The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1893-12-27
Another Revolutionary Landmark Gone

nave tneF supper t0-mBut wednesday
at G. Bowlby's hotel, Centre Bridge.
Another Revolutionary Landmark Gone.
week or two since, to make way for
improvements, was cut down the old his
toric chestnut tree, known as "The
Washington Tree which has stood for
$50 years upon the Paxson estate, a few
feet TO the North of the old York Road in
New Hope Borough.
This grand old tree measured % feet in
circumference and though many of its
limbs we're dead, reached out far upon
either tide, making grateful shade in the
long summer days from the noontide sun.
Had it ears, eyes and tongue, much could
II have told of Revolutionary days,
for before II on many occasions, passed
the Continental army in full array, as
they entered into and we've driven from
New Jersey. Nearly every foot of this
part OF Bucks County, is full OF interest
TO the student and lover OF Revolutionary
lore, for the whole section abounds in his
toric incident, connected with Colonial
and Revolutionary days. New Hope, at
the time of the revolution, was known ss
"Coryell's Ferry" and from Coryell's
Ferry are dated many letters from Wash
ingion, and other of his prominent Gen
erals. During the war. troops were quar-
tered here upon various occasions, and at
the time OF the battle of Trenton, in l776,
this whole district OF country, was held by
the Continental forces. New Hope itself
at this period was in a state OF armed de.
fence under General William Alexander
more commonly known as Lord Stirling,
who threw up strong redoubt on top
the hill, across the pond In southwest
erly direction from "rhe Old Parry Man
sion," and part OF that estate. Lord
Stirling also had another redoubt thrown
up ON the sold York Road" at the cor
ner of Bridge and Ferry streets, opposite
where the Old Washington Tree stood.
These, with siockads entertainments, and
batteries placed just above the Ferry
landing, on the river bank, North of the
Old York Road, constituted the defences
of New Hope 10 l776 from what General
Washington evidently anticipated--an ad-
vance movement OF portion of the Brit
ish army at that time. The old hiproof
house, recently taken down (and which
was Immediately opposite the long avenue
leading into the Paxson estate), was
known as "The old Fort" and is said TO
have been used as Lord Strings head
quarters, while his soldiers were station
ed at New Hope. Here Washington met
his Generals Green and Alexander Uord
Stiring), and here II is also said--uuder
The Old Washington Tree, they FIRST
planned the Battle of Trenton. Washing
ton had his own Headquarters a few
miles below New Hope t"Coryell's Fer
ry''), at the Keith Homestead, and doubt
less on many an occasion, halted under
this ancient tree TO confer with General
Stirling, whsse earth-works were here,
and up The hillside beyond. On Christ
mas, l776, Dr. Charles Todd, OF New
Hope, Chen n young lad.) watching at
the intersection Of the Old York Road and
he Trenton or River Road where the
.O.d Parry Mansion" witnessed
the Continental troops march around the
corn, Into the Trenton Road-and down
II with hurrying steps 10 \ point below,
On il,e Delawa,e River, now known as
~ asiineioh's Crossing" where, crossing
over that night in boats, they early on the
n,,r, ing II Dec. Goth, advanced upon the
Cry of Trenton and fought and won that
famous engagement, which has passed
into history Ms The battle 81 Trenton.
Many II ih4 boats use'l Mt Wasbington's
Crossing, had been collected at New
Hope and kept sccreted behind Malta
Island, and whence they were fioated
by night TO the former place, and used for
tThi bpOEtht.vu VI tuc him1s Lulu Ooiu
wallis was informed that boats were being
colet ted at New Hope ('Coryell's Ferry'),
aud sent troops TO what Is now Lambert
vile, New Jersey, the opposite side of the
Delaware River, TO seize them; but the
soldiers were apparently afraid 10
cross over, in the face of the frowning
batteries which were planted on the
Rivers bank at New Hope.
Genl. Benedict Arnold, the traitor, was
at Coryell's Ferry, on June 1G. 1777, and
wrote General Washington from there;
and on July go, TIT, we find the honored
and lamented Alexander Hamilton (thon
a Captain OF artillery, who was killed by
Aaron Burr in their memorable duel
writing to the Hon. Robert Morris from
the same place.
Col. James Monroe, afterwards Presl-
dent OF the United States, was quartered
10 Dec. 1776, on the Medley farm, just be.
low New Hope.