George Washington Really Slept Here

by Janice Moerschel

Jeremiah Jenckes, my four-times great grandfather, was born 22 Nov 1739 in Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island.

On 25 Feb 1776, Jeremiah married Lucy Whipple. Soon after, the newlyweds traveled on horseback to Newport, New Hampshire, with Lucy riding on a pillion behind him and carrying her wedding trousseau in the saddlebags. Family legend says that, as they rode through the woods, Jeremiah uprooted a small elm tree and gave it to Lucy for a riding whip. They planted it at their new home, where it flourished for many years.

That same year, Jeremiah signed the Association Test for the colony’s Committee of Safety. On 24 July 1776, he was chosen Lieutenant in the Newport Volunteers, and on 9 June 1777 he left to take part in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga.

While Jeremiah was away, “Madam Jenckes” (as Lucy was called) opened their old colonial home as a wayside tavern for the entertainment of “man and beast.” During the first year of his presidency, George Washington toured New Hampshire and spent a night at the Jenckes’s tavern. In the morning, he commented to her, “Madame, your bread is very beautiful.”

Image generated at Chat GPT of the tavern as it may have looked

Jeremiah was unusually tall for his time – over six feet – as were Lucy, three of their sons, and three of their daughters. Altogether, Jeremiah and Lucy had eight children.

Jeremiah died in Newport, New Hampshire, on 4 Jan 1810. Lucy Whipple Jenckes died on 14 May 1820.