Did you know that George Washington’s army spent most of the war in New Jersey where it was supplied by local farmers, including those of Hopewell Township, with farm products and other supplies to help keep it in the field. Each man in Hopewell between the ages of 16 and 50 struggled to do his regular full-time job, most were farmers, while also serving in the part-time militia, a duty that often took them away from Hopewell. The Delaware River, and Johnson’s Ferry, became involved in several key events involving local people, not just the very famous crossing. Later, Washington marched his army through Hopewell in June 1778 and held an important council of war, leading to the Battle of Monmouth, with his officers at a house in today’s Hopewell Borough. Join with local author and historian Larry Kidder as he tells the story of how local geography influenced the many ways the people of Hopewell contributed to and had their lives changed by the American Revolution. 

Larry Kidder is a retired history teacher who has authored two books on Hopewell history and five books on the American Revolution in west central New Jersey. He is a past president of the Hopewell Valley Historical Society in which he has been active for many years. For over 35 years he has been a volunteer historian, interpreter, and draft horse teamster for Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell.