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REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES IN MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY

SITE OF JACOB ARNOLD'S TAVERN

WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS, JANUARY 6 - MAY 28, 1777

(First Winter Encampment in Morristown)

Jacob Arnold Tavern Site

20 North Park Pl.

Across from the Green, in front of Charles Schwab

Map / Directions to the Jacob Arnold Tavern Site

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites

George Washington and the Continental (American) Army suffered defeats during most of the year 1776, culminating in a retreat in November from Fort Lee across New Jersey. Finally the tide was turned after the famous Christmas night 1776 crossing of the Delaware River, and the American victory at the first Battle of Trenton. This was followed the next week by more American victories at the Second Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton. After the victory at Princeton on January 3, 1777, Washington and his army headed to Morristown.

In that era, armies did not generally fight in the winter, and would take up winter quarters. Morristown was chosen as the location for this season's winter quarters. Upon arriving in Morristown on January 6, Washington made his headquarters at the tavern of Jacob Arnold, which was located at this site. Several other buildings and churches in Morristown were utilized by General Washington's army during the 1777 encampment. Most of these were situated around the Green (see next entry). [1] The main body of soldiers is believed to have encamped in Lowantica Valley (also spelled Loantica or Lowantaka), which was located between what are now Woodland Ave and Spring Valley Rd, near Lowantaka Brook Reservation.[2] Washington kept his headquarters here for almost 3 months, spending his last full day here on May 28. He then departed for Middlebrook.[3]

The tavern's owner Jacob Arnold served in the Revolutionary War as a captain of his own troop of light horse cavalry in the Morris County militia, and also as paymaster. He later served as the sheriff of Morris County. Jacob Arnold survived the war by over half a century, dying at the age of 77 in 1827. He is buried in the Morristown Presbyterian Church Cemetery. (See entry lower on this page). [4]

The Arnold Tavern stood at this location until 1886. By that time, there were two stores on the first floor: Adams & Fairchild Grocers, and P.H. Hoffman & Son Clothiers. The second floor was used as apartments. In 1886 the building was purchased by Julia Keese Nelson Colles, a Morristown author and historian. Colles had the building moved to Mt. Kemble Avenue with the intent of remodeling it into a larger building that would be used as a hotel. This did not occur, and with some remodeling and expansion the building became the first location of All Souls Hospital. The building was razed in 1918 after it had been badly damaged by a fire. [5]

General Washington and his army would return again to Morristown in the winter of 1779/1780 for their second, and more famous, Morristown winter encampment. (The 1779/1780 encampment is described in the entries for Ford Mansion and Jockey Hollow lower on this page.)



THE GREEN

The Green

West, North, East, and South Park Pl.

Map / Directions to the Morristown Green

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites

Morristown Green website

The Green has been at the center of Morristown for over two and a half centuries. [6] When General Washington took his headquarters at the Jacob Arnold tavern during the 1777 winter encampment, the Green became a hub of military activities. Various buildings around it were used as officers' headquarters, army hospitals, and a military store house. The Green is filled with many markers to this historic past. There are historic plaques situated throughout the park which describe buildings and churches that stood around the Green at the time of the Revolutionary War, and the history of the Green itself. Opposite the Arnold Tavern site on the North Park Place side of the park, is a monument to mark the site of the courthouse and jail that stood here at the time of the Revolutionary War.

There are two beautiful pieces of Revolutionary War related sculpture in the Green. One is a group of life-size statues of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette. The statue group is called The Alliance, and it represents the moment of Lafayette informing Washington and Hamilton on May 10, 1780, in Morristown, that the French were coming to support the American cause. [7] The Alliance was created by StudioEIS of Brooklyn, and was dedicated in 2007.

The other is a sculpture called Patriots Farewell that sits atop a fountain on the West Park Place side of the park. It depicts a militiaman saying farewell to his wife and son, accompanied by their horse and dog. A plaque on the fountain describes the sculpture as "A monument to the New Jersey militia and their families whose sacrifices created a strong and enduring nation." The group was sculptured by Robert St. Croix in 2001 and sits on a fountain designed by R.R. Deskovick. [8]

Even with all of the historical markers in the Green, it still retains a neighborhood park feel. It is a great place to visit during a day of local sightseeing.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CEMETERY

Morristown Presbyterian Church and Cemetery

57 East Park Pl.

Map / Directions to the Presbyterian Church and Cemetery

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites

Morristown Presbyterian Church Website

The current Presbyterian Church located here was constructed in 1893-1894. It stands at the location of two previous church buildings. The original structure, which was built in 1738 - 1740, stood here at the time of the Revolutionary War. During the 1777 Morristown winter encampment, while General Washington was headquartered across the Green at Arnold Tavern, this church was used as a hospital for soldiers suffering from small pox. Many of the soldiers who died of smallpox are buried in the church cemetery. [9]

The cemetery contains the graves of many Revolutionary War soldiers, and locals with Revolutionary War connections. There are a number of plaques and markers throughout the cemetery to help locate and describe some of the notable graves, including: [10]

Colonel Jacob Arnold

Owner of Arnold's Tavern,

Washington's 1777 Headquarters

December 14, 1749 - March 1, 1827

Captain, Light Horse Cavalry

Morris County East Battalion John Canfield (or Campfield)

1755 - September 25, 1845

Private, 2nd Regiment NJ Militia Silas Condict

1738 - 1801

(Note that the 1825 death date on

Member of the Provincial Congress, N.J.

Drafted the first constitution of N.J. Col. William DeHart

December 1746 - June 16, 1801

Major, 1st Battalion, New Jersey

Lieut. Colonel, 2nd Regiment, Continental Army

Peter Dickerson

1724 - May 10, 1780

Captain, 3rd New Jersey Regiment

Member of First Provincial Congress NJ

Owner of Dickerson Tavern John Doughty

1754 - September 10, 1826 Colonel Jacob Ford, Sr.

April 13, 1704 - January 19, 1777

Prominent Land-Holder and Iron Manufacturer

Member of New Jersey House of Assembly Judge of Morris County Court

Ardent Promoter of Independence

Colonel Jacob Ford, Jr.

February 19, 1738 - January 10, 1777

Colonel, Eastern Battalion, NJ Militia 1776-77

Owner of Ford Mansion

Built Gun Powder Mill in 1776

Buried with Military Honors

Jonathan Ford

November 9, 1733 - July 12, 1817 Theodosia Ford

September 13, 1741 - Died August 31, 1824

Widow of Colonel Jacob Ford, Jr.

Hosted General Washington at Ford Mansion during Winter 1779-80 Morristown encampment

Joshua Guerin

Died April 11, 1808, Aged 70

Sergeant, Morris County Militia

House is at entrance to Jockey Hollow

John Gwinnup

1749 - January 15, 1777

NJ Militia Timothy Johnes Jr.

September 27, 1748 - October 13, 1818

Surgeon, Morris County Eastern Battalion Jacob Johnson

1750 or 1751 - April 25, 1780

Private, Morris County Militia

In Arnold's Light Horse Cavalry Joseph Lewis

1748 - 1814

Paymaster, NJ Militia John Lindsley

1728 - September 10, 1784

Captain, Morris County Militia Major Joseph Lindsley

1736 - 1822

John Mills

February, 1746 - September 24, 1837 Timothy Mills

Died March 4, 1803, Age 84

House is on Mills St -

John Oliver

April 22, 1758 - September 22, 1831

Capt. Morris County Militia Eastern Battalion Samuel Oliver

Died August 16, 1811, Age 78

Capt. Morris County Militia Eastern Battalion Ebenezer Stiles

1726 - 1814

Not a soldier, but his house in nearby Morris Plains quartered lighthorsemen in 1780

The church's website contains a list of an additional 71 Revolutionary War soldiers who are known to be buried here, but whose grave locations are unknown. This list can be found here.

EVERGREEN CEMETERY

Evergreen Cemetery

Entrance on Martin Luther King Blvd., near Hazel St.

Map / Directions to Evergreen Cemetery

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites

The Baptist Church that once stood on the Green, was used as a hospital for soldiers with small pox during the 1777 encampment. Between 200 - 300 of the soldiers who died of smallpox were buried in a mass grave in the Baptist Church's cemetery. In 1892, the Baptist Church moved from its original location at the Green, into its current building at 51 Washington St. At that time, three or four wooden boxes of surviving remains of the mass grave were moved and re-interred at Evergreen Cemetery in two unmarked graves. Over a century later, in 1996, this memorial stone was dedicated to these soldiers (and other church members whose graves were moved here). [11] This memorial is located in Section J of the cemetery. A historical plaque about the original Baptist Church and its use during the Revolutionary War can be found in the Green across from where it stood. (Pictured in The Green entry above.)

There are several other Revolutionary War related graves in the cemetery, including: [12]

John Clearman

1765 - 1857

Drummer Boy

Grave located in Section F

Rev. Timothy Johns

May 24, 1717 - Sep. 15, 1794

Reverend of Morristown Presbyterian Church when it was used as a

hospital for troops during the 1777 Morristown winter encampment

Grave located in Section L

Captain Richard Stites

November 8, 1747 - September 16, 1776

Grave located in Section K

Temperance "Tempe" Wick

(Last name spelled Wickham on grave monument)

Oct. 30, 1758 Apr. 26, 1822

Of the Wick family whose house was used a headquarters

by Major General Arthur St. Clair in the 1779-1780

Grave located in Section L

THE UPPER REDOUBT

"Fort Nonsense"

Fort Nonsense

During the winter 1777 Morristown encampment, this was the site of the Upper Redoubt, on top of what was then called Kinney's Hill. (A redoubt is an enclosed defensive fort, usually constructed from earthworks.) On May 14, 1777, as winter turned to spring, Washington ordered the construction of a Guard House here. In his General Orders for the day, he stated that "The Quarter Master General, is... to have a Guard-house, in the upper Redoubt, on the hill adjoining this place, erected with dispatch, and sufficient to contain 30 Men — This building to be slight, and attended with little expence [sic]." [13]

Two weeks later, on May 28, Washington's last full day in Morristown in 1777, he wrote several letters and orders. One of his final things written during the 1777 Morristown encampment was to Lieutenant Colonel Jeremiah Olney. In it, he refers to the Upper Redoubt, the Guard House, and the "The Hill" on which they sat. These orders make clear that Washington had a serious reason for the structures built here: [14]

To LIEUTENANT COLONEL JEREMIAH OLNEY Morris Town, May 28, 1777.

Sir: Your detachment is to remain at Morris Town till further orders, with which, and the Militia now here, you are to Guard the Stores of different kinds, in the most effectual manner you are able. Endeavour, as far as it is in your power, to Strengthen the Works already begun upon the Hill near this place, and erect such others as are necessary for the better defending of it, that it may become a safe retreat in case of Necessity. The Guard House in the upper Redoubt, should be immediately finished, and if you are not able to Mount a guard in it, at present, you should nevertheless, make it the Quarters of a trusty Sergeant and select party of Men, otherwise, if the Enemy, or their Tory Assistants, should have any designs upon the Town, or the Public Stores in it, their first attempt will be to seize the height and turn our own Works against us.

While none of the original structure survives, an outline of the original fortifications (based on archeological evidence) is marked out in stones. There are a number of historical plaques here to explain the events connected to the area. There are several picnic benches here as well. The view is spectacular.

The name "Fort Nonsense" applied to the Upper Redoubt appears to have no basis in actual Revolutionary War era history. Apparently a story arose circa the early 1800's that Washington only had these fortifications built as a way of keeping his troops busy, and therefore the fort was a work of "nonsense." Historians and writers of that time period had an unfortunate habit of simply making stories up. The idea that Washington had the Upper Redoubt built simply as a make-work task flies in the face of Washington's own General Orders at the time it was built. His own words at the time show that he had a serious purpose in their construction: that it would be used to as a safeguard against the enemy taking control of the high ground in case of attack. This was clearly not "nonsense". Unfortunately, the name stuck, and it is now used as the official name for this part of the Morristown National Park. [15]

GENERAL WASHINGTON EQUESTRIAN STATUE

General Washington Equestrian Statue

Morris Ave., between Valley View Dr. and Washington Ave.

Across from Ford Mansion

Map / Directions to the General Washington Statue

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites

This magnificent bronze equestrian statue of General Washington was cast in Florence, Italy. It was dedicated on October 19, 1928, the 147th anniversary of the British surrender at Yorktown. The sculptor was Frederick George Richard Roth of Brooklyn, who specialized in sculptures involving animals. Several of his pieces can be found in New York City's Central Park, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. [16]

Across the street from this statue stands the Ford Mansion, where Washington headquartered in the winter of 1779-1780.

FORD MANSION - WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS DECEMBER 1, 1779 - JUNE 23, 1780

(Second Winter Encampment in Morristown)

and

WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS MUSEUM

Ford Mansion - Washington's Headquarters Dec 1, 1779 - June 23, 1780

Washington's Headquarters Museum

Ford Mansion & Washington's Headquarters Museum

230 Morris Ave.

Map / Directions to the Ford Mansion

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites



Part of Morristown National Historic Park

For information about visiting Ford Mansion, including operating hours, see the park website www.nps.gov/morr

Ford Mansion was used as General Washington's Headquarters from December 1, 1779- June 23, 1780, during the second winter encampment in Morristown. At the time, between ten and twelve thousand of Washington's soldiers camped several miles away in Jockey Hollow. The winter was an unbelievably brutal one, and conditions were very bad for the soldiers at Jockey Hollow.(See Jockey Hollow entry lower on this page.)



The house was built in 1774 by Jacob Ford Jr., a member of a prominent and successful Morristown family, who had built their fortune in the iron business. He served as a Colonel in the NJ Militia during the Revolutionary War. He also built a powder mill for manufacturing gun powder for the army in 1776. (See Jacob Ford Jr. Powder Mill Site entry lower on this page.) Jacob Jr. died 1777, and was buried with military honors.

Washington stayed at this house during the 1779-1780 Morristown winter encampment, as the guest of Jacob Ford Jr.'s widow Theodosia. Theodosia and her four children stayed in several rooms on the first floor, while Washington and his military "family" used the rest of the house. A large room on the first floor was used as the War Room. Washington's aides-de-camp (military assistants/secretaries), including Alexander Hamilton, slept upstairs. Theodosia lived until 1824, and is buried near Jacob Jr. at the Morristown Presbyterian Church Cemetery, along with other members of the extended Ford family. (See Morristown Presbyterian Church Cemetery entry above on the page)

George Washington's wife Martha came to visit him during every winter of the war. This was at a time when traveling overland over great distances was both dangerous and uncomfortable. Martha traveled from the Washington's home in Virginia to stay with the General in Morristown. She arrived at the Ford Mansion on December 31, 1777. George and Martha stayed in the main chamber on the second floor. [17]

The Washington Headquarter Museum is located behind the Ford Mansion. The Museum's collection includes items from the Revolutionary War era, and items owned by or associated with George Washington. An original Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington is on display. A theater room shows the 20 minute film Morristown: Where America Survived, throughout the day. This documentary, narrated by Edward Herrmann, provides an overview to the Morristown encampment, and so is a good starting point before exploring Ford Mansion and Jockey Hollow. There is also a book and gift shop.

The Museum building was designed by John Russel Pope, who also designed such notable Washington D.C. structures as the Jefferson Memorial, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Archives Building. The design pays homage in some of its architectural details to George Washington's Virginia home Mount Vernon. These include the cupola, the two faux chimneys, and the triangular pediment over the main entrance. [18]

The Ford Mansion and Washington Headquarters Museum is one of the best Revolutionary War historic sites to visit in New Jersey. Together with the Jockey Hollow area of the Morristown Historic Park, it provides an informative and interesting look into the experiences of Washington, his officers, and the soldiers during the brutal winter of 1779-1780. There is enough to do and see to make a day out of it, and it has enough to engage both someone who is new to their interest in history, as well as someone more knowledgeable.

WASHINGTON'S LIFE GUARD CAMP SITE MONUMENT

Washington's Life Guard Camp Monument

Morris Ave. and Washington Ave.

Across from Ford Mansion

Map / Directions to the site of the Life Guard Camp

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites

During the 1779/1780 winter encampment, while Washington headquartered at Ford Mansion, General Washington's Life Guard encamped nearby at this site, which is marked with this boulder monument. The Life Guard consisted of about 150 men who served as Washington's personal body guards. They were also entrusted to protect his "baggage, papers and other matters of great public import." [19] Washington, who was always concerned with appearances, was particular of the men who served in the Life Guard. These men wore uniforms of blue coats with white facings, white waistcoats and breeches, and black stockings and half-gaiters. They wore round hats with blue and white feathers.[20] The men were chosen to meet Washington's specific orders regarding their appearance, including their height. This can be seen in Washington's General Orders for March 11, 1776, when he first established the Life Guard: [21]

"The General being desirous of selecting a particular number of men, as a Guard for himself, and baggage, The Colonel, or commanding Officer, of each of the established Regiments, (the Artillery and Riffle-men excepted) will furnish him with four, that the number wanted may be chosen out of them. His Excellency depends upon the Colonels for good Men, such as they can recommend for their sobriety, honesty, and good behaviour; he wishes them to be from five feet, eight Inches high, to five feet, ten Inches; handsomely and well made, and as there is nothing in his eyes more desireable [sic], than Cleanliness in a Soldier, he desires that particular attention may be made, in the choice of such men, as are neat, and spruce. They are all to be at Head Quarters to morrow precisely at twelve, at noon, when the Number wanted will be fixed upon. The General neither wants men with uniforms, or arms, nor does he desire any man to be sent to him, that is not perfectly willing, and desirous, of being of this guard. They should be drill’d men."

In April 1777, during the first Morristown encampment, Washington reformed the Life Guard, this time looking for an even more uniform height, as he was now looking for men between 5' 9" and 5' 10". He specified that they be, "sober, young, active, and well made" who "possess the pride of appearing clean and soldierlike." [22]

JOCKEY HOLLOW ENCAMPMENT AREA

Jockey Hollow Encampment Area

Jockey Hollow Rd.

Morristown National Historical Park

Map / Directions to the Jockey Hollow Encampment Site

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites Part of Morristown National Historic Park

For information about visiting Jockey Hollow, including operating hours, see the park website www.nps.gov/morr. Jockey Hollow was used as a campsite by ten to twelve thousand soldiers during the winter of 1779-80, while Washington was headquartered at Ford Mansion. The winter of 1779-80 was a brutal one. The soldiers experienced great hardship, hunger, and cold. Twenty eight separate snow storms fell during the winter. The season was so continuously cold that, for the only time in recorded history, the waters around New York City froze over, and were closed to shipping for weeks at a time. [23] In the midst of these extreme weather conditions, the soldiers had to build their own huts, and endure a serious shortage of food.

Joseph Plumb Martin, who was a private at the time, told the story of this winter decades later in his book. Martin described how he and his fellow ill-clad, tired and hungry soldiers had to, "march many a weary mile in winter, through cold and snow, to seek a situation in some (to us, unknown) wood to build us habitations to starve and suffer in. I do not know how the hearers of this recital may feel, but I know how I felt at the time and I know how I yet feel at the recollection of it; but there was no remedy, we must go through it, and we did go through it, and I am yet alive."[24]

Martin goes on to describe the conditions the men suffered through that winter, in chilling detail: [25]

"The winter of 1779 and '80 was very severe; it has been denominated 'the hard winter,' and hard it was to the army in particular, in more respects than one. The period of the Revolution has repeatedly been styled 'the times that tried men's souls.' I often found that those times not only tried men's souls, but their bodies too; I know they did mine, and that effectually." "...At one time it snowed the greater part of four days successively, and there fell nearly as many feet deep of snow, and here was the keystone of the arch of starvation. We were absolutely, literally starved. I do solemnly declare that I did not put a single morsel of victuals into my mouth for four days and as many nights, except a little black birch bark which I gnawed off a stick of wood, if that can be called victuals. I saw several men roast their old shoes and eat them, and I was afterwards informed by one of the officers' waiters, that some of the officers killed and ate a favorite little dog that belonged to one of them. If this was not "suffering" I request to be informed what can pass under that name. If "suffering" like this did not "try men's souls," I confess that I do not know what could. The fourth day, just at dark, we obtained a half pound of lean fresh beef and a gill of wheat for each man; whether we had any salt to season so delicious a morsel I have forgotten, but I am sure we had no bread, except the wheat, but I will assure the reader that we had the best of sauce: that is, we had keen appetites."

There are many buildings and historic markers around Jockey Hollow, to explain the events that occurred here. There are also many miles of hiking trails throughout the park as well. (Click here for a PDF file of a map of the hiking trails). Several of the more notable features of the park are described in the next four entries.

Jockey Hollow Visitor Center

Jockey Hollow Visitor Center

Inside Jockey Hollow Encampment Area

Morristown National Historical Park

For information about operating hours, see the park website www.nps.gov/morr. The Visitor Center offers a starting point to exploring Jockey Hollow. A small theater inside the Visitors Center shows a 20 minute film about the 1779-1780 winter encampment Morristown: Where America Survived, throughout the day. Narrated by Edward Herrmann, his short film provides a background to the encampment story, and so it is good to watch it before walking or driving through the park. The Visitor Center's other main attraction is a replica of the inside of a soldier's hut. The exhibit gives an idea of what it was like for the men who lived twelve per hut during the encampment. There is also a book and gift shop, park brochures/maps, and restrooms.

Wick House

Wick House

Inside Jockey Hollow Encampment Area

Morristown National Historic Park Open based on staffing availability. The park advises that you call 973-543-4030 on the day of your visit to Jockey Hollow, to confirm if the Wick House will be open that day. The Wick house was built circa 1750 by Henry Wick, a wealthy farmer and the largest landowner in Morristown. He also owned surrounding farm area of 1,400 acres, which was mainly forest. The large number of trees made the area useful to the army, who needed logs to built their huts, and fire wood for heating and cooking. During the course of the encampment, over 600 acres of Wick property trees were cut down. Additional trees were also felled on a neighbor's property. During the 1779 /1780 winter encampment, the Wick House was used as headquarters by Major General Arthur St. Clair, who commanded 2,000 Pennsylvania troops.

While the house may appear modest to modern eyes, it was actually more impressive than most of the other homes in the area at that time, which reflected the prosperity of the Wick family. It is built in what is known as the Cape Cod Style. [26]

The Wick House is open to the public on certain days (based on staffing availability) and is furnished in eighteenth-century style. When open, the house has a park ranger wearing a period costume in attendance. Next to the house, you will find the Wick House Garden, which features a selection of growing plants and herbs which were used during the 1700s.

"A Chippendale writing desk that belonged to Henry Wick (made circa 1770) is displayed at the Washington Headquarters Museum.

Soldier Huts Recreations at the Pennsylvania Line

Soldiers Huts Recreations at the Pennsylvania Line

Inside Jockey Hollow Encampment Area

Morristown National Historic Park

During the 1779-1780 winter encampment, about 1000 - 1,200 huts were built here. The soldiers were required to build each hut to exact specifications. Each hut needed to be 14 feet wide, 15 - 16 feet long, and 6 and a half feet high.[27] Washington's orders specified that "any hut not exactly conformable to the plan, or the least out of line, shall be pulled down and built again agreeable to the model and in it's proper place." [28] Twelve soldiers shared each hut, which had wooden bunks, a fireplace and chimney at one end, and a door in the front. Windows were added in the spring. Officer's huts were larger, with two fireplaces and chimneys, and held up to four officers. [29] None of the original structures built by soldiers during the encampment survive. These modern recreations stand at the top of the hill at the Pennsylvania Line Encampment Site area of the park.

Joshua Guerin House

Joshua Guerin House

Jockey Hollow Rd. and Sugarloaf Rd.

At the eastern side entrance to Jockey Hollow Encampment Area

The Guerin House is used by park staff,

and is not open to the public. Near the Jockey Hollow Road entrance, stands the Joshua Guerin House. Parts of the house stood here during the Jockey Hollow encampment, and soldiers occupied parts of blacksmith Joshua Guerin's land. [30] The Guerin House is now used by the Park Service and is not open to the public. Joshua Guerin is buried at the Morristown Presbyterian Church Cemetery (see listing above on this page)

ARTILLERY PARK SITE

Artillery Park Site

Mendham Ave. near Jones Dr.

Map / Directions to the Artillery Park Site

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites During the 1779/1780 Morristown winter encampment, the artillery brigade, under the command of General Henry Knox, encamped on this hillside. The site is marked with a flag, a historic sign, and a boulder monument which reads, "The artillery under General Henry Knox and the artificers under Colonel Jeduthan Baldwin were encamped on this hillside during 1779-80. The soldiers were housed in huts. The guns were parked along this road. The horses were pastured in what is now Burnham Park." [31] (See next entry for Horses Pasture in Burnham Park)

HENRY KNOX ARTILLERY HORSES PASTURE SITE MONUMENT

Henry Knox Artillery Horses Pasture Site Monument

On the west side of Burnham Park

Burnham Pkwy.

Map / Directions to Burnham Park

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites

While the artillery brigade were encamped on the nearby hillside described in the previous entry, they "used the field now covered by these ponds as pasture for the artillery horses." [32]

THOMAS PAINE MONUMENT

Thomas Paine Monument

On the southeast side of Burnham Park

Burnham Pkwy.

Map / Directions to Burnham Park

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites This striking statue of Thomas Paine stands across the park from the Henry Knox Artillery Horses Pasture Site Monument. Thomas Paine was the author of important pamphlets during the Revolutionary War. The first of these pamphlets, Common Sense, was published in early 1776, and helped move public opinion in the colonies towards independence. In July 1776, Paine joined up with the American Army, and in September became an aide to General Nathanael Greene. During this time he also acted as a war correspondent, sending his eyewitness accounts to be published in the Pennsylvania Journal. In an account he wrote about a skirmish he witnessed on October 28, 1776, he noted in a memorable phrase that he was writing "with a wooden pen on a drumhead." [33]

Paine was with the American army at Fort Lee when they began their retreat across New Jersey. Traveling with the army as they retreated, he began writing the first of what would become a series of pamphlets titled The American Crisis (also known as The Crisis). Paine himself later wrote: [34]

"I began the first number of the Crisis beginning with the well-known expression, ('These are the times that try men's souls') at Newark, upon the retreat from Fort Lee, and continued writing it at every place we stopt at, and had it printed at Philadelphia the 19th of December [1776], six days before the taking the Hessians at Trenton, which, with the affair at Princeton, the week after, put an end to the black times."

The first American Crisis pamphlet makes many mentions of New Jersey (referred to in the pamphlet as "The Jerseys"), notably Paine's experience with the American troops at Fort Lee, and the retreat across the state, noting events at Hackensack and Newark. He also makes mention of a grist mill in what is now Leonia.

This statue was dedicated July 4, 1950. Its sculptor was George J. Lober, [35] who lived most of his life in Keyport, NJ. [36] The statue depicts Paine writing on a drumhead, in reference to Paine's "with a wooden pen on a drumhead." A close look at the statue shows that it depicts the opening lines of The American Crisis on the paper draped over the drumhead. However, it should be noted that Paine's "with a wooden pen on a drumhead" quote was written in the article he wrote about an October 28, 1776 skirmish, and not about his writing of The American Crisis, which he began writing weeks later. Although the drumhead is often mentioned in connection with The American Crisis, Paine's own accounts of writing The American Crisis do not mention it.

This is one of two statues of Thomas Paine in New Jersey; the other is in Bordentown. Paine owned a house in Bordentown, and lived there periodically. The house still stands today.

SCHUYLER-HAMILTON HOUSE

Also known as the Jabez Campfield House

Schuyler-Hamilton House

5 Olyphant Pl.

Map / Directions to the Schuyler-Hamilton House

Map / Directions to all Morristown Revolutionary War Sites



For information about tours of the house, contact the Morristown, NJ Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution:

(973)539-7502

This house was built circa 1760. It was purchased in 1765 by a local doctor named Jabez Campfield. During the Revolutionary War, he served as a surgeon in Colonel Oliver Spencer's Fifth Battalion, Jersey Line. He lived here with his wife Sarah Ward for fifty-six years, until his death in 1821. [37]

During the 1779-1780 Morristown winter encampment, this house was used by army surgeon Dr. John Cochran and his wife Gertrude. [38] Their niece Elizabeth Schuyler (who was also called both "Eliza" and "Betsy") came to stay at the house during the winter. While here, she was reacquainted with Colonel Alexander Hamilton, whom she had met previously in 1777. Hamilton was serving at the time as one of General Washington's aides-de-camp, staying along with Washington at Ford Mansion, less than a half mile away from here. Hamilton became a regular visitor to Eliza at this house, and after a month's courtship, they had decided to marry. They wed at Eliza's family's home in Albany, NY, on December 14, 1780.



Alexander Hamilton continued to serve as an aide-de-camp to General Washington until early 1781. Half a year later, he fought at the Battle of Yorktown, the last major battle of the war, commanding a charge of three battalions on a British redoubt. After the war, he would go on to become the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, under President Washington. His face is well known to most Americans because it has appeared on the ten dollar bill since 1928. [39]

Hamilton was killed in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr in Weehawken on July 11, 1804. Eliza outlived her husband by half a century, dying at the age of 97 on November 9, 1854. She never remarried, and remained committed to preserving Alexander's legacy. They are buried next to each other at New York City's Trinity Church Cemetery. [40]

SITE OF DICKERSON TAVERN

Also Known as Norris Tavern

Dickerson (Norris) Tavern Site

Spring St. and Martin Luther King Blvd.

Map / Directions to Norris Tavern Site

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During the 1779/1780 winter encampment, a court-martial of Major General Benedict Arnold was held at Dickerson Tavern (also known as Norris Tavern), which stood at this location. The court-martial took place December 23, 1779 - January 26, 1780, several months before Arnold's later treason, which made his name synonymous with traitor. The court-martial involved charges regarding Arnold's conduct shortly before and during the time when he had served as military commandant of Philadelphia in 1778. Arnold was found guilty of two of the four charges against him, and the court did "sentence him to receive a reprimand from his excellency the commander in chief [General Washington]." It is believed that the court-martial was one of a chain of events which Arnold resented, which motivated his later treason. [41]

Dickerson Tavern was owned by Peter Dickerson, who served as a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and as a member of the First Provincial Congress of New Jersey. He is buried in the cemetery of the Morristown Presbyterian Church (See Morristown Presbyterian Church listing above on this page). During the war, Dickerson leased the tavern to a man named Robert Norris, so it sometimes referred to as Norris Tavern. [42]

Dickerson Tavern survived until the early 20th century. It suffered major damage in a fire, and was later demolished. [43] A plaque on the current building here marks the site. [44]

JACOB FORD JR. POWDER MILL SITE

Powder Mill Site

On the Patriots' Path trail

Access the path from the parking lot at 25 Lindsley Dr. - the site is a short walk on the path from the parking lot

Map / Directions to the Powder Mill Site

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Jacob Ford Jr., the owner of Ford Mansion where Washington headquartered, built a gunpowder mill near this site on the Whippany River in early 1776. £2000 was lent to him by the Provincial Congress of New Jersey "to erect a powder-mill for the making of gunpowder, an article so essentially necessary at the present time." The terms of the loan stated that Congress would "lend him £2000 of the public money for one year, without interest, on his giving satisfactory security for the same, to be repaid within the time of one year in good merchantable powder." [45]

Jacob died January 10, 1777, nearly three years before his widow and children would host Washington at the Ford Mansion. He is buried at the Morristown Presbyterian Church Cemetery. (See Morristown Presbyterian Church listing above on this page)

TIMOTHY MILLS HOUSE

Timothy Mills House

27 Mills St.

Map / Directions to the Mills House

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This house is a private residence.

Please respect the privacy and property of the owners.

Constructed in 1740, this is the oldest house in Morristown which stands on its original site. It was the home of farmer and tanner Timothy Mills, who served in the Morris County Militia during the Revolutionary War. His son John Mills, who was born in 1746 and so grew up in this house, also served in the Morris County Militia. Timothy and John are buried at the Morristown Presbyterian Church Cemetery, along with many other members of the Mills family. (See Morristown Presbyterian Church listing above on this page) [46]

SANSAY HOUSE

Sansay House

17 DeHart St.

Map / Directions to the Sansay House

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This house is a private residence.

Please respect the privacy and property of the owners.

Even though this house was built in 1807, twenty-four years after the end of the Revolutionary War, it has a Revolutionary War connection because of a ball held here in honor of General Lafayette in 1825.

General Lafayette was a French General who fought for the American side in the Revolutionary War. He developed close friendships with Washington, Hamilton, and other Revolutionary War figures. Decades after the end of the War, Lafayette made a return visit from France to the United States from August 16, 1824 - September 7, 1825. At that time, the United States consisted of only 24 states, and Lafayette visited all of them.

On July 14, 1825, Lafayette began his day in New York City, and then came to New Jersey. After visiting Hackensack, Paterson, Little Falls, Parsippany and Whippany, he arrived at Morristown around 6 p.m.. A newspaper article published five days later contained the following account: [47]

" 'The Nation's Guest' took his final leave of the citizens of New-York on Thursday morning last on his tour south, preparatory to his embarkation for his native country. He was escorted from his lodgings in Broadway to the Hoboken ferry by the military, where he crossed the North river and proceeded directly to Hackensack, where he was received with a thousand welcomes by the patriotic citizens of that village. After breakfast he continued his journey to Paterson, where after receiving the hospitalities of the citizens, and minutely examining and admiring this 'Manchester of America,' he [set] out for Morris-town, passing the Little Falls, Parsippany, and Whippany in his route, in each of which places the people were eager to hail and welcome the passing stranger. Though engaged to dine at Morris-town, he did not reach that place until about 6 o'clock in the afternoon. His reception here was of the most cordial character. The citizens were highly elated with the visit of one who had forty years ago done so much in aiding the acquirement of rational liberty and national independence. Nor was the General less gratified to see a thriving village and a smiling country as the product of the common exertion. He well recollected the little mount on which the village stands, and over which his feet had so often trod in the early years of manhood and of military glory. Time did not permit of his visiting the ground where the revolutionary army encamped during the hard winter of 1780. At Morris-town he lodged, and at 7 o'clock the next morning he was on his way to Newark, agreeable to special invitation."

Additional details about Lafayette's visit were published in 1895 by Morristown historian Julia Keese Colles: [48]

"The Morris Brigade under General Darcy was paraded on the Green and the firing of cannon and the ringing of church bells announced [Lafayette's] coming. General Doughty was Grand Marshal of the day and an eloquent address was made, in behalf of the town, by Hon. Lewis Condict. Lafayette dined at the Ogden House, the home of Charles H. Ogden, a large brick building [at the] corner of Market street and the Green... He attended a ball given in his honor at the Sansay House... and stayed over night with Mr. James Wood, in the white house, corner of South and Pine streets."

[Note that the two other houses mentioned are no longer standing]

The Sansay house was later owned by Civil War General Joseph Warren Revere, who was the grandson of Paul Revere. General Revere is buried at Holy Rood Cemetery at 61 Whippany Road in Morristown.

Other historic sites associated with Lafayette's 1824/1825 visit to America can be found in Elizabeth, Hackensack, Little Falls, Newark, Paramus Rahway, and Woodbridge.