New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-30
PURCHASING THE PROPERTY.

rhe very rooms that General and Mrs. Wash
ington occupied. The society was entertained
by Mr. Cooper and his son. George w Cooper,
and wife. and among the prominent Somerville
people present were Joseph ". Ballantine Dan
.e Robert DR.. Jacob B. Cornell Henry Hard
,ricke Miss Louise Anderson. Miss J. f.
Demaray and Mrs Henry Hardwicke.
Mr. Cooper accepted deposit on the purchase
Price of the property until January l. and steps
were taken toward organizing a Somerset
County Society TO urge the pr5.S~-
Il was in the winter of las and lIl9. while
Washiugtons seven brgades of infantry. en-
bracing troops of Virginia. Delaware. Pennsyl-
>ania and MARYLAND. We've encamped at
Camp Middlebrook Bound Brook that this old
mansion was made the headquarters of the
great conmander-in-chief. Its walls echoed 10
the tread # many fair women and heroic men
whose names have been handed down by his
tory The sturdy timbers Of the dwelling had
just been put IN place and the finishing touches
were put on specially for the distinguished oc-
Cupancy
Its owners were two brothers named Wal
lace Scotch merchants of New-York, who
owned a considerable tract Of land in the
county Few near neighbors had the old man
sion in those days-only the Reformed Dutch
PARSONAGE now known as the Doughty House,
q tavern on the site Of the present Somerset
House and two other dwellings
Tho tarnpaign Just closed had leen sue
oessful one for the American forces. The Brit
IN having been driven from Now Jersey, en-
enlargement and hope were uppermost in the
hearts Of the struggling patriots The winter
and spring of 1719 mild and pleasant, ana
the dependency and gloom Of the previous
winter at Valley Forge gave way 10 JOY and
merriment. and the old mansion mid oaks
saw no, little Of gayety and mirth Early in
December General Washington was joined by
his wife. and the daily round Of entertainments
began.
The two-storv frame house has remained al
most tho same as il was in those days Of blood
shed The entrance is through the same oil
Dutch door 10 the broad panelled hallway with
IT'S arch and s)road. easy stairway at the rear.
Passing T. the right. and looking toward Main
ST. is the reception-room, which still DeaIs evil
dcnce Of its rich oak woodwork. An immense
open fireplace IS at one side. Across the nah
L. the left is the dining-room, where 80 many
who became famous for the part they took IN
their country's history sat down 10 heavily
laden tables. The ceilings are not high but the
loom must have been richly appointed for that
day The same cheerful fireplace was PROVIDED
for the Yule log Just beyond the reception
room on the right passing under the stairway.
was the sleeping apartment of the tathel OF
His Coumfrs. Around the open fireplace. WheIe
the Commander must have sat and planned ms
movements are vet the remains Of quaint ola
blue pictured tiles.
over me kitchen, with all its old-timc APP
pOintmcnts is low garnet, which was us'd 10
store aW~t rubbish. \ few years ago a tenant
cleared ost the garnet and found under the
low raftcfs several valuable relics OF Washhs
tons stay in the house. An umbrella WncI
bears upon its horn handle excellent etch
likeness Of the General, an GA scaDoard anu
other articles have been preserved
Among the distinguished guests who gathered
al the old Colonial mansion while General ana
MIS-. Washington presided there was That most
popular Nlrginian. Major Harry Lee command
ing the light horse. Baron SteuDen, VINO hau
been ade-de-camp 10 Frederick the Great. was
prominent figure. Lord and Lady Stirling, Win
their beautiful daughter. Lady Kitty frequently
came down from BasknSrdee. General Knox
commanding the corps Of artillery quartered at
PlucAamin accompanied by Mrs. Knox. the
heroine OF the Revolution" so conspicuous IN
Colonial society; Colonel Alexander Hamilton
Colonel Tcuch TiFhlmar William COlfaX, Gen
era Greene. who was quarteTed at the van
Ncghton mansion at FinGernc. and his brilliant
and beautiful wife: Mrs John Jay, daughter OF
Governor Livingston; General Putnam, Captain
James Fairice and Benjamin Walker.
II the Wallace House should be purchased by
the RevoutiOnary Memorial Society il would be
iad- he recrpC7cle Of all the Revolutionary rel
Is hat could be found. especially in this section
Already IL IS said, there has been an offer OF a
Collection valued al - 900. % be given into the
custody II the society to be placed IN the Wallace
House. Other donations are expected. Somer-
So County abounls IN Revolution relics Of all
kinds and such house would soon become
most Interesting memorial