Evening journal., 1902-02-24
FINE TABLET EOW MARKS
HISTORIC OLD MANSION
Headquarters Of Gen. Washington
in This City So Designated
dwelling the Main Feature Of The Semi
annual Meeting Of the Delaware No.
citty Of the Cincinnati

Cittl vi lhU NiuNihhuh
The main feature of the semi-annual
meeting of the Delaware Society Of the |
Cincinnati on Saturday was the uns
yelling of the bronze tablet at No. 3O3 /
West street. the headquarters of Cen
eral Washington prior to the Battle OF
the Brandywine, on September II, l771
The members met in the rooms OF
the Historical Society for the transac-
ton Of business, after which they pro-
lceeded to Third and West streets in a
body 10 the unveiling ceremony.
After a prayer apropos to the occa-
sion by Bishop Coleman, acting chap
lain of the society, the presentation
speech was made by Thomas Davis
Pearce. of Philadelphia, president OF
the society. He said
"The Delaware State Society Of the
Cincinnati has the honor and privilege
on the 22d day of February, 1902, OF
marking and commemorating one OF
the historic places in this State.
This tablet of bronze commemorates
the location of General Washington's
headquarters in the city OF Whining
ton during the days preceding the Bat
tie of the Brandywine.
1T was at this house, on Quaker
Inn, as this prominent locality was
even then called. that General Wash
ington took up his habitatln, on the
l3lst day of August. The entire Ameri-
can army, about II 900 men, was en-
camped in the immediate neighborhood
Ito oppose the British army, which had
LANDED at the head of Elk river, under
the command of General Sir William
Howe.
General Washington, after coming
from Philadelphia. doubtless had many
stopping places near Wilmington, but
careful investigation by the best OF
authorities, gives absolute proof OF this
location as the one and only headquar-
ters in the city of Wilmington. Gen
eral Lafayette's temporary residence
was the next house. No 301 West
street. a fine old mansion, then as now
lin possession of the Ferris family.
81 shall leave or ono ADLER than my
lself to give the details and historic
facts connected with General Washing
toms occupancy of this mansion during
the summer OF 1777.
THE aim. or main design, OF tho
matt, composed of the lineal descend
ants and representatives of the officers
of the Delaware line and their asso-
ciates in the war of the revolution, is
ITO commemorate and preserve for the
information. instruction as well as rev.
ference. of the present and future gem
erations all such places with the his
tory OF the events and memories sur
q rounding them, equally with the COM
} lmemoration of the patriotic lives and
deeds Of those. by whose heroic and
unseliish efforts for eight weary and
[ bloody years. this StateHand this ma
| tion, finally became and has continued
{ free and Independent.
This tablet. then is given into your
q hands. Mr.. Mayor, as chief magistrate
[ of this city. with the hope that you
! with the owner of these premises (who
has so patriotically and generously
, aided us in our efforts to carry out this
, work. will preserve this memorial
/ from injury and destruction, and that
I it may remain here for future years
where we have placed It, for the pur-
b pose indicated as we'll as to perpetuate
, tho linking of the past history of the
/ lcity Of Wilmington with the life and
r memory of the Father of our Country.
The tablet was accepted by Charles
I Ii. Blaine, president OF City ouncil, in
& the absence Of Mayor George M
e. Fisher. caused by sickness, after which
tho American flag covering the tablet
1 was removed by the secretary of the
] society in the absence of the Misses
i Latimer and Miss Hayes.
The tablet bears the following in
( scription written by Captain Henry H.
p Bellas, u. S. Army the secretary of
[ the society. and the original designer
of the tablet, as we'll as the one to pro-
oso the patriotic task:
p THIS TABLET MARKS THE LOCA-
s TION OF
! GENBRAL WASHINGTON'S HEAD
oil QUARTERS
4 OF THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
q WILMINGTON. DELAWARE.
f DURING THE WAR OF THE REVO.
- LUTON AND
4 IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE
S BATTLE OF THE BRANDYWINII,
d ON SEPTEMBER IL. A. ID. 1777.
L ERECTED BY THE
n DELAWARE STATE SOCIETY OF
n THE CINCINNATI.
s FEBRUARY ", a. ID. 1902.
# After the ceremonies the society ant
e its guests proceeded to the Whining.
m ton Club. where an elaborate luncheon
T. was served. and during which the fol
c owing toasts were offered: Genera
George Washington, the Father of Oul
Country" which was drunk i'm silence
ID all standing. and the Delaware Gin
lcinnati." responded to by Captain Bel
4, Jas. its secretary who. after givin,
- some additional interesting data rela
y tive TO Quaker Hill and its stategil
M points during the revolution, gave
NJ brief history of the formation and pur
M poses OF the Cincinnati Society. o
81 which Washington was the first presi
h. dent. and so remained until his de
A. cease. as we'll as of the Delaware So
y lciety.