In 1763, he traveled to Europe and appealed to King George III of England on behalf of the proposal.
On 10 November 1766, Royal Governor William Franklin chartered Queen's College.

Hardenbergh served as an early Trustee of the college, beginning with its first meeting in Hackensack on 12 May 1767, and during this time served in the capacity as board secretary until 1782.
Hardenbergh's was named on both of the college's charters, the first in 1766 and the second in 1770.
Hardenbergh's father served as a trustee from 1767 until 1786.

It is assumed that he served in a role administering the college's activities as early as 1770.
His name appears as college president on the diploma conferred to Simeon DeWitt, a 1776 alumnus.

In 1785, the trustees invited the Reverend Dirck Romeyn to be the college's first appointed president but he declined.
The trustees then appointed Hardenbergh.

In 1789, ten students graduated from Queen's College.
In 1763, he traveled to Europe and appealed to King George III of England on behalf of the proposal. On 10 November 1766, Royal Governor William Franklin chartered Queen's College.
Hardenbergh served as an early Trustee of the college, beginning with its first meeting in Hackensack on 12 May 1767, and during this time served in the capacity as board secretary until 1782. Hardenbergh's was named on both of the college's charters, the first in 1766 and the second in 1770. Hardenbergh's father served as a trustee from 1767 until 1786.
It is assumed that he served in a role administering the college's activities as early as 1770. His name appears as college president on the diploma conferred to Simeon DeWitt, a 1776 alumnus.
In 1785, the trustees invited the Reverend Dirck Romeyn to be the college's first appointed president but he declined. The trustees then appointed Hardenbergh.
In 1789, ten students graduated from Queen's College.
Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh