ROCKINGHAM

From 8/23/1783-11/3/1783, Washington stayed at the Rockingham in Rocky Hill NJ. The Rockingham was 4 miles north of Princeton. Princeton was the home of the Congress at this time of the war.

The house was owned by Judge Berrian and is near the Millstone River. While in residence, Washington conferred with British representatives over the surrender of New York City.

He also received many guests and foreign dignitaries, dined with Martha and sat for a portrait by Charles Wilson Peale of Philadelphia. The duties of running the army fell to General Henry Knox. While here, Washington made a sizable donation to Princeton.



The house still stands. It has been moved many times, but now seems settled and is in good order, ready for visitors.

An ezhistory tour was attended by this gentleman who didn't get out of frame fast enough.

WYNKOOP HOUSE

Not a public house.
On 11/15/1782, General Washington stayed with his friend Col. Cornelius Wynkoop in Stone Ridge NY.
Washington was moving North to meet with General Schuyler and a review of the New York State campaign.

At this time, the Asgill incident was concluded. Captain Charles Asgill was a British POW selected by lot to be executed in retaliation for the
death of Captain Joshua Huddy. Huddy was taken prisoner in Monmouth County New Jersey and hanged on April 12th. Letters were written to the French ambassador to intercede with Washington and Congress. Congress allowed Washington to release Asgill, so a pass was written allowing Asgill to travel to New York City and the British Forces there.

Washington moved onto Kingston NY on 11/16/1782. That house is gone.

VAN ALLEN

The Hendrik Van Allen home was host to Washington on 7/14/1777 in Oakland NJ. Washington was waiting out storms which made the roads impassable. The army was aware of Burgoyne marching South and the surrender of Ticonderoga back to British hands.

Lord Howe had the British Army aboard the ships of the fleet at Staten Island NY. Washington was waiting for some word as to where they were heading. If they went North to aid Burgoyne, he had his army in Northern New Jersey. If they sailed South to Philadelphia, then he would march South.

VAN DOREN HOUSE

A private home.

On 1/3/1777, Washington left the battlefield of Princeton and moved the army to Millstone NJ, then Somerset Court house. He resided in the home of John Van Doren while some of his officers slept in the barns out back. One of the officers was Lt. James Monroe still recovering from his wounds at the 1st battle of Trenton.

So in ten days, Washington and the Continentals had fought three battles winning all three. With an army weakened from depravation, he had marched, counter marched and outflanked two of the best armies in the world. He would leave Millstone and move the army first to Pluckemin and then Morristown.

DOUGLASS HOUSE

It's 1/1/1777 and in this small house Washington had a war council. The Douglass house in Trenton NJ. The first Battle of Trenton on Christmas was a victory for the Continentals.
Now The British and Hessian Armies were marching southwest from Princeton to attack Washington in full at Trenton.
Washington had sent out a small force to challenge the British progress on their march. This gave the Continentals time to prepare their position on the hill overlooking the town. The British and Hessians came on and attacked three times into the evening. The ground was covered in dead as the Americans would not yield.

Washington also knew that if he stayed on his hill, the British under Cornwallis would surround him and destroy him. So in the small Douglass house, Washington held a council. Greene, Sullivan, Cadwalader, Mercer, and Knox all voiced their opinions. The plan developed to withdraw the army at night and quietly march northwest to Princeton and attack the rear of the British Army.

So, camp fires were kept burning and the army quietly marched out at night.
They reformed the next morning and attacked the 7000 man British and Hessian Army at Princeton.

The Douglass House is currently being rehabbed and it is needed.

ANTES HOUSE

The Frederick Antes home was host to General Washington from 9/22-25/1777 in Upper Frederick Township Penn.
Washington regrouped his army in the fields surrounding trying to refit his men with blankets, food and repair weapons. All this in days of pouring rain and while the British Army maneuvered its way into Philadelphia.
Washington would ready his forces for the attack on Germantown.

The house is being restored and needs help.

HERMITAGE, HO-HO-KUS

The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus New Jersey. Washington stayed here first on 7/10-14/1778 and again on 12/6-7/1778 as the guest of the widow Provost. Mrs. Provost was the widow of a British Officer who had patriotic sympathies. She was also believed by her neighbors to be a Loyalist. By hosting Washington and officers at her home, she showed her loyalty to the cause.
One of the officers she met was Aaron Burr. She later married him on these grounds.

Washington recieved praise from Congress for the Battle of Monmoth and learned that the French Fleet had arrived at Newport.

As you walk the grounds, it is hard to pick out the revolutionary time period. The guides are wonderful and they will help. The house also entertained the wife of Benedict Arnold as she traveled South shortly after the traitor was found out.