![[Moland photo]](DSCN0550m.JPG)
Re-enactors portray: (l. to. r.) the Marquis de Lafayette, George Washington, and Casimir Pulaski
Casimir Pulaski at Moland House
During August 10-23, 1777, Washington’s army encamped north of Philadelphia, in Hartsville, on the banks of Little Neshaminy Creek. While the troops had to make do with tents and makeshift shelters, George Washington rented a stone house that stood near the stream from John Moland’s widow. This is where he made his headquarters and held meetings with his general staff. In this house he had a quiet talk with the Marquis de Lafayette, that henceforth was referred to as "The Great Conversation" by the younger man. After this Lafayette, who lost his parents at an early age, came to look at Washington as a father figure. Here too, came the Polish cavalryman, Casimir Pulaski, who volunteered to serve in the Revolutionary Army. He brought letters from France for the Marquis, earning both his friendship and gratitude.
After showing much courage and initiative at the Battle of Brandywine Pulaski was promoted to Brigadier General in charge of the cavalry by the Continental Congress. In 2006 an updated historical marker with the pertinent facts, approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, was placed near the house. Two bronze plaques, one for Lafayette (donated by Mr. Francis I. duPont) and another for Pulaski (gift of Mr. Edward Pinkowski) will eventually be installed on the walls of the house. The Pulaski plaque is among the first such to bear the correct place and date of birth for the hero of Poland and America: Warsaw, March 6, 1745. This information was verified by Edward Pinkowski and the Polish Academy of Science.
The house survived as a family home into the twentieth century, while enduring various expansions and modifications. In the 1960s, former Bucks County Congressman Jim Greenwood, then a student, shared it with a man who raised turkeys on the property. Later, the house became a biker hangout and started to deteriorate. It was saved from an ignominious end by the Warwick Township Historical Society and slowly restored to reflect its former charm and grace. The work was financed by federal and state grants plus donors who also contributed period furniture and household items. Even now, George Washington would get a pleasant feeling of familiarity inside the home.
The house is a local attraction and a teaching aid for pupils of the grammar and middle schools in the area. There are also frequent visitors who come on the regular days when this house-museum is open. Recently among them was Caroline Kenworthy and her family from Chicago visiting her grandfather Dr. Harry Kenworthy in Bucks County. What seemed to be an ordinary family tourist excursion turned out to be a long remembered historical experience. Some time after Caroline returned to her school in Chicago, located in an area with a large Polish population, she was able to share her experience at the house with her classmates during "Polish Days." When the name of Casimir Pulaski came up in discussion, she stood up and related the story of how, with her parents, she visited the very spot where Pulaski met George Washington for the first time, and included other details related to the campsite. Needless to say, hearing about this made Warren Williams, retired teacher and former president of the Warwick Township Historical Society, very happy. It meant that his words of explanation, as a guide at the house, had indeed found fertile ground despite all the distractions that young people are subjected to today.
Warren specializes in telling the story of the house in the eighteenth century and its recent reconstruction. Last year he wrote and published a book for children entitled "A Basket of Pears for General Washington" based on a oft-repeated local story about how, during the Neshaminy encampment, General Washington was presented with a gift of fruit by some local youngsters. This engaging story includes mention of the other historical figures present at Moland House and their significance in the American War of Independence. The book is available through Amazon.com via the internet.
Every year in August there is a re-enactment that tries to recreate certain aspects of that long-ago encampment. This includes actor volunteers who don authentic uniforms and arms portraying Continental era soldiers. Their wives enact the roles of the female auxiliary support column without which no eighteenth century army could function. Tents are set up and various activities and crafts from that simpler time are demonstrated. It is fun and it’s educational -- it’s an encounter with history.
More information can be found on the website: www.moland.org
From: Various Sources