Benjamin Ring House facts for kids
The Benjamin Ring House is an important old building. It is located on the Brandywine Battlefield in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. This house was used by General George Washington as his headquarters. He stayed there before and during the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777.
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A Look Back: The House's Story
The Benjamin Ring House was built in 1731. A person named Thomas G. Clark built it. Later, in 1777, Benjamin Ring owned the house. He was a farmer and also ran a mill. Benjamin Ring was a Quaker. Quakers are a religious group who believe in peace. Because of his beliefs, Benjamin Ring did not fight in the war.
A Key Location for the War
The house was in a very important spot. It was right along the main road. This road connected Philadelphia to Baltimore. The house was about one mile east of the Brandywine Creek. This creek had a shallow spot, called a ford, where people could cross.
The Battle of Brandywine
In late August 1777, about 17,000 British troops landed in Elkton, Maryland. They were marching towards Philadelphia. General Washington had about 14,600 American soldiers ready to fight them.
On September 9, Washington held a meeting at the Benjamin Ring House. He thought the British Army would cross the creek at the ford. But on September 11, the British surprised everyone. Most of their forces crossed the creek much farther upstream. They attacked the American soldiers from the north. This surprise attack overwhelmed the Continental soldiers.
A Young Hero Wounded
During the battle, a young French soldier was hurt. He was 19-year-old Marquis de Lafayette. He was carried to the nearby Gideon Gilpin House for help.
After the Battle
After the war, Benjamin Ring turned his house into a tavern. A tavern was a place where people could eat, drink, and stay. Later, his son ran it as a hotel.
There is a story about Benjamin Ring and General Washington. When Washington realized the battle was lost, he asked Benjamin Ring for help. He wanted Ring to lead the American army's retreat to safety. Benjamin Ring was older and heavier, so he suggested William Harvey instead. This William Harvey was from a family living on the east side of the creek. He successfully led the Continental Army to safety. This story comes from a letter written by Benjamin Ring's grandson, Samuel, in the 1830s. Later, Eli Harvey bought the Ring House and also ran a tavern there.
The House Today: A Historic Site
Preserving History
On September 16, 1931, a fire badly damaged the house. The area around the house became Brandywine Battlefield Park in 1949. It is now a Pennsylvania State Park. In 1961, the house was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place.
Visiting the Museum
The Benjamin Ring House was carefully fixed up. It now looks like it did in 1777. Today, it is a house museum. Visitors can see furniture from the Quaker style. There is also information about the Battle of Brandywine. You can learn about General Washington's time staying at the house.
See also
- List of Washington's Headquarters during the Revolutionary War
