Evening star., 1933-07-02

with him at hrSt, but eventually moved
to hut which was built on the Ford
grounds. Mrs. Washington came to the
Ford house late in December and shared
the hardships of cold and overcrowding.
Foregoing social engagements, she spent
her time knitting for the soldiers and
urged others to do likewise.
Today the Ford mansion has been
converted into a museum of Revolution
ary relics, many of which have to do
personally with the Washingtons Chief
among these, perhaps, is Washington's
commission as commander in chief of
the Revolutionary Army, signed on June
10, TITS, by John Hancock This hand
written commission, its ink now faded
to brown, was the first received by Wash
ington and was carried by him in active
service. Later on he was presented by
Congress with finely inscribed commits
sion, which only renders this document
at Morristown more valuable and
unique. The commission is kept in a
large steel safe, but is open to public
inspection during the day.
In the same safe is one of Gilbert
Stuart's several replicas of the Athen-
aeum portrait of Washington. This por-
trait was bought for $4,000 and goes to
the Government with the other exhibits
In the Ford mansion. Among these ex-
hibits is dress uniform worn by WASH
ington, a kneebuckle from the suit worn
by him at his Inauguration and mirror
and writing chair which he used Among
&H1n Asv~34 -
perfectly preserved desk, at which she
wrote her letters.
The Ford mansion is filed with other
Revolutionary relics-authentic furni-
ture from kitchen, bed rooms and living
room, autographed letters from celebri-
ties, clothing worn at Colonial social
affairs, a grand collection of firearms,
polished and usable today, as well as
the heavy, longbarreled weapons which
were used with such deadly effect by the
American frontier marksmen. Outside
are Revolutionary cannons
THIS mansion is said to have been the
scene Of the first public celebration
OF Washington's birthday On February
u, 1850, Army officers and distinguished
civilians gathered at the house to pay
their respects to their leader.
An unusual note of human interest
crept into the negotiations which re-
suited in the transfer of the Ford man
sion and its priceless collection to the
care Of the Government. Some fear was
expressed lest under the proposed ar
rangement the caretakers OF the Ford
place might lose their positions. Horace
NJ Albright, director of national parks,
said that matters could and would be
adjusted so that these faithful retainers
would keep their jobs. So the bill under
which the park has been created car
ries special section calling for the re-
tention Of three employees OF the WASH
ington Association, one Of whom has
been on duty at the Ford mansion for
more than 40 years.
WashingtOn's stay at the Ford man
sion marked his second sojourn at Nor
ristown during the Revolution. He was
there in 1777, following his victories at
Trenton and Princeton. His army then
numbered between 5000 and 1000 men
and was encamped to the south Of Nor
ristown, along Loantica Brook, the camp
extending almost to Chatham. The Wis
itor to the new national park will catch
up on his history by viewing the site
of the old Arnold Tavern, where WASH
ington spent the four months of his first
sojourn in this region. In this tavern,
during the months when he was re-
cruiting his depleted army to greater
strength, Washington frequently at
tended Masonic meetings.
The churches at Morristown were used
then, as later, for hospital purposes.