The General’s Final Farewell: The Remarkable Journey of Rockingham

Most historic landmarks are defined by their deep roots in a single spot of earth. Rockingham is different. This house—the final headquarters of George Washington during the Revolutionary War—has been moved not once, but three times to save it from destruction.

Today, Rockingham sits on 26 pristine acres in Kingston, New Jersey, near the Delaware & Raritan Canal. Though it is a mile from its original foundation, it remains one of the most significant sites in the story of American independence. It was here that the war technically ended, and where Washington said his final goodbye to his troops.

From Judge’s Estate to War-Time Hub

The oldest section of the house dates to 1710, but it was John Berrien, a New Jersey Supreme Court Justice and trustee of Princeton University, who transformed it into a grand estate in the 1760s. He added the two-story front porch and the kitchen wing, creating a home befitting his high social status.

By 1783, the war was winding down, but the drama was far from over. Congress had fled Philadelphia due to rioting soldiers demanding back pay and had reconvened in Princeton.

Finding a Room for the General: In August 1783, Congress summoned Washington to Princeton. Because the small college town was already bursting at the seams with delegates, there was no room for the General. He was forced to look four miles away to Rocky Hill, where the widow Margaret Berrien was trying to sell her late husband’s estate. She agreed to rent the furnished mansion to Washington on a month-to-month basis.

The Center of the World: August – November 1783

For nearly three months, Rockingham was the political and social center of the newly forming nation.

• Famous Guests: The guest list was a “Who’s Who” of the 18th century, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Paine, and the legendary Robert Morris.
• Artistic Legacy: While staying here, George and Martha Washington sat for numerous portraits. Most notably, Charles Willson Peale painted the iconic portrait of Washington that still hangs at Princeton University today.

Two Historic Documents

Two events occurred at Rockingham that officially closed the book on the Revolution:

1. The Treaty of Paris: On October 31, 1783, Washington received word at Rockingham that the final peace treaty had been signed in Paris. The war was over.
2. The Farewell Orders: From his study on the second floor, Washington wrote his “Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States.” In this emotional document, he praised his soldiers and announced his own retirement, famously choosing to return to his life as a private citizen rather than seeking power.

A House on the Move

After the war, Rockingham’s story took a precarious turn. By the late 19th century, the home was under the ownership of a quarry company and was being used as overcrowded housing for laborers. It was in a “deplorable state” and slated for demolition.

In 1896, a group of visionary women, led by Josephine Swann and Kate McFarlane, raised the funds to buy the house and move it away from the encroaching cliff’s edge of the quarry.

• Move #1 (1897): Moved 300 yards up the hill.
• Move #2 (1957): Moved half a mile east to escape damage from quarry blasting.
• Move #3 (2001): Moved to its current, permanent site near the D&R Canal to ensure its long-term preservation.

The house was meticulously restored and reopened in 2004, looking much as it did when Washington paced its hallways.

If You Visit

Rockingham offers a unique “quiet” compared to more urban historic sites. Because of its current location in a state park setting, you can truly imagine the rural solitude Washington enjoyed while waiting for the war to end.

• Location: 84 Rockingham Court, Princeton (Kingston), NJ 08540.
• The Museum: The house is furnished with period pieces, some of which are original to the Berrien family.
• The Study: Visitors can see the room where the Farewell Orders were drafted—a space that changed the course of American military tradition.

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For More Information

• Rockingham State Historic Site (www.rockingham.net)