New Jersey is known as the “Cockpit of the American Revolution” for a reason – because it was. More battles, more encampments, more strategies took place in New Jersey than in any other colony of the original thirteen. Bookmark the page and come back over time. If you have a topic that you’d like us to dig into, please let us know.
Video Series
Hand-picked YouTube Videos supporting the history of the Revolutionary War Research Series.
MLH NJ Revolutionary War Posts
- Colonial Christmas Shines at Bedminster’s Vanderveer House
The Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster, New Jersey, is celebrating its 22nd Colonial Christmas, an annual fundraiser event that combines history, tourism, tradition, and Christmas spirit. It offers an array of activities including music, reenactments, crafts, and holiday shopping. The event typically takes place on the last weekend of November and the first week of December. - New Jersey’s Gift to America – July 4 Celebration
Views: 1,332 New Jersey’s Gift to AmericaSomerset County’s Gift to AmericaBridgewater’s Gift to AmericaMiddlebrook’s Gift to AmericaThey all come on Independence Day RAIN or SHINE – EVERY July 4th at 10:30 am – Join friends and family on Independence Day as the Washington Camp Ground Association honors the American flag, the playing of the Star… Read More »New Jersey’s Gift to America – July 4 Celebration - Take 2 Minutes and 18 Seconds to Celebrate America
Views: 141 It takes around two minutes and eighteen seconds to sing God Bless America. Mr. Local History took a trip to the “Field of Honor,” an annual tradition at the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster, New Jersey. Sit back, relax, and hit the play button. God Bless America! The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration… Read More »Take 2 Minutes and 18 Seconds to Celebrate America - Independence Day – Kudos to New Jersey Signers #jersey5
Views: 10,768 The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. Jefferson drafted the statement between June 11 and 28, submitted drafts to Adams and Franklin who made some changes, and then presented the draft to the Congress… Read More »Independence Day – Kudos to New Jersey Signers #jersey5 - General Washington’s Two Favorite Lookout Points
Views: 1,924 During the Middlebrook Encampment periods during the Revolutionary War, George Washington strategically utilized the Watchung Mountain Range for both his soldiers and his own advantage. The mountains provided a perfect view of the surrounding areas where the British were stationed and moving their troops. Two lookout points on the Watchung Mountain Range stand… Read More »General Washington’s Two Favorite Lookout Points - John Morton – General Washington’s Rebel Banker Hid in Basking Ridge
Views: 2,384 John Morton was a Colonel in the Continental Army. Still, he gave up his commission in 1761 to become a highly successful merchant, specializing in the trade of flax back home to his native Ulster in Northern Ireland supporting the country’s linen industry. He became one of the wealthiest men in New York… Read More »John Morton – General Washington’s Rebel Banker Hid in Basking Ridge - Sharing Local History with Maps – How to Read Into Them
Views: 7,088 Researching Local History with Maps As a historian, I believe maps are one of the greatest sources of information, capturing a time and place. We use these maps to research history and find buildings, families, farms, or streets. We often compare those historic maps to current maps. Then, we go on a journey… Read More »Sharing Local History with Maps – How to Read Into Them - English Farm – Liberty Corner’s Historic Gem
Views: 5,446 As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn additional facts and are sent photos from our community. We will continue to expand this piece as information becomes available. If you have any stories to share, please post in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Mr.… Read More »English Farm – Liberty Corner’s Historic Gem - New Jersey Rev War Series Mr. Local History Project
Views: 1,773 New Jersey is known as the “Cockpit of the American Revolution” for a reason – because it was. More battles, more encampments, more strategies took place in New Jersey than in any other colony of the original thirteen. Bookmark the page and come back over time. If you have a topic that you’d… Read More »New Jersey Rev War Series Mr. Local History Project - New Jersey Rev War Video Collection
Views: 969 Knowing that people are very busy, we’ve gathered a playlist of short videos that take your through some of the most prominent events of the Revolutionary War in New Jersey. Watch the ones you can, or bookmark the page and come back over time. If you find a video you like that’s not… Read More »New Jersey Rev War Video Collection - Rev War in Somerset County Means Middlebrook
Views: 3,162 Middlebrook is a know area in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater, Somerset County, New Jersey. We call it “Jersey’s Gift to America.” New Jersey is known as the “cockpit of the American revolution.” More battles were fought in New Jersey than any other colony, totalling over 90 military engagements, including the landmark battles… Read More »Rev War in Somerset County Means Middlebrook - Everyone in Jersey – Why You Should Fly This American Flag
Views: 6,281 Like me, many of us in Somerset County, New Jersey drive back and forth down Route 287 then east on Route 22 day in and day out never thinking that just off the highway on the hillside by Vosseller Avenue in Bridgewater, New Jersey is a small 16 acre property that has the… Read More »Everyone in Jersey – Why You Should Fly This American Flag - What is (a) Jockey Hollow?
Views: 3,245 Jockey Hollow is part of America’s first National Historical Park, Morristown National Historical Park which marks their 90th Anniversary in 2023. We also know there is a Jockey Hollow Bar and Kitchen, a four-part restaurant housed inside Morristown’s historic Vail Mansion owned by New York restaurateur Chris Cannon. But for this piece, we’re going… Read More »What is (a) Jockey Hollow? - Morristown National Historic Park Marks 90th Anniversary
Views: 2,690 America’s First Historic National ParkMorristown National Historical Park Marks 90th Anniversary Congratulations to the Morristown National Historical Park and your 90th anniversary. The park was the first national historical park in the country, deemed so by law on March 2, 1933, when then-President Herbert Hoover – on his last day in office –… Read More »Morristown National Historic Park Marks 90th Anniversary - Ford Mansion Added to NJ Village Collection
Views: 495 The Mayor of New Jersey’s Historic Village has decreed two icons be added to the New Jersey Historic Wooden Village Collection recently in a bold move to expand the only set of New Jersey collectible icons. Produced in conjunction with the Mr. Local History Project in conjunction with the Cat’s Meow Village, a… Read More »Ford Mansion Added to NJ Village Collection - Historic Tavern Pub Tours of New Jersey / PA / New York City
Views: 37,025 Self guided tours of some of the most historic pubs and taverns in the tri-state area. Who doesn’t like going on an adventure. The Mr. Local History Project has been building a list of historic pubs and taverns in the Jersey/New York City area over the years and have come up with a… Read More »Historic Tavern Pub Tours of New Jersey / PA / New York City - THE First American Flag and Middlebrook, New Jersey
Views: 11,607 Isn’t it great when you think you know about something only to find out that someone else has shown up with a different answer? Well, I hate to admit it, but I think it’s been done to us again. Did you know the FIRST flying of the official American flag was a small… Read More »THE First American Flag and Middlebrook, New Jersey - Art and History – Looking for Artists To Interpret History with Art
Views: 7,307 The Mr. Local History Project is looking for any artists to interpret our local history boards to create memorable images of local history for the Somerset Hills communities of Bernardsville, Bernards Township, Bedminster, Peapack and Gladstone. We are also looking for art teachers to consider programs where an entire art class works to… Read More »Art and History – Looking for Artists To Interpret History with Art - The Knox Trophy – West Point’s Oldest Military Award
Views: 7,106 The Knox Trophy is an award that was established on October 8, 1910 and given annually by the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York to the United States Military Academy cadet with the highest rating for military efficiency. Named in honor of the Revolutionary War General Henry Knox, first US… Read More »The Knox Trophy – West Point’s Oldest Military Award - Lord Stirling- Basking Ridge’s Most Famous Resident
Views: 12,597 Is William Alexander, aka The Earl & Lord of Stirling, Basking Ridge’s Most Famous Resident? Let’s see if we can answer that question. William Alexander was considered heir to the Scottish title of Earl of Stirling through Scottish lineage (being the senior male descendant of the paternal grandfather of the 1st Earl of… Read More »Lord Stirling- Basking Ridge’s Most Famous Resident - T-SHIRT OFFER: Jersey Signers of the Declaration of Independence
Views: 2,326 Order now to show pride in the Jerseyans who signed the Declaration of Independence. Back for The Fourth of July Season Order via our Wear Local History Collection – CLICK HERE Also, Check out our “Wear Local Jersey History” Collection Additional Stories: Independence Day – Kudos to New Jersey Signers #jersey5 THE First… Read More »T-SHIRT OFFER: Jersey Signers of the Declaration of Independence - Basking Ridge’s Stirling Manor or Perth Amboy’s Proprietary House : Which Came First?
Views: 6,100 The Mr. Local History Project is researching the thesis that another house known as Stirling Manor in Basking Ridge was built with similar architecture before the Proprietary House by England’s John Edward Pryor. Let us know what you think after we present our case. The Lord Stirling Manor in Basking Ridge was completed… Read More »Basking Ridge’s Stirling Manor or Perth Amboy’s Proprietary House : Which Came First? - History Dig: The Army Hospital was in Basking Ridge and NOT Jockey Hollow
Views: 7,654 NOTE: While I sit in the house under self distancing work from home for the COVID 19 virus, we take a look back at a hospital in Basking Ridge, New Jersey that very few people knew. And the amazing part is not that I knew there was a hospital in Basking Ridge, I… Read More »History Dig: The Army Hospital was in Basking Ridge and NOT Jockey Hollow - Lord Stirling’s Rev War Beacon Signal Towers
Views: 11,240 General Washington, the Continental Army, and General Lord Stirling of Basking Ridge took a page from the history books and created a sophisticated communications network to highlight the British movement. They were called the “Beacons.” You never know what you’ll find regarding history in the Somerset Hills area of northern Somerset County, New… Read More »Lord Stirling’s Rev War Beacon Signal Towers - Before the West Point Military Academy (USMA) There was Pluckemin
Views: 185,121 America’s First Military Academy, the Pluckemin Academy (Dec.1778) was24 Years BEFORE West Point (Mar. 16, 1802). One of the greatest untold stories of the American Revolution. Called the Pluckemin Winter Cantonment, part of the overall Middlebrook Encampment of 1778-1779. One of the lesser-known stories of the American Revolution is the truth about the… Read More »Before the West Point Military Academy (USMA) There was Pluckemin - General Henry Knox – America’s Forgotten General
Views: 43,298 Father of the American Army Artillery Father of the American Navy Father of the Military Draft Fate has it often where those who put themselves in constant danger and face death every day are often spared until some freak accident takes them away from us. General Henry Knox, one of America’s most noteworthy and… Read More »General Henry Knox – America’s Forgotten General - Bedminster Map Project Reveals Historic Pluckemin Artillery Park
Views: 7,312 Map Identifies Historic Properties, Owners, Building Locations, Local History Including the Often Ignored Pluckemin Artillery Park With over 2,000 hours of painstaking research and countless renderings, the landscaping firm of John Charles Smith & Associates of Far Hills is preparing to release their latest effort, a historic look back at the history of… Read More »Bedminster Map Project Reveals Historic Pluckemin Artillery Park - Glen Beck Founding Fathers Series Needs General Henry Knox
Views: 14,903 Founding Fathers Series turns Glen Beck into a History Teacher. No one knew how popular the Glen Beck Show would become. Commonly referred to as a TV shock jock (sorry Howard), no matter how you feel about the personality, Glen Beck has become a lightening rod. Liberals hate him, conservatives love him. Now… Read More »Glen Beck Founding Fathers Series Needs General Henry Knox - The 13 Paintings at the Pluckemin Academy
Views: 10,377 The anniversary of America’s alliance with France was celebrated on the 18th of February at Pluckemin, at a very elegant entertainment and display of fireworks given by General Knox, and the officers of artillery. It was postponed to this late day on account of His Excellency General Washington’s absence from camp. General Washington… Read More »The 13 Paintings at the Pluckemin Academy - 1779 – Grand Alliance Ball – Pluckemin New Jersey
Views: 15,277 “The entertainment began with a discharge of 13 cannons at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.” The Grand Alliance Ball – Sunday, February 18, 1779 , Pluckemin, New Jersey Sunday, February 18, 1779 , Pluckemin, New Jersey One of the most noted events in Pluckemin was The Grand Alliance Ball of 1779 in Pluckemin.(Sometimes… Read More »1779 – Grand Alliance Ball – Pluckemin New Jersey
