The Jones Farm

W 115th St & Riverside Dr

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

West 115th Street & Riverside Drive, New York, NY

Amenities

1 listed

Public Transit

This is West 115th Street. We came up from West 106th Street to talk about the Jones farm. Nicholas Jones lived down there. Colonel Knowlton was given the assignment to come here early the morning of September 16, 1776. The farm was on his right side. He is concerned they are entrenching down with the British Army. Many people did not know the British Army had light infantry but during the French and Indian War, these soldiers were trained in Halifax, Canada. They report down here, they know how to fight (Guerilla style) like Native Americans, so Colonel Knowlton and approximately 120 Rangers are being chased up to this location, known as the hog runs farm. Knowlton gets to this location and this is when one of the commanders from Washington comes down to witness what's going on. Knowlton realizes he is getting pushed towards the British who have about 400 soldiers coming this way, light infantry once again, the first and second regiments. Knowlton does not want to get trapped, so he fires back based on historical accounts. Knowlton’s Rangers fired about eight rounds. Firing one of those muskets back in 1776 took one minute, so that's a lot of firing going on at that time. Washington is hearing this from 127th Street. Next stop is just north of General Grant National Memorial at Riverside Drive and Tiemann Place.