Facing Morris Street where it joins Washington Avenue, is the Ford
Mansion. This structure, a splendid example of late American colonial
architecture, was built about 1772-74 by Col. Jacob Ford, Jr., an
influential citizen, iron manufacturer, powder mill owner, and patriot
soldier of Morristown. Colonel Ford died on January 10, 1777, from
illness contracted during the “Mud Rounds” campaign of late 1776, in
which he rendered valuable service to the American cause as commander of
the Eastern Battalion, Morris County Militia. He was buried with
military honors in the graveyard of the Presbyterian Church at
Morristown.
The mansion itself served for a brief period in 1777 as quarters for the
Delaware Light Infantry Regiment commanded by Capt. Thomas Rodney.
During the Continental Army encampment of 1779-80, all but two rooms in
the house were occupied by Washington’s official family, which, besides
the Commander in Chief, included his devoted wife, Martha, his
aides-de-camp, and some servants (p. 23). Mrs. Ford’s family consisted
of herself and her four children: Timothy (aged 17), Gabriel (aged 15),
Elizabeth (aged 13), and Jacob, III (aged 8).
Restoration of the Ford Mansion was begun by the National Park Service
in 1939. Much of the beautiful old furniture now displayed in the
building was there when Washington occupied it. The remaining
furnishings are mostly pieces dating from the Revolutionary War period
or earlier, such as Mrs. Ford and her distinguished guests might have
used.