DRAFT: REVOLUTIONARY WARwick (Orange County, NY)
BIG WHIGS SPOTTED IN WARWICK
George and Martha Washington
Both of the Washingtons came through Warwick, stopping at Baird's Tavern.
Rev. James Manning
The founder of Brown University came through in 1779.
John Hancock
Hancock, President of the Congress, apparently traveled through in style, and was ridiculed for it by John Adams, in 1777.
William Ellery
Ellery and William Whipple of New England, both signers of the Declaration, dined at Col. Hathorn's in 1777.
William Whipple
Whipple and Ellery of New England, both signers of the Declaration of Independence, had a nice salad at Col. John Hathorn's in 1777.
Rev. John Gano
Baptist minister, chaplain to the Continental Army who recalled baptizing George Washington, whose family sheltered in Warwick during the war. Hathorn helped his son obtain an officer's commission.
Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.
Military secretary to George Washington, records their visit for "grog" at Warwick in 1782.
John Adams by John Trumble
John Adams, traveling with his cousin Samuel, stayed the night at John McCamley's in New Milford hamlet in 1777. In his diary he had sarcastic words for John Hancock, who had also just passed through.
Samuel Adams by John Singleton Copley
Samuel was traveling with cousin John when they stayed in New Milford hamlet at John McCamley's in 1777.
Marquis de Chastellux
The Marquis was an officer in Rochambeau's troops, and stopped at Baird's tavern, giving it a good review.
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
The main road through the Warwick Valley during the mid to late 1700s was today's Route 94. Originally laid out as a "King's Highway" in 1726, it was wider and more well kept than most roads. It actually ran for much of its way over centuries long established Native American routes of travel. During the Revolution, it was the "rebel highway" between the New England colonies and Philadelphia.
After the British occupation of New York City Robert Erskine drew several maps showing the Warwick area. He was Washington's map maker, and lived nearby in Ringwood, New Jersey. Roads closer to New York were no longer safe, so going through Warwick was often the route. In addition to showing the roads, the topography is noted and selected resources are also labelled. The labelled locations within Warwick help tell the story of our Town during the war.
The map below shows the people, places, and resources that Robert Erskine noted for Washington, drawn before 1779. Through the research of the Friends of Hathorn, we no know that are amazing true stories many of them tell.
PASSING THROUGH: JOURNALS AND DIARIES
Diaries and journals of people passing through our area reveal just how busy the roadways were during the war. Warwick thronged with people-- troops marching through, couriers, supply wagons, government officials, and civilian travelers. Additionally, there were many people here as "refugees" whose homes were no longer safe for them, especially those who sided with the rebels.
The map below shows some of the places the diaries mention. Sometimes they moved south along today's Rt. 94, or sometimes went up through the mountains past the Sterling Furnace. The attached file has the diary quotes and source.
- Troop Diaries Mentioning Warwick PlacesExtracted from primary sources.
SHELTER FROM THE STORM: TAVERNS, OVERNIGHT GUESTS, AND REFUGEE TEMPORARY RESIDENTS
An influx of those from New York City, Long Island, and other areas made for a busy place. Anyone with a large enough home accommodated travelers and other guests.
Perhaps the most famous of those passing through were of course George and Martha Washington. They would have gone through several times, particularly when the army was encamped at New Windsor. In the section of this resource on Baird's Tavern, we show that documents proving George stopped for Grog at Baird's Tavern, and Martha stayed there once overnight. There are also several oral traditions of seeing them.
Other Revolutionary "rock stars" documented as going through or staying are John and Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and the Marquis de Chastellux.