Lambertville’s Historic
Holcombe House

Original stone section of the Holcombe House.

The Richard Holcombe House, built about 1756, is one of the oldest structures in Lambertville, New Jersey. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington made the house his headquarters in July 1777 and again in June 1778, as he was planning to intercept the British at the Battle of Monmouth. In 2021, a seventh-generation Holcombe descendant sold the house and surrounding eight acres to the City of Lambertville. The grounds are open to the public.

John Holcombe (1682-1743)

The Richard Holcombe House sits on land once owned by John Holcombe, one of the first settlers in what is now Lambertville. In November 1705, John Holcombe began acquiring land along the Delaware River with his first purchase of 350 acres from John Wilson of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His further acquisitions in 1733 and 1734 included the land where his son would later build the Holcombe House. John Holcombe’s holdings totaled over 1,800 acres and included about half of today’s Lambertville, extending north from the “Bull Line” between Jefferson and Delevan Streets.[1] It is not known when John Holcombe first lived on this property. He was a Quaker from Abington Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, who married Elizabeth Woolrich, also of Abington Township, in 1707.[2] They had six children and may have lived in Abington for several years before moving to Hunterdon County and building what was probably a wooden structure on the site. In 1743, when he died at age 61, he left his son Richard the land “purchased from John Wey in 1733.”[3] At right is an excerpt from his will, which is owned by the Lambertville Historical Society.

[1] Anderson, Hannah Coryell, General Washington at Coryell’s Ferry, Hunterdon County Historical Society , 1928, The Beacon reprint, 1969, p. 4,5

[2] Goodspeed Histories, Holcombe Family Tree (online), https://goodspeedhistories.com/holcombe-family-tree, accessed October 28, 2022.

[3]Will of John Holcombe, August 31, 1743, owned by Lambertville Historical Society, transcribed by Mary and Rich Freedman, 2022.

Richard Holcombe (1726-1783)

After inheriting the land from his father at age 17, Richard Holcombe, more than a decade later, built the stone section of the existing Holcombe House. A dendrochronology study conducted in 2019 established the date of construction as circa 1756.[4] This study compared growth rings in Red oak timbers used in the building with rings in wood cut from the local area during the same time period. Matching ring size and patterns over a period of years determined the age of the wood when it was cut for construction of the house. The study also examined wood in two other buildings, a corn crib and barn, and estimated their construction to be 1762 and 1764, respectively. The wooden addition to the house (shown at right) was probably built in the mid- to-late 19th century, based on the narrow pine floorboards and staircase.

Large barn

Corn crib

Richard and his first wife, Mary Harvey, had two children, in 1751 and 1755.[5] In anticipation of a growing family, Richard planned the large stone house. Unfortunately, Mary died in 1760, just a few years after the house was completed.[6]

Richard then married Ann Atkinson and had four children between 1767 and 1775.[7] Of all Richard’s six children, John Holcombe III inherited the house as the sole surviving male.[8] John may have lived in the house until his death in 1851.[9] It was probably one of his children who built the large addition to the original stone house. The house and surrounding land remained in the Holcombe family until 2021, when Ed Closson, a seventh-generation descendant, sold the house and remaining eight acres to the City of Lambertville.[10]

[4] Oxford Dendrochronology Report, The Tree-Ring Dating of Three Buildings from Homestead Farm, Lambertville, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, South Oxfordshire, 2019

[5] Goodspeed, viewed October 28, 2022.

[6]Ibid, viewed October 28, 2022.

[7] Ibid, viewed October 28, 2022.

[8] Ibid. viewed October 28, 2022.

[9] Ibid, viewed October 28, 2022.

[10] Patch online, article by Kate Fishman, June 10, 2021.

Washington’s First Visit to the House, July 28-31, 1777

In late July 1777, General George Washington and his aides stayed at the Holcombe House. Washington was concerned that the British fleet was heading toward Philadelphia, home of the Continental Congress. He knew that British General Howe and his troops had left the city of New York at the end of July and sailed down the coast. Washington had positioned his army near Trenton, close enough to meet the British army at Philadelphia if the fleet headed up the Delaware Bay.

On July 30, Washington wrote from the Holcombe House to Major-General Horatio Gates in Philadelphia, “Aswe are yet uncertain as to the real destination of the Enemy, tho’ Delaware seems most probable, I have thought it prudent to halt the Army at this place, Howells Ferry and Trenton, at least, till the Fleet actually enter the Bay and put the matter beyond a doubt.”[11] (Howell’s ferry was four miles upstream from Trenton.)

In a letter to John Hancock (below), Washington gave a more detailed rationale for staying at Coryell’s Ferry and positioning his army along the Delaware south to Trenton. [12] (Coryell’s Ferry was the first place name for both Lambertville and New Hope, Pennsylvania, because of the Coryell brothers’ ferries operating on both sides of the Delaware.)

Coryels Ferry, [New] Jersey July 30^th 1777

Sir

I do myself the Honor to inform you, that I arrived here on the 28th at Night with Genl Green’s Division, One Brigade of which passed the River that Evening, that the Whole might encamp more commodiously.

Genl Stephen with his own and Lincoln’s Division also arrived, a little time after, at Howel’s Ferry—four Miles above this. I have thought proper to halt the whole Army at these Two places & at Trentown, ’till our knowledge of the Enemy’s destination becomes more certain. If the Delaware is their Object, we are now within Two day’s easy March of Philadelphia, and can be in time, I trust, to make every necessary disposition for opposing them. On the other hand, If Genl Howe, by this expedition to Sea only means a deep feint and should turn his attention again to the North River, we can from hence reinforce Genl Putnam’s Army, more expeditiously, than if we were farther advanced. (The “North River” was the Hudson River.)

[11] From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 July 1777, Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-10-02-0457, accessed October 30, 2022. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 10, 11 June 1777 – 18 August 1777, ed. Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, p. 459.]

[12] From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 July 1777, Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-10-02-0458, accessed October 30, 2022. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 10, 11 June 1777 – 18 August 1777, ed. Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, pp. 459–460.]

The day after writing the letter Washington learned that the British fleet was sailing up the Chesapeake Bay with troops expected to march north toward Philadelphia. This prompted Washington to order his troops on July 31 to cross the Delaware into Pennsylvania.[13]

The Holcombe family of eight shared their home with Washington and his personal assistants and aides, likely including Alexander Hamilton. Washington received a receipt for meals at the Holcombe House prepared by Richard Holcombe.[14] The receipt (shown below) was inaccurately dated July 27. Washington was in Morristown on that day; in his letter to John Hancock, he indicated that he had arrived at Coryell’s Ferry on the night of July 28.[15] Perhaps lacking a calendar, Richard Holcombe wrote the wrong date on the receipt.

______________________________________________________________________________

27 July 1777

His Excellency Genl Washington

To 22 Suppers @ 2/6	£ 2.15
To 22 Breakfasts @ ?	2.15
	£ 5.10

Rec’d ye above in full

Richard Holcombe

A second letter to John Hancock (shown on the following page) documents that Washington stayed at the Holcombe House at Coryell’s Ferry until the 31st, three days after he arrived.[16] Most likely, receipts for additional meals on other days did not survive.

[13] General Orders, 31 July 1777, Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-10-02-0465, accessed October 30, 2022. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 10, 11 June 1777 – 18 August 1777, ed. Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, pp. 465–466.]

After crossing the Delaware, the army engaged the British army at the Battle of Brandywine just south of Philadelphia in September. The battle ended in a crushing defeat for the Continental Army, allowing the British to take Philadelphia. A month later, Washington was unsuccessful in attacking the British army in the Battle of Germantown just outside Philadelphia.

[14]“General Orders, 27 July 1777, Founders Online, National Archives, http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-10-02-0426, accessed October 31, 2022. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol.10, 11 June 1777-18 August 1777, ed. Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, p. 433.]

[15] From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 July 1777, Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-10-02-0470, accessed October 30, 2022. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 10, 11 June 1777 – 18 August 1777, ed. Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, p. 468.]

[16] From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 July 1777, Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-10-02-0470, accessed October 30, 2022. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 10, 11 June 1777 – 18 August 1777, ed. Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, p. 468.]

Coryells [N.J.] July 31st [1777] 10 OClock A.M.

Sir

I am this Moment Honor’d with yours of 5 OClock this morning, & have accordingly sett the Army in Motion. One Division had Cross’d the Deleware the day before Yesterday, & I am in hopes the whole of the Troops now here will be able to reach Philada tomorrow Evening. Lord stirlings Division lies just in my rear & will move on with us. I propose setting off for your City as soon as I can get the Chief part of the Army over. I am with greatest respect Sir Your mo. Obedt Hhble servt.

G. Washington

_____________________________________________________________________________

The bronze plaque on the exterior wall of the Holcombe House (below) states the dates of arrival and departure as recorded in General Washington’s letters from Coryell’s ferry.

Washington’s Second Visit to the House, June 21-22, 1778

Nearly a year later, Washington again stayed at the Holcombe House. Traveling on Old York Road, which led to Coryell’s Ferry, Washington’s army was on a ten-day march from their winter quarters at Valley Forge to intercept the British army at the Battle of Monmouth, the largest artillery battle of the Revolutionary War.[17]

[17] The British army had left Philadelphia to better defend New York which was seen as vulnerable to an attack by the French navy. The French, upon learning of the decisive American victory at Saratoga, decided to join forces with the Americans and sent their ships across the Atlantic to take on the British.

Washington crossed the Delaware on June 21 and began his two-day stay at the Holcombe House. In Washington’s letter of June 21 to Major General Benedict Arnold, he states that he arrived “about three oClock today on the East side of the Delaware and the main body of the Army on the other, from whence they will cross tomorrow.”[18]

Unlike December of 1776, this crossing of the Delaware involved a much larger army of some 13,000 soldiers, over 300 wagons, over 1,200 horses, and 33 cannon.[19] This crossing was a three-day affair with Coryell’s ferry critical to getting everything across but the soldiers, who would have crossed in Durham or other boats. During the Revolution, the ferries on both sides of the river were operated by two Coryell brothers, Abraham on the New Jersey side and John on the Pennsylvania side.[20]

Unlike the receipt for meals in 1777, the receipt from Richard Holcombe in June 1778 (shown below) has two dates that are well-supported by other documents.

______________________________________________________________________________

June 21^st and 22^nd, 1778—

His Excell’cy General Washington to Richard Holcombe, Dr.

To 38 dinners @ 3/9 £ 7. 2.6

To bread, butter and other necessaries    1.17.6

To trouble %c. made or the house 1.17.6

£ 10.17.6

Near Coryell’s Ferry

June 22^nd, 1778

                                                Rec’d ye above account in full,

                                                                                                            Richard Holcombe

[18] From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 21 June 1778, Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-15-02-0507, accessed October 31, 2022. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 15, May–June 1778, ed. Edward G. Lengel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006, p. 487.]

[19]Rees, John U., Reach-Coryels-ferry-Encamp-on-the-Pennsylvania-side-The-March-from-Valley-Forge-to-Monmouth-Courthouse-18-to-28-June-1778, https://www.scribd.com/document/133301501/Reach-Coryels-ferry-Encamp-on-the-Pennsylvania-side-The-March-from-Valley-Forge-to-Monmouth-Courthouse-18-to-28-June-1778, accessed October 31, 2022.

[20] Anderson, p.21.

[21] From George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 22 June 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-15-02-0519. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 15, May–June 1778, ed. Edward G. Lengel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006, p. 497.]

As indicated in the following letter of July 22 to Major General Philemon Dickinson, Washington planned to leave “very early” on June 23, the day after the last date on the receipt.[21]

Head Quarters near Coryel’s [N.J.] June 22d 1778

Dear Sir,

Since my last, I have received three letters from you, with their inclosures, one of yesterday 9 OClock, two of to day, one 11 OClock the other the hour not mentioned. You will continue to advise me punctually of the enemy’s motions. The whole army is now across the River incamped about three miles from it. Tomorrow morning very early, we march towards Princeton. I am Dr Sr Yr Obed. ser.

G.W.

______________________________________________________________________________

The letter also indicated that the army was encamped “about three miles” away rather than near the Holcombe House or Coryell’s Ferry. The three-mile distance along Old York Road would bring the army to the vicinity of today’s Mt. Airy. Washington’s life guards of fewer than 100 men, however, would have camped near the Holcombe House.

On June 23 Washington and his army headed east toward Princeton and stayed for two nights just outside today’s Hopewell Borough. The army would engage the British in a major battle four days later on June 28 at the Monmouth Court House.

Postscript

The well-landscaped grounds surrounding the Holcombe House are preserved by a conservation easement held by the City of Lambertville and the State of New Jersey through the New Jersey Green Acres Program. The City of Lambertville will preserve the house indefinitely.

Tom Ogren

Crossing the Delaware – More information about the army’s crossing of the Delaware River in June 1778 en route to the Battle of Monmouth is provided on another interpretive sign entitled “Coryell’s Ferry.” This sign is located on the south side of Bridge Street near the Delaware River bridge.

Sources

Anderson, Hannah Coryell, General Washington at Coryell’s Ferry, Hunterdon County Historical Society, 1928, The Beacon reprint, 1969.

Deed conveying land from John Wilson to Emanuel Coryell, November 16, 1705, owned by the City of Lambertville.

Sources continued:

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress).

Gallagher, Sarah, 1703-1903: Early History of Lambertville, MacCrellish & Quigley, Trenton, 1903.

Goodspeed Histories (online), viewed October 28, 2022.

John Holcombe deed, 1705, owned by the City of Lambertville.

John Holcombe will, 1743, owned by the Lambertville Historical Society (partial transcription by Mary and Rich Freeman).

Lambertville Historical Society website, https://lambertvillehistoricalsociety.org.

National Archives, Founders Online (for Washington papers).

Oxford Dendrochronology Report, The Tree-Ring Dating of Three Buildings from Homestead Farm,Lambertville, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, South Oxfordshire, 2019.

Petrie, Alfred, Lambertville, New Jersey from the Beginnings as Coryell’s Ferry (no publisher), Lambertville, 1949.

Rees, John U., “Reach Coryel’s Ferry. Encamp on the Pennsylvania Side.” The March from Valley Forge to the Monmouth Courthouse, 18 to 28 June, 1778. https://www.scribd.com/document/133301501/.

Will of John Holcombe, August 31, 1743, owned by the Lambertville Historical Society.

[1] Anderson, Hannah Coryell, General Washington at Coryell’s Ferry, Hunterdon County Historical Society , 1928, The Beacon reprint, 1969, p. 4,5

[2]Goodspeed Histories, Holcombe Family Tree (online), https://goodspeedhistories.com/holcombe-family-tree, accessed October 28, 2022.

[3]Will of John Holcombe, August 31, 1743, owned by Lambertville Historical Society, transcribed by Mary and Rich Freedman, 2022.

[4]Oxford Dendrochronology Report, The Tree-Ring Dating of Three Buildings from Homestead Farm, Lambertville, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, South Oxfordshire, 2019

[5]Goodspeed, viewed October 28, 2022.

[6]Ibid, viewed October 28, 2022.

[7]Ibid, viewed October 28, 2022.

[8] Ibid. viewed October 28, 2022.

[9] Ibid, viewed October 28, 2022.

[10] Patch online, article by Kate Fishman, June 10, 2021.

[20] Anderson, p.21.

Lambertville’s Historic Holcombe House

Lambertville’s Historic
Holcombe House