Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen (1691-1749)

He was born, educated, and ordained in Holland. In 1720, he was called to America where he was a pioneer preacher of the Gospel, occupying almost all of Somerset County, New Jersey. On his book of sermons was written, "I seek not praise; I fear not blame". He ran a successful ministry for more than a quarter of a century. He first proposed establishing a college and two of his sons (Theodorus and John) continued in the effort that culminated in 1766 with the founding of Queen's College in New Brunswick that is better known today as Rutgers University. Frelinghuysen Hall on the New Brunswick campus is named in his honor. All five of his sons became clergymen and both his daughters married clergymen. He is the progenitor of the Frelinghuysens.