The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-02-25

collection OF letters. documents, and en-
graved portraits of Revolutionary heroes
in separate cases, and designated as
The Roberts Collection" presented by
Mrs. Jonathan W. Roberts. In the
kitchen is a large number of old-time
utensils, and in the hall adjoining cases,
filled with rare old china.
On Monday, the fifth day of July, 1875,
a large public meeting in honor of the
anniversary of American Independence
was held at the Headquarters, at which
President Randolph made an eloquent adj
dress, from which we quote:
"Morris County is peculiarly rich in
Revolutionary "reminiscences. During
two winters, Washington established his
headquarters at this town. The place
where the younger Ford built the pow
der-mill, the site of the old magazine, the
Arnold Tavern, the Knox Headquarters.
the camps on the Wicke farm, the Low
antica Hospitals, and the sacred little
Goods Acre." are all here about us.
But peerless among them all stand these
old Headquarters within which lived the
great commander.
The disasters of 1776 terminated in
the retreat of Washington beyond the
Delaware. To the old soldier, this
7
rible to endure, was known as the Mud
Rounds" Only about 1000 men fol-
lowed Washington at this period. Deep
gloom had fallen upon the country, but
joy sprung to every patriot heart as the
brilliant victories of Trenton and of
Princeton closed the year of 1916 and
opened that of 1177. In January 1777,
soon after the victories at Trenton and
at Princeton, Washington established
his headquarters at Morristown-at the
Arnold Tavern. During this winter he
made the acquaintance of the family of
Col Jacob Ford, Jr., the builder and
owner Of this house, since made famous
by its illustrlous occupancy.
''The powder-mill, which Col. Ford
built at his own cost, not only furnished
good powder and in needful quantities,
but became the frequent object of the
enemy's plans to attack and destroy.
In this they never succeeded. The pow
der-mill stood on yonder Whippany
River, and not far below where we
stand
This house had its foundations laid in
in l772, and was ready for occupancy
and was occupied by Col Ford's family
in 1774. They builded well. Sledge,
and hammer, and trowel shaped and
placed these broad foundations before
Englands king had ceased to rule the
land. Ak and adZe hewed out girder
and beam from massive oak that to-day
deties the full century gone past.
1.-The oaken planks that make these
outer walls, calked like the frame of
great frigate, are as sound to-day as
when they sheltered Washington from
the storms of the terrible winter of 1879
so. The carved work about these doors
and on these beautiful cornices are rare
specimens of elegance i'll woodwork. 1t
would be difficult to excel their chaste
design to-day.
"Those who builded have gone. Not
one of all that busy throng that laid the
( base-stone or capped the roof girder are
in-life to-day. But they builded we'll.
The same oaken doors open to you as
they did to Washington; the massive
knocker his hand was wont to touch yet
waits obedient to your wish. The floors
he trod in anxious thought and with
wearied brain, you may tread. The
century has wrought no change in rafter
or beam, or floor, or sheltering oak. Is
there no significance in the remarkable
pres rvation of this house?
''This dwelling was for many months
the home of Martha, the wife of George
Washington. Within these rooms, with
quiet dignity and grace, she received her
husbands guests. Never idle, she set a
constant example of thrift and industry.
Under this roof have been gathered
more characters known to the military
history of our Revolution than under
any other roof in America. This fact is
not generally known to our own people,
and consequently the rich historic value
of our old Headquarters has never been
properly appreciated.
"Here the elegant and brilliant Alexan-
der Hamilton lived during the long win
ter of 10, and here he met and courted
the lady he afterwards married-the
daughter of General Schuyler. Here,
too, was Green splendid fighting
Quaker as he was-and the great artili-
cry officer Knox, the stern 5teuben, the
polished Kosciusko, the brave SCHUYLER,
gallant Lighthouse Harry Lee, old Israel
Putnam. Mad Anthony Wayne, and,
last to be named of all, that brave sol
der bIlt rank traitOr-Renadiet rpol6 -