Colonial Times & the Revolutionary Era
The Revolutionary War marked a significant cultural shift at The Hermitage, as it became a focal point of political division and personal sacrifice. Theodosia and James Marcus Prevost's connections to the British military, along with their neighbors' mixed loyalties, reflected the broader cultural fracturing happening in America.
Loyalist vs. Patriot Tensions: The presence of Theodosia Prevost, a Loyalist with deep family ties to the British military, in a predominantly Patriot community contributed to cultural conflict. Many of Theodosia’s relatives were actively involved with the British, while others—like her cousin Lydia Watkins—sided with the rebels. These divided loyalties created a tense cultural atmosphere at The Hermitage.
Neutral Ground: The Hermitage also became a neutral site of sorts during the war, offering a temporary haven to Loyalists (such as Samuel Bradhurst, a Rebel officer captured and placed under house arrest) and Rebel sympathizers alike. This reflected an ongoing cultural shift towards compromise during times of conflict, with individuals seeking protection and refuge despite opposing political views.
The Cultural Role of Women: With the men of the house—such as James Marcus Prevost—engaged in the war, Theodosia and her mother Ann took the lead in managing the household. This shift highlighted the strength and resilience of women in the colonial era, as they often had to assume the leadership role in times of war.
Loyalist vs. Patriot Tensions: The presence of Theodosia Prevost, a Loyalist with deep family ties to the British military, in a predominantly Patriot community contributed to cultural conflict. Many of Theodosia’s relatives were actively involved with the British, while others—like her cousin Lydia Watkins—sided with the rebels. These divided loyalties created a tense cultural atmosphere at The Hermitage.
Neutral Ground: The Hermitage also became a neutral site of sorts during the war, offering a temporary haven to Loyalists (such as Samuel Bradhurst, a Rebel officer captured and placed under house arrest) and Rebel sympathizers alike. This reflected an ongoing cultural shift towards compromise during times of conflict, with individuals seeking protection and refuge despite opposing political views.
The Cultural Role of Women: With the men of the house—such as James Marcus Prevost—engaged in the war, Theodosia and her mother Ann took the lead in managing the household. This shift highlighted the strength and resilience of women in the colonial era, as they often had to assume the leadership role in times of war.
Loyalists and Patriots
Throughout the Revolutionary War, the homes and property of The Hermitage were managed by Theodosia Prevost, with five children, and her mother, Ann, with her teenage daughter Caty. There were likely one or two African American slaves in the household. Theodosia, now 29, took the leadership role, and the women’s major challenge was survival.
Throughout the war, the Hermitage lay in one of the most contested areas in the American colonies. Whig (Patriot) militias—and at times the Continental Army—had almost full control of northern Bergen County. From their major base in New York City, the British had almost full control of lower Bergen County. The region in between was subjected to attacks from both sides. Paramus and Hopperstown endured skirmishes, foraging, troop movements, and encampments throughout the war. In addition, the region suffered ongoing guerrilla warfare by both active Patriot and Tory (Loyalist) residents. Neighbors on both sides were killed, wounded, captured, and imprisoned.
British and Loyalist actions in the vicinity of the Hermitage did not pose a threat to the women, who could count on immunity from direct attacks by the British because the property was well known to belong to James Prevost, a British military officer. In 1777, in fact, the British placed Samuel Bradhurst, a captured Rebel medical officer and relative of Theodosia’s by marriage, under house arrest at The Hermitage. He remained there throughout the war and married Theodosia's cousin Mary Smith in December 1778.
Theodosia and Ann did have to worry, however, that their homes would be confiscated by the Patriots. There were Whig leaders in New Jersey who wanted to send the women to the British in New York and make the Hermitage a prize to raise money for the Revolutionary cause or to reward one of their major officials. Theodosia knew she had to counter this threat and did so with considerable resourcefulness and courage by cultivating influential contacts and advocates on many sides of the conflict.
George Washington VisitsIn July 1778, following the important Battle of Monmouth, the Continental Army marched from New Brunswick and the Great Falls of the Passaic toward the Hudson Highlands, with plans to rest in camp at Paramus. As the army approached Paramus, Washington and his top aides expected to make their headquarters at the Paramus home of Lydia Watkins, a sister of Ann De Visme. Watkins’s husband was abroad, and her son was fighting against the British, who had commandeered her home in Harlem Heights. Theodosia sent a note to the Watkins home, inviting Washington and his troops to stay at the Hermitage instead.
Washington accepted Theodosia’s invitation, which read:
Mrs. Prevost Presents her best respects to his Excellency Gen'l Washington. Requests the Honour of his Company as she flatters herself the accommodations will more Commodious than those to be procured in the Neighborhood. Mrs. Prevost will be particularly happy to make her House Agreeable to His Excellency. According to Washington's secretary James McHenry, "...we only dined with Mrs. Watkins and her two charming daughters, who sang us several pretty songs in a very agreeable manner."
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The army encamped in Paramus and Hopperstown on July 11–14, 1778. The Paramus Dutch Reformed Church was a resting place for the wounded, as well as the site of the ongoing court-martial of General Charles Lee. Most of the troops stayed north of the church, while Washington's guards camped at "Head Quarters two miles from Primmiss [Paramus] Church," near The Hermitage.
Other notable figures who visited the house during the Revolutionary War included James Monroe, William Paterson, the Marquis de Lafayette, Alexander Hamilton, Lord Sterling (General William Alexander), Aaron Burr, and Peggy Shippen Arnold.
Aaron Burr
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During the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, Aaron Burr distinguished himself through courageous leadership, despite suffering from heat exhaustion and having his horse shot out from under him. Soon after, General Alexander sent Burr on a spy mission to assess British positions near Sandy Hook, in anticipation of a potential Franco-American assault. When plans shifted to an attack on British forces in Rhode Island, Burr was recalled and ordered, despite lingering health issues, to rejoin his regiment at West Point.
That summer, General Washington tasked Burr with escorting prominent Loyalists William Smith, Cadwallader Colden, and Roeliff Eltinge, under a flag of truce down the Hudson to British-held New York City. Theodosia Prevost, eager to visit family in the city, secured permission to join the mission with her half-sister and servant. Burr personally added their names to the passenger list, and the five-day voyage from August 5–10 allowed ample time for deepening acquaintance between Burr and Theodosia.
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Burr continued escort missions through September while battling persistent illness. In November, during a recuperative visit to the Hermitage, he wrote warmly of Theodosia to his sister, calling her “our lovely sister” and praising her kind and affectionate heart. By late 1778, Theodosia was regularly in the company of Burr and his close friends, including William Paterson (New Jersey’s Attorney General) and Colonel Robert Troup. These connections extended to key figures like Governor William Livingston and State Supreme Court Justice Robert Morris.
In January 1779, Burr returned to military duty at the request of General Alexander McDougall, taking command of the troubled Westchester line. For two months he worked to discipline the unit, combat Tory militias, and stop illicit trade with British-held New York City. However, the physical toll proved too great. On March 10, 1779, Burr officially submitted his resignation to General Washington, citing continued poor health. Washington replied with regret, praising Burr as a “good officer.”
After Burr’s resignation, Paterson, writing from Oakland, NJ, light-heartedly encouraged his friend to marry Theodosia. Though she remained married to British officer James Marcus Prevost, the letter reflects Paterson’s affection for both Burr and Theodosia, and perhaps a hint of wishful matchmaking. Burr, focused on recovering his health and restarting his legal studies, didn’t pursue the idea immediately. He did, however seek a tutor for her two sons after they returned from their military service.
After Burr’s resignation, Paterson, writing from Oakland, NJ, light-heartedly encouraged his friend to marry Theodosia. Though she remained married to British officer James Marcus Prevost, the letter reflects Paterson’s affection for both Burr and Theodosia, and perhaps a hint of wishful matchmaking. Burr, focused on recovering his health and restarting his legal studies, didn’t pursue the idea immediately. He did, however seek a tutor for her two sons after they returned from their military service.
In the spring of 1782, while establishing his law practice in Albany, Burr received news that Theodosia’ half-sister Caty would be marrying Joseph Browne on July 2 at the Hermitage. Burr arrived some time before the event and together, he and Theodosia decided that it was time for them to get married as well - it was a double wedding. With so little planning, he didn't have time to get a new coat and Theodosia needed to borrow gloves. Governor Livingston issued them a special license for the wedding.
Peggy Shippen Arnold
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In late summer 1780, Benedict Arnold, rebel general and hero of the Battle of Saratoga, betrayed the Hudson Highland fort into British hands. His wife Peggy Shippen was a conspirator in his act of treason. Arnold directed Peggy to travel with their 5 month old child from Philadelphia to West Point. He sent aide Major David Franks to fetch her and provided detailed travel instructions. “The fifth night at Paramus….At Paramus you will be very politely received by Mrs. Watkins and Mrs. Prevost, very genteel people.”
Peggy journeyed north to join Arnold at West Point, aided by trusted Loyalist sympathizers. After the plot unraveled with the capture of British Major John André, Arnold fled, leaving Peggy and their infant behind. Cleverly feigning innocence, Peggy convinced General Washington and Alexander Hamilton to let her return to Philadelphia.
On her difficult return journey, facing hostility and suspicion, she found sanctuary at The Hermitage. According to later accounts, Peggy confessed her role in the conspiracy to Theodosia Prevost, revealing her disillusionment with the American cause and her key role in influencing her husband. |
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