Liberty Corner's 'Hamilton' Connection

BASKING RIDGE, NJ—Does the name Marshal Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau sound strangely familiar? If you’re one of the millions who have streamed “Hamilton” (or one of the lucky ones who have seen it live) you've heard it before.

The funny-sounding name is mentioned in two songs during the musical: "Yorktown" (The code word is 'Rochambeau, ' dig me? Rochambeau!) and "Guns and Ships" (We rendezvous with Rochambeau, consolidate their gifts).

What some don't realize, though, is that Rochambeau has a direct connection to Liberty Corner.

In July, 1781, General Rochambeau was the commander of the French Expeditionary Force troops who set out on a 14-week, 700-mile march from Rhode Island to Virginia. On the night of Aug. 29, 1781, Rochambeau’s troops stopped in Liberty Corner and made camp. It wasn't exactly pulling off the turnpike at a rest area, though.

Dr. Glen Williams, Senior Historian at the U.S. Army Center of Military History, said the soldiers in the camp would have been served a meal of whatever freshly-butchered meat was available and, if they were lucky, some vegetables. The troops slept in primitive tents or outdoors in the August heat.

The general would most likely have been busy once the sprawling camp was put up on what is now the English Family Farm.

"He would have met with his officers there," said Williams, "There would have been about 1,000 of his troops set up in that area, along with civilian wagon drivers and workers to haul their artillery."

The general and his troops only stayed one night and then continued to Virginia, where they played a pivotal role in helping Washington defeat the British at Yorktown in October 1781. But Liberty Corner's link to the popular musical is undeniable.

A marker on the side of Valley Road commemorates the visit, so the next time you drive by, "Hamilton" fans, remember: the code word is Rochambeau.