The building across the street from the cache was originally built as the private home of Joseph and Catherine Drake c. 1762. The house once stood at the center of the hamlet of Samptown. In Revolutionary times, the building was an inn/tavern and stagecoach stop. Samuel Pyatt purchased the house in 1859. In 1919, Chester Wojciechowski, whose name was anglicized to Wesley, moved in. Today, the building is once again a private residence.
The strategic stream crossing over the Bound Brook just down the street was the site of several battles between 1776-1777.
The inn was likely the site of a Samptown court martial which survives in the writings of General George Washington who reviewed the court's report from his headquarters in Morristown.
Sgt. Barnet Keener (or Kenny) of the 11th Pennsylvania Battalion and Sgt.-Major John Berns (or Burns) of the 10th were tried at a General Court Martial board. Col. Israel Shreve, 2nd New Jersey Regiment, was president.
On April 15, 1777 General Washington wrote, "the Court find Serjt. Keener guilty of the above Crime [intention to desert], and sentence him to be reduced to the ranks, and receive 100 Lashes on his bare back – The Court acquit Serjt. Berns of the Charge against him.”
The court martial board heard two more cases upon which Washington commented. "Lt. Frederick Rowlwagen was found guilty and cashiered for "Making a great Noise among the Soldiers going to Trenton, contrary to General Orders.” And, “John Neal, Soldier in Capt. (John] Coates's Company, and the 11th Pennsyl. Regt. tried at the same Court Martial, is found guilty of Deserting his post, being drunk, and suffering others to desert to the enemy – The Court sentence him to suffer death.”
General Washington approved the sentences and ordered them carried out, except that against Private Neal, whose execution was suspended until further orders. His fate is unknown.
Excerpted from: “The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources 1745-1799, edited by John C. Fitzpatrick, Vol. 7.
Historic photos of the building can be seen at these links:
https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3202884296398828&id=264439776909976&set=a.1005262859494327&source=57
https://books.google.com/books?id=BVDAcRTdJgIC&pg=PA10&lpg=PA10&dq=benjamin+hull+samptown&source=bl&ots=trIH3PwaE4&sig=ACfU3U0FqafViVYWdEekiKF0fBbaEciJWA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjGpPLt7af2AhULheAKHR4DBMYQ6AF6BAgOEAI#v=onepage&q=benjamin%20hull%20samptown&f=false
To learn more about the fascinating history of Samptown, visit GC9P8A6 NJ Ghost Town - Samptown.
Congratulations to D&S-NJ on the FTF!