Rockingham (house) facts for kids
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Rockingham
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Back of house in 2007
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 Location in Somerset County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 84 Laurel Avenue Franklin Township, New Jersey |
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| Area | 5.5 acres (2.2 ha) |
| Built | c. 1710 |
| Architectural style | Colonial vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000394 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1970 |
Rockingham is a really old house in Franklin Township, New Jersey. It was once the home of a man named John Berrien. This house is super important because it was George Washington's last headquarters during the American Revolutionary War.
The house was first built around 1710. It was originally located near the Millstone River in Rocky Hill. Over the years, it has been moved several times. Now, it's closer to Kingston. Rockingham is a special stop on the Millstone River Valley Scenic Byway.
The oldest part of the house was a two-room, two-story "saltbox" style building. More rooms and a kitchen were added in the 1760s as the Berrien family grew. The name "Rockingham" probably came from the Marquess of Rockingham. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
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Meet John Berrien
John Berrien was a surveyor and land agent. This means he measured land and helped people buy and sell it. He moved to the Millstone River valley in the 1730s for his work. In 1735, he bought the small house that would become Rockingham.
John Berrien became a judge in Somerset County. Later, he was even appointed to the Supreme Court of New Jersey. This is the highest court in the state.
John's Family Life
John Berrien's first wife, Mary Leonard, passed away in 1758. They did not have any children.
The next year, he married Margaret Eaton. Her father was the founder of Eatontown, New Jersey. John and Margaret had six children together. They had four boys, including John Berrien Jr., and two girls.
John Berrien died in 1772. He left his property to his wife and their six children. He is buried in Princeton Cemetery.
George Washington's Stay
General George Washington stayed at Rockingham for a few months in 1783. He was there from August 23 to November 10. Congress had invited him to the area. At the time, Congress was meeting in Princeton. They were waiting for news that the American Revolutionary War was officially over.
Washington had his three aides-de-camp with him. These were like his personal assistants. He also had a group of guards and his servants. His wife, Martha Washington, was also there until early October.
Washington spent his time at Rockingham meeting with members of Congress and other important people. On October 31, he finally heard that the Treaty of Paris had been signed. This treaty officially ended the war.
On November 2, Washington wrote his "Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States" at Rockingham. This important document told his troops they were dismissed. It also announced that he was leaving the Army.
Rockingham Changes Hands
In 1802, Margaret Berrien sold the house to Frederick Cruser. He made the house even bigger. He added storage and sleeping areas for servants. He also added a balcony to the front of the house. The roof was raised to create a third-story attic.
The Cruser family lived in Rockingham until 1841. After that, the house was sold many times. In the 1890s, the Rocky Hill Quarry Company bought the property.
The House on the Move
Rockingham has been moved three times to keep it safe!
First Move: 1897
The first time the house moved was in 1897. It was moved away from the Rocky Hill Quarry Company's property. Two women, Kate McFarlane and Josephine Swann, helped create an association to save the house. They raised money to buy it and move it. In August 1897, the house opened to the public. In 1935, the state of New Jersey took over ownership.
Second Move: 1956
By 1956, the quarry had grown bigger. The house was once again too close to the active quarrying. So, Rockingham was moved again. It was moved about half a mile east along County Route 518.
Final Move: 2001
The house made its last move in 2001. It now sits on a 27-acre lot. This is next to the Delaware and Raritan Canal, near Kingston. The site reopened to the public in 2004. You can visit it year-round.
Rockingham Timeline
Rockingham has had many owners and has moved three times since it was built:
- c. 1710 House built near the Millstone River at Rocky Hill.
- 1735 John Berrien buys the house and property.
- 1783 George Washington uses Rockingham as his headquarters.
- 1802 House sold to Frederick Cruser.
- 1841 House sold to Henry Duryee.
- 1847 House sold to James Stryker Van Pelt.
- 1869 House sold to David H. Mount.
- 1872 House sold to Martin A. Howell.
- c. 1890 House and property sold to Rocky Hill Quarry Company.
- 1897 House moved away from the quarry (first move).
- 1956 House moved farther from the quarry (second move).
- 2001 House moved near Kingston (third and final move).
Gallery
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Front of Rockingham in 2014
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Back of Rockingham c. 1910 with stone outer house still in place before the move
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See also
- List of the oldest buildings in New Jersey
- List of Washington's Headquarters during the Revolutionary War
