The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-07-21

While the workmen were tearing
down the parish building of st. And
rew's Episcopal Church, it was seen
that in portion of the building the
timbers were all hewn and the lath
were of the wide, split kind. showing
that it was erected many years ago. A
search of historical records revealed
many interesting things about the
building and the site on which it
stands, where will be erected the new
Elyin X. Smith Memorial Hall.
At this place was one of the first
substantial buildings in the town or
settlement where Lambertville now
stands, in fact, tradition indicates
that the very first house was here a
makeshift abode of Emanuel Coryell,
who in 1888, established the ferry ia
nous later in the Revolution. Soon
after this he built the Gerry House"
farther south, along the river. George
Coryell, son of Emanuel, built the
residence near the site. George Cory
ell was made captain of the Jersey
troops serving in the Continental
Army. When the army crossed New
Jersey in 1916 one division passed
over the Delaware at CoryelFs Ferry,
and CORVALLIS was prevented from
following by the boats being secured
behind Malta Island, near this city.
Captain Coryell wished to communi-
cate with his family and crossed to
the Jersey side. While in this resi-
dence detachment of Jersey scouts
surrounded the place and took him
captive. Tying him in his own bateau
they made reconnaissance of Wash
ington's redoubts and batteries on the
Pennsylvania side, as the soldiers re-
eognized the captain and withheld
their fire. Later in the war this old
house was made memorable by its
serving as headquarters of General
Nathaniel Green and General Knox,
previous to the battle of Monmouth.
In the early part of the nineteenth
century, according to some authorities
about 1910, this old house was des-
troyed by fire. Whether any parts of
the old building were utilized in the
one erected soon after in its place is
uncertain. This house was later oc-
cupied by Captain Cole, one of this
city's early business men. Bishop
Gray, of the Protestant Episcopal
church, now located in Florida, was
born here and spent his early life in
the vicinity. Later occupants of the
house were Smith Ely aud Samuel
Hoppock.
The Old Episcopal Church at the
corner of York and George streets,
was burned in 1891, and the vestry
purchased the site of the present
church at York aud Main, soon after
ward; they later purchased this old
house, moving it back and converting
it into a parish building, for which it
has since been used, for guild meet.
ings. Sunday school and u mems club
favored by the church. The bell tower
was erected by the church aud the bell
is the same one which hung in the old
church and was rescued from the ruins
after the fire.
1t is coincidence than John Cor
yell who was senior warden of St. An
drew's church and was largely instru.
mental in its organization in ls45,
was the son of George Coryell, who
first settled on the site occupied by
the new church.
The new memorial hall will make
the fourth fine structure to be the
property of the Episcopal Church on
the ground where once stood one of
the four buildings here when Wash
ington came, and the famous old apple
orchard.