ADDRESS HON. THEODORE F. RANDOLPH A N N U A I. INI E E T I N G STOCKIIOLDKHS OF THE WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION, IIELB AT THE IIEADQUAHTERS, MORRISTOWN, N. J., JI^LY 5TH:, lft75 M <) 11 K T S^ T () W X , N . J . : 1 1 PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF "THE MORRIS REPUBLICAN," 1 1 87S. ^. ■ ^1 Ks ADDRESS. Fellow Jerseymen: During the Summer of 1873 this prop- erty, so long and widely known as the " Old Headquarters of Washington," was offered for sale. A few gentlemen present at the sale concluded to pur- chase it ; and having done so, fonned a society now known as the " Washington Association of New Jersey," the prin- cipal object of which is to perpetuate this house with its great historic associa- tions. The Legislature of New Jersey have given the Association a very liberal char- ter. Among its provisions is total exemp- tion of the property from taxation ; pro- hibition to the erection of any unsightly objects adjacent hereto ; police powers upon and near the grounds ; and other special rights and privileges rarely accord- ed to corporations. In support of the ])lace the State makes an annual contri- bution. The capital stock of the Asso- ciation was put at 350,000, the shares being placed at $100 each, each share entitling the holder to a vote. These shares are not transferable, except with the consent of the Association, and then only to a direct male descendant of a subscriber. Failing in descent as indi- cated, the stock becomes the property of the State. Of the capital stock there has been subscribed about §25,000, or nearly enough, when paid, to rid the property of all debt. I regret to say that by reason of delay in payment by some subscribers, there is yet due upon the original pur- chase about ten thousand dollars. I need not say to you, fellow Jerseymen, that we shall be glad to have your assist- ance in freeing this grand old house from aU debt. It is a grand old house, and in a grand locality. It rarely happens in history that ai-t, nature, and circumstance combine in elements of attractiveness. Ours is the infrec|uent fortune of blending much that is interesting in art, more that is charming in natural scenery, and most that is stirring in circumstance. Of our historic State we can say that in mineral wealth, in agricultural resources, and in commercial advantages no one of all the States can rival this of ours. Of the grateful use to which we have put our vast inheritance we can speak well. No acres in any other State are as valuable, proportionately, as ours ; no minerals, of their kind, give a more productive yield than those of North Jersey ; and to one of our ores at least no comparison is offered, for alone we produce the wondei-ful sub- stance that in the process of its develop- ment shows uses so multifonn that one is almost tempted to believe that the hand of the magician lies behind the sure results that science and art have established. If we cannot say that our " commerce whitens every sea," it can be said that we have sheltermg harbors enough to protect the Navies of the world. Of one of them, that of New York — the one-half belongs to us ; and this half, with its shel- tering western shore and deep waters, is day to refresh our memories with it : of course the best. Nature is no nig- " No person shall ever ^dthin this gard with her upright sons, and Commonwealth be deprived of the ines- 1 if i- * 4.1 1*4?. +u.„^ timable privilege of worshipj)ing Al- lias an attec-tionate thought tor those • i ^ r< i ■ ^ 1 1 ^ ^.i 5^ J • -1 mightv (jrod in a manner agreeable to the who keep good schools and good jails. ji^.tat^s of his own conscience." Of those artificial advantages which singularly enough, as it seems to us .'vercometo an industrious and intel- now, in the Very next paragraph uf the ligent people, I need scarcely speak, instrument occurs these words : The manufactures of New Jersey are u j,t„ Pi-^testant inhal)itant of this known everywhere, and whether they be colony shall 1)e denied the enjoyment of of ponderous shafts of iron or any civil right merely on accoiuit of his delicate fabrics of glass, or of the thou- I't-ligi^us prin.-iples." sand other productions that labor, and I am glad to say that a more enlight- art, and science produce, they do constant ^ned statesmanship prevailed at a later credit to our State. That we pay more P»^"od, and upon the first occasion of tax than any equal number of revenue ^"it^iHling the Constitution the sectarian districts in other States, bespeaks at clause I have quoted was stricken from once our thrift and a reasonable honesty. ^'^^ instruuu-ut, and these nobler words What true Jersey man does not love to substituted therefor : hear words of praise of our noble old col- " No religious test shall be required as , ., mi -\ J. u T> • J. J a, qualification for anv office of ];>ubbc Ifi'es ^ ilie t^raduates ot r'nnceton and . ^ . , 'i u i i • i xi •^ ^ trust, and no person shall be denied the Itutgers have held the highest posts of enjoyment of any civil right merely on distinction at home and abroad. To- account of his religious principles." day their skill and learning is sought by This done, the instrument was in con- peoples who cannot s})eak our tongue, sonauce with its stirring declaration of and whose own history runs lack of ours " Rights and Privileges." a thousand and more years. Of natural, artificial and i)olitical ad- No State has a more thorough Com- vantages I have briefly sj token. As a mon School system than New Jersey ; ex- Jerseyman — loving my State as I frankly I K'lids more money pro-ratably to sustain confess I love none other, and loving it, or has more sturdy defenders of it. others as I do wondrous well, how could I Blest with a State Constitution well h;ive done less than refer to possessions made at the beginnuig, it has had that nature with prodigal hand has lav- ]>ut one repairing since. Our people ished ui)on us, that art with subtlest have had the good sense to let well «-unuing has enriched us with, and that enough alone, as I hope they may for wisdom has left with us as an inheritance, another hundred years. Our Stat^ Glad as I am on fitting occasion " Magna Cbarta" we may well love and to ti'll of our State's prosjierity and i-evere, born as it was days before the advantages, and glad as I am to Federal Constitution was adopted at evince my gratitude for the rich blessings Philadelphia. Among its provisions is the bestowed upon us as a people, my duty following enunciation of a fundaniental to-dav leads me to address you upon an- prin(i]>le, and I deem it an appropriate other sul^ject, the wealth of which onlv makes my poverty of thouglit and Ian- more defeat on Monmouth's field than guage more painfvil to me. British guns could do. And almost at Fortunately for me, I have the prolific our feet, as we glance down the slope theme of New Jersey's Revolutionary his- of Long Hill, near by, we have old Spring- tory circumscribed, and my task will be field — the battle of all others North Jer- finished when I have told, as simply and seymen fought and won by their own briefly as I may, somewhat of our local valor. history; and repeat to you, perhaps, like Beautiful as is all the land that lies a " thrice-told tale," the story of this his- along and amid the lovely moimtain toric house, known to all men who love the range, begining with New York's Adiron- State, as having been, during the Win- dack hills, and sinking away on the plains ter of 1779-1780 — the Headquarters of of Georgia, baring its eastern slopes to the George Washington, Commander-inChief fresh rays of each morning sun, and of the Continental forces. catching on countless peaks the lingering If no inspiration came with the recital light of passing days ; beautifiil as this of the old story or if the theme were lovely stretch of American scenery is, no one less calculated to awaken emotions of part of it all rivals in restful peaceful- jjatriotism, the surroundings of to-day ness and beauty these old hills of Morris should and would inspire, I doubt not, a — now ours to possess, once contended for more indifferent lover of his birth- State by a struggling nation's force, than I am, to the utterance of words be- Close under yonder southward hiU- fitting an occasion like this. side lies the valley of the Lowantica — The land within which we stand is a beautiful in fact as in name. Within classic land — not only in its history but its shelter during the terrible Winter of in the beauty of its landscape and rich- 79-80 lay most of the Continental army ness of its scenery. Almost at a glance of that period. The troops of Yirguiia the eye encounters the mountains in their and Maryland sought, alas, how vainly ! majesty, the valleys in their verdure and on the southern slope of the Lowantica T)eauty, and eastward and away from the more genial rays they were yonder " Long Hills" that stand sentry accustomed to. Even hardy troops of over the busy millions toiling at their New England, inured to cold, gave base, the eye may rest on the great ocean, way in strength and health luider the forever turning its solemn and uneeas- extreme rigor of that Winter, ing waves to our shores. Disease, foul and desolating, added its All that is classically beautiful in na- horrors to the pangs of cold and himger, ture lies around us, beneath us, beyond and during weary months each morning us. From the crest of neighboring hills drum-tap broke the stillness of the crisp we may look away to where the half- air to scores of wretched hearts that heard frozen'troops of the decimated Army of the sound no more. Long ditches in the the Revolution, turned the fast-setting frozen earth opened day by day to re- tide of defeat to insured success on the ceive the leprous dead. Sturdy sons of fields of Trenton and of Princeton ; to New England, lanked-limbed, and reso- where the sultrv Summer sun worked lute even in death, slept their last sleep 4 tide by side with llit' oiuaeiated Virginian reaj* for historic wealth, I know too well whose clenched hand seemed almost how carefully these fields were reaped ready to start into life as the drowsy years ago. Of all the writers of our local roll-call passed his accustomed name. histoiy I know of no one that has brought Yes ! just here, within sight of this tt) his work more of feeling and faithful- veneral)le house, and almost within ness than the Rev. Dr. Joseph tniiupet call from the liill u]>nn wliich Tuttle, now President of Wabash we stand, rested, if rest it may be called, College. Without his work you the rebels of England's hate - the patriots would h ive had to-day only the work of of America's hope ! an indifferent gleaner ; with it you will Truly this is classic ground, forever have some fruits of a harvest, made so by the sufferings of that period ; Morris county is peculiarly rich in Rev- and would be classic ground had no shel- olutionary reminiscences. During two teriug roof been built upon it to give to winters Washington established his t he great Captain the best protection and Headquarters at this town. The place liDSjiitality that battle-ridden New Jersey where the younger Fordlmilt the powder had to offer in Revolutionary days. mill ; the sight of the old magazine ; the When Washington was made Comman- Ai-uold Tavern ; the Knox Headquarters ; der-in-Chief of the Continental forces in the camps on the Wicke farm ; the Low- 1775, he adjudged that the seat of war antica hosjdtals, and the sacred little would have the city of New York for its " God's Acre," are all here about us. But centre, with a radius of greater or less peerless among them all stands these Old extent from it. Headquarters within which lived the Thus of necessity our State became great commander. the scene of constant militaiy operations. The disasters of 1776 terminated in the The contending armies crossed and re- retreat of Washington beyond the Dela- irossed New Jersey ; and I have heard ware. To the veteran soldier this march, many an old soldier of the Revolution through half-frozen mud, so terrible to say that, between the demands of inso- endure, was knowni as the " Mud lent foes and the necessity of starving Rounds." Only al)out 4,000 men fol- friends, sometimes passmg their slender lowed Washington at this period. Deep granaries in the same day, Jersey farm- gloom had fallen upon the country, but iug was a tough business in Revo- jov sprung to every patriot heart as the hitionary times. brilliant victi)ries of Trenton and of The farms of Middlesex and Monis Princeton closed the year of '76 and were largely cultivated by women and oj)ened that of '77. In January, 1777, cliildren in some years of the war, and soon after the victories at Trenton many a field of corn was cultivated by and at Princeton, Washington established women from whom we Jerseymen are his headquirtors at Morrist >wn — at the proud to claim descent. And how proud Arnold Tavern. During this Whiter he we are now that have a Rebt'l ancestry, niiidr the acquaintance of the family of r>ut they won. Col. Jacob Ford, Jr., the builder and A})unilant as is llir harvi'st to stub as owner of this lioiisc, since made famous by its illustrious occupancy. Col. Ford lived but a ^ort period after this meet- ing with Washington, having contracted a fatal disease during the short campaign in which he commanded and that ended in the battle of Lyons Farms or Spring- field. So faithful had been his service to the Continental army that Washing- ton himself ordered military honors paid at his funeral. The powder mill which Col. Ford built at his own cost not only fvu'nished good powder and in needful quantities, but became the frequent object of the enemy's plans to attack and destroy. In this they never succeeded. The powder mill stood on yonder Whippany river, and not far below where we stand. Of the founder of this venerable man- sion it is enough to say that his patriotism was of that sort that induced him to pre- side over a meeting held at the old Court House as early as June, 1774 — over 101 years ago — at which time resokitions of the strongest condemnatory character of England's conduct were passed. Of large wealth, untiring energy and indus- try, and with intense devotion to his country's welfare, the Declaration of Independence in 1776 found the builder of this house ready for rebellion, and willing to give to it, as he did, his life and his fortune. This house had its foundations laid in 1772, and was ready for occupancy, and was occupied by Col. Ford's family in 1774. 'Twas builded well. Sledge, and hammer, and trowel shaped and placed these broad foundations before England's King had ceased to rule the land. Axe and adze hewed out girder and beam from massive oak that to-day defies the full century gone past. The oaken planks that make these outer walls, caulked like the frame of a great frigate, are as sound to-day as when they sheltered Washington from the storms of the terrible Winter of ' 79-'80. The carved work about these doors and on these beautiful cornices are rare specimens of elegance in woodwork. It would be diificult to excel their chaste design to-day. Those who builded have gone. Not one of all that busy throng that laid the base- stone or capped the roof- girder are in life to-day. But they builded well ! The same oaken doors open to you as they did to Washington ; the massive knocker his hand was wont to touch, yet waits obedient to your wish. The floors he trod in anxious thought and with wea- ried brain, you may tread. The century has wrought no change in rafter or beam or floor or sheltering oak. Is there no significance in the remarkable preserva- tion of this house ? This dwellmgwas for many months the home of Martha, the wife of George Washington. Within these rooms, with quiet dignity and grace, she received her husband's guests. Never idle, she set a constant example of thrift and industry. Upon one occasion some of the ladies of Hanover, dressed in their best, called upon Lady Washington at this house, and one of them, whose descendants live here now, relating the visit subsequently, said: " And don't you think we found her with a speckled homespun apron on and engaged in knitting a stocking ! " Eeceiving us very kindly, she told us we should become patterns to our sex, and whilst our husbands and brothers were examples of pati-iotism, we should become examples of industiy." 6 The example was not lost, for the inci- eamp-cliest, heavy and solid, is yet good dents of self-denial and hardships en- for a long campaign. The gj>ecie wagon countered by the rebel women of Morris — a curious contrivance as you see — long iire enough to fill a volume. and deep and partitioned, swung between Under this roof have been gathered broad wheels, held all the specie, no more characters known to the military doubt, of that almost specieless time, liistory of our Revolutie named of all, that brave ticated history. But do we appreciate soldier, l)ut rank traitor — Benedict Ar- the fact that had this house l)een once Hold. successfully attacked and its inmates Here, too, from time to time gathered taken, all that we now are proud of as prominent meml>ers of the Continental our " Revolution," would, in all proVta- Congress. bility, have been known to history' as The furniture used by these soldiers America's " Re]»ellion." and statesmen is here in part to-day. The mountains of Morris had nnicli The dressing bureau, chairs, tallies and fame for their rich dei)osits of iron ore stands have been i)resei-ved through all long before the Revolution. ^Vheu, tliese years and kept within these walls, therefore, the necessity came for the The small stand or ta]>le upon which manufacture of cannon and shot and Washington wrote his dis])atches, and shell, these old hills of ours turned out upon which the ink-stains he made still enough to supply the meagre anny of remain, is ours to-day. The curious old Washington. secretary he used, with its hidden drawers Not a few of the mountains whose ores and quaint workinanshij), stands here gave us material for defence, served the now as it did then. The mirrors used jnirpose also of giving from their crests l>y General and Lady Wasliiugton you the " signal lights" —the well-understood may see your fact's reilected in. The old and effeetive telegrai>hy of that jieriod. At given points from tlie Hudson to the Delaware, signal parties were stationed day and night, and no movement of the British could be made that was not promptly signalled by the beacon light at night, or the minute gun during the day. The gun at Bottle Hill was an 18- pounder, and was known as the " Old Sow." At the sound of the cannon the " minute man" knew his duty, drop- ped plough in furrow and started for the rendezvous. I talked with heroes of the Revolution long years ago, who made my blood tingle recounting their deeds, and as they straightened up their bent forms, and, stirred by old memories, flashed from their long- dim- med eyes the old heroic light, I felt it the honor of my boyhood life to have seen and heard the "old soldiers." These were the men that went to their labor musket in hand, who needed no second shot from the " minute gun" to take them from farm and field and shop, and send them swarming adown the country road to their posts. I have talked with the men who camped at this place during the Winter of '79-' 80, and have been told by them that so destitute were they of shoes that their foot-prints about the camp could be tracked on the snow by the blood from their frozen and cracked feet. They were fit hitsbands to jmtriot wives — wives who, like Anna Kitchel, of Whippany, refused " British protection," saying, " I have a husband, father and five brothers in the American army, and if the Grod of Battles will not care for us, we will fare with the rest !" They were suitable neighbors of such a j^arson as Jacob Green, who constantly urged his congregations to fight on the Lord's side — that being the American side. This useful and in many respects extraordinary man, signed himself " Preacher and teacher, doctor and proc- tor, miller and distiller." And he did indeed follow all these various occupa- tions, strange and incongruous as they may seem to us now. Can we wonder at the strong desire of the enemy to obtain a foothold here, and can we not understand how secure our people felt in these mountain fastnesses ? A British officer sent a bullying mess- age one day to old General Winds, of our army, and ended it by saying that " he proposed to dine the next day at Morristown," to which the old rebel re- plied, " If you do dine at Morristown to- morrow, you will certamly sup in Hell !" My friends, I have already spun out my story beyond the limits I had pro- posed, and if I were to follow personal inclination instead of duty, to you I would go on with the old stories I have so often loved. to hear myself. 1 should not close without expressing the obligations of the Association to the ladies of the county for the recent help- ful entertainment given by them at these Headquarters. A more interesting collection of Rev- olutionary and ante -Revolutionary relics has not been had in this State for scores of years, — if ever. The Association is also imder obliga- tion to many citizens of our State, and especially to those of this county for valuable contributions of articles of in- terest to the society and to the public. We hope, in time, to gather within these appropriate walls so large and interesting a museum of articles connected with the early Revolutionary and other history of R the O(jlonifs of " East and West Jersey," what he knew was the last order to and i)f the State, that this old mansion his life, was no less an American, because will hei'ome a " Mecca," toward which he was so much of a Jerseyiuau. The all patriotic Jerseymen will fi-t)m time to great Apostle, whose words ring in my time turn their stejis ; finding in time of ear as the bugle not<.^s of the soldier peace a grateful repose from life's tur- gave no less allegiance to his Christian moil ; and in times of danger to the faith, because his heart turned with anx- <(»untrv's peace or welfare obtain, as from ious solicitude to his race, and in loving a pure fountain, insjnration to patriotic pride to his Jewish ancestry, purpose. I feel sure that every purpose Even the compassionate Master, ]»oru of Revolutionary association will loving all men with an iucom})arable have the tempered zeal which ever char- affection, would turn in the saddest of acterized the acts of the great Patriot his ever sad hours to the " one disciple whdsc name has rendered this house whom he loved!" Just as that human immortal. love is broadest and strongest that has I am bid to say that evei-y article of its firm anchorage in domestic life, is interest that may be placed within our that love of country deepest which roots c:ire will have its api)ropriate place in itself most firmly in the near associations these "Headquarters;" will be marked of one's birth State, with the name of the contributor, and a And now, Jerseymen, as I bid you jiroper receipt given therefore. We adieu, proud of my State and of her a[ipeal to all Jerseymen to helj) us in an history ; proud of her Government that undertaking bom of pure purjjose, and gives equal rights to all and privileges one we sincerely hope it may be the pride to none ; of our laws and their execution, of Jerseymen to per[jetuate through all I would have you remember that our time. rich historical inheritance, and most of I have spoken to you to-day as a Jer- our material and political wealth, came seyman t(j Jerseymen ! I would not, thi'ough the intelligence and mtegrity of however, lie misiuiderstood. I yield to a jieo|ile that " knew their rights and no man in regard for the sisterhood of dared defend them," through the patient States^they whose unity gave life to a courage of an ancestry that, despite pen- nation, and whose jieqietuity is the ury, disease and death, hated tyranny so iiidispcn.sable pre-req\iisite of Republi- heartily and loved civil and religious lib- can Government, erty so, completely, as to leave in this As a Jerseyman, I love my own State fact the record of their faithfulness : liest; nor time nor circumstance shall Among tliese hills of Morris, no iliaiigc this. The soldier who placed Briton's foot ever trod, in Rfvolutionury the blue ribbon of his Jersey lineage and times, save as a prisoner's, enlistment on his breast and then obevcd LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 207 382 1 toi> III Mdrrir-tinMi, N. ,1. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 207 382 1#