Direck Brinkerhoff

One-third of the battles during the Revolutionary War were fought in New York State. The Hudson Valley played a crucial role in the fight for independence. General George Washington spent a lot of time in New York, with headquarters in nearby towns Newburgh and Pawling, as he realized the importance of controlling the Hudson River. He visited both the Derick Brinckerhoff house, as well as the John Brinckerhoff house, on his travels through New York State. George Washington is known to have slept at the Derick Brinckerhoff house (currently the Brinckerhoff Inn) on multiple occasions. The home became known as a "famous stopping place for travelers on the road between the Eastern and Middle States," and thousands of troops traveling between New York and New England as well as the South passed by the home. General Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Baron von Steuben watched from the house as thousands of British and German prisoners were marched from Boston to Virginia in November of 1778. General Washington was enjoying breakfast at the home on the morning he discovered Benedict Arnold's betrayal.