MINOR TOPICS REVOLUTIONARY HOUSES IN NEW JERSEY 66 THE SCENE OF WASHINGTON'S PRETTY LITTLE FRISK' The September issue of the Magazine of American History contains a letter of General Nathaniel Greene, from Somerset County, New Jersey, dated in the spring of 1779, in which he tells us that Washington danced at his quarters for three hours with Mrs. Greene without sitting down, and writes further, that "upon the whole we had a pretty little frisk." It is interesting to note that the old dwelling in which these distinguished people danced, is still in existence and in a good state of preservation. It stands on the left bank of the Raritan river, about two miles below Somerville, and but a short distance north of the Finderne railway station. It was built by Derrick Van Veghten early in the last century, who was born in 1699, in an adjoining stone house that was erected some years earlier by his father, Michael Van Veghten, who came here from the upper Hudson, and who was among the earliest of the Dutch pioneers of the Raritan valley. Although bearing many marks of age, this old two story Holland brick house still stands firmly, and unimpaired, upon its solid foundation, and its hearthstone continues to attract visitors and cement family ties. At the time of Greene's occupancy of it Derrick Van Veghten was nearly eighty years of age; he was very strong in his sympathy with the patriot cause, and did much to add to the comfort of the rank and file of the army, as well as well as of its officers. His homestead, which even then was an aged dwelling, was the scene of a bounteous hospitality. In addition to the official intercourse beneath its roof resulting from its being the headquarters of Greene, who was then quartermaster-general, the presence of Mrs. Greene proved a potent charm and drew many to this old Dutch farm-house. She was then about twenty-five years of age, is said to have been singularly lovely in character, and was possessed of such brilliant qualities as earned for her high distinction, causing her society and friendship to be sought by the best people of the country. Somerset County in New Jersey is peculiarly rich in Revolutionary houses, and it is quite extraordinary that so many of those in which the leading generals of the army quartered during the encampment of the winter and spring of 1779 should still be extant, and in use. A notable example is one that was occupied by Washington, who, not being able to find a building in the vicinity of Bound Brook or Middlebrook-where the main body of the army lay-ample enough for his accommodation, established his headquarters at the Wallace house, then barely completed. It is still to be seen embedded in the green of its surrounding trees, on the road leading from Somerville to Raritan, where that highway crosses the track of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. This most honored of Somerset's mansions opened its hospitable portals that winter and spring to many distinguished people. The daily dinner was an affair of ceremony and importance; often as many as thirty persons were entertained, as, in addition to visitors, the company always included a certain number of officers which it was Washington's habit to invite daily to dinner. The artillery was stationed six miles away, at Pluckemin. General Knox, with his wife, occupied the residence of Mr. Jacobus Van der Veer, on what is now the Ludlow farm just below the Bedminster church. This house has been somewhat modernized though still retaining many of its old-time characteristics; few passersby, however, would suspect that it was erected before the year 1760. From December, 1778, until June, 1779, it was by far the most important house in Bedminster township, and the rallying point of both military and social affairs. Scores of people came and went each day. General Steuben made his headquarters nearly a mile south of the Raritan, at a house located at the end of a grassy lane, running from the New Brunswick road. It was then the residence of Abraham Staats, and is now occupied by a descendant of its Revolutionary owner. Since that time two wings have been added to the original structure, but the central portion remains as it was during Steuben's occupancy. Its sloping roof, low eaves and shingled sides speak of times long bygone, but it is still modern in the sense of its picturesque homeliness, being in full accord with its turfy setting, and its tree-embowered surroundings. The Baron was fond of entertaining his brother officers and this Staats house has witnessed many scenes of conviviality. On one occasion under a Marquee erected in an adjoining grove sixty guests gathered about the table among them Washington, M. Gerard, the French minister, and Don Juan de Miralles, a gentleman of distinction from Spain. Another building that has a Revolutionary story to tell is the large house to be seen on the right of the turnpike, above Bound Brook, and just beyond Middlebrook stream. It was known as "Phil's Hill," and was the dwelling of Philip Van Horn, the father of five handsome and well-bred daughters who were the much admired toasts of both armies. These bright-eyed young women welcomed alike friend and foe, and, it is said, were often the means of mitigating the ferocities of war. They had their reward-they all obtained husbands. Here, with a number of other young army officers, quartered one of the most popular men in the vicinity of Camp Middlebrook. He was a swarthy faced graceful youth of twentythree-brave Light Horse Harry Lee-the pet of the army, and afterwards the father of Robert E. Lee who gave up his sword at Appomattox. Another interesting building, but a short distance from the Van Horn house, is the old Middlebrook tavern. When it was erected cannot be learned, but it was certainly before 1750. Its present occupant and owner is fully alive to the value of its old time associations, and is careful to preserve intact all that testifies of ancient days. In its quaint bar-room many marks of Revolutionary bayonets are to be seen upon the heavy beams of its low-studded ceiling. Pages could be written descriptive of the interesting scenes and incidents of which Somerset County was the theatre during that memorable winter. Numerous circumstances conspired to make this Middlebrook cantonment conspicuous for its agreeable features. The British were quiet at their quarters in New York. Both officers and men of the Continental force were in excellent temper; they had been greatly encouraged by their success at Monmouth, and inclined to think that they had at last mastered the art of war, and they felt that their arms were now sure to prevail because of the powerful alliance of France. In addition, the weather was singularly mild, in strong contrast to the preceding winter at Valley Forge, or the succeeding one, when the army lay buried in snow on the bleak windswept Kimball Hill, near Morristown. Many opportunities, consequently presented themselves for social intercourse. Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Greene, and Mrs. Knox had frequent visitors from Virginia, Philadelphia and New England. Lady Stirling and her attractive daughter, Lady Kitty, often drove to camp from Basking Ridge, as did Mrs. Lott and her daughter Cornelia-Mrs. Greene's warm friend-from beyond Morristown. The daughters of Governor Livingston spent several weeks at headquarters, and some of the generals and colonels were accompanied by their wives and daughters. Attached to the line and staff of the army were many brilliant young men who naturally fraternized with the Jersey families, and altogether, there was a considerable contingent of ladies' society in the vicinity of Middlebrook Camp. This resulted in a succession of affairs of ceremony, reunions, dances and tea drinkings, culminating in the gala fête at Pluckemin, celebrating the first anniversary of the French alliance, and in the grand review at Bound Brook, in honor of the foreign ambassadors and their suites. ANDREW D. MELLICK, Jr. PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY. GENERAL RUFUS PUTNAM'S HOUSE IN RUTLAND WHERE THE OHIO COMPANY ORIGINATED Editor Magazine of American History: As I have been a constant reader of your Magazine from the first number to the present time, and take great interest in the same, please allow me to correct an error in the article "Marietta, Ohio, 1788-1888," in your September number. On page 76, the twenty-third line, the word "Vermont" should be Massachusetts.* Gen. Rufus Putnam was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, lived in Brookfield a number of years, and in 1781 or 1782 bought one of Col. John Murray's confiscated farms in Rutland, Massachusetts, and in 1782 moved to the same with his family, where they lived till the spring of 1790, when he with his wife, eight children and two domestics, as also several other families from Rutland, left for Ohio. * The editor is extremely grateful for the above correction of a typographical error which escaped notice until too late for remedy. See Sabine's "Loyalists of American Revolution " vol. 2, 115. The house in which General Rufus Putnam lived is yet standing and in good condition, having changed but little since he left it, and the room in which General Putnam and General Tupper spent the night of January 10, 1786, is now the same, no changes having been made except occasionally a coat of paint, and temporary board before the old open fire-place. There are many foot prints left of General Putnam in Rutland. J. A. SMITH WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS. OLD ENGLISH CLASSIC STYLE The literary merit of the Collects in the Book of Common Prayer-the beauty of diction as well as of thought, the metrical flow-almost rhythm of the languagethe style of these gems in English composition has excited the admiration and challenged the homage of all who have an eye and ear for the charms of literature. The ability to compose after this manner in our mother tongue gradually waned after the Elizabethan era, until it became one of the lost arts. For the force of thought was not sacrificed to beauty of expression, as in those who affect an ornate or florid style-nay, thought was strengthened by this marvelous diction-as inimitable as it is charming. Almost any and all the collects are deserving of this high commendation, but take for examples the one for the 6th Sunday after Trinity, All Saints' Day, and the Collect used on Rogation Days. The mere brilliancy of expression reminds one of a skillful magician, tossing bright balls above, and by his art keeping them dancing in the air. A short passage in Shakespeare, Richard II., act II., scene 3d-notably displays this wonderful power. "Northumberland. Gloucestershire; Believe me, noble lord, to Berkeley now? I am a stranger here in These high wild hills and rough uneven ways But I bethink me what a weary way From Ravenspurgh to Cotswold will be found In Ross and Willoughby, wanting your company, The tediousness and process of my travel: But theirs is sweetened with the hope to have The present benefit which I possess ; And hope to joy is little less in joy Than hope enjoy'd by this the weary lords Shall make their way seem short, as mine hath done By sight of what I have, your noble company." Here the interchange of words and play upon words, adds virility to the thought expressed, so that no one could possibly doubt after reading it, that pleasant companionship neutralizes the tedium of travel. G. G. HEPBURN I arrived here late last night and would not have undertaken a journey of 70 miles at this inclement season were it not that I discovered in our friend Mr. Ksome inattention to those matters which I have from time to time communicated to him; tho' I am very far from thinking it done thro' design, for I believe him a very honest Man; but rather too indolent and subject to some little infirmities which in some degree disqualifies a person for Business which requires close attention, a good Memory & clear head. His having to pass thro' the Guards whenever he met me, rendered it unsafe for him to carry any writings about him; therefore we were under the necessity of giving and receiving only verbal Accounts of those matters w'ich were afterwards to be Committed to writing by him for y' perusal; but every succeeding interview I had with him convinc'd me that whatever he had in Charge suffer'd by passing thro' his Hands in the above manner. As I dare not Venture to bring any Minutes with me, I have to trust to Memory in arranging such Matters as may be necessary to Lay before you. The first thing I shall take up is the Circular Letter wrote by Gen'. Washington to the several States, or Assemblies, pressing them in the most earnest manner to fill up the deficiencies in the Army with all possible expedition, holding up to view a fixed determination to open an early Campaign before the Arrival of any Succours from England; and altho' this Garrison was not pointed at in that Letter (which was read in the Assembly at Hartford last Jan') as the first Object in View, it was the Language of the House that it wou'd have the first attention paid to it at the opening of the Campaign. However, it is observ'd by those who are thought to be in the Secrets of the Cabinet, and who are judges of Military Plans, that it must depend on some Events taking place; such as the early arrival of a Superior French fleet from the West Indies which may force their way into this Port, or whose operations may be directed against Charlestown. The former is the prevailing opinion. Also a Compliance on the part of the Court of France with the Requisition of Congress with which the Marquiss De Lafayette was Charg'd when |