershed (as many of its brooks and streams flow into the river). The township is the headwaters for the Millstone River, one of the most important tributaries of the aforementioned river. Turkey Swamp Park is another nature reservation which features wetlands, hiking trails, and even campgrounds, located in neighboring Freehold Township. The township is also one of only two municipalities in Monmouth County that are part of the Toms River watershed, most of which is located in Ocean County, as it rises from the Millstone and Jackson area, flowing southward through the New Jersey Pine Barrens to the Barnegat Bay.

Other notable bodies of water within the township include:

Lakes

  • Assunpink Lake (located at Assunpink Wildlife Preservation Area)
  • Bulk's Lake (located at Charleston Springs Golf Course)
  • Perrineville Lake
  • Rising Sun Lake

Rivers

  • Barnegat Bay Watershed
  • Metedeconk River
  • North Branch Metedeconk River
  • Toms River
  • Delaware River Watershed
  • Assunpink Creek
  • Doctors Creek
  • Raritan Basin Watershed
  • Millstone River
  • Manalapan Brook

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Millstone Township would have an Appalachian Oak (104) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.

Demographics

thumb|left|Open fields in Millstone Township