Built 1776 NJRHP # 2584 Opened 1778 Phone +1 908-725-1015 | NRHP Reference # 70000395 Designated NJRHP September 11, 1970 Area 6,100 m² Added to NRHP 2 December 1970 | |
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Location 38 Washington Place
Parking:
71 Somerset Street
Somerville, New Jersey Address 71 Somerset St, Somerville, NJ 08876, USA Similar Old Dutch Parsonage, Hageman House, Ayers‑Allen House, Van Wickle House, Conant Park | ||
The Wallace House is a Georgian style historic house which served as the headquarters of General George Washington during the winter of 1778-79, located at 38 Washington Place, Somerville, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 2, 1970.
History
Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, a Dutch Reformed minister who lived in the nearby Old Dutch Parsonage, sold a small farmhouse and 95 acres (38 ha) of land to John Wallace, who was a merchant and fabric importer in Philadelphia. In 1775 and 1776, Wallace bought 12 acres (4.9 ha) more land, and in 1776 built an eight-room Georgian mansion next to the farmhouse. Wallace named the estate "Hope Farm," and planned to retire there.
The Continental Army camped in the Watchung Mountains at Middlebrook, 3 miles (4.8 km) from Hope Farm during the winter of 1778-79. The Wallace House became George Washington's headquarters, though he only stayed there for 11 days before leaving to attend the Continental Congress in Philadelphia for 6 weeks. Washington returned in February 1779 bringing his wife Martha. The Washingtons may have been the first occupants of the house. He then used the house to host foreign dignitaries and official dinners, and to plan military strategy. In particular, he planned the 1779 campaign against the Iroquois League known as the Sullivan Expedition. Guests at the parties included Benedict Arnold, Nathanael Greene, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Baron Steuben.
Washington left on June 3, 1779, and paid Wallace $1,000. The Wallace family and their slaves then returned to live in the house.
John Wallace, his wife, and his mother-in-law all died in 1783-84, and his youngest son William inherited Hope Farm. William lived there until he died at age 33 in 1796, leaving three orphan children. William's brother Joshua took care of the children and sold Hope Farm to Dickinson Miller in 1801.
The Revolutionary Memorial Society bought the house in 1896, and gave it to the State of New Jersey in 1947.