REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES IN MILLBURN, NEW JERSEY

Washington Rock
South Mountain Reservation
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The plaque on the boulder reads:
"Tradition places George Washington here, in the summer of 1780, observing American troops thwart British efforts to reach Morristown and destroy his base of supplies. The first advance was halted at Connecticut Farms, now Union, June 7th. The British retirement to Elizabethtown was marked by the burning of Connecticut Farms and the murder of Caldwell’s wife. On June 23rd British and Hessian troops under General Knyphausen were repulsed at Springfield by American troops commanded by General Nathaniel Greene. The 2nd Rhode Island regiment, under Col. Angell, was stationed at the easterly bridge over the Rahway River, on the main road (Morris Avenue) Major“Light Horse Harry” Lee, with Colonial veterans and local militia, held the bridge at Vaux Hall Road. Forced to abandon their effort, the British, after burning Springfield Village, Quit New Jersey soil forever. In this battle, Parson Caldwell brought hymn-books from his church to the American gunners who had used up their supply of wadding, “ shouting ”Give ‘em Watts!” as commemorated by Bret Harte in his poem “Parson Caldwell.” [1]

Hessian House
155 Millburn Ave.
The Hessian House is now the headquarters of Joseph P. Miele Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.
Map / Directions to the Hessian House
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This house was built in 1730, and so was here during the Revolutionary War, and the Battle of Springfield. There is a local legend that deserting Hessian soldiers hid in this house during the Battle of Springfield.

Marian Meisner wrote in A History of Millburn Township:
"At lease two [Hessian] boys, the VanWert brothers, deserted that day, and hid until after their companions had left the area. They are supposed to have hidden in the attic of [this] house . Another version of the old story says that they hid in the barn on the Stephen Meeker farm on Glen Avenue near Farley Road, but the house at 155 Millburn Avenue has long been known as "The Hessian House", and majority opinion gives that house the distinction of hiding the boys on the night of June 23, 1780." [2]

"Delaying Action" Historic Marker
Corner of Millburn Ave. and Vaux Haul Rd.
A short walk from the Hessian House
Map / Directions to the Delaying Action Marker
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The plaque reads:
'"Here, on June 23, 1780, Americans fought a delaying action against superior British forces seeking to flank General Greene's main line at Springfield." [3]

Last British Thrust Marker
In front of the Millburn Town Hall
375 Milburn Ave.
Map / Directions to the Last British Thrust Marker
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In front of plaque reads:
'"Here, on June 23, 1780, Americans fought a delaying action against superior British forces seeking to flank General Greene's main line at Springfield. [4]