The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1894-12-26
Written for THE RRcoRi
REVOLUTIONARY GRAVES.
oAI.RB FARLEY.

Mr.. EDIToR-In n recent number Of the
Hopcwell Herald appeared AL interesting
article concerning John Hart, he New
Jersey signer OF the Declaration OF hide
pendeuce. That article has been read
with much interest and has doubtless set
many besides the writer TO thinking.
1t appears that, until suitable monu.
ment was erected In 1888. the grave OF
John Hart, at Hopewell, was marked only
by rough stone, upon which thought
full admirtr had cut the inscription In rude
characters, saying In fleet as be- did go,
'The time will come when people will
want toknow where John Hart Is buried. !"
AID the time did come when people were
anxious not only to know where he was
buried, but TO erect y monument TO his
memory and TO unveil II with appropriate
and impressive ceremonies.
That article suggests the thought that
there may be near to many OF us the un-
noticed graves OF Revolutionary heroes,
who, though less famous than tho signer
OF the Declaration, are yet worthy to be
held in honored remembrance; Of men
whose names and whose deeds should be
handed down as q rich inheritance to
coming generations. Ia looking about
the vicinity Of Oak Dale, we find such
graves--graves with nothing TO show that
those who have slep. so long under the
peaceful sod served their country well In
the times that tried mems souls.
One such, In the Barber Cemetery, near
this place. ia marked BY low marble
slab, with this Inscription
"Iu Memory of
Caleb Farley,
Who departed this Life
October the 9th, A. ID. 1908.
Aged 81 years. months and
8 days"
Beside him sleeps his wife, Anna, who
died In 1851, at the age Of "a.
There is nothing on the stone TO show
that Farley was a soldier; but il Is well
known that he was 40 active participant
in the struggle for independence. just
when he entered the army Is not known,
but II was certainly at an carly age, for
he celebrated his twenty. first birthday In
a memorable, II not altogether agreeable
manner. On that day, June rs. l77s, he
fought as common soldier 10 The indie
cisive, but holly contested battle OF Mon.
mouth. In after years, We arc tod, be
often alluded TO this circumstance, recall
ing the baptism OF fire and the scenes Of
death through which he WAS nshrtcf Into
his msj ,rity.
The home Of young Farley was al The
Farley homestead, near what has long
been known as Headquarters, name dc
rived, some say, from the fac, that Wash.
ington made his headquarters for time
! 10 the house known as f" White Hall, u
Just across the road from the Farley farm.
Tradition says that the Fatleys, both the
soldier boy and tho "foIks at home"
were efficient aids TO Washington during
his operations 10 this vicinity; aud Ger.
tainly II Washington was stationed 10
"White Hail." as alleged. tho civilian
Farleys were near enough to perform
many little acts Of courtesy to the +" Father
Of his Country" Soldiers Of the late civil
war can understand better than the writer
the physical comfort OF having u free aud
friendly farmer just across the wsy.
This Farley family seems TO have been
blo,ted out. II there are any descend.
ants now living, / have failed 10 Hud
trace q them But II must be confessed
that my facilities for research 10 that dl.
rection have been limited. There may
be direct descendants. II there are, lei
US hope that this Will bring them to ilsh,
as such.
This brief article Is not meant TO DO bis.
torlcally exhaustive. IL IL written for a
very different purpose. II has been fell
that many hero sleeps la neglected
grave. II attention shall hereby DO called
to any OF these, so that the sleepers shall
be rescued from oblivion before Il Is for.
ever too late, the article will have accom-.
plished Its mission aud the writer will be
fully satisfied. LAURA A. GRoTR. !.
! OAK Dale, ~. j., Dec. 81, 1894.