National Park in Gloucester County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
James and Ann Whitall House
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008
1. James and Ann Whitall House Marker
James Whitall, a wealthy Quaker farmer and merchant, and his wife Ann Cooper built the main brick section in 1748. On April 16, 1777, the Pennsylvania militia commandeered the farm and built Fort Mercer in the northern apple orchard. Son Job Whitall noted in his diary on October 10, 1777 that the Americans turned us out of our kitchens ye largest room upstairs and ye shop and took our hay to feed the horses. That day Colonel Christopher Greene had arrived to command the fort and used a portion of the house as military headquarters.
On October 22, 1777 when the attack began on Fort Mercer, family members fled to Woodbury; but Ann Whitall refused to abandon her home. When a cannonball broke through the north wall, according to legend, Ann calmly carried her spinning wheel to the cellar and continued to spin. The house, left intact, was used as a hospital after the battle. Ann remained to tend all the wounded Hessian and American soldiers.
The battle was a key victory and morale builder; however, news of a second siege caused the Americans to destroy the fort and leave the property on November 24, 1777.
Erected by Red Bank Battlefield Historical Park.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture
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Location. 39° 52.157′ N, 75° 11.424′ W. Marker is in National Park, New Jersey, in Gloucester County. It is on Hessian Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is on the Red Bank Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: National Park NJ 08063, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Jersey and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Medicinal Garden (a few steps from this marker); Ann Cooper Whitall (a few steps from this marker); Operations on the Delaware (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Red Bank Battlefield Park! (a few steps from this marker); Whitall House (within shouting distance of this marker); National Park Armed Service Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Red Bank Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); The Aftermath (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in National Park.
More about this marker. The marker contains
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008
2. Marker on the Red Bank Battlefield
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Red Bank. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 14, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Red Bank Battlefield Park and the Whitall House. Visit South Jersey website entry (Submitted on October 14, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008
3. Marker with Whitall House
The Whitall House can be seen in this photo behind the marker.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2008
4. James and Ann Whitall House
This house was used as a hospital after the October 22, 1777 Battle of Red Bank. Ann Whitall remained in the house during the battle.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 27, 2013
5. Whitall House Great Room
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 27, 2013
6. James Whitall's Office
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 27, 2013
7. Kitchen in the Whitall House
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 27, 2013
8. Ann's Parlor in the Whitall House
During the October 22, 1777 Battle of Red Bank, Ann Whitall is said to have remained in this room working with her spinning wheel.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 27, 2013
9. Field Hospital in the Whitall House
After the battle, the Whitall House acted as a field hospital. Ann cared for the wounded, mostly Hessian soldiers, in this and other rooms of the house.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 27, 2013
10. James and Ann Whitall House
Credits. This page was last revised on October 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,419 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on October 28, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
