James and Ann Whitall House - National Park, NJ
Posted by: 
ODragon
N 39° 52.173 W 075° 11.457
18S E 483669 N 4413296
An old house...
Waymark Code: WM5VRN
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 02/17/2009
Views: 7
From an onsite marker:
James Whitall, a wealthy Quaker farmer and merchant, and his wife Ann Cooper built the main brick section in 1748. On April 16, 1777, the Pennsylvania militia commandeered the farm and built Fort Mercer in the northern apple orchard. Son Job Whitall noted in his diary on October 10, 1777 that the Americans “turned us out of our kitchens ye largest room upstairs and ye shop and took our hay to feed the horses.” That day Colonel Christopher Greene had arrived to command the fort and used a portion of the house as military headquarters.
On October 22, 1777 when the attack began on Fort Mercer, family members fled to Woodbury; but Ann Whitall refused to abandon her home. When a cannonball broke through the north wall, according to legend, Ann calmly carried her spinning wheel to the cellar and continued to spin. The house, left intact, was used as a hospital after the battle. Ann remained to tend all the wounded Hessian and American soldiers.
The battle was a key victory and morale builder; however, news of a second siege caused the Americans to destroy the fort and leave the property on November 24, 1777.
Earliest Recorded Date of Construction: 01/01/1748
Architectural Period/Style: Country House
Type of Building e.g. Country House, Stately Home, Manor:
Country House
Interesting Historical Facts or Connections:
American Revolutionary War battle took place here.
Main Material of Construction: Brick
Private/Public Access: Public
Opening Hours (if applicable): From: 9:00 AM To: 5:00 PM
Related Website: [Web Link]
Rating: 
Additional Dates of Construction: Not listed
Architect (if known): Not listed
Landscape Designer (if known): Not listed
Listed Building Status (if applicable): Not listed
Admission Fee (if applicable): Not Listed
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