New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-17


in many other parts OF the country however. some
Of these monuments which should have the greatest
claims on the American people from a historical
point of view. have been neglected apparently Tor
gotten and allowed go TO decay and ruin. In the
rch OF history and progress they have been lost
sight OF.
one Of these is the old Berrian house. at Rocky
Hill II was IN this house that Washington resided
for many months and among other acts wrote his
farewell address 10 the Continental Army the
house Is an old-fashioned structure. with large
SQUARE rooms and low ceilings TO retain the heat
from the hickory and oak logs burned In the big
open frepaces At the time that General Washing
ton occupied the house II was the homestead Of the
family Of Judge John Berrian. one OF the Oldest
families in the state, which at that time owned
vast tracts OF land, obtained by grants from the
Crown Judge Berrian when the clash came re-
maned loyal to the American cause. and his house
became a refuge for General Washington on more
than one occasion.
The old Berrian mansion IL located about a
quarter Of mile from the village. on steep BLUM
overlooking the Milestone River a little stream
which winds It's tortuous way through the noun
famous hills OF Somerset County, and finally finds
an outlet In the Raritan River The little village
OF Rocky Hi Is about six miles from Princeton
as the crow flies. or the old post road and located
in among the densey wooded hills Of Somerset
County, II unknown 70 CORVALLIS or MS
soldiers and after the battles OF Trenton and
his handful Of Connentals to retire to for rest ana
refuge.
Washington afterward returned at different peri
DDS to Rocky Hin during the progress OF the war;
but the longest time he resided in the Berrian
vember. This just after Congress had adj
journed at Trenton TO meet at Princeton IN he ora
college buildings, and here Washington was u sum
moned TO meet them. ACCOMPANYING by Mrs, WASH
,n5 took up his residence in the old Bcrrian house
The General and his staff rode daily over the seven
miles Of road to Princeton. where Congress was IN
General Washington evidently found lie exceed;
ing restfu and pleasant In the Berrian house ana
found time TO indulge in the simple social recrea-
tons Of the neighborhood Among the people ne
wealthy farmer with whom was staying az me
time The noted PanleT DInap The s 6 agrees @s
able surprise among the people over me Pe az
for social pleasures and could appreciate Joke by
laughing as heartily other men. 1t was sup,
posed that Washington was always serious anu
General Washington and Mrs Washington were
still living in the Berrlan house on November z;
l73 and while there the General wrote ms farewell
address to his litle army OF pairiots anH e
10 Newburg to prepare for his triumphant entry
with his army into New-York IT Is probable mat
Hili although he left behind him many interesting
"reminiscences Of his prolonged stay there a., Can
eral and Mrs Washington occupied. az well as me
articles OF furniture the bedstead In Wnicn NE
chairs we're carefully preserved but as time wen,
on many Of the things nave become srd.,'i ~.
was comparatively long. though. before the rehc,
hunters found Rocky Hill. and some Of the articles
used by Washington can stu be traced ., ,,n fudge
lives al Rocky Hill. and stu owns some or the
acres OF the old Berran estate. but the Larger por
ton Of 1t. including that on which stands me ora
bouse long ago was purchased by the Van Pets.
another old family. About fifteen years ago me
land and house was purchased by DAVID H. mount
a wealthy miller I'm the village. Later II was s0ld
10 Martin A. Howell, Of New-Brunswlck y. >. ne
latter had an eye to business when ne bousnt me
Inc hIl9 of solid rock towering for hundreds OF Feet
| over the little Milestone River. which looks IKE a
! And after-events proved the wisdom OF Mr.. How
els Judgment. as although he IS now dead ms hers
are reapng a golden harvest from the thousands
and thousands OF tons Of fine rock quarrled yearly
| from the property A.. 49,
old Berrian house. but by the removal OF the great
! two-story veranda in front Of II; which was sup,
ported. as were those OF most colonial houses OF
pretentlons by large round pillars i lost Us CHAR
scterisc picturespueness. The architectural beauty
Of the old Colonial style OF house. with It's comfort;
the house looks to-day like many other tarin-
! houses built for only 1t is now occupied by
Thcv revere the memory OF Washington even more
than others that have lived In the house since ne
| H. w Freeman. who has resided for many years
| In Rocky Hill says that when Mr.. Howell bought
the Berrian House he gave the mantelpiece IN me
! from General Lafayette 10 General washington.
J TO a Mr. Bremen. Of Orange. and 1t now adorns a
modern mansion In orange, Whlch the latter WIS
oS Soon afte- Mr. Howell bought the property and
I some curious relics Of the Revolution. A heavy
charge OF powder had been placed by the quarry,
when the charge exploded there rolled out among the
| debris three small cannon balls. They were
Seid by the best authorities that they were
fired during the bottle Of Princeton and falling on
until released after the lapse OF century