Green Sergeants Covered Bridge, Stockton New Jersey

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The last remaining covered bridge in New Jersey, Sergeant's Bridge was constructed in 1872 across the Wickecheoke Creek due to actions of the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Charles Ogden Holcombe of Lambertville, responsible for most of this regions covered bridges, was the designer and chief carpenter of the bridge, which was built on the site of a pre-Revolutionary stone bridge, using the original stone abutments. Another builder involved was Peter Sibley, a nearby ship carpenter. The masons were Ely and Charles Everitt, but being constructed on old abutments their work was confined mainly to repairs to the wingwall.

During their period of popularity in New, Jersey, roughly from 1825 to the last quarter of the 19^th century, there were perhaps 75 such bridges constructed in the state. The bridges were covered to protect the wooden structural members from the elements. The roof prevented falling rain from rotting the timbers and the side walls minimized the amount of rain that wind would spray into the support beams. (Although many covered bridges eliminated side walls.) Later, the bridges were commonly used for shelter from a quick thunderstorm and a romantic, if not totally secluded, spot for young lovers.

Before this covered bridge was built the property surrounding was sold to Charles Sergeant in 1805. On his death in 1833, his son, Richard Green Sergeant, inherited the estate. It appears that since the nearest resident was Richard Green Sergeant that the bridge was popularly titled Green Sergeant's Bridge and the name has stuck ever since even though the covered bridge is different than the earlier stone bridge which had at least two piers.

As late as 1955 there were three remaining covered bridges in New Jersey, the other two spanning the Delaware River at Raven Rock and Columbia. The hurricane and flood of 1955, however, washed away the two bridges on the Delaware leaving the remaining Green Sergeant's Bridge the only 19^th century covered bridge in New Jersey.

Interestingly, this bridge nearly met its demise shortly after, when in 1959, an inspection revealed that the bridge was no longer safe due in part to the same 1955 flood. The New Jersey State Highway Department at this time would probably have torn down the bridge, but public sentiment prevented them from taking any action.

In the meantime, while the state sought a compromise solution, the bridge collapsed. The Board of Chosen Freeholders of Hunterdon County then carefully dismantled and removed all the sections of the covered bridge.

Soon the problem was solved. The highway department agreed to restore the bridge using "as many of the members and pieces of the present dismantled bridge as shall be practicable" (Assembly, Number 522) and constructing a new bridge parallel and adjacent to the covered bridge.

The restoration was completed in the fall of 1961 and soon after dedicated.

There is a New Jersey State Road marker at the site which reads:

Bridge Description

The Green Sergeant's Covered Bridge spans Wickecheoke Creek in Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, and carries westbound traffic on the Sergeantsville - Rosemont Road (County Road #32).

The clear span, between the stone abutments, is 73'8". The length of the 12-foot-wide timber deck roadway is 82 feet. The overhead clearance is 12½ feet.

The old abutments, which probably predate the Revolution, were rebuilt and reinforced in 1961 with concrete keyed into the rock footings and steel dowelled to the old stone masonry walls to support modern-day traffic. The north and south faces of the abutments are surfaced with 12-inch thick stone masonry veneer anchored to the concrete. The stones were taken from the stream below.

The old timber trusses, 84 feet long by 12 feet 9 inches high and 1 foot 9 inches thick, have been reconditioned and erected in their former position now resting on steel brackets which project from a new steel under-carriage.

This under-carriage consists of two 36-inch wide flange steel girders spaced 11 feet on centers separated by floor beams at each panel point of the old timber trusses.

The timber deck consists of new and salvaged 3-inch by 10-inch planking laid on 4-inch by 12-inch new treated timber floor stringers spaced about one foot on center and spanning 10 feet between floor beams. Timber wheel guards and a 2½ foot high timber rail on each side of the deck provide for vehicle safety.

The timber trusses are enclosed by 1 inch by 12-inch white pine vertical tongue and groove boards which are nailed to 3-inch by 5-inch horizontal nailers spaced 3 feet on center. The vertical joints between the siding boards are covered by 3/4 inch by 3-inch batten strips. Approximately 60% of the original pine siding is contained in the restored structure. It is painted white.

The pitched roof has 2-inch by 6-inch pine rafters, spaced two feet on center overlaid by one-inch tongue end groove sheathing. About 90% of the old rafters were reused. The balance of the roofing, including the cedar shingles and lathing is new.

When the bridge was reassembled in 1961, ventilation was provided for the wooden structure by inserting four 3-foot by 3-foot louvers on the sides (Two per side).

To the south, and immediately adjacent, of the covered bridge a new single-lane steel beam-concrete deck bridge has been built to carry eastbound traffic. The random native stone masonry parapet end wing walls were designed to soften contrast between the modern bridge and the covered bridge.

(1974)

(1974)