The army was divided into three cantonments, the middle one coming to Coryell's Ferry.

Redoubts and batteries were cast up on the Pennsylvania side of the river.

Washington reconnoitered and tools observations from the hills and prominent surroundings. T'here is a flat rock near a spring on "Goat Hill," known as "Washington's dining rock," on which he is said to have dined on one of these occasions. Also another on the south side of the same hill called "Pinnacle Rock," from which the most extensive view could be taken. The western shore of the "Ferry" performed a very prominent part in the history of 1776, both in collecting and secreting boats all along the Delaware, as well as sheltering them behind the small island of "Malta," one and one-half miles below the "Ferry."

Malta Island Shore

In these boats the loyal troops were conveyed across the icy "Delaware" at "McKonkey's" on Christmas, and surprised and captured the enemy at Trenton on the following day, December 26th, 1777.

Cornwallis had previously heard of boats being collected at "Coryell's Ferry," and sent spies up on the Nevi Jersey side, but they saw nothing to verify the report, and dared not cross the river and face the frowning batteries on that side.

Nearly every foot of the shores of the "Ferry" is full of interest to the student of historic lore pertaining to the Revolution as enacted here. The whole section abounds with incidents connected with the Colonial and Revolutionary days.

At Coryell's Ferry, on the Pennsylvania side of the river, it is said that Washington, with Generals William Alexander (Lord Stirling), Green and others who were in command of the troops at that time, planned the "Battle of Trenton," which we have already mentioned.

General Benedict Arnold (The Traitor) was at Coryell's Ferry, June 16th, 1777, and from there wrote to General Washington. On the 29th of July, 1777, we find the honored and lamented Alexander Hamilton,
then a Captain of Artillery, writing to the Honorable Robert Morris from the same place.

Colonel James Monroe, afterward President of the United States, was also quartered at a farm-house a little below the Ferry, 1776.

In June, 1778, when the British evacuated Philadelphia, to avoid being caught in a trap, Washington broke camp at "Valley Forge" and came to the Ferry, crossing over into what is now Lambertville. His soldiers camped in an orchard, which is now one of the business portions of our city, viz., the northeast corner of Bridge and Union streets.

While here General Washington penned the following letter to Major-General Arnold:

HEADQUARTERS NEAR CORYELL'S, June 22d, 1778.
To Major General Arnold,
SIR: -- I leave the honor to inform you, that I am now in New Jersey, and that nearly all of the troops have passed safely across the river, at Coryell's.
The latest intelligence I have, respecting the enemy, was yesterday, from Gen. Dickinson, who said, they were, on that morning, at "Mount Holly" and at "Morristown," but that he has not been able to learn what route they would take from thence; nor was it easy to determine the matter from their situation.
They will either proceed to South Amboy, or by way of "Brunswick."
We have been a good deal impeded in our march by rainy weather.
As soon as we have cleaned the "arms," and can get matters on train, we propose moving towards Princeton, in order to avail ourselves of any favorable occasions that may present themselves, for attacking or engaging the enemy.
I have the honor to be writing to Major General Arnold.   GEORGE WASHINGTON.

When the soldiers again took up their line of march, it was through a valley, between two heavily timbered hills. That valley is now known to us as "The Hook." The road was at the foot of the north hill, crossed "Swan's Creek," then ascended the "Old Saw-mill Road" to the high ground, or "Farmers' Highway," which was a steep ascent. Following this route the army reached "Hopewell," where they again rested. The onward march from there was to "Rocky Hill," "Kingston," Cranbury, and then to Monmouth, where they overtook the enemy and fought that memorable battle, June 28th.

The statement regarding the army while here is unquestionably correct, as the writer heard it from the lips of an aged man -- the son of Captain George Coryell, and grandson of Emanuel, at whose house some of the officers were entertained, he being at the time a lad presumably twelve or fourteen years of age.

Washington, with other officers, was quartered at Richard Holcombe's, in the ancient mansion we know as "Washington's Headquarters."

It is said that just previous to their departure a council of war, lasting two hours, was held with the officers and General Greene, under an old apple tree at the rear of the "Mansion," and it is further stated that in that house Washington wrote his letter to Arnold.

Abram and John Coryell, two of the four sons of Emanuel, were at that time the proprietors of the "Ferry," Abram on the Net Jersey side, and John on the Pennsylvania. These brothers conveyed the army across the river; also furnished commissary supplies and forage for the horses, for which they were paid in Continental money, which was never redeemed, in consequence of which these men were greatly impoverished.

Mention has been made of the "Old Sawmill Road," the location of the "Mill" from which the road derived its name being where Mr. Harry Montgomery's house now ( 1902) stands. The old slanting wall, over which the water flowed from the mill, was still there in the writer's childood days; also the mill-race, the north bank of which was supported by large oaks and beech trees. The dam was gone, but about where it had been was a "Mineral Spring," with a depth of four or more feet, and having a millstone encircling its top, with its waters strongly impregnated with iron. [The writer has often. drunk of this water.] When undisturbed, a scum covered the surface, and the stones near by, together with the drain from the spring, were always covered with a heavy, rusty sediment.

In. 1776 we find plenty of evidence that this region was fast becoming a farming district, and that the people were quite thrifty.

There was a, small "Grist-Mill" at the head of the "Falls," run by one Jonathan Pidcock (an Irishman), also a small saw-mill on Swan's creek, about one-half mile distant from the river.

Just on the outskirts of our town is now stored, in two large reservoirs, the water from that creek, this being the water-supply for the city of Lambertville.

The tailor and the shoemaker of those days not infrequently plied his respective trade in the house of his patrons; this, perhaps, being done both for convenience as well as economy's sake; while the schoolmaster took turns boarding at the homes of his patrons.

At the time of the Revolution there were but four conimodious houses in, the hamlet -- "The Ferry House," Captain George Coryell's, Richard Holcombe's and George Tanner's. Tanner's house was located on the south side of Coryell street, along the river bank. To this house was attached -- on the west side -- a storehouse for the storage of grain and other merchandise. The Delaware being the highway for the interchange of commerce between Easton and Philadelphia. and the surrounding
country, made it very profitable for this man who lived so near to it. Through this medium a large business was done, during the war, the produce being conveyed to and fro on large canoe-shaped boats, called "Durham boats," from the name of the place where they were first built.

These "Durhams" were propelled by sails and setting-poles, with a long steering oar at the helm.

Immense quantities of lumber were rafted down the Delaware annually from the Lehigh and Upper Delaware. Now a raft on the river would be a curiosity. The destruction of the forests, as well as two canals, has tended to rob the river of much of its earlier copious water flow.

The oldest houses now standing are the "Washington Headquarters" and the Bellmont House, which latter was built by Judge John Coryell in 1797, where he commenced his married life.

There all his children were born, and from it he buried both his wives and his father, Cap-
tain George Coryell.

The yard and surrounding grounds extended as far back as Coryell street.

Since then stories have been added, and extensions and additions have been made, thus changing its appearance entirely.

The old store-house on the southwest corner of Coryell and Main streets, is said to have been built at the same time as the Judge's house.

Coryell street is the oldest street in our city. It is recorded that it was opened by Judge John Coryell in the year 1802, at which time a few building lots were sold. This street extended from Main street to the river. The ground east of Main street to the foot of the hill was known as "Bog Meadow;" the water course
from there to the river, in wet times, being through what is now Perry street. A small stone bridge with one arch crossed Bridge street about the center of Dr. Lilly's lot. The first house built on Coryell street at that early date was erected by Dr. Richard Kreusen, who died in 1807, aged forty-nine. (His successor
was Dr. John Lilly.) Kreusen's widow, with her son and daughter, occupied this house until all were deceased. Opposite their home was the residence of Joshua Anderson. A brick dwelling was built on this site, in 1846, by his son, John H. Anderson. This house is owned at the present time (1902) by Mrs. Helen Matthews.

Another building lot on which a comniodious frame house was erected -- by whom it is unknown -- was located midway between what is now Union street and Anderson's property. The house was purchased by Mr. Brannon, a brother-in-law of Dr. John. I,illy.

On the southwest corner of Union and Coryell streets was built a frame residence, known to the writer as the "Yellow House." No doubt it was a very pretty dwelling when occupied by the original owners, as it had the appearance of having been well finished inside as well as out.

The next mentioned is the property of Mrs.Thomas R. Fidler, which has undergone many changes. The date of building and original ownership are unknown to the writer.

Another frame dwelling on Coryell street was owned, and occupied until his death, by a very aged man, named Charles Pidcock, a native-born citizen of this community. This house adjoined the present property of Mr. Jacob Heins.

The stone house on South Main street, at the foot of Goat Hill, was built by Jacob Coryell, son of Cornelius and grandson of Emanuel.

There is no known date of its erection, but it is supposed to be coeval with the Bellmont House, if not older. At the present time this house is owned by Mr. Samuel Case.

"Tanning" was the business carried on by Jacob Coryell and his sons.

The water-supply for the use of the "Tanyard" came from a small brook which flowed down between Cottage ancl Goat Hills. This "Tannery" was in operation until a later date than 1840.

Qn the northwest corner of Main and Coryell streets was a dwelling and storehouse,.supposed to have been built in 1805 by Emley Holcombe, who for many years kept at this place a store -- for general merchandise.

In 1812 the building of the Delaware bridge was begun, it being finished two years later, at a cost of $69,000. As this bridge was to make a new road or street, Captain John Lambert commenced the erection of a new "tavern," the present "I,ambertville House." This was a well-conducted and respectable "hostlery," which he kept himself until his death. The "Ferry House" was then closed, and became a
private dwelling.

Judge John Coryell sold to Doctor John Lilly a lot of land from the "road" (Bridge street) to Swan's creek on the south, said lot extending to Franklin street on the east, and to Main street on the west.

On this lot he built a brick residence fronting Bridge street. A broad path led up to the front door, which was covered by a commodious portico, and was reached by a flight of steps. There was another high porch on the south side, to the right of which was the basement-kitchen. What is now called Lilly street
was the doctor's private driveway and entrance to his office, kitchen, etc.

His barn, carriage-house, wood-house, "sty," etc., were opposite, and near enough to the home.

The ground sloping towards the creek was cultivated for domestic purposes.

Building lots were sold from his land on the east side of Main street to Solomon Landis and David Naylor.

The residence, described briefly in the above, is now owned by Mr. John Lilly, having undergone many changes since it was first built.

The next two oldest houses on Bridge street besides the Lambertville House, were built by Jacob Smith and Philip Marshall. Marshall's old home is now owned by the Catholic Church as the "Sisters' Home," while Jacob Smith's house is just opposite.

The residence now owned by Randolph Everett (1902) was built in 1830, by William Biles, who died there October, 1833.

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