Pluckemin, New Jersey

Pluckemin is an unincorporated community located within Bedminster Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States.[2] It was also known historically as Pluckamin.[1][3] It was the site of several historic events during the American Revolutionary War.

Pluckemin, New Jersey
Unincorporated community
Pluckemin, New Jersey
Pluckemin, New Jersey
Pluckemin, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°38′44″N 74°38′21″W
State New Jersey
CountySomerset
TownshipBedminster
Elevation56 m (184 ft)
GNIS feature ID879376[1]

History
Gravestone of British Captain William Leslie, died during the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777

After the victory at Princeton, General George Washington and his army camped nearby from January 4 to 6, 1777 on the march to Morristown.[4][5] On January 5, General Washington set up his headquarters in a local Pluckemin house, which later became known as the John Fenner House, and wrote his battle report to John Hancock.[6] He also ordered military honors for the battle death of British Captain William Leslie, a friend of the American Dr. Benjamin Rush.[7] The gravestone is in the graveyard of the former St. Paul's Lutheran Church (built 1757), where the Pluckemin Presbyterian Church is now located.[8]

During the winter of 1778–79, the Pluckemin Continental Artillery Cantonment Site, commanded by General Henry Knox, was located nearby.[9]

On February 18, 1779, General Knox organized a grand celebration, The French Alliance Ball, for the first anniversary of the alliance with France. In attendance were General Washington and his wife Martha. Over four hundred people enjoyed dancing, drinking and fireworks.[10][11][12]

Historic district

The Pluckemin Village Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 26, 1982.

Transportation

Pluckemin is intersected by two major roads: U.S. Route 202 / U.S. Route 206 (north-south) and County Route 620 / Burnt Mills Road / Washington Valley Road (east-west).[8]

See also

References
  1. "Pluckemin". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed June 9, 2016.
  3. Samuel Parry (1912). "The Origin of the Name 'Pluckemin'". In Honeyman, A. Van Doren (ed.). Somerset County Historical Quarterly. 1. p. 196.
  4. Fischer, David Hackett (2006). Washington's Crossing. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 342. ISBN 0-19-517034-2.
  5. "John Fenner House" (PDF). HABS NJ-188. Historic American Buildings Survey. 1937. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. "From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 January 1777". National Historical Publications & Records Commission.
  7. Diary of Captain Thomas Rodney. 1776–1777. pp. 39–40.
  8. Ashton, Charles H. (July 26, 1982). "NRHP Nomination: Pluckemin Village Historic District". National Park Service: 17. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. "Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment". Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum.
  10. Barber, John Warner; Howe, Henry (1868). Historical Collections of New Jersey: Past and Present. J.W. Barber. pp. 441–2.
  11. The French Alliance Ball (PDF). Township of Bedminster, County of Somerset, New Jersey. 1979.
  12. Honeyman, A. Van Doren, ed. (1918). Somerset County Historical Quarterly. 7. p. 17.
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