Read speeches written by George Washington at

Rockingham2

Mrs. Berrien resided there after the Judge's death, in 1772, until about 1783. She then put in the "Royal Gazette," of New York City, under date of July 5, 1783, an advertisement as follows:

"FOR SALE--That very healthy and finely situated farm, 'Rockingham.' The property of Mrs. Margaret Berrien. This farm lies on the river Millstone, about five miles from Princeton, on the road leading from Princeton to Morristown. It contains about 320 acres, a good proportion of meadows and woodland. The soil is good for wheat and natural grass, so that a great quantity of the best English meadow may be made with little trouble or expense. The place is well watered. The house contains upwards of twenty rooms of different kinds, including a kitchen very conveniently contrived and genteelly finished, and a cellar almost under the whole. There is also a very good barn, and stables, coach-house, granary and fowl house, all painted; a curious smoke-house, and other outbuildings. There are several fine young apple orchards containing the best grafted fruit in our country, besides a variety of pears, plums, peaches and cherries, raspberries and currants. There is also a small tenement on the said farm of three rooms, with a cellar and milk-room, and the whole farm abounds in springs of the best water. There are several thousand very thrifty red cedar trees, a great number of which have been trimmed and properly cultivated."

At this time Congress was in session at Princeton. There being no available house near there, it rented the Berrien Mansion for General Washington. It was a delight to the General that he and his three hundred soldiers should be placed in such a picturesque spot, which, to the north looks over the Watchung Mountains, and to the west the Hopewell Valley. General Washington had been at Rocky Hill several times previous to this, and while there he and Mrs. Washington entertained many distinguished guests, for the War was practically over, and they were waiting for the Treaty of Peace to be signed and sent from France. That message was carried from New Brunswick to Princeton, the "Six-Mile run" being taken by a Mr. Cushman, descendants of whom are charter members of the Washington Headquarters.

It is mentioned that when Washington had more guests than the dining-room could conveniently accommodate, there was used a marque‚ on the lawn, which shows how many guests at times he must have had while in the Berrien house.

General Washington was known to smile while in Rocky Hill; theittle story is often told about his stopping to help catch the pig on his way from Princeton at the home of a Mr. John Van Horne. There was reason for the General to feel joyous while at "Rockingham," as the eight years just passed had been strenuous ones.

After the battle of Princeton Washington had stopped at Rocky Hill en route to Morristown; also on the march from Hopewell, eight miles away, and distinguished as the home of John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He marched from Hopewell, passing through Rocky Hill to Monmouth. One of Judge Berrien's sons was aide to General Washington in that battle of Monmouth.

Even the soldiers enjoyed their rest at Rocky Hill, and the little figures of ships cut on the weather-boards made them true to their homeland, as we are told they were from Maine.

While at Rocky Hill, Washington, having to disband his army, and wishing to acknowledge its bravery and leave it a parting message, wrote that beautifully worded letter, his "Farewell Orders to the Armies," while sitting in the library at the Berrien house--the "Blue Room" as it is sometimes called--and first delivered it to his faithful officers and soldiers from the balcony, dating it "Rocky Hill near Princeton, Nov. 2, 1783." An original newspaper, presented by Mrs. Bliss of Hartford, is in this room of the headquarters, in which a note states that the address is "omitted from the November issue for want of space;" but it was published in December's number, 1783.

General Washington, on leaving Rocky Hill, November 10, left orders for Captain Howe (one of whose descendants is a member of the Washington Headqarters), to have his furniture and household effects taken to Mount Vernon (which place received its name from General Washington's father's old friend, Admiral Vernon, of the English navy, 1743). The Rocky Hill mansion being dismantled, a number of pieces of furniture used by the General and Mrs. Washington were sold and found a restingplace there, some in the house, and others in nearby places. Judge Crusier coming to reside there, his daughter married a Mr. Bayles, whose son, being born in the Washington Headquarters, became a charter member of the Headquarters. As time went on the house passed from one family to another, but always was called "The Washington Headquarters."

Thomas Paine

One of many notable guest of George Washington while staying at Rockingham.

George Washington to Thomas Paine, September 10, 1783

Rocky Hill, September 10, 1783.
Sir: It is some time since I was favored with your Letter of the 22d. of July; not however by the Gentleman for whose benefit it was written; him I have not yet seen, when I do, I shall take pleasure in shewing him every civility in my power agreeably to your wishes.
But for an expression in your letter, which led me to expect that another on a more interesting subject would, soon follow (but which is not yet come to hand) I should have acknowledged the receipt of it long ago. I have learnt since I came to this place that you are at Borden Town; whether for the sake of retirement or oeconomy I know not, be it either, for both, or whatever it may, if you will come to this place and partake of my Board I shall be exceedingly happy to see you at it. Your presence may remind Congress of your past Services to this Country, and if it is in my power to impress them, command my best exertions with freedom, as they will be rendered chearfully by one who entertains a lively sense of the importance of your Works and who with much pleasure subscribes himself Your sincere friend etc.

Robert Morris

George Washington to Robert Morris, September 3, 1783

Rocky Hill, September 3, 1783.
Dear Sir: Mrs. Washington and myself heard with much pleasure, from Major Jackson, that you and Mrs. Morris had in contemplation a visit to Prince Town; and we join very sincerely in offering you a Bed at our Quarters. The inconvenience of accepting it, can only be to yourselves, as the room is not so commodious as we could wish; but, in the crowded situation of this place is equal perhaps to any you could get, and none would be happier in having you under their roof; we claim it indeed as a matter of right. Our best respects to Mrs. Morris and yourself. I am etc.

On September 4 Washington wrote to George Augustine Washington, from Princeton, N.J., from which the following is an extract: "After I wrote you from Newburg I repaired to this place by order of Congress, where it is probable I shall remain till the Definitive Treaty arrives, or till New York is evacuated when I shall take leave of Public life and repair to my own home and in ease and quiet enjoy that repose which I have been a stranger to for more than Eight years." This extract is taken from the printed text in a sales catalogue, 1937.]