Crossroads of the American Revolution

The Vanderveer/Knox House and it's significance to the Crossroads

The Crossroads of the American Revolution Association is the federally designated non-profit managing organization for New Jersey's heritage area which was designated by Congress in 2006 to raise popular understanding of the historical significance of New Jersey's Revolutionary War heritage, encourage open space and historic preservation and enhance and boost economic development in New Jersey through community revitalization and heritage tourism.

The Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area is beginning work on a management plan that will lay the groundwork for future initiatives for stewardship, interpretation, and community revitalization based upon New Jersey's Revolutionary War heritage. The involvement of communities, historic sites, environmental and stewardship organizations, businesses and residents interested in New Jersey's Revolutionary War heritage is vital to the initiative's success.

The Vanderveer house played an important role during the Revolutionary War being a central location during the Pluckemin Encampment in 1779 and played a key role to the sucess of General Knox's military academy.

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For more information on the Crossroads of the American Revoluntion visit http://www.revolutionarynj.org/

Historic Significance:

THE WINTER ENCAMPMENT AT MIDDLEBROOK

Washington placed the army into winter encampments at several locations from Connecticut down through New Jersey. He established his headquarters at the Wallace House near the Village of Raritan. Martha Washington joined him there as she had done previously at Morristown. The winter was mild and for the troops, a great improvement from the previous one at Valley Forge. Little action occurred, other than frequent skirmishes between militia and foraging British troops from New York City. General Henry Knox, who was accompanied by Mrs. Knox, maintained quarters near Pluckemin, where an artillery school was conducted under his tutelage.

The winter at Middlebrook was marked by a number of social occasions often held at the Wallace House or the quarters of General and Mrs. Nathanael Greene. In the spring, a Grand Ball was held at Washington's headquarters to celebrate the anniversary of the French alliance. The general appeared in a black velvet suit. Click here to learn more.

In May 1779, Washington sent 5,000 troops under General Sullivan to the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania to deal with Indians who were attacking in that region. With 8,000 remaining troops, Washington marched to Haverstraw and West Point, New York to counter the British capture of Stony Point. In August, Major Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee stormed the British fort at Paulus Hook, New Jersey and captured 400 of the enemy with the loss of only one American life. In October, a British raiding party attacked near Middlebrook. They burned the Dutch Reformed Church and the Courthouse at Somerset. New Jersey Militiamen nearly surrounded them and forced a withdrawal.

(Right) Molly Pitcher and General Knox's artillery soldiers at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse soon after the Plucekmin Encampment. Click Here to learn more.

 

The Crossroads of the American Revolution National & State Heritage Area is managed by the Crossroads of the American Revolution Association (XRDS), a 501(c)3 non-profit.

 

 

 

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