L28 i S64 )V 1 W^s\)mton's Jleanquarters C!)e 3&oger ittorrts ^omt antJ 3fuTnel iWan^ion Bear 3tmatert»am 3l\)enttf. Citp of l^ctu f ocfe 'mm Historical Ifefeetc!) of 5^asi)tngton's fl^ealiquarterfii* i^repareb unhtt tt}e AuBpices of C|)e 5S^as|)ington f^ealrquarters agsoeiatton, ilfto iorli 9&P ..f" (Uro. CJieotge HJ.) C(l)aiirman of ti}e J^ijtftorical iHe^earcl) Committee Ictabcr. MDCCCCVIII •/vi2S6>f COPYRIGHT, OCTOBER, 1908, BY THE WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS ASSOCIATION NEW YORK Founded by Daughtirs of the American Revolution Revised Editions copyrighted october 1910 — april 1913 u )CI,A34550i ©rigtn anti ^ketc!) of t&e Wmfim^ton fleatiquarters as^ociatuiu /af| EMBERS of the National Society, Daughters of the American J/V-V Revolution, of New York City, consisting of representatives from the Washington Heights, Knickerbocker, Manhattan, and Mary Washington Colonial Chapters, convened, at the request of the Washington Heights Chapter, on February 14, 1903, at the residence of Mrs. Samuel J. Kramer, Regent of that Chapter, to assist in a movement for the purchase of Washington's Headquarters on Wash- ington Heights, by the municipal authorities. At this meeting an organization was effected and named the General Committee of the Daughters of the American Revolution of the Borough of Manhattan for the preservation and custody of Washington's Headquarters on Washington Heights. During the administration of the Hon. Seth Low, Mayor of New York, the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, on May 29, 1903, gave a hearing, and agreed, by unanimous vote, to purchase the property; and on July 29th, the purchase was authorized. Negotia- tions were conducted by Hon. N. Taylor Phillips, the Deputy Comp- troller, and the sum paid was $235,000. The city took possession of the deeds in October of the same year. Formal acceptance of this property by the city occurred on Monday December 28, 1903, when, under the auspices of the Park Board, the tablet at the west of the front entrance to the house was placed. Commissioner William R. Willcox presided, and the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew, United States Senator from the State of New York, delivered the oration. The following societies were represented : National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution; Empire State Society, Sons of the American Revolution; Sons of the I Revolution; Colonial Dames of America; Colonial Dames of the State of New York; American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society; Woman's Auxiliary to the American Scenic and Historic Preserva- tion Society; New York Historical Society; and the Washington Continental Guard. , In 1904, by Legislative enactment, the Park Commissioner, Hon. John J. Pallas, was enabled to accord the custody of this house, known as the Jumel Mansion, to the General Committee of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution. This Committee resolved itself into an Association, and became incorporated March 17, 1904, under the name of the Washington Headquarters Association, New York, Founded by Daughters of the American Revolution, with Mrs. Sam- uel J. Kramer, the organizer of the movement, as its first president. The first public celebration of Washington's birthday, by the city of New York, was held here, February 22, 1905, by the Park Depart- ment, under the auspices of the Washington Headquarters Associa- tion, which was the first organization of women so honored. The opening of the house as a public museum occurred on May 28, 1907, under the administration of the Hon. George B. McClellan, Mayor, and Hon. Moses Herrman, Park Commissioner. II a 2 S 3 5 < " o 2 fcu 1^as|)ington*s Heatiquarters Zl)c flDorrte pertot) 1765—1775 ^ir'HIS beautiful old Colonial and most historic Mansion in the city ^^ of New York, built by Lieutenant-Colonel Roger Morris, Loyalist, for his wife, Mary Philipse, about 1765, stands near the orig- inal site of an old farm house known as the Jan Kiersen house, which had been standing more than fifty years, and is believed to have been the first dwelling erected on Harlem Heights. Kiersen took posses- sion of this property March 1696 ; but it was not until March 7, 1700, that a deed with the consent of the freeholders, was granted him, with permission "to take a half-morgen of land from the Common woods, on which to have a house, barn and garden." * On January 29, 1763, according to deed of conveyance, the heirs of Jan Kiersen sold this commanding site to James Carroll, who, in turn, after advertising it weekly, from May 9th to June 13th, 1765, ** sold the property to Lieut.-Col. Roger Morris; and soon thereafter was begun the erection of this stately mansion. The date of completion is said to have been carved on the key-stone of an arch in the main hall ; but it is not now visible. Morris was the third son, born January 28, 1727, of Roger Morris, of Netherby, in the North Riding of Yorkshire, England, by his first wife, the fourth daughter of Sir Peter Jackson, Knight. Having obtained a Commission in the British Army, Morris was ordered to the American Colonies, where, for his conspicuous services. he soon rose in rank, and was appointed to the Staff of General Brad- * The only early deeds on record in the Register's office showing James Carroll's ownership of lands in New York City, is this Harlem plot, where now stands Washington's Headquarters, and another plot on Nassau Street. ** THE NEW YORK GAZETTE or WEEKI^Y POST-BOY. Thursday May 9, 16, 33, 30, June 6, 13, 1765; publishes this advertisement : To BE Sold A. pleasant situated farm on the Road leading: to King's Bridge, in the Township of Harlem of York Island, containing about 100 acres : about 30 acres of which is Wood laud, a fine piece of Meadow Ground, and more may easily be made : and commands the finest Prospect in the whole coutitry ; the I.,and runs from River to River ; there is Fishing, Oystering and Claming at either end. There is a good House, a fine Barn, 44 feet long and 42 feet wide, or thereabouts ; an Orchard of good Fruit, withplenty of Quince Trees that bear extraordinarily well ; three good gardens the Produce of which are sent to the York Markets daily, as it suits. An indisputable Title to be given to the Purchaser. Inquire of James Carroll, living on the Premises, who will agree on reasonable Terms. Ill dock. He was a personal friend of Washington, and during the French and Indian War they fought side by side, and remained friends and associates until the struggle for American Independence caused them to declare against each other. The wedding of (then) Major Roger Morris and Mary Philipse — one of the beautiful daughters of Frederick Philipse, Lord of Philipsburg Manor — took place at the Philipse Manor-house in the early part of 1758. Some years later this brilliant young couple took up their residence in this house, and occupied it for about ten years as their summer home, entertaining with great Colonial dignity and style, side by side with the De Peysters, De Lanceys, Bayards, Van Courtlandts, Livingstons and other families of distinction. They also numbered among their distinguished visitors, Major-General Moniton, Sir Henry Moore, the Earl of Dunmore, Sir William Tryon and Dr. Benjamin Franklin, then Postmaster-General of the Colonies. With the breakmg out of the Revolution the social reign of the Morrises came to an end; and Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, whose sympathies were distinctly with the Mother Country, being a member of the Legislative Council of the Colony of New York, as well as a retired officer of the English Army at this time, was forced to flee from the mansion with his wife and four children as early as May, 1775. Subsequently they embarked for England. This house is filled in with brick imported from Holland by the Morris family for the purpose. Importations of brick from Holland were of common occurrence in those early days. By comparing the Mansion now with the description of it published in the New York Daily Advertiser in March and April 1792, it will be seen that it has not undergone any material change. HAR1,EM HEIGHTS To BE SOLD AT PRIVATE SALE That pleasant and much-admired seat, Harlem Heights, formerly the property of the Hon. Roger Morris, distant ten miles from New York, containing about one hundred and thirty acres of good arable pasture and meadow land, including five acres of best salt meadow. The land produces good crops of grain and grass and extends across the island from river to river, «nd from the advantage of a communication by water on each side and the easy transportation of manure from the city may be brought to any state of improvement required. On the premises is a largedwelling house built in modern Style and taste andelegance.lt has a front portico supported by pillarsembellished and finished in ch»- racter; a large hall through the centre; a spacious dining-room on the right with an alcove, closets,and convenient pantry and store room adjoining, and beyond these a light easy mahogany staircase. On the left is a handsome parlor and a large back room particularly adapted and fitted for a nursery. A passage from the rear of the hall leads to an oblong octagon room about thirty-two feet by twenty-two with six sash windo\7s, marble chimney piece, and a lofty airy ceiling. On the second floor are seven bed chamber*, four with fireplaces and marble hearths; and a large hall communicating with a gallery under the portico, and from which there is a most inviting prospect. On the upper floor arc five lodging rooms, three of which have fireplaces; and at the top of the house is affixed an electrical conductor.Un- derneath the building are a large commodious kitchen and laundrj; and wine ceIlar,storeroom, kitchen pantry, sleeping apartments for servants, and a most complete dairy room.The floor is solid flat rock, and which with common attention to cleanliness cannot fail 10 render the place constantly cool and sweet. There are also on the premises a large barn and most excellent coach house and stables. The buildings have been rather neglected of late, and will want some repairs, but are in other respects substantially firm, sound and good. The house has a southern aspect, and being situated on rising gound at the narrowest part of York Island commands an extended view of the Hudson and the oppo- site range of lofty rock cliffs that bound the western shore, of the East River, Harlem River, Hell Gate, the Sound many miles to the eastward, and the shipping that are constantly passing and re- passing. In front is seen the city of New York, and the high hills on Staten Island distant more than IV ^tptemhtt, 1770— i^obember, 1776 /^FTER the disastrous battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776, the '^^ American Army under General Putnam retreated during the night of August 29th, to New York. Here they remained some days in a dis- heartened condition, having suffered great losses; and it was not until about the 9th of September, that the terrible suspense due to igno- rance as to the movements of the British Army, about which Washing- ton wrote on the 6th, was relieved. Soon after that date General Sir William Howe landed the British troops upon New York, and General Putnam, finding the city no longer tenable, retreated with his troops northward as far as Robert Murray's ITouse on Murray Hill, what is now Park Avenue between 36th and 37th Streets, where Washing- ton spent the night of Sept. 14th. On the 15th, Washington halted at Mott's Tavern, which stood near the intersection of 143d street and Eighth Avenue, and on the following day, the i6th of September, 1776, he issued his first orders from the house of Roger Morris and occupied it as his Military Headquarters for a period of about five weeks. No more authentic authority on the movements of the armies at this time can be discovered than is set forth in a letter written by General George Clinton, ^ dated King's Bridge, September 18, I776» twenty miles. To the left Ivong Island, Westchester, Morrisania, and the village of Harlem with iti cultivated surrounding field* exhibit a variety of pleasing views; in short, Harlem Heights affords a prospect as extensive, varied, and delightful as any seal in the United States; and considering its healthy, desirable position, the ample accomodation of the buildings, its practical distance from town, the excellent road that leads to it, and the many other attendant advantages, cannot fail to strike the observation of any one as an eligible retreat for a gentleman fond of rural employments and who wishes to pass the summer months with pleasure and comfort. The premises to be viewed at any time. Further particulars may be known by applying to Anthony t,. Bleecker & Son, March, ist 1792. No. 22 Wall Street. (which was Wednesday), now among the archives of the War De- partment in Washington, D. C. This letter says — "About the middle' of last week it was determined for many reasons to evacuate the city of New York, and accordingly, orders were given for removing the ordnance, military and other stores from thence, which by Sunday' morning was nearly effected. On Saturday four of the large ships had passed by the city up the North River and anchored near Gren- age,* and about as many up the East River, which anchored in Turtle Bay,^ and from the movements of the enemy on Long Island, and the small Islands in the East River, we had great reasons to apprehend they intended to make a landing and attack our lines somewhere near the city. Our army for some days had been moving up towards this way, and encamping on the Heights, south-west of Colonel Morris' where we intended to form lines, and make our grand stand. On Sunday® morning the enemy landed a very considerable body of troops, principally consisting of their light Infantry and Grenadiers near Turtle Bay, under cover of a very heavy cannonade from their shipping. Our lines were but thinly manned, as they were then intended only to secure a retreat to the rear of our army, and unfortunately by such troops as were so little disposed to stand in the way of grape shot, that the main body of them almost instantly retreated, nay, fled without a possibility of rallying, though General Washington himself, who rid to the spot on hearing the cannonade with some other General officers exerted themselves to effect it. The enemy on landing, immediately formed a line across the Island.' Most of our people were luckily north of it and joined the army. The few that were in the city crossed the river, chiefly to Paulus Hook,® so that our loss in men, artillery, or stores, is very inconsid- erable. I don't believe it exceeds one hundred men, and I fancy most of them from their conduct staid out of choice. Before evening the enemy landed the main body of their army, took possession of the city, and marched up the Island and encamped on the Heights 1 General George Clinton, Governor of New York, and later Vice-President of the United States. 2 About the middle of last week was vSept. nth or 12th. 3 Sunday morning, American Army on Ileights Sept. 15th. 4 Grenage — Greenwich Village. 5 Turtle Bay — opposite then Incleburg — now East 45th street. 6 Sunday morning, Ejnglish landed Sept. 15th. 7 Across the Island, about 44th street. 8 Paulus Hook— now Jersey City. VI East side and rear of Mansion, showing Colonial Railings and also Rose Garden. extending from McGown's and the Black Horse to the North River. On Monday about ten o'clock a party of the enemy, consisting of Highlanders, Hessians, the Light Infantry, Grenadiers and English troops (number uncertain) attacked our advancing party commanded by Colonel Knovvlton at Martje Davits Fly. They were opposed with spirit and made to retreat to a clear field south-west of that, where they lodged themselves behind a fence covered with bushes. Our people attacked them in front and caused them to retreat a second time, leaving five dead on the spot. We pursued them to a buckwheat field, on the top of a hill, distance of about four hundred paces We lost on this occasion Colonel Knowlton, a brave officer, and sixteen privates killed. Major Leitch, of Vir- ginia, and about eight or ten subaltern officers and privates wound- ed. . . . The loss of the enemy uncertain . . . violent presumption one hundred. The action, lasted the whole of four hours. I consider our success in this small affair, at this time, almost equal to a victory. It has animated our troop, gave them new spirits, and erased every bad impression the retreat from Long Island, &c., had left on their minds. They find they are able now, with inferior numbers, to drive their enemy, and think of nothing now but conquest We are daily throwing up works to prevent the enemy's advancing. . . . Great attention is paid to Fort Washington, the posts opposite to it on the Jersey shore, and the obstructions in the river .... it is of the utmost consequence to keep the enemy below us." A letter from General Nathaniel Greene to Governor Cooke of Rhode Island, written the day after the Battle of Harlem Heights, describes this battle, though not of long duration, as gallantly and successfully fought. Among the officers on General Washington's staff at the time he occupied this house were: Aides-de-Camp Col. William Grayson, of Virginia Lt.-Col. Richard Gary, of Virginia Lt.-Col. Samuel B. Webb, of Connecticut Lt. Tench Tilghman, of Pennsylvania Secretaries Lt.-Col. Robert Hanson Harrison, of Virginia Alexander Contee Hanson, Ass't, of Maryland VII Adjutant-Generai, Col. Joseph Reed, of Connecticut Quarter-master-Generai, Col. Stephen Moylan, of Pennsylvania Paymasxer-Generai, Col. William Palfrey, of MassacJmsetts Commissar y-Generai, Col. Joseph Trumbull, of Connecticut Director oe Generai, HospiTai, Dr. John Morgan, of Pennsylvania Chief Engineer Col. Rufus Putnam, of Massachusetts Muster-master-Generai, Col. Gunning Bedford, of Pennsylvania The stables and huts of the Headquarters, guards and orderlies, were north and west of the house near the line of 165th Street. The approach to the house, a4; that time, was by an avenue leading from the west side of the house to the Albany road, now St. Nicholas Avenue. The house lot was separated from the road by a high colonial fence. Two small octagonal gate-houses, white with green blinds, flanked the entrance. Between these gate-houses the fence bowed inward to the gate. During the Summer of 1776, earthworks had been partially con- structed from the Morris House west to the Hudson River, with a battery on the hill above the house where Mr. Audubon, the orni- thologist, since lived. The American forces being closely pressed by the enemy, Washing- ton, after his arrival at the Morris House, rode south as far as a redoubt built on the site of the present Convent of the Sacred Heart, to direct the battle of Harlem Heights, where Lieutenant-Colonel Knowlton and Major Leitch sacrificed their lives in repulsing the attack. This battle, though not a great one, was a sharp and decisive victory for the Americans, and was fought September i6th, 1776. Colonel Knowl- ton, after being wounded, was taken to the Cross Keys Tavern, then situated on the Kingsbridge road at what is now 165th Street, where he died. This tavern was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War. Washington received the news of Knowlton's mortal wounds in the Council Chamber of this house while preparing dispatches for Congress. It was Colonel Knowlton who was deputized by Washing- VIII ton to appeal to officers and men for the services of a spy to discover the movements of the English army on the north, as the Commander- in-Chfef was alarmed lest a detachment of British troops, left upon Long Island, should cross over at a point above Kingsbridge and thereby hem in the American forces, both north and south, and by one decisive battle, crush out what remained of that part of the American army which had retreated to New York from Long Island. After much debate and long silence. Captain Nathan Hale proffered his services to Colonel Knowlton, and though convalescing from a long and serious illness, and entreated by General Hull not to venture, Hale said: "It is the wish of the Commander-in-Chief; the import- ance outweighs every other consideration, I go;" and he presented himself to Washington. Receiving from General Washington partic- ular instructions and a general order upon all the American sloops or galleys in the Sound to convey him across to any part upon Long Island which he should designate, Hale, about the middle of Septem- ber, accompanied by Stephen Hempstead, a confidential soldier of his own company, left the camp at Harlem Heights, intending to cross the Sound at the first opportunity; but it was not until they had reached Norwalk, fifty miles up the Sound on the Connecticut shore, that they found proper protection. Here they found two row-galleys and the armed sloop Huntington, commanded by Captain Pond. This sloop Hale quickly engaged, and two hours before daybreak arrived on the east side of the Harbor of Huntington, Long Island. He was captured some days later within the British lines, exam- ined and condemned by General Howe on September 21st, at Howe's Headquarters, the Beekman House, 51st Street and 1st Avenue. Hale, upon his own confession, was hanged the following day, which was Sunday, September 22nd, at the corner of 45th Street and 1st Avenue, after being subjected to aggravated cruelty by Captain Cun- ningham, the provost marshal. There is a tradition that Hale re- ceived Washington's orders in the Council Chamber of this Mansion, and that when he went forth, he left by the Guard Room through a closet (now closed and papered over) into the cellar, and thence out by the east side of the house, and proceeded north as directed by the Commander-in-Chief, so as to escape the possibility of encountering enemy scouts on the south, but of this there is no available proof. On the i6th of October, General Washington held a council of war at Gen. Lee's quarters, at which it was decided to abandon Manhattan IX Island, and the four divisions under Generals Lee, Heath, Sullivan, and Lincoln began a movement north. Washington, however, con- tinued to occupy these Headquarters a few days longer when he issued his last orders from this house and followed the army. The Morris House, however, was not yet abandoned as Patriot Headquarters, for Colonel Robert Magaw, who was left behind with 2600 men to hold the Heights and defend Fort Washington, continued to occupy it until the i6th of November. Prior to this date, Wash- ington, fearing for the safety of Colonel Magaw and his men, had requested General Greene to direct Magaw to evacuate the Heights and Fort Washington, and to remove that portion of the army, together with supplies, to New Jersey; but Greene, believing in his own judgment, failed to comply with the request; hence, on the 14th of November, when Washington returned to Fort Lee from West Point, where he had been to view a site for a new fortress, he was filled with dismay at Greene's attitude in the matter; for he fully realized it was then too late, as several British vessels had already passed up the Hudson river, between the forts. The next day, November 15th, General Howe appeared before Fort Washington with an over- whelming force, demanding of Colonel Magaw immediate surrender, but Magaw defiantly refused. On the morning of the i6th, Howe, finding Magaw still defiant, precipitated an attack upon Fort Wash- ington which was gallantly resisted by Magaw and his men until forced to surrender upon a second demand, because of inferior- ity of numbers. Early in the morning of that date, Washinsfton hearing of Howe's demands upon Magaw, hastened across the river from Fort Lee, with the purpose of aiding Magaw — Generals Put- nam, Greene and Mercer having preceded him. Captain Alexander Graydon, an eyewitness, in his account published 1822, states that Washington accompanied by his generals, went at once to the Morris House, to better acquaint himself with the positions of the two armies. Soon after, the British and Hessian troops, 14,000 strong, assaulted the Heights, and Washington and his party were nearly captured by the sudden appearance of the 42nd Highlanders, the celebrated Black Watch Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Thomas Stirling, which had fought its way up the steep bank of what is now Speedway Park; but Washington and his party had suc- ceeded in reaching the landing place on the river before their escape was discovered. X West side of Mansion showing balcony used as sentry-box, and doorway through WHICH the Indian Braves entered when paying homage to Washington. Meanwhile the enemy's advance guard of Highlanders, on gaining the hill in the rear of the American Headquarters, took cover behind the huts and stables, and began firing on the house, which had been vacated by the Americans only shortly before. Washington did not again visit this mansion until after the close of the War. Another historical person of eminence identified with this house during Washington's occupancy was Alexander Hamilton, who, on March 14, 1776, at the instance of Colonel McDougall, was appointed Captain of a Company of Provincial Artillery, and received his first baptism of fire in the Battle of Long Island, and was afterwards in the attack on Harlem Heights. This company of artillery, like the brig- ade commanded by Colonel Knox, was, by one of those strange fates of war, left in the city, whilst the main army had retreated to Harlem, before the advancing British troops which had landed upon Manhattan Island some distance, to the north. Major Aaron Burr, afterwards Lieut. -Col. and Colonel, while reconnoitering, discovered this brigade in an old sod-lort, nearly on a line with what is now Grand Street; and, realizing to stay there meant capture, if not death, immediately called for the commander and suggested a retreat ; but Colonel Knox, believing the British in command of the Island, scouted the idea as madness. Burr, however, by his persistent earnestness and eloquence, and assuring Col. (afterwards Gen.) Knox and his officers that he knew the roads, soon persuaded them to yield to his entreaties; and on the i 5th of September, Burr, with gallant bravery, led these rear detachments safely to the main army camp on Harlem Heights, where they were enthusiastically welcomed by the troops who had given them up as lost. Burr's extraordinary efforts during this march, in conducting so skillfully and safely this disheartened body of men, saved the entire retreating corps. During Washington's occupancy of this house, he used the Morris library as his Council Chamber, where he received his generals and officers, and others friendly to the cause. He also received here "two Indian Braves of the Six Nations," who entered the Council Chamber bearing laurel branches in token of their fealty. Aaron Burr, then an aide on Putnam's staff, appointed June 22, 1776, was writing a letter for General Washington when the Indians entered the room. It is said that the Indians entered this house at the side door, XI just at the left of the Council Chamber, and that some of the same stones over which they walked, still mark the pathway. According to the best traditions connected with this house, the south-east room on the second floor was temporarily Washington's bedroom. He afterward changed to the north chamber, which also became his private office, where it is probable military secretaries worked under his direction. Opening off from this part of the house on the west is a small balcony used by Washington as a sentry-box; and from a corresponding balcony on the east, since removed, he viewed the army situations on the north and east. From the large balcony over the front door, it was possible, with the aid of a field-glass, for the Commander-in-chief to survey the very wide area stretched out before him on the south and west, so that this Mansion, with its command- ing situation, proved of great advantage to Washington at this critical time. "Wovember 16, 1776— IRovembcr 25» 1783 ll^ENERAL Lord Percy, having with him Admiral Lord Howe as his ^*^ guest, took possession of this house during the engagementthat resulted in the capture of Fort Washington on November i6, 1776. During the summer of 1777, it was occupied as Headquarters by General Sir Henry Clinton, whose sojourn here was of brilliant importance. In 1778 the house was assigned as Headquarters to Baron Wilhelm von Knyphauscn, the Hessian general, who occupied it with his German staff two months and eighteen days. Von Knyphausen, in command of his troops, may have been here on November i6th, 1776; but if so, did not long remain, as on November 22nd General Howe summoned him to command Fordham Heights. In June, 178 1, another Hessian, General von Losberg,was quartered in the house, and also, at the same time, Lieutenant-Colonel von Hinte, the commandant of the fort. It is probable that the house was British or Hessian Headquarters from its capture on November 16, 1776, until the evacuation of New York on November 25, 1783, a period of seven years. XII %f)t Cransition l^txitib 1783—1810 JpOR twenty-eight years after the evacuation of New York, until the /Jl purchase of the property by Stephen Jumel, the house passed throu<::^h various hands. In 1784 it wis sold by the Commission of Forfeiture, and for about a year was the residence of Dr. Isaac Ledyard, In 1785 it became a public tavern known as Calumet Hall, and was the first stopping place on stage route, between New York and Boston. In 1790 it was a farm house, to which Washington, then president, came from New York on the loth of July with a party of his cabinet officers and ladies, whom he entertained at dinner. In his diary of that date, he says: '• Having formed a party consisting of the Vice- President, his lady, son, and Miss Smith, the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and War, and the ladies of the two latter, with all the gen- tlemen of my family, Mrs. Lear and the two children, we visited the old position of Fort Washington, and afterward dined on a dinner provided by a Mr. Mariner at the house, lately Colonel Roger Morris', but confiscated, and in the occupation of a common farmer." The Vice-President was John Adams, and the Secretaries were Thomas Jefferson, Secretary 0/ Stafe, Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury y and Henry Knox, Secretary of War. In 1794 Col. Roger Morris, to whom the British Government had paid rent for the house during British occupancy, died in England. A pre-nuptial agreement between himself and Mrs. Morris vested this (and other) confiscated property, after their death, in their children; but, during the lifetime of Mrs. Morris, John Jacob Astor purchased all the rights of the children for a very large sum. Mrs. Morris died in London, July 18, 1825, at the advanced age of 96 years. Fitz-Greene Halleck, the poet, visited this house in 1827, and here wrote his celebrated poem "Marco Bozzaris." Subsequently he be- came secretary to John Jacob Astor. In 1799 the house was owned by William Kenyon, a merchant of the city, who sold it to Leonard Parkinson, of Kinnersley Castle, in the country of Hereford, England, who, according to New York records, was also a merchant of Jamaica, West Indies. XIII 1810—1888 A^N the 9th day of March, i8io, Stephen Jumel, a French merchant ^^ doing business in New York, bought from Leonard Parkinson aforesaid, the Mansion and 36 acres of land for the sum of $9,927,50. Six years before, in 1804, Stephen Jumel had married Eliza Bowen, and the new purchase was to be the country home of the Jumels. The Mansion was in a dilapidated condition after its many changes of ownership, and Monsieur Jumel, with all the enthusiasm of a com- patriot of Lafayette, set about the task of restoring the house that had been occupied by Washington as his Headquarters to its original condition. The windows were broken, and, as stained glass was not made in America, Monsieur Jumel sent fragments of the small circles that enrich the front doorways, to France, where the original designs were reproduced and the glass restored as we see it to-day. The old colonial gates and gate-houses of the Morris period were also faith- fully reproduced. In the Council Chamber, the old wall paper was tattered and torn. Here Monsieur Jumel secured a sample, from which he had the original paper reproduced in Paris, and printed from wood blocks. The cost at that early period was $15.00 a roll, and the specimens of the old pattern, now under glass in the Guard Room, are pieces of the paper put on the walls of the Council Chamber by Monsieur Jumel in 18 10. The work of Monsieur Jumel in restoring the Mansion to its con- dition during the Washington period was not only a work of love and loyalty, but a work executed in admirable good taste. To Monsieur and Madame Jumel, we owe most of the knowledge we possess of the original house, and probably, to their care, the existence of the house itself. Stephen Jumel went to France in his own ship, the Eliza, in 181 5, for the purpose of bringing Napoleon Bonaparte to America. Although his offer was declined, this generosity secured for him the friendship of the Bonaparte family. Before his departure for St. Helena, Napoleon Bonaparte gave numerous presents to Stephen Jumel, which are still preserved as family heirlooms. The Emperor gave his travelling carriage to the XIV n > ^ Jumels, but this was seized at the barrier as they were leaving Paris, and Monsieur and Madame Jumel were held for six hours in the Con- cierg^erie as prisoners, until they were released through the intercession of the American minister. They had also many pieces of furniture and paintings belonging to the Empress Josephine ; a set of drawing- room furniture once the property of Charles X ; an old chandelier, the property of Moreau ; and relics which had belonged to various Kings of France, Louis Napoleon, and very many other distinguished people. The chandelier, now in the Council Chamber, is like the one at Fontainebleau. The African cypress trees, twenty of which were standing, 1909, in a semi-circle about what remained of the old fish pond at the corner of I 59th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, were presented by the Khedive of Egypt to Napoleon in the last days of 18 14, when his dynasty was closing. The roots of each little tree were surrounded with native earth, encased in canvas bags. In this condition the trees, some 400 in number, lay neglected on the ground in one of the gardens of the Tuileries for several months, when they were secured by Stephen Jumel, who sent them to this country and had them planted here. Stephen Jumel died in May, 1832, as the result of a carriage accident. In 1825, according to a statement made by a member of Mme. Jumel's family, Lafayette was entertained in this house and slept in the north-west chamber, which was thereafter called the Lafayette Room. Louis Napoleon was a guest in this house in 1837. When he went to France to head the movement that finally placed him on the throne, he was supplied with money advanced by Madame Jumel. Joseph Bonaparte was also entertained here as a guest in 1819 and 1820. Arriving in the absence of his hostess, his first meal in the house was a dinner of pork and cabbage served by the cook in the south-west basement kitchen, designated in Colonial days as the slaves kitchen. It was during his visit that the entrance to the Council Chamber was enlarged and supplied with folding doors in place of the original door of ordinary width. Prince Jerome Bona- parte, and the Prince de Joinville were also guests of Madame Jumel. It has been frequently stated that Madame Jiimel entertained here Louis Philippe, the Citizen King of France, and the great Talleyrand; but proof is, that the visits of these distinguished men to this house ante-dated her time ; for Louis Philippe, during his twenty-one years of XV exile, was in America only from 1796 to 1800; and Talleyrand, in his Memoirs, refers to his visits in New York, as having been during the winters of 1794 and 1795. He says, "I availed myself of the op- portunity thus offered, to meet the chief personages connected with the American Revolution, especially General Alexander Hamilton, whose mind, character and ability, places Hamilton on a par with the most distinguished Statesmen of Europe". It was doubtless at this time that Talleyrand visited this historic Mansion. Enoch Crosby, the original of Harvey Birch, in J. Fenimore Cooper's Novel "The Spy" — written in 1821 — spent a night in this house. J. Fenimore Cooper was appointed United States Consul to Lyons, France, in 1826. In 1791 Madame Jumel saw the assembling of Congress, and in 1793 she saw the second inauguration of Washington. In 1824 she was in France, and that year attended the Coronation ball of Charles X. One of the last distinguished persons to sit at her table in the old dining room was General William T. Sherman, of the Civil War. Madame Jumel, with her sumptuous tastes and wealth, entertained lavishly. A person who was present at one of her receptions says that at that time, all around the base-board of the Council Chamber were small foot-high mirrors which reflected the graceful sweep of the ladies' gowns; and that Madame Jumel on state occasions received her friends seated on a dais in the room. She was also in those days a very conspicuous figure on the Bloomingdale Road with her Colonial yellow coach and postillions. On July 1st, 1833, Madame Jumel was married to Aaron Burr, by the Rev. David Bogart. The ceremony took place in the tea room, which is at the left of the entrance to the Mansion. Rev. Bogart was the same clergyman who had performed the wedding ceremony for Burr and his first wife, Theodosia Bartow, widow Provost, just fifty- one years before, lacking one day. Madame Jumel died on Sunday morning, i6th July, 1865, and her funeral took place from this house on the i8th. During the morning the remains were exposed to view in the Council Chamber, and short- ly after one o'clock were removed to the Church of the Intercession, 1 58th Street and Broadway. She is buried in Trinity Cemetery, 1 54th Street and Broadway. Madame Jumel, her family allege, was born in Providence, R. I., April 2, 1777, daughter of John and Phoebe (Kelly) XVI Bowen. At the time of her marriage, then, to Aaron Burr, she was fifty-six years of age, and at her death aged eighty-eight; but accord- ing to obituary record, she was four years older — hence born 1773. Aaron Burr was the third Vice-President of the United States, from 1 80 1 to 1805. Nelson Chase, who studied law in the office of Aaron Burr, and became an eminent practitioner at the New York bar, married Mary Bownes, a niece of Madame Jumel, in 1832, and they made their home in this Mansion. He was a man of literary tastes and enter- tained here James Parton, Nathaniel P. Willis, George Bancroft, Benson J. Lossing, and many other literary lights of his time. Charles O'Conor, for many years the leader of the New York bar, who was a frequent visitor, said of Mr. Chase that he was the best read man in the United States. Mrs. Julius Henry Caryl, the only daughter of Nelson Chase, was born in this house, and it continued to be her home until 1887, when the property was sold for $100,000. She now resides at Caryl, near Yonkers, and has the most complete knowledge of the history of the Mansion of any person now living. Her recollections of the rooms in the old house are of inestimable value. It is stated by Mrs. Caryl that the entrance hall was originally wains- coted like the rooms on the main floor, but that, about 1820, during the long absence of the Jumels in Paris, the wainscot was removed. It is also stated by her that the walls of the dining room were a dark green, about the color of a lily leaf, and finished at the top with a band of gold, three fingers wide. Mrs. Ferdinand P. Earle, wife of Brigadier-General Earle, Com- missary-General on the Staffs of Governors Hill and Flower, and a member of the Empire State Society, S. A. R., was the last individual owner of this Mansion, which was purchased by the City of New York from Mrs. Earle in 1903, for $235,000, through the intercession of the General Committee of the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion of the Borough of Manhattan which subsequently founded the Washington Headquarters Association. Mrs. Earle organized the Washington Heights Chapter in this house, February 18, 1897. General Earle died here January 2, 1903. The tablet and bas-relief bronze of Washington on the east side of the front entrance, was placed by the Washington Heights Chapter, June 2, 1900. xvn Notes — Historians differ as to the exact movements of jWashington on November i6, 1776. I,ossing says in his "I,ife of Washington" that Washington followed Greene and^Putnam from Fort I,ee, in a small boat, intending to go to the aid of Magaw, at Fort Washington, but was dissuaded from his pur- pose, by the reports of Generals Greene and Putnam who intercepted him en route. Other writers aver, that he was, on that date, in this house within fifteen minutes of its occupancy by the enemy. iossing says the scheme for a Spy was arranged at the Robert Murray House where Washing- ton spent the night of September 14; and another authority states that Colonel Knowlton, to whom Washington gave the commission to procure someone to act as a Spj', convened his ofBcers in the Apthorpe house, and Hale, who was present accepted. Isaac William Stewart and other authorities state positively that Hale after accepting the duty, presented himself to Washington, and left Camp Harlem Heights equipped with general orders from him. Iiossing also states that Major Aaron Burr, knowing the roads, led the Main Army under Gen- eral Putnam safely from the city along the west side to Harlem Heights; other writers mention particularly the rear detachments of the Array, which he saved from total destruction by conduct- ing them safely to the Main Army, which had retreated. For dates concerning the Jan Kiersen property— Excerpts from the original deeds of Harlem— See also Riker's Harlem, pp. 512-513. For Carroll purchase see Land Deeds, N. Y. Register's Office. Chain of title with explanatory notes from 1696 to 1828 furnished by the Title Guarantee and Trust Company, New York City. The New York Gazette or the Weekly Post-Boy, May, 1765. New York Historical Society Collections. Josiah C. Pumpelly, New York Gen. and Bio. Record, April, 1903. Mine's Historic Notes and other Historians give date of house as 1758, which is an error. Burke's Landed Gentry, for Roger Morris' Parentage. Benson Lossing's "1776 to 1847." Carrington's Battles of American Revolution. Evacuation of New York under Gen. Putnam from 12th to i6th September, see Gen. Clinton's letter on page VI of this Pamphlet. Life of Aaron Burr, by Samuel L- Knapp, published 1835; by James Parton, 1858; by H. C. Merwin (Beacon Biographies) 1899, and by Charles Burr Todd also Jenkinson's "Life of Burr" pp. 19 — 20. War Record of Aaron Burr in War Department at Washington, D. C. Walton's American Army and Navy. Heitman's Historical Records of Officers of the Continental Army, 1775-1783- Washington's Official Family, Emmett Collection, N. Y. Public Library. Martha J. Lamb's History of New York. Isaac William Stewart's Life of Nathan Hale, published in 1856. Ross' History of Long Island. General Hull's Memoirs of Nathan Hale, also diaries of Asher Wright and Stephen Hempstead, Comrades. "British Guard Orderly Book." New York Historical Soc'y. Edward Hagaman Hall (Scenic Society), for information concerning trial and execution of Nathan Hale — private letter. Graydon's "Memories of a Life," Pub. 1822, in Edinburgh, Scotland; for statement of Washington's return to Morris House, Nov. 16, 1776. For date of Washington's arrival at this house, see letter to Gen. Schuyler which says arrived on Sunday which was the 15th of September. A letter to his brother John Augustine Washington says in the evening. Force's Archives — 5th Series. Louis Philippe— History of France, by Rev. Dr. E. Cobham Brewer, London, 1893. Memoirs of Talleyrand— edited by the Due de Broglie of the French Acad- emy. Vol. I pp. 181-182. General George Clinton's letter, dated Sept. 18, 1776, giving details as to movements of the armies and Battle of Harlem Heights, from Sept. I2th to Sept. 17th. See American Archives, 5th Series, Washington, D. C, and Hart's "American History told by Contemporaries," vol. II. pp. 554—555- XVIII General Nathaniel Greene's letter to Governor Cooke of Rhode Island, dated Harlem Heights, Sept. 17th, 1776. See Thomas Jones' History of New York during Revolutionary Times, pp. 604—605. Fort Washington was held contrary to the judgement of Gen. Washington. See his letters to Congress dated Nov. i6th; and also to his brother John Augustine Washington dated Tuesday, Nov. 19th, 1776. Force's Archives, Vol. 2nd, 5th Series. John Fiske's History of the Revolution on the surrender of Fort Washington, vol. I. pp. 220 &c., also Lossing's Life of Washington, pp. 329-330, For positions of armies upon Manhattan Island, East River, North River and the Bay, see map in L,ossing's "Life of Washington." For British Period, see General Howe's order book; the diaries of his Adit. General; and of Colonel Montresor. John Marshall's "Life of Washington." Washington's Movements I2th to i6th September, see Godfrey's Com- mander-in-Chiefs' Guard. The Robert Murray house located on Park Avenue, between 36th and 37th Streets was destroyed by fire in 1835— Wilson's Memorial History of New York, Vol's II. & III. pp. 517 & 299. Historic New York Vol. L p. 317- Famous "Ratzer Map" & Randall's Survey. Research of Edward Hagaman Hall, Secretary American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. For Washington's Movements, dispatches and letters, Aug. 1776 to Nov. 16, 1776, see Force's Archives Vol. II. 5 Series. Apthorpe house, built 1764— approach to it between 93rd and 94tii Streets near Columbus Ave. It was torn down in 18S8, and St. Agnes Chapel now (1908) occupies its site— Hopper Stryker Mott's "New York of Yesterday," pages 15 and 16. James John Audubon the naturalist, laid out Audubon Park, bounded by Broadway, Riverside Drive, West 155th and 158th Streets. Here he built his residence in the early part of 1800. Property sold to a syndicate Nov. 21st, 1908. — New y'ork Times, Nov. 22nd, 1908. Statements of Nelson Chase, and recollections of his daughter, Mrs. Julius H. Caryl. No record at Providence, R. I. of Mme. Jumel's birth. New York Times published 19 July, 1865, contains account of Mme. Jumel's funeral. Trinity Church Cemetery Ass'n records give age of Mme. Jumel at time of death as ninety-two years, and adds, born in France, Mrs. Edwin R. Fay — Notes on Enoch Crosby, Madame Jumel's Colonial Coach and Fish-pond. The advertisement, minutely describing the Mansion, which appeared in the New York Daily Advertiser in 1792, was discovered by Mr. David Youngs in his ancestral home at Huntington, Long Island, and sent by Mrs. George D. Bangs to the compiler, who verified it by recourse to the files of the paper in the New York Historical Society. XIX LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 220 447 2 Washington's Headquarters on Harlem Heights may be reached by the Broadway Subway to 157th Street and by the Amsterdam Avenue surface cars. >^ J^ j^ Pncss OP aeORCE HARJES CO. 141-149 WCST 3STM STRCCT NIW YOHK.