American Revolution
Travel "Pass" "...to His Excellency Gen. Washington's Camp" at Valley Forge
February 18, 1778-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Document Signed by Jared Seaton, Justice of the Peace, Very Fine.
February 18, 1778-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Manuscript Document, 8" x 5.25", 1 page, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Being a Pass for Safe Passage to General George Washington's "Camp" (Valley Forge, Pennsylvania). Tape repairs to back at fold lines, minor edge chips.

Between December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778 General George Washington's Camp was located at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania where he made his headquarters in the historic Isaac Potts House. It reads, in full:

"State of New Jersey, Hunterdon County --- Permit the bearer hereof William Cornal an inhabitant of the said County of Hunterdon to pass from thence to His Excellency Gen. Washington's Camp (with Peter Shelly, who has enlisted in the Continental Army during the present War,) and back again to the place of his Abode Unmolested, he Behaving as Becometh. February 18,1778 - (Signed) Jared Seaton, one of the Judges Assigned to keep the Peace for the said County of Hunterdon".



Hunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the State of New Jersey. It is a distance of about 67.9 miles to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania which traveling today would take about 1 hour & 30 minutes via I-276 West, and somewhat longer in 1778.
This pass was found in my great, great-grandfather's house (The Holcombe House) in Lambertville, NJ. Gen Washington used this house as a temporary headquarters during this time (June 21 to 23, 1778). Lambertville is on the Delaware River, just 8 miles north of Washington's Crossing, NJ. This pass has been in my family for 6 generations!



Holcombe House: 260 North Main Street (NJ State Route 29),

Coryell's Ferry (now Lambertville), New Jersey



From July 29 to 31, 1777 - British General Howe and 15,000 troops sail from New York City at the end of July. Washington moves his Army to Lambertville to be able to counter, north or south, depending on Howe's destination. Howe sails into the Chesapeake Bay, lands at Head of Elk, and begins a march toward Philadelphia. - Holcombe is paid 5.10 for 22 suppers and 22 breakfasts.



General George Washington Returns to Holcombe House:



June 21 " Washington crosses to the New Jersey side of the Delaware River, but most of the Army camps on the west side (New Hope, Pennsylvania), and crosses the following day.

June 22 " Expenses paid to Mr. Holcombe " 10.17.6.