The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-02-25
washington ASSOC|ATK
Story of the Patriotic Organiza-
tiOn and Its Objects.

How the Property was secured-Excellent
Services of the Late Governor Randolph
President Roberts and others. with Por-
traits-The Plan of Membership Review
of Priceless Relics at the Headquarters,
Including Washington's Originsl Com
mission-Former President Randolph's
Eloquent Address in 1875.
1t is fitting that at Washington's
Headquarters men should celebrate the
birthday of the hero whose residence in
these trying times has made the old place
dear to the heart of every patriot. and
the pride of every Jerseyman. It is also
fitting that we should honor, though per-
haps in a lesser degree, the men who have
given not only of their means, but their
valuable services for the purpose of pre-
serving to posterity the historic building
which was the home of Washington dur
ing the winter of 1779-S0, as well as the
valuable collection of relics it contains
We have therefore thought it well to
give brief history of the Washington
Association of New Jersey that the
public may have more intelligent in
terest in its doings.
| The Washington Association had its
origin in the thought of few public
spirited and patriotic individuals tc
whom it occurred that house which
had been the headquarters of Washing.
ton during one of the most trying periods
of the Revolutionary War, and around
which all the historic associations of three
years encampment of the patriotic army
had gathered, should be preserved il
its integrity and be maintained through
out future generations as memorial
of the Father of his Country, and of the
heroism and fortitude of the officers and
enlisted men who here in Morristowr
withstood the severe hardships and suf
ferings Of the winters of 1777, 1779-90
and 1780-81.
After the death of the Hon. Henry A
Ford in 1879, his heirs at law, for the
purpose of settling or partitioning his es
tate, caused this, his homestead, and the
adjoining lands, to be surveyed and digi
ded into plots, and advertised the whole
for sale at public vendue, on the 25th day
of June, 1878. The sale attracted the
attention of Governor Theodore F.
Randolph, Hon. George A. Halsey,
General N. N. Halstead, and William
V. V. Lidgerwood, Esq. Without pre-
concert these gentlemen attended the
sale; but before tho property was offered
the three first named had agreed to pur.
chase the Headquarters and the plot or
which it stood, and offer it to the State
to be preserved as "a historic place.
In the bidding, Mr.. Lidgerwood alone
competed with them, and had bid it uI
to $24, 100, when Governor Randolph
made public announcement of the inten-
tention of himself and his friends, and
their willingness to give $25, 900 for the
property, and offer it to the State at cost
or make such other disposition of it as
would effect their purpose. Mr.. Lidge1.
wood stated that his object in bidding
was precisely similar to that of the others
and expressed his willingness to be g
fourth to carry out the Governors plans
The property was at once struck off te
the four gentlemen, who paid then, OF
soon after, thirty per cent. Of the pur
chase money, and deeds were executed
to them dated July 81, 1878, for the
house and lot on which it stood, being
about 253 feet front, and about 545 fee
deep, and containing little over thret
acres. With the real estate was transfer