Historical drawing of Gen. George Washington in Yonkers at Valentine
The 250th Anniversary of Washington’s First Yonkers Headquarters
By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Municipal Historian, 1977 recipient of the Key to the City of Yonkers, President Emeritus Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History, Yonkers Landmarks Preservation Board Member, Founder of Revolutionary Yonkers 250 and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Two hundred fifty years ago today, Washington and his troops joined General Benjamin Lincoln at Thomas Valentine’s home on Valentine Hill, moving his headquarters from Harlem Heights to Yonkers. Valentine’s Hill, his headquarters before marching off to the Battle of White Plains, had an ideal location. The view from Valentine’s Hill swept from Long Island Sound on the East to the Palisades on the West, from the Westchester highlands to the North to Manhattan Island to the South.
Thomas Valentine was an ardent supporter of the Patriot fight for freedom, freedom for himself, his family, and his friends. He gladly allowed Washington– and other patriot leaders– to use his farm on more than one occasion.
Nineteenth Century reports from older residents who lived on Valentine’s Hill during the Revolution spoke about witnessing our army and our Commander-in-Chief. Elizabeth Valentine spoke often of seeing Continental soldiers. She fondly recalled Washington, although focused on coming events, would pay kind attention to children. He took her, a little girl, on his knee and spoke to her. Even as a child, she was impressed with “his commanding form”[1] and his “gracious kindness.”[2]
According to Nathaniel Valentine, speaking to The New York Times in the late 19th century, as a child Rebecca Valentine was impressed by General Washington, and spoke of his using the Valentine home for headquarters. She frequently mentioned the prayer Washington said just before leaving for the battle of Chatterton Hill. “In the presence of the child and before members of the Livingston family, he began his supplication… ‘The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, He knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord, save us not this day.’”[3]
Other residents pointed out locations Thomas Valentine stood while talking with Washington, before he left for White Plains.
Rich Valentine, a direct descendant of Thomas, tells the story of a famous sketch depicting Valentine speaking with George Washington on his horse. Not only did the two men talk, Thomas also presented Washington with a bridal for his horse, a bridal Thomas especially made for the General incorporating the family symbol of a heart! Valentine allowed Washington to borrow oxen and a cart to haul weaponry to the impending battle.
Washington’s right wing occupied Valentine Hill October 12th to 27th, entrenched in camps from Valentine Hill northward. The left wing pushed on to White Plains.
Washington’s expense submission from his time there read: “To Exps. At Valentine’s Mile Square—20 Dolls[4].”[5]
After the Patriots left, British troops galloped onto Valentine Hill, claiming to have watched through their field glasses Valentine speaking with Washington through; no doubt, they wanted to know what they were speaking about. Unfortunately, a local doctor was afraid of the British and attempted to run away; the British Calvary chased and killed him, then dropped off his body.
While at the Valentine home, Washington wrote to Elizabeth Williams Philipse, wife of Frederick III; he assured her he had issued no orders “for removal of stock from Inhabitants… I shall not withhold my consent to your retaining such parts of your Stock as may be essential”[6]
After speaking with Thomas Valentine, Washington left Valentine Hill October 22nd, heading to White Plains.
On October 28th, the sounds of the battle were heard on Valentine Hill. The main part of the fighting was over by 5 pm; Washington and his men retreated. Later, Washington estimated 150 Continental soldiers were killed or wounded; he believed his men had inflicted at least 300 British casualties.
They survived to fight another day… and another.
[1] “Interesting Fields for the Historian,” May 21, 1884, page 3 Yonkers Herald.
[2] “Valentine Hill in History,” October 8,1884, page 3, Yonkers Herald.
[3] “George Washington’s Prayer,” February 10, 1895, page 14 New York Times.
[4] $20 in 1776 would be worth $774.57 today.
[5] https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/acctbk.html
Accounts with U.S., 1775–83. George Washington did not accept a salary; instead, he kept scrupulously handwritten accounts of his expenses as Commander in Chief. On July 1, 1783, he submitted his account to the Continental Congress. His total itemized expenses were $160,074, or $5,088,752.46 today.
[6] Washington, George, Letter to Elizabeth Williams Philipse, written October 22, 1776 from Headquarters at Mr. Valentine’s.