A Family Home Since 1822

William and Arlene Taggart purchased this house in New Jersey?s Tewksbury Township in 1981 for $500,000, according to the local tax assessor?s office. The federal-style home, its exterior pictured in this listing photograph, is believed to have taken five years to build and was completed in 1822. Two large trees, an elm and a Norway Spruce, frame the stone wall at the home?s entrance. Photo: David Groul

Here, the foyer. Mr. Taggart, 79 years old, and Arlene, 76, have five children and fifteen grandchildren. Mr. Taggart is an investor and helps to turn around underperforming companies. Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

The staircase is pictured. The home is three levels with a full attic and has only been owned by three separate families since it was built, according to a history of the home written by local town historian Christina Wall in 1996 and given to Mr. Taggart. The property originally stood on 175 acres, and the first family to build and own the house passed it down through four generations, according to Ms. Wall. Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

The home?s formal dining room is pictured. The Taggarts knew the last owners and were familiar with the property, Mr. Taggart says. ?We had a marvelous place before this one, but this is in such a special location with this view,? he says. ?When it came on the market it was a very easy decision.? The home overlooks the village of Oldwick, which was founded at the turn of the 18th century. Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

The family spent 2 ? years restoring the property ?to its natural beauty? says Mr. Taggart. Over time, the eat-in country kitchen has become the favorite part of their home. The kitchen windows look out onto the countryside and sits next to a large dining area. ?It is a large room where we do most of our entertaining, especially for holidays and events where the whole family can gather,? Mr. Taggart says. Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

The dining area next to the kitchen has a 14-foot wide brick fireplace flanked by two Dutch ovens and believed to be the original cooking fireplace of the home. Writes Ms. Wall: ?When the ovens are at their hottest temperature, meats are cooked; at less hot temperatures, bread and pies, and while still warm the ovens were used to dry fruits.? Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

Here, a sun room off the kitchen.The family have taken advantage of the large property over the years, hosting the wedding receptions of their two daughters with approximately 250 guests. They put a tent over the outdoor tennis court and hired an orchestra. ?They turned out to be very lovely affairs,? says Mr. Taggart, who says the guests enjoyed the views offered by the property. Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

Here, the home?s original kitchen and now a pantry. In the renovation, the Taggarts insulated the house, replaced much of the wiring and plumbing and restored many of the home?s historical details. ?We were very enthusiastic about the project,? says Mr. Taggart, despite the cost and length of time it took to complete. ?We were enthused by the home and the location and the view.? Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

A sitting room is pictured. Mr. Taggart says: ?We?ve been rewarded many times over [from the renovation] with what has become our homestead.? Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

A bathroom in the home is pictured. The house has five bedrooms, four full-baths and two half-baths. There is also a carriage house on the property, renovated five years ago, with a one-bedroom studio, full bath and kitchen, according to Beatrice Daggett of Turpin Realtors, which holds the listing. The slate roof was also recently redone. Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

Here, the master bedroom with handpainted floral panels and one of the home?s nine fireplaces. The Taggarts split their time between Florida, New York and Maine and after 30 years in the home, they felt it was time to down size and sell. Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

Here, the master bathroom with whirlpool tub set in marble platform. The master bedroom suite has his-and-her dressing rooms and bathrooms. Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

One of the home?s five bedrooms are pictured. Carvings in the home, such as those on the home?s fireplace mantels, took a craftsman one year to restore, according to Mr. Taggart. Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

?We were very careful integrating the modern conveniences that created the home while maintaining the integrity of the historical property,? says Mr. Taggart. Three quarters of the property is under farm assessment and corn and hay are farmed on part of the property by local farmers. The land is also surrounded by 50 acres of conservation easement. Photo: Rayon Richards for The Wall Street Journal

The garden was maintained by Mr. Taggart and is pictured in warmer months in this listing photograph. The property was first listed in 2009 with Beatrice Daggett of Turpin Realtors with just under 50 acres for $6.8 million. A portion of the land was sold, and the property and its remaining 36 acres is now on the market for $3.195 million. Photo: David Groul

Source: http://www.lenderhookup.com/?p=4486

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