Gentlemen:
This is a great thread on a truly fascinating location. However, what I have to add to the discussion at this juncture might only muddy the waters a bit. If the survey that Renee mentioned in her message is found in WNJ SGO Survey Volume X, page 253, this record contains NO mention of Aserdaten or any spelling variation thereof. The Council of Proprietors for the Western Division of New Jersey issued a warrant on 3 February 1796 to the Surveyor General for surveying 1,400 acres unto Josiah, Mark, and William Reeves. These Reeves conveyed the 1,400 acres to Josiah Foster, Thomas Hollinshead, and Joseph Stokes and Moses Kempton, a deputy of the Surveyor General, laid out the metes and bounds for these three gentlemen on behalf of the three Reeves. While I do have microfilm of all the survey volumes, unfortunately, I do not have film of the early county deed books, which is where the three Reeves filed the indenture, dated 4 February 1796, between themselves and Foster, Hollinshead, and Stokes. Guy's survey confirms all of the above information. The resurvey record describes the 1,400 acres as lying "in the angle…Situate on the westerly side of a true line between the Eastern and Western Division of the State." The metes and bounds begin "at a stake in the mouth of a small branch called Cherry Valley Branch, where it empties into the main south branch of Cedar Creek called Chamberlain Branch, from which it runs up the Water Course of the said Cherry Valley Branch the several courses thereof the general course being (1) South eleven degrees and thirty minutes East eighteen chains thence (2) South twenty four degrees and fifteen minutes East fifteen chains thence (3) North seventy seven degrees and thirty minutes East fifty chains (4) thence South eight degrees and fifteen minutes East forty three chains and fifty links thence (5) South seventy seven degrees and fifteen minutes East eight chains and fifty links thence (6) North sixty four degrees and forty five minutes East twenty chains and fifty links thence (7) South fifty three degrees and fifteen minutes East forty chains and thirty links thence (8) South twenty two degrees and thirty minutes East thirty chains thence (9) East fifty eight chains thence (10) North sixty five chains thence (11) North forty five degrees East sixty two chains and twenty links thence (12) North forty six degrees and thrity minues West one hundred and twenty eight chains and eighty links to the said Chamberlain Branch thence up the said Chamberlain Branch the several course to the place of beginning."
If the resurvey mentioned in Renee's message is found in a different volume and page, I would love to have that citation to add to my files--particularly if it contains the toponym "Aserdaten"!! As far as I know, though, this survey is the one she references. In the past, I have looked at other surveys involving Foster, Hollinshead, and Stokes, but none of them mention Aserdaten.
Sorry if this post adds to your confusion. I will post additional information on Aserdaten as time permits.
Best regards,
Jerseyman