The Patriot of Liberty Corner
“Those who would give up liberty for safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin.
“Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.” Thomas Jefferson
Welcome to Irwin on the HAM Radio (Click Player)
 | Listen to Irwin throughout the article as he broadcasted from his HAM radio back in the early 21st century. For those who knew Irwin, it’s really amazing to hear his voice |
Irwin Richardt (pronounced Rick-art) was born in 1928 and grew up on the Sons of Liberty Farm; he lived in an 18th-century farmhouse at his boyhood home, the 22-acre Sons of Liberty Farm located at Allen and Somerville Road in the Liberty Corner section of Bernards Township, New Jersey. He gained local notoriety for his colonial-era lifestyle, his maple syrup, his tributes to the founding fathers, and his crusades against what he saw as unjust taxes, intrusive laws, and government control right up until the time of his death in 2006. We’re honored to look back at the life and times of who we call “the Patriot of Liberty Corner.”
Early Years
Irwin Richardt was born on August 6, 1928, and grew up on what was known as the Sons of Liberty Farm. At his boyhood home, the 22-acre Sons of Liberty Farm, located at Allen and Somerville Road, the Richardts lived in an 18th-century farmhouse and tapped maple syrup from trees there. He gained local notoriety for his colonial-era lifestyle, his tributes to the founding fathers, and his crusades against what he saw as unjust taxes, intrusive laws, and government control.
The Farm was purchased from the Josiah Allen estate (1843-1906) by John W. Richardt, his wife, and three sons in 1928. John Richardt was blind and made his living as a piano tuner. As the piano was replaced by radio as family entertainment, John adapted by becoming a radio repairman in the 1930s and then a television repairman in the 1950s. Amazingly, John built the barn on the property in the 1930s; he was still blind, remember? But he was most noted for his ham radio Amateur License W2VJZ and his 650-foot tall transmitting tower. Irwin left the repair business in 1968 to farm his land, where he tapped syrup from maple trees.
The Colonial-era farmhouse was ‘modernized’ in 1927, including the shed addition on the rear, with an indoor bathroom, and upgraded electric service. The house remained virtually unchanged since the 1920s, retaining its porcelain electric sconces, ‘Swirl’ plaster on the living room walls, green and cream paint on the woodwork, and Art Deco-patterned linoleum on the floors!
Irwin Discusses His Father
| | Irwin talks about his early life and about his father over the HAM radio in 2004 |
Irwin’s two brothers, John William Richardt Jr. and Robert (Bob) Richardt, also lived on the farm. Because the father was legally blind after a 4th of July fireworks accident when he was just 10, the government gave John Sr. a choice; one of the brothers would have to go to war, and the other could stay behind to care for his father. Irwin’s father decided the older one would stay, but the middle brother, Robert, would go to war. Robert was killed on November 12, 1944, in service during World War II.
Irwin’s brother John left the Liberty Corner farm, where he was a self-employed civil engineer. He passed about a year after Irwin on April 9, 2007, at the age of 84. He’s buried in Hackettstown, New Jersey.
Irwin on the HAM Radio
| | Listen to Irwin as he broadcasted back in 2003 about President George HW Bush’s war. |
According to Irwin, “My father almost worshiped Jefferson.” Richardt quoted Thomas Jefferson as saying that small landowners are “the most precious part of a free state” and that they are adamant that farms should not fall into the hands of the government, even as parkland or dedicated open spaces. You’ll find out later in the story how tragic this statement became. And he took his message to the airwaves.
wrote, saying, “I miss his old buzzard transmissions on 7290.” All 75-meter Amateur Radio AM’ers on the East Coast USA knew of Irwin Richardt and his W2VJZ handle.
According to his friend Don W2DL, he made his deep convictions known through provocative conversations around 3885Kc, on AM. When his CQs were unmet, he sometimes locked his transmitter on and left the mic open. Listeners could then hear him doing the dishes, and occasionally hear a set of wind chimes as he would whistle a tune of some kind in the background. When I first began listening to “ham” radio right after it was permitted following WW II one day I heard this loud, clear signal on 10 meters, it was Irb’s father, John I believe. At that time Irb was maybe 14 or so, and his brother, Hammie (John) who I think is two years older were being raised by their father, a single parent – and, incidentally, blind. I can’t for the life of me remember Irb’s father’s call, W2 (of course) something, but no matter (maybe W2GZJ ??). Almost every day I would listen to him, and the straight talk he always produced. I am not completely sure about this. I do know that Irb earned his license first, maybe in 1946 or so, followed probably two years later by his brother Hammie, who was assigned W2WIY. Hammie is a very different person than Irb, but both of them have a solid sense of what is right, no matter what the consequences. Of course, at times what is right for Irb is not necessarily right for everyone else, but at least he has a set of convictions, and isn’t afraid to let anyone else know what they are. I very much admired his father, and it is easy to see where Irb gets his values from and why Irb would never consider selling the family homestead, because his blind father built it and by inheritance he became it’s keeper.
Taxation
Richardt also tangled with officials over taxes. Although he qualified for a farmland tax assessment, he didn’t believe in providing receipts for his farm produce. As a result, for the better part of 40 years, the township would annually deny the assessment, and then Richardt would appeal to state Tax Court and win a lower assessment.
To him, taxation violated the 13th Amendment, which prohibits involuntary servitude. Though a soft-spoken and devotedly religious man who gave tours of his farm to school children, he made his points in strong, provocative language in scores of letters to this newspaper, statements at public meetings, or hand-painted signs at his farm.
Mr. Richardt also tangled with officials over taxes. Although he qualified for a farmland tax assessment, he didn’t believe in providing receipts for his farm produce. As a result, for the better part of 40 years, the township would annually deny the assessment, and then Mr. Richardt would appeal to the state Tax Court and win a lower assessment.
The School Bus
Through the 1980’s, he drove around in a converted 1955 school bus that was painted red, white and blue, with a quote from Thomas Jefferson on both sides and a picture of George Washington in one window. But Mr. Richardt refused to take out auto insurance, maintaining that being forced to buy protection from insurance companies was unconstitutional.
For years, whenever police stopped his bus and asked for insurance credentials, he handed over a Bible, saying it was the only protection he needed. He was convicted of driving without insurance in March 1986, and as a result, he was sent to the Somerset County Jail that December to serve 100 days. That sentence was later reduced to 65 days for good behavior, and he was released in February 1987.
The Famous Tricycle
When the bus was no longer an option, Richardt shifted his transportation to a three-wheeled bicycle.
The blue tricycle with baskets on the back, Richardt was often seen riding around town. Easily distinguished by white hair tied into a small ponytail, he could be seen peddling briskly on virtually any main road in town throughout the 1990s. Mr. Richardt’s life was essentially an open book, with his many letters to this newspaper touching his views and his travels and encounters with people.
Irwin’s Farm
According to a local resident, Kathryn Reusse Peer said, “Every late winter he would invite school children to his farm to observe “sugarin’ off” as he tapped his maple trees and made syrup. He lived a simple life. He was a kind and gentle soul, but fierce in his religious and political beliefs.”
The 1989 Township Election
1989, when Allen Road was widened, and again in 1999, when Somerville Road was widened. Although he had no known record of violence, Mr. Richardt alarmed township officials with his letters against the Somerville Road project, in which he said anyone who seized his land was guilty of treason and deserved to be executed.
The arrest generated widespread sympathy, and in the Nov. 2, 1999, general election, he received an unprecedented 532 write-in votes for the Township Committee. Mr. Richardt was fined $455 in Municipal Court, but not before stating his piece. At one point, he told the court that many people had offered him tips on beating the system. “I am not here to beat the system,” he declared. Richardt stated, “I am here to restore the system.”
Irwin’s Darker Side
While many remember Irwin’s iconic libertarian behavior, some remember the darker side of Irwin’s behavior. Not everything Irwin did was positive. There are numerous stories about bigotry, homophobia, and lawlessness that led some members of the public to despise his behavior and tactics. Local Bob Cramer wrote us to tell us one such story. “When my younger brother died, and his obit said , he left behind family and long-time companion John . The following week he wrote letter to the editor in the Bernardsville news saying that my brother would burn in Hell. Screw you, Irwin, you homophobic asshole.”
Others remember the swastika Irwin had painted on the Grand Union with other messages as well. “Irwin wouldn’t have been tolerated in today’s society,” said a resident that wanted to remain nameless. “He sometimes would go way overboard in his tactics. I for one was not a fan of Irwin.”
Letters to the Editor
Willie Dade, Irwin’s UPS Delivery Man wrote in stating; “While delivering UPS in Bernards Twp. I would run into him from time to time. I told him the first thing that I did when I bought the Bernardsville News, was to turn to the letters to the editor, to see if he had a letter in there. He would give me a copy of his newest letter, sometimes even before he submitted to the paper.”
Checks in His Desk Drawer
Though eligible for Social Security, he refused to accept it, maintaining that dependence on government is a form of slavery. “I had personally been to Irwin’s house and saw the desk containing the checks,” said a local resident Brooks Betz. “I had heard the story and once asked him about it. He said, go look for yourself. It was true.”
“Weird New Jersey”
In 2003, Irwin’s uniqueness landed him on a two-page spread in the popular cult book Weird N.J. Below is an excerpt of the article, which referred to Irwin as a self-described Jeffersonian constitutionalist.
Passing
Irwin died in his sleep at about 8 pm on Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, at the age of 78 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He passed at the Somerville Road home of Andrew and Kelly Dietsch, two friends from the nearby English Farm who had been caring for him. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2006, at the Fellowship Deaconry Chapel at 3575 Valley Road in Liberty Corner.
He once said that selling his farm would be like “selling my mother”. In the fall of 2004, he announced plans to preserve the farm by turning it into a “farmer patriots” memorial park in which about 30 grave sites, including his own, would be spread around to prevent development. Although state officials said he would need approval, Richardt said he was going ahead anyway. He held a public ceremony to bury the ashes of a friend, Claude Poli, on the property but never buried any actual remains.
Neighbors had mentioned that when the property passed on to Andrew Dietsch, he was unable to afford the tax on its value. So, with no other choice, he entered discussions with Bernards Township officials on possibly acquiring and preserving the property.
Richardt quoted Thomas Jefferson as saying the small landowner is “the most precious part of a free state,” and is adamant that the farm not fall into the hands of the government, even as parkland or dedicated open space.In 2008, Bernards Township purchased from the estate of Irwin Richardt with $3.1 million in Open Space funding.
After negotiations, on September 23, 2008, The Bernards Township Committee announced and passed a resolution; “upon adoption, authorizes and directs the Bernards Township Mayor and Township Clerk to execute the contract between the Estate of Irwin Richardt and Andrew Dietsch, Executor of the Estate, and Bernards Township for the Township’s purchase of the Sons of Liberty Farm property, for an acquisition price of $3,100,000.
The Liquidation
On May 5, 2007, the life of Irwin Richardt went on sale to the public. Here’s what was put up for sale:
HT-4B Hallicrafter Transmitter, Hammerland HQ-170, Johnson Viking ranger, 2 Hammerland SP600, 2 Hallicrafter sky champion & 4 Heathkit DX100 & 1 DX100b, Apache TX-1 Ham Radio’s + others, tube
Testers, Oscilloscope, Tubes , Tubes & more Tubes, Gilbert & Westminster, Ansonia mantle clocks, D4 Caterpillar Bulldozer, John Deer, Combine #30, Allis Chalmers WD Tractor, JD 5 Bottom Plow,
Lightning rod & glass ball, Tilt Wagon Cart, Boc Cart, Antenna, Shure & Astatic Microphones, Oak rocking chair, Writing table, Table, 2 oak desks, Sleds, Bicycles, Milk cans, Oak bookshelf, RCA victor
Trans. world radio, Police alarm radios, Zeppelin toys, TVs, CBs, Royal typewriter, Heller & co. 3Gal. Jug, Jefferson—constitution—school text—religious,Poetry & gen. Books, Gone with the Wind script, Old bottles, Some China & records—Partial estate—mainly radios & Acc.
The Sons of Liberty Park
Following the dedication ceremony for the Sons of Liberty Park and the new Liberty Elm, Mayor Scott Spitzer led over 50 walkers on a health hike through the Sons of Liberty Park.
Mini-Documentary
During Irwin’s later years, a local filmmaker, Don Gehan, had been compiling a documentary on Irwin Richardt, “Liberty Corner.” Gehan volunteered some interesting information (See below)
The Signs
In 2014 – a local Boy Scout troop participated in the Irwin Richardt story. “I wondered about its history,” said Andrew Josling, 17, a township resident and Boy Scout with Troop 54. “The sign was getting a little hard to read; the paint was chipping. ”Today, the sign is freshly painted and has a new trail leading up to it, thanks to work that Josling and others completed this month as part of his quest to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts. Photo – Two months of planning led to actual labor on May 10-11 and 17-18 weekends. It was a true team effort involving Josling’s father, Paul, his grandfather, Donald, his mother, a dozen or so other members of Troop 54, and some of their parents.
Final Word (Audio Message)
| | Listen as Irwin’s last words, we leave you with a person who decided to defend Irwin and his message back in 2005. It says it all. |
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Having lived in Liberty Corner on Lyons Rd for 40 yrs , from the late 60s , I can tell you that Irwin was a daily part of our lives . We then had little boxes at the small PO and picked up our mail daily as LC had no mail delivery. We had to pay for our boxes or pay Basking Ridge to deliver to us at the street address . Hardly seemed fair as BR didn’t have to pay for boxes or mail delivery. Didn’t seem fair to Irwin either as he was in the little PO in conversation with Miss Rita about this injustice . But he always said hello and was extra nice to my den of cub scouts when we went to the farm to see “the production of maple syrup “. Such wonderful history you produced here . Thank you
Bob Kuppler
As pastor of Somerset Hills Lutheran Church, I vividly remember Irwin riding his bike everywhere in all sorts of weather. He’d regularly stop by the church while making his rounds of the BT churches, urging us to support one or another of his causes, with which most I honestly could not disagree. He was a man of principle, sometimes a pain in the neck, and with whom I enjoyed conversation. He was a real patriot. Thank you, Brook, for this fitting tribute on Independence Day Eve.
Valerie Klein Whyte
I do know much about the Richardt family. They came to America on the same ship as my grandparents and initially settled close to each other. Mine moved to Newark and they, here. They remained friends and my father spent part of his summers with them being his father didn’t want him loose in Newark! He would walk with a pail to the Deaconry for milk, and had great memories. My cousins from Newark went to camp at the Deaconry. In the summer, after work, at least once per year, my dad would drive us to the Richardt’s. It was a dirt road and I have early memories of the furniture all being against the walls since old man Richardt was blind. Irwin fixed our TV, and I used to think George Washington was there (when I was very little). When he was incarcerated for not having auto insurance, my dad went to visit him, coming home chuckling because Irwin actually was fine there, proselytizing! He would ride his bike to our shoe store in New Providence, maple syrup in hand. He came to hear me sing once. And I still have the last Mason jar of unopened syrup in my fridge. (And as a kid, hearing about the firework accident, it still sticks with every year)
Hello – I moved to Basking Ridge in the Summer of 2006.
I could never forget the billboard message about the Supreme Court justices (Irwin Richardt), which the Pledge of Allegiance replaced. It was very interesting to read up about Mr Richardt, and thanks to your website, the local history is preserved.
I talked to a few people every few years about the billboard, but no one could recollect this. My curiosity always got the better of me, and I continued searching for that message over the past 15+ years until I finally found it today!!
I still cannot make sense of it (though at least I can now show proof to others that I wasn’t crazy when I talked about the justices).
Could you please enlighten me what the message was about – treason, etc?
The link is https://images.app.goo.gl/CwfKPQj8LfTwrsrD6
Thanks again for reserving this enlightening article about the Sons of Liberty Farm !!
Regards,
Suhas