For America250, THSSH is taking an in-depth look at our Revolutionary War-era artifacts and documents. One of the most interesting is “Widow White’s Brick.”
The brick is reportedly from Widow White’s Tavern, the scene of the infamous British capture of American General Charles Lee on Dec. 13, 1776. The tavern itself is long gone and stood on the corner of what is now South Finley Avenue and Colonial Drive in Basking Ridge, NJ. A historical sign marks the site, which is now a private residential lot.
An old tag pasted to the top of the brick reads:
Brick from Widow White’s Tavern
Where Gen. Chas. Lee was captured
Donat [sic] by the Whitnall Family
The brick was obviously well regarded because someone painted a colorful scene on it of what appears to be the tavern. The painting shows a simple white building, which curiously has no front door. The structure appears to be wood, but has a chimney, which could be a source for the brick. There are several outbuildings and both stockade and rail fencing enclose the grounds. Trees, possibly cedar, surround the building.
The Whitnalls were a prominent family in Basking Ridge. The patriarch Horatio Goodell Whitnall (c.1839-1920) lived at 125 South Finley (now the Bank of America building). He had served in the Civil War as a surgeon and owned several properties around Basking Ridge village, including a farm (now site of Oak Street School) and the Tennis Court House. His wife, Amanda Minard Whitnall, came from a wealthy Morristown Methodist family.
With a military background and prominence in the community, it’s not surprising that Whitnall and his family took an interest in the tavern and General Lee’s capture. H. G. Whitnall died in 1920, but his family remained in possession of 125 South Finley until 1939. The historical society likely acquired the brick sometime between 1928, when the society was founded, and 1939.
Widow White’s Brick is on display at the Brick Academy during our monthly open houses and at THSSH programs.
See catalog record: https://somersethills.catalogaccess.com/objects/805
