REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES IN WOODBRIDGE, NEW JERSEY

Woodbridge Historic Sign
Corner of Amboy Ave. and North Park Dr.
In front of Denis B. Sullivan Park
Map / Directions to the Woodbridge Historic Sign
Map Directions to all Woodbridge Revolutionary War Sites

The sign reads:
"Woodbridge - November 28-29, 1776, Washington passed this way on the march to New Brunswick.  April 22, 1789, on his inaugural tour to New York, he lodged at the Cross keys Tavern at the northwest corner of Main Street and Perth Amboy Avenue."

The Cross Keys Tavern referenced in the sign is the subject of the next two listings below. They are both a short walk from this spot.

Cross Keys Inn
142 James St.
(Private Home)
Map / Directions to the Cross Keys Inn
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This house is a private residence.
Please respect the privacy and property of the owners.

The sign out front reads.
"Cross Keys Tavern - On April 22, 1789, George Washington stayed the night at this Tavern on his way from Mount Vernon, Virginia to New York City for his inauguration as the first President of the United States. Circa 1740. "

This is not the original site of the Cross Keys Tavern building. It originally stood around the corner at 130 Main St,  where the Knights of Columbus is now. (See the listing below). It is just a short walk away.

Original Site of the Cross Keys Tavern
130 Main St.
Map / Directions to the Original Site of the Cross Keys Tavern
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A short walk from the Cross Keys Tavern is the site that it originally stood before it was moved.

In front of the Knights of Columbus is a sign explaining the historic significance. (Pointed out in the above photo with the Yellow Arrow).
The sign reads:
"George Washington's Inauguration - on this site stood the historic Cross Keys Tavern where George Washington and his party including Governor Livingston arrived late afternoon Saturday April 22, 1789 to spend the night before proceeding to Elizabethtown and hence to New York where he was inaugurated the first President April 30, 1789. The tavern was later moved to a location on James Street. "

The chimney on the Knights of Columbus building was originally part of the Cross Keys Tavern building.

First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge
600 Rahway Ave.
Map / Directions to the First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge
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732-634-1024

During the Revolutionary War, the pastor of the church was Reverend. Azel Roe, a Scottish-born Presbyterian who was very strongly for Independence. He was captured by the British and held prisoner in New York City.  The original church building no longer stands. The current church building was built in the 1800s.

The cemetery contains the graves of about 75 Revolutionary War soldiers.
Three of the more grave Sites are shown in the 3 rows below:
Top Row: Graves of Reverend Azel Roe and his wife.
Middle Row: Grave of Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard. He is best known for having arrested royal governor William Franklin.
Bottom Row:Grave of Nathaniel Fitz Randolph, who died of wounds from the Battle of Springfield.  It is believed that the marks on his tombstone (clearly visible in the pictures) were made by British soldiers or local Loyalists who shot musket balls at the tombstone.

Trinity Episcopal Church
650 Rahway Ave.
Map / Directions to the Trinity Episcopal Church
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732-634-7422

This church is right next to the Presbyterian Church listed above. This church was pro-British during the war, and it is believed that British soldiers were stationed here.

There is the grave of at least one Revolutionary War soldier in the Cemetery. The original tombstone of Private Asher Dunham has broken and fallen over. A more modern marker has been placed in front of the broken original tombstone. (Pictured above).