The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-09-29
THE PROCURING OF THE BOATS BY
GEN. DANIEL BRAY FOR GENERAL
WASHINGTON'S ARMY AT TAY-
LOUISVILLE.
Address of Stacy b. Bray, delivered before
Inc hunterdon Co. Historical Society,
on August IIth, 1886.


The Hunterdon Co. Historical Society,
on August 18th, 1886.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
There is no place 10 the State of New
Jersey more interesting, in what relates
to Revolutionary affairs, than our own
county, especially this lower portion of it,
bordering on the Delaware river. 1t was
equally so some twenty odd years ago.
Then in the war for tho Union, as in the
Revolutionary struggle, this section, in
common with the whole country, was
aglow with patriotic fire. The young men
and young women present, were then in
innocent infancy, or unborn, and can form
no adequate idea of the great tidal wave
of union love, that swept over these beau
tiful hills and valleys. Those of us more
advanced in life, remember all. In every
household almost, men were getting ready
to go to the front, and | know of many
cases where the patriotic wives of these
noble men, actually buckled the KNAPP
sacks on their husbands backs, blinded
almost with their tears. From morn till
eve, nothing was then talked of but re-
lentless war. Men hung their aprons in
their shops, and others left their ploughs
standing in the burrows, to wear the blue
uniform, and risk their lives, and all they
held dear and precious, for an undivided
country bequeathed from patriot sires
Can we ever forget, or would we forget,
the brave men engaged in that terrible
struggle. In Lambertville l remember
well hearing the tattos every morning and
seeing the recruiting parties going up and
down the streets. Sabbath was no excep-
ton. The bells of the churches calling
the worshippers together, mingled oddly
and strangely with the fife and drum.
Often in my minds eye, look back to
1861, and view the scenes transpiring
around me, and among the noble ones see
good old Doctor Studdiford, that prince
among men, whom everybody loved aud
respected, standing on improvised plat
forms of dry good boxes, at the street
corners, exhorting the young men to go
to hattie, and they went One of his own
sons fell on the field of battle, while lead
ing his troops, and another, a Surgeon in
the army, returned in shattered health,
dying soon after. Both as noble men as
ever lived. Many that went, came back
to their loved ones, but many alas =! never
returned, and only live in our memory.
They gave their lives for their country.
What a noble thing for a man to do.
Their names IL not engraven on the mon
uments and tombstones of our cemeteries.
are engraven on the tablets of our hearts
for all time, and it will ever be pleasure
to think of them and associate them with
all that is grand, and good and noble.
1t was great privilege aud | may say
a sad pleasure, to live in those times,
especially in the Spring of 1865. Who
can or would forget that April morning
when twas telegraphed that Lee had sur
rendered and Richmond was ours. What
q day that was, mid the firing of cannon
and ringing of bells and sounding steam
whistles Everybody was wild with Joy.
People Rugged and kissed each other as
they met on the streets, and cried like child
rem. The Star Spangled Banner, was sung
as never before. You remember it all.
Excuse the depression, but had to carry
you back, to give you some idea of SINH.
lar times and occurrences that transpired
in t776. Then, another high crested
wave of patriotism swept over your fruit
full hills and valleys like unto that have
described. You have it in history, (most
of it at least) This lasted seven years,
whereas the last war was but four.
Our resources at that time were very cir
cumscribed. They had comparatively lit
lie money to equip the soldiers and so they
fought in their own home-spun and with
their own guns. 1t was fought under the
most adverse circumstances imaginable
The sufferings of the soldiers were terri.
BILE, especially toward the close of the
war. AT Valley Forge, at Trenton and
elsewhere, many were half starved and
had but little clothing to wear, but theil
ardor and zeal for Liberty, and hatred oil
English oppression, never tagged for q
moment.
The country at that time was but thinl,
settled. Lambertville scarcely aspired Il
the dignity of small village. 1t washer
called Coryell's Ferry. There were bu
few houses there, in 177G. Some of III
still remember the old yellow rough cas-
hotel that stood where Griffith Williams
house now stands. In appearance it wal
almost the counterpart of the one still
standing on South Main street, nearly
opposite the Hibernia engine house.
suppose that at some time of The Revolu
ton nearly every soldier aud Officer
got entertainment there, such as it was
From all accounts it was high old tav
ern. ! wish | only knew how many o.
the leaders of the Revolutionary wal
were ever there. Washington, Lee, Greer
and Putnam, were there, and | should nj
be surprised il nearly every General OF
prominence of that day.
IL there is any historic ground 10 Amer
lea, relating to that period, which can
compete with that spot, | do not know
where 1t is The bar barian has been
there. Nothing now is left except the old
well, that still gushes forth its sweet
waters to all. What story it could tell,
had it tho voice to speak. The old house
] spoke of that so much resembled it, on
South Main street, was evidently built
about the same time, years before the
war, in all probability. There were a few
others standing at that time, but nearly
all have been torn down. must not for
get to call your attention to the "Old Hol-
combe Mansion" at the upper end of the
city, and it is fitting that | should do SO
Here General Washington boarded for a
short time while in the neighborhood, and
this house was his headquarters. Some
of you may remember an old Revolu-
tionary soldier by the name of Uncle Ben
ny Ryan. heard him say in 1853 that a
Council of War was held one morning un
uci an upplo lTto ClOht ny bDlb mouse,
then owned and occupied by Richard Hol-
comb and his wife. After they returned
to the house, Mrs Holcomb asked Wash
ington what they had been conversing
about, and whether movement was not
contemplated. She was woman of more
than ordinary requirements, refined and
cultured lady, of the most sterling patriot
ism. Everything relating to the war,
was eagerly watched and noted by her. So
we must excuse, and make due allowance
for her inquisitiveness in asking Wash
ington the question size did. She supple
mented her question by telling Washing
ton that he need have no fears, that she
would ever tell any one. No not even
my husband would know a word. You
may tell me General. 1t has been said
that woman can't keep secret (she
went on to say,) but | am proud to say
that ! can. Washington, for once, was
in dilemma, for he was chivalric and
courteous, as every we'll bred gentleman
should be. SO he looked her in the face
admiriDgly and replied that it gave him
great pleasure to know that there was
one woman who possessed the art, and
a6 txr hat l. 4 -. I