REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES IN BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY

Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church
1 East Oak St.
(908) 766-1616
Map / Directions to the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church
Map / Directions to all Basking Ridge Revolutionary War Sites

The original Presbyterian Church at this spot was a log church built before 1731. It was replaced in 1749 by a frame church, which stood here during the time of the Revolutionary War. The current structure was built in 1839. [1]

In 1775, a company of colonial soldiers drilled at the parsonage and at the church. Many members of the congregation fought in the Revolutionary war. At least 35 Revolutionary War soldiers are buried in the cemetery. There is a tradition that General Washington and his troops often rested under the old oak in the cemetery when they rode from their headquarters in Morristown to Pluckemin (Bedminster), where some of the Colonial artillery were stationed. [2] This magnificent white oak tree (Quercus alba) is over 600 years old, so it was already 400 years old at the time of the Revolution. (It is pictured above in both winter and summer). It stands 97 feet high, with a spread of 156 feet and a circumference of 20 feet. [3]

These are the names of the 35 Revolutionary War soldiers known to be buried in the cemetery: [4]

Washington Route Marker
North Maple Rd. and Madisonville Rd.
Map / Directions to the Basking Ridge Washington Route Marker
Map / Directions to all Basking Ridge Revolutionary War Sites

The marker reads:
"By this route Washington with his army retired to Morristown after his victory at Princeton January 1777." 
This is one of a series of markers that can be found tracing Washington's route to Morristown after the victory at Princeton. Other markers can be found in Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Harding Township and Somerville. [5]

Revolutionary War Hospital Site
North Maple Ave., Near the intersection of East Allen St.
Map / Directions to the Revolutionary War Hospital site
Map / Directions to all Basking Ridge Revolutionary War Sites

The sign reads:
"A log hospital for Continental Army soldiers was located on the slope of this ravine. A frame Presbyterian Church stood at the top of the hill near the famous oak and burial ground." [6]

Lord Stirling Estate Site
Lord Stirling Rd. and South Maple Ave.
Map / Directions to the Lord Stirling Estate site
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The sign reads:
"Lord Stirling Estate. This parkland included part of Stirling's 1762 estate. Stirling (1726 - 83), a friend of George Washington, was a Revolutionary War Major General." [7]

Widow White's Tavern Site
South Finley Ave. and Colonial Dr.
Map / Directions to Widow White's Tavern Site
Map / Directions to all Basking Ridge Revolutionary War Sites

The sign reads:
"Site of Widow White's Tavern. Here on December 13, 1776, Major General Charles Lee, second in command to General Washington in the Continental Army, was taken prisoner by a British Patrol." [8]

French Soldiers Encampment Site
Valley Rd. near the border of Liberty Corner
Map / Directions to the French Soldiers Encampment Site
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The plaque reads:
'"On this site French troops under Le Coate De Rochambeau encamped, August 29, 1781 en route to meeting General George Washington and achieving their victory at Yorktown. American independence was assured there in Virginia by the defeat and surrender of Lord Cornwallis' British Forces on October 19, 1781. The Return encampment was September 9, 1782."  [9]

Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead
450 King George Rd.
Map / Directions to the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead
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Website: www.kmsfarmstead.wordpress.com

This farmhouse was the home of Colonel Ephraim Martin during the Revolutionary War.  [10]

The Grain House
225 Rte. 202
Map / Directions to the Grain House
Map / Directions to all Basking Ridge Revolutionary War Sites

(908) 221-1150

This 1768 building is still in use as restaurant.

The Grain House website explains it's Revolutionary War significance:
"In 1768, Samuel Lewis, a miller from Franklin Corners in Basking Ridge, built a water-powered grist mill and a barn on the Passaic River on land originally acquired from William Penn. His grandson, Richard Southard,bought the property in 1777 and soon found that the convenient location along a major thoroughfare between New York and Philadelphia, so practical for commerce, placed him smack in the middle of the Revolutionary War. His small wooden mill supplied desperately needed flour, meal, and feed to the Continental Army encampment at Jockey Hollow, Morristown, during the bitter winter of 1779-80. Since the barn was used to store the army’s grain, it is known today as The Grain House. "  [11]