Auction of the Ford Mansion - June 25, 1873

June 25, 1873: PUBLIC SALE of WASHINGTON’S HEADQUARTERS, Morristown, New Jersey

Both Morristown National Historical Park and the Washington Association of New Jersey—its predecessor and partner in preservation--can look back to one key day, Wednesday, June 25, 1873, as critical to their future existence. On that date, the actions of four men would save the Morristown, New Jersey house known far and wide as Washington’s Headquarters. Immediately after the death of its last private owner, Henry Augustus Ford, many New Jerseyans wondered about the fate of the old house. Henry’s will revealed that, to provide for his seven descendants, his property would be divided into lots and (with the house) put up for sale at a public auction.
The auction would have a most dramatic and successful conclusion. A local newspaper provides us the most detailed account of the event:
"Four flags hung from the front of the property, while over the front door of the mansion stood Fairchild’s life-like portrait of Washington graced on either side with festooned flags, and at his feet with muskets and swords; from each chimney arose a staff surmounted by the star spangled banner…. At half past one the sale of lots commenced, a corner lot facing Morris Ave., on the extreme north [sic] of the property, bringing 27 dollars and a half per front foot… Of the 47 lots laid out, nineteen were put up and claimed to be sold aggregating the amount of $44,310.50 exclusive of the Headquarters property….The Headquarters property was then put up, and immediately the liveliest interest was manifested. $20,000 was soon reached, and from here it went in small amounts to $24,100, this being the bid of Mr. William Ledgerwood [should be Lidgerwood]. At this juncture, ex-Governor Randolph, who had been earnestly talking to a small group of gentlemen, stepped into the open space before the auctioneer and said, “Gentlemen, I have waited with all patience, and the feelings of a Jerseyman, while seeing this matter move so slowly, and now here, together with General Norris Halsted and Hon. George Halsted [should be George Halsey] to purchase this property at any price under $25,000, each to take a quarter interest in it, provided we can find a fourth party to do the same, and if he is not forthcoming within two minutes I will take two shares myself. We propose to hold the property subject to the will of the State of New Jersey, which can have it at any time for the same amount of money.” Uproarious applause followed this surprise, and in the midst of it Mr. Ledgerwood stepped forward and claimed the honor of making the fourth party, saying that it had been his intention and desire to do singly what Mr. Randolph proposed, and that he should have followed it up to $25,000- - upon which came more applause; the auctioneer yelled, [“]$25,000 I am bid,” and Washington’s Headquarters was knocked down to Morristown and Newark patriotism. We have no doubt that the State will, at the next session of the Legislature, take it off their hands." (True Democratic Banner, June 12 and 19, 1873; clippings in the Washington Association Papers, Morristown NHP.)
It is most fortunate and timely that four prominent gentlemen attending the auction—all sharing a concern for the preservation of the home--were willing to do what was necessary to save the headquarters:

Thomas Randolph, the first president of the Washington Association, was born in 1826 in New Brunswick, where his father was founder and editor of the newspaper, The Fredonian. He was in the New Jersey Legislature in 1861. In 1866, he moved to Morristown. He served three years as governor of the state starting in 1869, and later became a United States senator

George Halsey, who succeeded Randolph as president of the Washington Association, was born in Springfield, New Jersey. Halsey's historical interests were apparent prior to his Washington Association involvement, as he was already active in the New Jersey Historical Society and the Sons of the American Revolution. During his career, Halsey served in Congress.

Nathaniel Norris Halsted was interested in the military, serving in the State Militia and being involved with the New Jersey military camps during the Civil War. Halsted was undoubtedly influenced by his wife, a Vice-regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, which had acquired Washington's estate twenty years previously.

William Van Vleck Lidgerwood, born in Morristown, was a stepson of the locally well-known owner of the Speedwell Iron Works, Judge Stephen Vail. For several years, he was United States Consul General in Rio de Janeiro. Though he later moved to London, he maintained his interest in Morristown and made substantial gifts to the Washington Association.

After their purchase of Washington’s Headquarters, the four founders sought unsuccessfully to have the state of New Jersey assume ownership of the historic site. They therefore formed the Washington’s Association of New Jersey as a stock-holding corporation dedicated to the preservation of the residence. For many years, the Washington Association worked tirelessly to preserve the home and make it available to visitors from far and wide. But growing attendance due to the automobile and financial difficulties (with the coming of the Great Depression) strained the organization’s ability to continue its role as caretaker. By 1931, there was interest in having a National Historical Park in Morristown, and, by the end of 1932, the Association Trustees supported the idea of adding the Headquarters to the National Park system. The legislation to accept the Washington Association properties, along with Jockey Hollow and Fort Nonsense lands, was signed by Herbert Hoover on March 3, 1933. On July 4, 1933, the Washington Association with the Town of Morristown held an impressive ceremony in which deeds were formally turned over the representative of the U.S. Government, Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes, forming the first national historical park.

Without the vision of four men at an auction 150 years ago, none of this would have been possible.