The Joseph Wingate house was built in 1770, prior to the start of the Revolutionary War. George Washington spent two winters in Jockey Hollow in Morristown a few miles up the road and several officers stayed in local homes in Bottle Hill (Madison), Chatham and Morristown. The legend is that the Wingate family buried their silver and other valuables when it was rumored that the British were advancing toward Morristown from their positions in New York. The British only got as far as Springfield so the silver was safe!  Washington's army marched directly in front of this house on their way to Yorktown, Va. The march began in Chatham and passed by this home, through New Vernon and down to Philadelphia. This march culminated in the Battle of Yorktown in which British General Cornwallis surrendered seven thousand troops thereby ending the war.  The Wingate home has been used over the years for class trips and is a fine example of 18th century construction.