The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-02-21
WASHINGTON AT MoRRIsTOWN.

The presence OF washington at
Morristown, during the Revolution
airy War, has given that locality
national prominence, not alone be-
cause of that presence, but, also, by
virtue of the great events which &C.
cured there, and of the plans then
formed eventuating in the establish
ment of the Republic.
Washington was here twice, arriv-
ing first January 9th, TIT, just after
the decisive battles of Trenton and
Princeton He then occupied the
Arnold tavern, situated on the west
side of the gGreen. The times were
inausp1cious, the darkest days in the
history of the great contest. The
people, fully alive to the exlgencies
of the period, had keenly watched
the progress of events and were dis
mayed by the disasters OF the cam
paign on Long Island. and the retreat
over the Jerseys. Congress was para
lyzed, and, although somewhat en-
courgaed by the recent victories, did
not, or could not, respond to the de-
mands of the commander in chief.
1t took year CT two when there was
a prospect of treaty with France,
before those who had the control of
affairs seemed able to rise to the de-
mands of the situation.
During the first winter that Wash
ington was in Morristown, he was in
constant correspondence with mem
bers of Congress, with governors of
the different colonies, and with lead
ing men of the country, in making
preparations for the further continu-
ance of the war and in planning fu-
ture campaigns.
The second stay of Washington
was in the winter of 1779-80. He was
then welcomed to the Ford Mansion
by Mrs. Theodosia Ford, tie daughter
of the Rev. Timothy Johnes, d. D.,
and willow of Col. Jacob Ford, Jr.
This mansion, now known as the
Headquarters, had been built by
Col. Ford few years before and
was one of the most elegant dwell
lings in the country. The house was
filed to overlooking by the General
and his personal suite and was not
sufficient for his military family.
At both visits he was surrounded by
some of the very best of his officers
and was visited by several foreigners
of distinction.
The circumstances which surrounded
the patriotic cause at this time were
somewhat different from those which
existed during the first visit. The
hopes of the people had been quicken
ed dismay had given place to confid-
ence; Congress was more alert; the
soldiers had become more accustomed
to fighting, were better disciplined,
and series of successes had encour-
aged all parties; a treaty had already
been made with France and Louis
XVI had given the colonies substan-
tial aid in men, money and ships. But
doubt S i'll existed in the minds of
many who did not believe that the
colonies could cope with the mother
country, and to them the end seemed
as far off as at the beginning. Wash
ington had never for an instant des-
paired when the darkest clouds hoy
cred his equable mind retained its
equilibrium, and he never doubted. |
His forecasting mind had lifted the
veil of the future and he never
feared what the end would be. He
had impressed himself on the hearts
and minds of his soldiers and they
implicitly trutsed him. Cabals had
raised their traitorous heads, and had |
foully striyen during the war to
thwart his plans, and to drive him
from the position of commander in
chief, but ingominious defeat had
destroyed their traitorous schemes.
Washington was as busy at his
second visit, perhaps more so, than at
the first. and it was here that plans
were formed which in a very few
years brought victory to Washington
at Yorktown.
The winter of 1879 and 1880 was one
of the most inclement that has ever
been known. Deep SHOWS covered
the roads, hid the fences from sight,
INSTRUCTED travelling, and the sol
diers suffered intensely. But the in
habitants. especially the women, of
Morris County were hospitable and
opened their houses to the famished
and half frozen soldiers. Good parson
Johne wife and the ladies of Nor
ristown and throughout the county
banded together, knit stockings and
did whatever was possible TO save the
soldiers from hardship. The story is
told Of Mrs. Rhoda Farrand, of Par
sippany, whose great grand daughter