Saturday, February 5, 2011:  

W3R-NJ cordially invites you to attend its 4th Annual Breakfast.

Call out the minute men! Breakfast is getting revolutionary. A breakfast hosted by Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route of New Jersey (W3R-NJ) will feature lecturer Dr. Robert A. Selig on the subject, "Where was the Battle of Princeton Really Fought"?

Standard accounts of the Battle of Princeton on 3 January 1777 focus on the initial phase of the encounter on the grounds of the current state park. They erroneously place General Mercer's forces on the road along the Stony Brook, tasked with breaking down the bridge at Worth's Mill while General Mifflin and his men are said to march in the rear of General Cadwallader's Pennsylvania militia. The German Regiment under Colonel Hausegger usually gets lost in the shuffle.

This presentation which is based on the recently released 2010 ABPP study of the Battle of Princeton will take a critical look at this scenario which ignores much of the battlefield outside the state park and present answers to the question of where opposing forces really were on the battlefield. It presents alternatives to the generally accepted geographic boundaries of the battlefield while stressing the need to protect those parts that are subjected to immense development pressure.

The breakfast will be held at the Nassau Club, 6 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ on February 5 2011at 9:30 a.m. The Nassau Club dates back to 1889. Two of its most famous members have been Presidents of the United States: Grover Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson. Their portraits hang in the clubhouse lounge.

Tickets for the full English breakfast are $25, and reservations must be made in advance. Jacket and tie are required. To make reservations, call 908-930-6491.

W3R-NJ is a non-profit corporation that was formed to promote, preserve, and commemorate the march of the French and allied expeditionary forces through New Jersey; to support the activities of local historical organizations; promote the goals of W3R-USA and the National Park Services; and to assist New Jersey State agencies and local organizations with similar missions.

Friday, September 12, 2008:

 “General Rochambeau’s Dinner Party”, will be held at the Somerset Hills Hotel, 200 Liberty Corner Road, Warren, NJ. Cocktails will start at 6:30 PM and the dinner will be served at 7:30 PM. (See Dinner and Menu) Guests are encouraged to wear period clothing. Tickets are $100 per person. For reservations please call 908-930-6491, or download and print RSVP. Send check to W3R-NJ / Liberty Corner, PMB 1781, 442 US Highway 202-206 N, Bedminster, NJ 07921.

Monday, June 23, 2008:

W3R-NJ Annual Dinner Meeting -Open to the Public

Mannion's Pub & Restaurant
130 West Main Street, Somerville
908-203-0700
Monday, June 23, 2008, 6:30 PM
$25 per person, Cash Bar

Presentation: Dr. Robert Selig's PowerPoint Program of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route through New Jersey

Please RSVP by Friday, June 20 - Call Tom D'Amico (908-231-7021) to confirm your reservation. Bring a check payable to W3R-NJ for $25.

Thursday, July 19,  2007:

Meet the Washington/Rochambeau March Re-Enactors

The Pequannock Twp. Public Library will host "Meet the Washington/Rochambeau March Re-Enactors!" at the Pequannock Township Public Library on Thursday, July 19, at 7:30 pm. All are welcome! The library is located at: 477 Newark Pompton Turnpike,
Pompton Plains, N.J. 07444, phone (973) 835 7460.

Directions to the library are on our web site at
http://www.pequannocklibrary.org or yahoo map.

Rosemarie Morin and David Holloway were part of a small militia of
colonial troops who traveled all the way from Rhode Island to Yorktown, Virginia, in the first complete re-enactment of the American and French armies' March to Yorktown in 1781. Two of their group walked the entire route last year, to commemorate the 225th anniversary.

Rose and David will appear in period dress - Rose as camp follower and Dave as a French soldier. Journey back in time to hear about their adventures, from their incredible trek, to the glorious re-enactment of the Battle of Yorktown.

Rose and David will also talk about the status of federal legislation to make the Washington/Rochambeau Route a National Historic Trail. Help us to welcome the dedicated footsore soldiers home to New Jersey once again!

Friday & Saturday, June 22-23, 2007:

The members of W3R-NJ are pleased to host the 2007 June W3R-USA Board meeting on Friday & Saturday, June 22-23, in Somerset, New Jersey. (Reservation Form)

Central New Jersey has a rich Revolutionary history with many historic houses and sites. When you attend the meeting, plan to spend a little time enjoying Garden State history. Of particular interest will be the Battle of Monmouth Re-enactment on Sunday afternoon. The Battle is near our meeting place and transportation will be available. For more information, visit  The Battle of Monmouth.

Please make your reservations as soon as possible. You may register by e-mail by contacting Treasurer Carl Nittinger at CarlNittinger@aol.com, or printing and returning a Reservation Form by mail. Please remember that if you have not yet paid your 2007 annual dues ($50),  they must be paid no later than June 23, 2007.

All checks should be sent to W3R-USA, Attn: Carl Nittinger, Treasurer.

TRANSPORTATION:

Driving Directions to Embassy Suites Piscataway:

FROM THE NORTH: NJ Turnpike to Exit 10. Take Route 287 11 miles north to Exit 9 (River Road / Highland Park). Turn left crossing 287and proceed to jughandle on right, crossing River Road to Centennial Avenue. Turn left at first traffic light into parking.

FROM THE SOUTH: NJ Turnpike to Exit 9 / New Brunswick - Rutgers U. Take Route 18 North to River Road, exiting on right. Stay on River Road about 5-10 minutes. After QuickChek on right, take next traffic light to the right on Centennial Avenue, and turn left at next light into parking.

By Train:

Amtrak to Newark Penn Station

NJ Transit (Raritan Valley Line)
Train #5707 leaves Newark at 3:06 PM & arrives Bound Brook 3:49 PM RT fare$11 / NOTE: If tickets are bought on board, they are more expensive.

Please confirm how many will be on this train and need transportation to hotel
Call Sallie de Barcza / # 908-930-6491.

HOTEL:

Embassy Suites Piscataway / Somerset
121 Centennial Avenue
Piscataway, NJ 08854

Tel: 1-732-980-0500 Fax: 1-732-980-9473

Two-room suite with complimentary full breakfast and cocktail hour
$120 per suite per night (mixture of kings & twin queens in reserved block)

Code for Special Rate: W3R-US
Special rate reservation deadline: June 1


FRIDAY DINNER:

O'Connor's Beef n' Chowder House
1719 Amwell Road
Somerset, NJ 08873
7:00 PM
Tel: 908-873-3990
$25 per person, including tax & tip. Cash Bar

Speaker:
Wayne Daniels, Historian
Old Trenton Barracks

SATURDAY BOARD MEETING:

Symen Van Wickle House (c. 1722)
The Meadows Foundation
1289 Easton Avenue
Somerset, NJ 08873
9:30 AM
Registration & Box Lunch: $35 per person

AGENDA:

9:00 A.M. Registration & Coffee
Tour of House

10:00 A.M. Old Business
 - By-laws update
 - Other

11:45 A.M. New Business
 - Houdon bust of Lafayette
 - Other

Noon Lunch & Round Table Discussion on the marchers' film proposal.

1:00 Advocacy & the National Park Service

3:00 Adjourn

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, September 15, 16 & 17, 2006:

W3R-NJ: Bullion's Tavern Reenactment

W3R-NJ will sponsor a reenactment at the English Farm in the picturesque village of Liberty Corner, NJ. The historic farm was the actual location of the French campsite on August 29, 1781.
 
The commemoration will begin Friday evening with a formal dinner, (See Dinner and Menu) followed by a two-day reenactment of the French encampment at Bullion's Tavern (Liberty Corner). On Saturday evening, there will be a presentation by noted historian Dr. Robert Selig.

Visitors will have a unique opportunity to relive the atmosphere of an eighteenth century military encampment. There will be a variety of routine camp activities, as well as weaponry, cooking, and craft demonstrations. You can imagine yourself in the midst of Revolutionary drama of the march to Yorktown, while observing military planning, training, and battle simulations.
 
The English farm, which has been in continuous use by the same family for eight generations, is a 74-acre working farm. One wing of the house dates to the early 1740’s. Today, the English farm has cows, sheep, herb gardens, and a produce stand – and even an aged orchard. The farm has a collection of antique farm implements including a working cider press.

Saturday, September 9,  2006:

Mahwah Museum Grand Re-Opening and W3R Exhibit,
"March to Victory: Mahwah in the American Revolution"

201 Franklin Turnpike at Miller Road, Mahwah

Opening September 9, as part of the W3R celebration, this exhibit will feature plates given by George Washington to Andrew Hopper, and other rare items collected by Claude and Inez Harkins, among the most important Washingtonia collectors in the country. The exhibit will run through the end of December, 2006.

Displays include an original 13-star silk flag designed by Pierre L'Enfant (later the planner of Washington, DC), a George Washington miniature portrait on ivory by Frederick Kemmelmeyer, with a lock of hair of Washington on the verso, under glass.

There will also be W3R educational displays, and new exhibits about the early history and growth of Mahwah. Museum hours are 1:00-5:00 p.m. weekends, or by appointment, (201) 512-0099.

Visit Mahwah Museum Society at www.geocities.com/mahwahmuseuminc/

For further information call (201) 825-1226

Saturday, September 9, 2006:

Follow the French - - - Rochambeau Treasure Trail

Sponsored by: the Heritage Trail Association
Start time: 10:00 am
Start Place: Olde Mill Inn, 225 Route 202, Bernards Township, NJ

Explore the trail that Count Rochambeau followed through Somerset County when his troops marched to Yorktown 225 years ago. The route winds along scenic county roads from Basking Ridge to Princeton. The event offers fun and an educational experience for explorers all ages.

The "Treasure Trail" event will begin at the Olde Mill Inn, Route 202, Basking Ridge, where participants will receive directions and maps. The maps will include a copy of the French map prepared from the official 1781 notes of Louis-Alexandre Berthier, a young French staff officer, and a current Somerset County map. Participants will use the maps to follow the French route.

There will be a list questions to be answered along the way, and prizes will be awarded based on number of correct answers and additional points. In addition, the route includes a number of interesting stops: the famous live oak tree in the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church's cemetery, the English Farm in Liberty Corner, the Washington Valley Park in Martinsville, the Van Veghten House in Finderne, and the blacksmith's forge in Millstone. The final destination is the historic house Morven on Route 206 in Princeton.

The tour should take about two hours including stops. The cost of the event is $10 per vehicle.

Saturday, September 9, 2006:

Children's Parade and Pig Roast at Millstone, NJ

Millstone Celebrates the 225th Anniversary of the Rochambeau Army Encampment at Millstone on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006
(Rain Date - Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006)

The event will begin at 10:00 am with a tour of the Hillsborough Reformed Church in Millstone, at the corner of Amwell Road and Main St. The marchers and floats will assemble for children's parade on Amwell Road in front of Church.

At 11:00 am the will be a wreath laying on gravesite of Isaac Van Cleef, Revolutionary War veteran, in historic graveyard at Reformed Church. At its conclusion, the parade will proceed down Main St. to South River St., crossing Amwell Road, to North River St. and the Borough Hall.

A picnic and pig roast will be held at Borough Hall followed by games, crafts, and tours in the afternoon. The Old Millstone Forge will be open and offer blacksmith demonstrations during the afternoon.

Saturday, August 26, 2006:

Open House - Havemeyer Mansion,  Mahwah, NJ

The Havemeyer Mansion, located on Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202), Mahwah will have an open house from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, August 26. This is the kickoff event for the W3R-Mahwah celebration and the opening of "Marching to Victory: Mahwah in the American Revolution," a new exhibit at the Mahwah Museum. The event, which is being sponsored by the Mahwah Museum Society, will be a beautiful tented affair with refreshments. Costumed docents will give tours of the historic mansion, where Revolutionary War artifacts will be on display. The mansion is on the site where Patriot Andrew Hopper's house once stood along the original route of the W3R march. It is now the home of the Ramapo College President, who has graciously agreed to this event. All are welcome.

Friday, August 25, 2006:

Crossing the State Line, Suffern, NY to Mahwah, NJ

On Friday, August 25th at 9:30 a.m.,the official celebration will take place of the crossing of the NY/NJ state line by Captain Mike Fitzgerald and the March to Yorktown re-enactors. The event is being coordinated by the historical organizations of Mahwah and Suffern, NY. All are welcome.

American forces (including General Washington) traveled from Haverstraw, NY to Mahwah, NJ on August 25, 1781. French troops under General Rochambeau left Suffern, NY on August 25, 1781 and crossed into Mahwah, NJ on Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202) on August 26th.

As part of the Border Crossing Celebration, the re-enactors will pass the "light of freedom" (an actual copper lantern) from NY to NJ. Representatives from W3R-NJ, Bergen County, Mahwah and Suffern, the VFW, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and historical organizations are expected to attend the event. Everyone is welcome.

For more information on this and other Mahwah events, call Carol Greene, W3R-NJ Vice-Chair at (201) 825-1226.

George Washington and the helpful Jerseyans

BY Tom Hester
Star-Ledger Staff

Gen. George Washington and 2,650 soldiers, any poorly clad without shoes, trudged from Mahwah to Trenton, accompanied by wagon trains and herds of horses and oxen. The late August heat had turned dirt roads into "dust like a smothering snow."

As they passed in three columns through Second River (Belleville), Newark, Orange, Springfield, New Brunswick, Kingston and Princeton, New Jerseyans lined the roads to cheer them, offered them baked bread and cared for the sick.

A day behind were 4,800 French soldiers, the only foreign army ever to appear on American soil to help defend it. Led by Count de Rochambeau and magnificently dressed in their white uniforms with green or pink facing, the allies passed through Whippany, Morristown, Bullion’s Tavern (Liberty Corner) and Somerset Courthouse (Millstone), entertaining Jerseyans with their bands on their way to Princeton and Trenton.

This five-day march through New Jersey does not have the star power of the battles in Trenton, Princeton and Monmouth, but it was the prelude to the victory over the British at Yorktown, Va., in 1781 that effectively ended the Revolutionary War and led to America’s independence.

And now perhaps it will get the attention it deserves.

Historian Robert Selig has brushed the dust off history and will provide the first comprehensive report of the New Jersey segment of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route, a federal- and state-supported series of marked roadways that stretches 600 miles from Newport, R.I. to Yorktown.

Selig spoke of his findings yesterday at a symposium at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School.

"Telling the story of this march provides an opportunity to make it clear to Americans that the victory at Yorktown would not have been possible without contributions of tens of thousands of people along the route who fed and provided for the troops along the way," Selig said. "The American Revolution happened in their backyards. We see the whole state was involved and contributed toward the success of this march."

Selig found in his research that while some of the campsites remain unscarred farmland, others, known only to local historians, have disappeared under the avalanche of development.

The tennis courts and athletic fields of Ramapo College, for example, cover the ground where the Americans and French camped in Mahwah. In Madison, the campsite at what was the Bottle Hill Tavern is now the busy intersection of Main Street and Waverly Place.

In Whippany, the campsite is now the Lucent Technology Park at 67 Whippany Road. In Liberty Corners, the landmark for the campsite bordering Route 202 is an Exxon station.

Selig said that in doing his research, he used archives and libraries in France, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and well as New Jersey. Local historians, such as Richard Simon of Morristown, former president of the Washington Association of New Jersey, took Selig to see known march sites.

Selig said the French, seeing the province of New Jersey for the first time – while it was still commonly known as East Jersey and West Jersey – kept detailed maps and diaries.

"The Jerseys where we are now – beautiful country! – abound in all kinds of produce," observed Baron Lugwig von Closen, an aide to Rochambeau. "The inhabitants – who are of Dutch origin – have kept it neat and retained their gentle and peaceful customs and have been very friendly towards the army. It is a land of milk and honey with game, fish, vegetables, poultry, etc. After leaving New York State, where misery is written on the brows of the inhabitants, the affluence of the state of the Jerseys seems to be much greater,"

One method Selig used to track the armies was to examine the property damage and theft claims submitted by New Jerseyans to the Legislature after the war. Passing American soldiers eyed every article of unguarded clothing – and every unguarded pig.

Professor Mark Lender, chairman of the history department at Kean University and an expert on the Revolution, is reviewing Selig’s study.

"This report, in effect, put the whole thing together," Lender said. "We had a pretty good understanding of where the different columns moved at different times; now we have a greater understanding. What Selig has done is put the whole thing together.

"This is one more illustration of why people have been calling New Jersey ‘The Crossroads of the Revolution.’ In war, as in real estate, location is everything."