In Bergen's Attic
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NEWSLETTER OF THE BERGEN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY SUMMERIn 2019 Bergen’s Attic encourage exploration and foster learning. President’s Message The other helps to continue to tell the story Some say that history of the Campbell Christie House and will allow repeats itself and that is visitors to better appreciate the setting that the why we study it. Others house provides. It is a house that still has say we learn history to many mysteries waiting to be discovered. change the present by gaining The Society has made progress with the a greater understanding of the past. What- long awaited Museum Building Project. ever the reason, history continues to be Many volunteers have spent countless hours made at Historic New Bridge Landing and raising funds, discussing and planning this if history is any indicitor, we look forward once in a generation project. But we are to the future. This past year saw countless not done yet. The Society has over 4,000 events that drew in audiences from all over pieces in its collection that tell the diverse New Jersey and beyond. It is because of this diverse and engaging story that visitors and members alike keep com- ing back to New Bridge. It is through the support of our members and dedi- cation of our volunteers that these events are made possible. Speaking of New Bridge, we contin- ue to engage the community and we were happy to support two Eagle Scout projects, one, an information kiosk in Lower Brett Park and the other, the addition of correct cabinet doors and a basement door at the Christie House based on historical and architectural EAGLE SCOUT BRIAN P. BUILDS NEW DOORS FOR THE CABINETS BY information. Both of these additions will THE FIREPLACES IN THE CAMPBELL-CHRISTIE HOUSE continue to help tell the story at New Bridge story of our culturally rich county and that we want to tell. The first engages the state. This story, which defines our mis- visitors and will eventually encourage them sion is something we have done since 1902 to explore the rest of the park. Eventually, and will continue to do for future genera- new interpretative panels will be placed to tions. Ultimately it is our belief that this IN THIS ISSUE structure will further discussions on President’s Letter ........................... 1 local history and be the center of learn- BCHS Event Planning ...................... 2-3 ing in a 21st century museum space. Stay The Rappahannock Forge Cavalry Sabre .... 4-5 tuned as we provide further updates and Brower’s Hill and Sluckup .................. 6-7 how you help be a part of the genera- Huyler’s Landing. ....................... 10-11 tion that makes history at Historic New Bergen County History - Vintage Baseball .. 12 Bridge Landing. –– James Smith Summer 2019 Bergen County Historical Society 1 Bon Voyage BCHS Events Planning to Janet and Making Each Bill King Event Special on their move By Carol Restivo to the Midwest Our eleven member Events to be with family Planning Committee meets the first Wednesday § of the month in the CCH and plans each event geared to the season combined with Bergen Janet made significant contributions to County history (with children’s activities.) the Society as the Membership Chair, in After months of preparation, 25-35 volunteers events planning and organizing, also in on site that day will successfully execute each her leadership as a BCHS trustee. We will one. As a Revolutionary War site where eleven miss her greatly as a friend, as well. battles/skirmishes took place, we continue his- toric events leading up to the Nation’s 250th Anniversary. The 240th Anniversary of the Attack on Paulus Hook in August and in No- vember is the 243rd Anniversary of the British Invasion/American Retreat includes a reading of Thomas Paine’s The American Crisison the Bridge That Saved a Nation. March to 2020 recognizes Women’s History in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Right to Vote. Perennial favorites are a Country Ball for Washington’s birthday and Dutch spring (Pinkster) with maypole dancing, live music and egg dyeing. Memorial Day has a wreath laying on Gen. Enoch Poor’s tomb, Hackensack. Summer brings a Vintage Baseball double- header, an Evening Lantern Tour and a day- time kite flying event for children.Baronfest When researching Kevin’s forthcoming (Steuben’s Birthday), Harvest Homecoming, book I came across this really great map Sinter Klaas (an open house) and our Annual by John André. It’s at the end of his jour- Christmas Concerts all round out the year. nal, June 11, 1777 - Nov. 15, 1778. We try and reflect the whole history and breadth of all the people who have lived here in The whole map will be included in a Bergen County from the early Lenape and their Revolutionary War map exhibit this culture (Chwame Gischuch/ Under the Shad summer at the Steuben House along with Moon) to the annual Naturalization Ceremony journal pages where he wrote about for swearing in our new citizens, starting their New Bridge and Baylor’s Massacre. own history right here in the Steuben House - a Note the map shows the Steuben House, humbling and inspiring experience. Zabriskie’s Tide Mill, bridge, and forts Hamilton Concert, Wine & Chocolate Tasting on Brower Hill. The map shows position and Middle Passage are new offerings as we add of Cornwallis at New Bridge. more of our history, so consider not just attending Citation: Journal of John André. HM 626. but help make them happen as a volunteer! The Huntington Library, San Marino, CA. Get your tickets to the Annual BCHS Dinner Deborah Powell, Museum Collection Chair. Thursday, June 13th at the Brick House, Wyckoff. 2 Summer 2019 Bergen County Historical Society BCHS CHOCOLATE & WINE TASTING PINKSTER MAYPOLE AND TRI-CORN DANCERS BT THE CCH ENSLOWS WITH FIDDLE AND DULCIMER HISTORIC RETREAT FROM FORT LEE TO NEW BRIDGE LANDING THE WESTERVELT-THOMAS NATIVE AMERICAN FLINT-KNAPPING BARN WITH BATTLE MAP AT THE STEUBEN HOUSE DECORATING FOR HOLIDAY CONCERTS OUT KITCHEN PREPARES TRADITIONAL DUTCH DELIGHTS FOR SINTER KLAAS GUEST LECTURE ON THE MIDDLE PASSAGE PREPARING REFRESHMENTS IN THE CCH Summer 2019 Bergen County Historical Society 3 BCHS Collections Call of the 3rd Regiment The Rappahannock Forge Cavalry Sabre of Light Dragoons of the American Revolution wrote the following to Gov. Thomas Jeffer- Erik Goldstein son on 29 March 1781: By 1775, the lethal combo of firelock I have received Express & bayonet ruled the battlefield, having from Lieut. Colo. Washington one Horse- eclipsed the time-honored sword as the man’s sword taken in the late action at “go to” weapon of choice. Though not Guilford Court House, which he directs obsolete by any means, swords were me to send Mr. Hunter as a pattern and largely relegated to the scabbards of have swords made for the men. those few soldiers still carrying them, Further along in the letter, Call states; with one large exception; the cavalry. “the sword is the most destructive and al- As the Revolutionary War ramped up most only necessary weapon a Dragoon and shifted focus towards the American carries.” (Calendar of State Papers [Jef- South, the numbers of mounted troops ferson], Vol. I, p. 606). ballooned from few hundred to many Since the only Loyalist or British cav- thousands by war’s end. alry at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse With effective cavalry sabers a scar- was the mounted contingent of Tarleton’s city in the Continental Army, and with Legion, who were all armed with Potter the increasing need for mounted troops sabres, the example sent to Hunter for by Washington’s forces, those made for replication was certainly one. However, the Loyalists by James Potter in New it wasn’t until after combat had effective- York City became a sough-after prizes, ly ceased in late November of 1781 in a fashion similar to the German Luger that Hunter’s swords, numbering of WWI and WWII fame, but with one 1000, were ready for delivery difference. A “Potter” sword wasn’t just as per Col. Washington’s a nifty souvenir; it became the primary request. With a scanty arm and a potential lifesaver in the hands paper trail, this of the American dragoon. “Light-Horse contract may Harry” Lee’s Legion and Marion’s Bri- have been amongst gade are amongst the most famous Rev- Hunter’s last, olutionary American units documented but it certainly as having preferred these sabres. wasn’t his first. If the use of captured sabers wasn’t Hunter’s works outside enough, the Patriots took it one of Falmouth on the Rappahan- step further by attempting nock River can be accurately de- to copy them. James scribed as an extraordinary industrial Hunter’s Rappah- complex, covering dozens of acres. By annock Forge iron the time he died in 1785, Hunter’s site works in included an iron furnace, a forge, a steel Virginia was pro- mill, a slitting mill and a brass foundry, ducing armaments in amongst thirty something other industrial large quantities for the Con- buildings. His line of civilian and military tinental Army, when Maj. Richard products ranged from anchors and arma- 4 Summer 2019 Bergen County Historical Society BCHS Collections- ments to down to saddles, farm equip- See our sword ment and nails. No doubt local sources on display. of iron and its remote location off the Chesapeake, coupled with State monies, helped the operation thrive and develop exponentially. Few traces of the complex remain above ground today, contributing to the obscurity which densely cloaks Hunter and Rappahannock Forge today. Shortly before the Declaration of Independence was signed Virginia was looking to Hunt- sent him one following the er for arms, and he was Battle of Guilford Courthouse in asked to manufacture early 1781.