The record-union., 1893-03-15
A HISTORICAL PLACE.
WashingtOn's Headquarters at
MOrriStOWn.
Tine Colonial Structure-Foundatio
Laid Before Those of the Republic
The Grand Old House Described-Its
Wealth of Historic Mementoes.

On Oue Oh Inc ulBneSI PEAKS OI Inc Hills
of Morris County, New Jersey, stands
great white mansion, one of the finest and
best preserved specimens of colonial ar
chitecture in the country. Before George
III. ceased to rule the land, while we
were yet subjects of a king, sledge and
hammer and trowel shaped and placed its
broad foundations, AK and adj hewed out
girder and beam from massive oak that
defied the full century gone past. This
beautiful structure, a landmark through
out all the country, is known to modern
times as the headquarters of Washington,
and next to Arlington, is most closely
associated with the life of the great COM
nander whose name has rendered this
house immortal.
Central and Northern New Jersey was
for many seasons the theater of the war
of the revolution, and as back and forth
the scenes of history shift, disclosing
those trying years, none are more brilli-
ant or awaken more patriotic and grateful
emotions than those events which were
enacted on the hills and plains of Jersey
nor was there anywhere displayed more
remarkably the courage and skilled stra-
tegy OF w ashlng:on and the brave, stanch
heroism of the Continental army.
Morris County is peculiarly rich in Re-
evolutionary "reminiscences. During the
winters Washington established his head
quarters at Morristown, and local history
teens with the exciting occurrences of
that period.
The disasters of 1776 terminated in the
retreat of Washington beyond the Della
ware. To the old soldiers this march
through halt-froZen mud, so terrible to
endure, was known as the mud rounds"
only about 1000 men followed Washing
ton at this time. Deep gloom had fallen
upon the country, but JOY Sprang to every
patriotic heart as the brilliant victories of
Trenton and Princeton closed the year
OF lTf6 and opened that of III. In jan
uary, l777, soon after the victories at Tren-
ton and Princeton, Washington estab-
iished his headquarters at Morristown,
at the Arnold tavern. During this win
ter he made the acquaintance of the fam
lily OF Colonel Jacob Ford, Jr., the builder
and owner of the headquarters.
The tords were a weil-known New
Jersey family, the founder, Colonel Ford,
ST., being prominent merchant, iron
manufacturer and landowner. He rem
dered valuable service to the patriot army
by building the furnace which supplied
II with cannon and cannon balls.
In l113 Colonel Ford, Jr., began the
erection of his home, and had just COM
pleted the building when the war broke
out. lie was made Colonel Of the Eastern
Battalion of the Morris County Militia,
and was detailed to cover Wasnington's
retreat across New Jersey in the mud
rounds" of I116-a service accomplished
with honor and success. In the perform
ance OF tins duty he contracted pneu-
monla, of which he died January 10,
III, and was buried with military honors
by order OF Washington. His widow,
Theodosla Ford, offered to Washington
the hospitality OF her house, and here was
his headquarters from about december l,
20 la, i Al =
17SO-SI.
The property descended in a direct line
to the Hon. Henry a. Ford, at whose
death in 1872 his heirs at law, for the pur-
pose OF settling or partitioning his estate,
caused his homestead, the headquarters,
and the adjoining lands, to be advertised
Tor sale at public Nendue on the 18th of
June, 1873. The sale attracted the atten-
ton of Governor Randolph, the Hon.
George y. HalSey, General y. n. Halsted
and William Y. Y. Lidgerwood, public
spirited and patriotic citizens OF New
Jersey, to whom it occurred that house
which had been the headquarters of
Washington during one of the most try
ing periods OF the Revolutionary war,
and around which all the historic associa-
tons of three years encampment of the
patriotic army had gathered, should be
preserved i'll its integrity and be main
tanned through future generations as
memorial of the father OF their country,
and of the herOiSm and fortitude of the
officers and enlisted men, who in Norris
town withstood the severe hardships and
sutferings OF the winters of IT77, I779-S0
and l7S0-Sl.
By a preconcerted arrangement these
gentlemen purchased the headquarters
and the plot of about three acres on which
1t stands, paying about 80 per cent. of the
purchase money, and offered it to the
State to be preserved as "a historic place.
The property secured, an organization
was formed known as the Washington
Association OF New Jersey. At the next
meeting of the Legislature charter was
obtained, which gave the association per-
petuity and secured it State aid for its
proper maintenance and support. The
W asnlngton Association of New Jersey,
thus generously and auSpiciously
launched, has steadily increased in men,
bership and IN the value of its property
from the date OF its inception to the pres
ent time, and TO the four gentlemen to
whom came the inspiration OF securing
this beautiful and appropriate memorial
the citizens OF their native State must be
forever indebted, forever grateful.
W aShlngtons headquarters at Norris
town, y. j., is situated in the midst of
ideal loneliness; all that is classically
beautiful in nature lies around, beneath.
and above one. From the crest of the
hill the eye rests upon scene of luNuri-
Gus and passive beauty. Tie distant
blue mountains, vague and mystical with
their DIM and shadowy outlines, the
fruitful fields and meadows where once a
small host with mighty courage did
battle for nations freedom, the sky. the
cleaning rivers, and winding roads make
a picture that fingers long IN the memory
and Is one that induces backward glances
ever and anon.
y winding road that crosses the Wbip-
pany River leads up the hill whose sum
NIT is graced by the fine old mansion in
which the century has wrought no change
III raiter or beam or sheltering oak. The
house standing i'll the center of a
gently sloping and velvety lawn,
over which the sunshine throws its
mottled shadows through the great
boughs OF the old trees, a large and
nearly square building with pitched
roof and dormer windows, its outer walls
OF oaken planks, calked like the frame of
frigate and painted white, the carved
work about the doors and on the cornices,
rare specimens OF elegance in woodwork,
has all the characteristics and stated
features OF the one pure style of Ameri-
can architecture-the colonial 4 gray
eled walk leads up to the entrance. the
same oaken door, with its division in the
center, opens as II did to Washington.
the massive knocker his hand was wont
10 touch yet waits obedient to the wishes
of the visitor. Through the center of the
house runs broad hall into which omen
the drawing-room, dining-room, Office
and library. Above are the sleeping
rooms and hall, which has been changed
To an armory. The floors are covered
with white india mating, and the walls
areatinted in light yellow. The furni-
ture is valuable collection of relics and
objects of interest connected with the
revolution and earlier years of the Re-
public.