The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-12-13
DICKERSON'S
OLD TAVERN
Morristown Building Subject of
Historical Paper Read Be-
fore the D. A. R.
HOUSED IMPORTANT PERSONS

s.The Dickerson Tavern" was tne
,,,,iect, of n, historical paper prepared
~ Mrs isaac r. Pierson and read at
rscers, = meeting Of Morristown chapter
Daughters of the American kevoiu-
t,ion. and Of which the following IS an
extract ~:
Tn the days OF "long ago" when
Morristown was tiny village OF 2oo
inhabitants, Peter Dickerson came
and built him a home or tavern
as it was later called. Peter was ue-
scendent Of Thomas and Philemon,
the Puritan. He came about l745 ana
settled on what is now the corner OF
water and Spring streets, and then
the principal road leading through
the town. This corner was very de-
sirable for an g Inn" sail the coaches
passed by this tavern. and many
tired and thirsty traveller stopped to
rest and slacke his thirst at the " oid
wellt
The tavern was two stories in helgn6
with hipped roof. The lower noor
was divided in two parts, one the en-
trance hall with a winding stairway
at the rear, the other the main or liv-
ing room on the right on entering the
hall. This room was used for courts
martial, bar extended across one enc
of it. Back Of the bar was smaller
outer room containing large old
fashioned stone bake oven. The DOOR
way was a double colonial in design
with fan-light at top, and diamond
paned windows on either side.
Opposite the tavern was large
coach house, on one other corner the
Estey Mansion, and Robert Norris
occupied building on the north cor
ner.
Pursuant to call issued by the
Morris Committee of Correspondence,
meeting OF the people was held IN
Morristown In Dickerson tavern IN
IT'S. The committee was composed
as follows Jacob Drake. Peter Dick
erson, Ellis Cook, Samuel Trithih,
DR.. VIM. DeHart and Abe Ogden,
Peter Dickerson was an ardent pa
triot, and his house in Morristown was
from the beginning gathering place
for those interested. He took an ac-
tive part in organizing the opposition
to the acts of the British Crown and
on the ninth Of January, 1775, was ap-
pointed one Of the Committee OF OBJ
servation" for Morris county. On the
J first day Of May following he was
elected delegate to the Provincial
Congress, which met at Trenton the
same month. On February Z, lT76, he
was commissioned captain in the first
establishment, and on the 29th OF No
vember following, captain in the third
establishment. Both Of these COM
panies he equipped at his private ex-
pense and it is recorded that the
money he so advanced stands to his
credit at Washington still unpaid.
After the meeting OF May lst, al
meeting of delegates was held at Dick
erson's tavern. There were present
William Winds, Elias Condict, Peter
Dickerson, the owner and proprietor
CT. the tavern, Jacob Drake, Ellis
k, Jno. Stiles, David Thompson,
Abraham Kitchell. They formed
hs for the good Of the country and
d adjourned until the following day
4 he same place. At this meeting
Dfficers were chosen for the COM
lies. One of the interesting feat
ges Of this meeting at Dickerson's
Z *as the vote passed to purchase 500
lbs. Of powder and one ton Of lead to
be kept In magazine for the use OF
the 800 volunteers. Major VIM. De
Hart was appointed to make the pur-
chase and care for it. Having pro-
vided for all contingencies, they ad-
journed to meet May 9th at the same
place.
The proceedings Of these two meet
ings were confirmed by the Provincial
Congress of June 5, 1775, that where
companies and regiments were already
formed, officers chosen and appointed
the same were to be confined.
On the fourteenth Of September,
IT'S, meeting of the Morris county
delegates was held at the tavern and a
number Of names we're recommended
to the Congress to be commissioned as
officers.
From the " order book" Of Colonel
Johnston, courts martial general Of
the American Army during the en-
campment were held at different
places, the first one mentioned Is
. Dickerson Tavern. 1t was considered
as much the most important.
McClintock, in his topography OF
WashingtOn's camp says " 1t is noted
on some OF Washington's maps 90
which no other building in Morris
town is given name.n / emphasize
this as being a very important fact to
remember as many people of the pres
ent time insist on calling it the Nor-3
iris tavern.
Robert Norris, who occupied Dick
Fsson's tavern during the war, was
hired by Dickerson as "a caretaker.
..t.4-.l =