December 25, 1776 George Washington undertook a daring and secretive advance, moving 2400 troops under cover of darkness across the icy Delaware River and marched on Trenton. In the early hours of Dec 26, he famously launched a successful surprise attack on 1200 well trained mercenary Hessian troops under Colonel Rall which was a major turning point in the war.

But why would professional soldiers have let their guard down and suffer such losses? It is thought that they received bad intel from a trusted, French and Indian War decorated former British army soldier who worked in and around the camp and had recently been taken hostage by Washington’s troops. This man, John Honeyman, a known Tory and local businessman who had settled in Griggstown, had escaped his Continental army captors and reported back on the disarray of Washington’s troops. With this knowledge, the Hessians felt secure to continue their planned Christmas celebrations.

Meanwhile, detailed information about the defense of the Hessian Trenton garrison was made available during this time of Honeyman’s captivity. The Continental army also came to know of the holiday festivity plans. Honeyman was under guard in a hut on the outskirts of Washington’s camp when a fire mysteriously broke out in the camp and Honeyman disappeared.

After the war, Honeyman returned to work and live in Griggstown, having received a letter of protection from Washington for his family. Despite only modest success as a businessman and having a large family, he purchased multiple large tracts of land in the area. In 1793 Honeyman moved to Bedminster and resided in the Lamington area for the next 30 years. He died in 1822 and is buried in the Lamington Presbyterian Church cemetery.

It is well known that Washington employed a network of spies. Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring by Alexander Rose and George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution by Brian Kilmeade are both available at the Clarence Dillon Library. Additional details on the life of John Honeyman can be found in the library’s Anne O’Brien Room at the library.