Johnson Ferry House, built around 1740 by Rutger Jansen on a 490-acre tract along the Delaware River, is the only existing structure within the park that witnessed the crossing of Continental troops on December 25-26, 1776. Rutger's son Garret inherited the house and property and, with his wife Judith and their 12 children, established a thriving plantation and ferry business after the Dutch name Jansen was Americanized to Johnson. By 1769 the Johnson Farm included the present farmhouse, a barn, stables, a stone shop and kitchen, fruit orchards, grain fields, meadows, and timbered land. In 1761 Garret obtained a tavern license to operate a ferry service with an upper and a lower landing, and travelers could find refreshment or lodging in the farmhouse. During the American Revolution, still referred to as Johnson's Ferry, it was rented and operated by James Slack and owned by Abraham Harvey, while Samuel McKonkey owned the ferry on the Pennsylvania side. As New Jersey was British occupied in December 1776, Hessian patrols from Trenton passed through Johnson's Ferry frequently for roughly two weeks before the Battle of Trenton, and the site also witnessed a small military skirmish on Christmas Eve between 30 Continental scouts and 50 patrolling Hessian jaegers. It is best known for the Christmas Night crossing of the river by 2400 Continental troops leading to the Battle of Trenton, and the house was used briefly by Continental troops and officers and possibly by General Washington, whose campaign led to a pivotal victory for the American cause.
