NEW HOPE — On Dec. 8 at noon sharp, on the Main Street Bridge between Mechanic Street and Ferry Street, area residents can join a parade and march to the river with Coryell’s Ferry Militia and, at the same time, honor all Armed Forces of The United States, past and present.
The free event features a parade, military formation and artillery demonstration. There will be no crossing this year.
All citizens of New Hope and surrounding areas are welcome to participate as long as they are dressed in proper Colonial garb and are in good health.
Following the parade, all re-enactors are invited to retire to Gerenser’s Exotic Ice Cream and The New Hope Grille, 22 S. Main St., New Hope, for food and refreshments.
The Coryell’s Ferry Militia is New Hope’s ambassador to history. The group was formed in 1984 by several of New Hope’s prominent citizens.
Founding member, Bob Gerenser, “keeps the militia focused on presenting the impressive history of the town to a public that is no longer shown that history,” said a spokesman.
Core members are Lt. Bob Gerenser Jr., Justine Oleksa Walters, Steve Rote, Mary F. Coffee, Elaine McNeely and Ron Gehring.
”The events during the winter of 1776 and the American Revolution and Coryell’s Ferry (now New Hope) are astounding. Pre-eminent of those events was the vital mission carried out by Lt. James Monroe and Capt. William Washington (George’s third cousin). General George Washington (the first president) asked for volunteers to cross the Delaware River at dusk. The crossing had to be far enough up river so as not to alert the British forces that an attack was coming,” said the spokesman.
”This mission was to cut off all communications between the British, stationed at Princeton, and the Hessian mercenaries billeted in the old French and Indian War Barracks in Trenton. Lt. Monroe had to cross several hours before the main body of troops with Gen. George Washington at McKonkey’s Ferry (now Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania) so he could be in a place to be effective.
”Just at dusk, Capt. William Washington and Lt. James Monroe (fifth president) and 57 private soldiers crossed at Coryell’s Ferry, Pennsylvania, into the Jersies. The troops went to their post at Princeton-Pennington Road and successfully completed their mission.
”A farm that was nearby was occupied by a Doctor Riker. Doctor Riker sensed that the cold soldiers huddled in that intersection were on a valuable and secret mission. Once the good doctor ascertained they were indeed Continental soldiers, he offered to come along, stating that ‘perhaps I may be able to help some poor fellow.’
”Doctor Riker’s words came true later the next morning when Capt. Washington and Lt. Monroe marched on to Trenton, joined up with Gen. Washington and as a special honor were charged to lead the attack on the Hessian Barracks. It was Doctor Riker’s quick actions that stemmed the bleeding wounds of the heroes. The men were brought back to the Coryell House (now Havana’s) where they recovered and went on to greater glory,” said the spokesman.
Special thanks to: New Hope Borough Council, New Hope Police Department, Joe Knox and Rick Sweeney (constables), PennDOT, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, The Delaware Power Boat Association, The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, and sponsors, the New Hope Chamber of Commerce, Capt. Charlie Morris and crew.

