First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna
99 Main St.
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The Church [1]
The Presbyterian Church which stands here today was constructed in 1853. It replaced an earlier church building at this site which was built circa 1760. That earlier building stood here during the Revolutionary War, when it was used as a hospital and an arsenal.
In early 1777, General George Washington and the Continental (American) Army were encamped about ten miles from here at Morristown. When many of the soldiers took ill with smallpox, some were taken to this church which was used as a hospital for them. The Hanover Presbyterian Church in East Hanover was used for the same purpose.
Later that same year, the American forces won an important victory in Saratoga, New York, which resulted in the capture of a large number of British troops, as well as a great deal of artillery and equipment. [2] The captured artillery at Saratoga was brought here to be stored inside and around the church.
The Cemetery [3]
Several Revolutionary War veterans are buried here, including:
Lewis Cary / Continental Army
(October 23, 1742 - September 27, 1817)
Lived in the Cary House, described in the entry below
Joshua Case / Private, Morris County Militia
(Died July 9, 1777, "Aged 55 years")
Phineas Chidester / Private, Morris County Militia
(July 13, 1757 - April 22, 1814)
Daniel Jones
(Died December 22, 1848, "Aged 92 years")
Minard LeFevre / Private
(Died 1800, "Aged 56 years")
Cornelius Slaght / Captain, Morris County Militia
(Died March 31, 1797, "Aged 36 years")
Cary House
208 Emmans Rd.
Map / Directions to the Daniel Cary House
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This house is a private residence.
Please respect the privacy and property of the owners.
The Cary House [4]
This stone house was built in 1771 by Lewis Cary, who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The Daniel Cary mentioned on the sign was his father, who also lived on the property. Both men are buried at the First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna cemetery.
When the Presbyterian Church became overcrowded with soldiers who were being treated for smallpox, some of them were taken to this house. It is believed that some of the soldiers who died here may have been buried on the property, but there is no documentation for this.
1. ^ Information drawn from:
• Rev. E. W. Stoddard, D.D., "Roxbury Township," in History of Morris County, New Jersey (New York: W.W. Munsell & Co., 1882) Pages 367-368
Available to be read at the Internet Archive here2. ^ The Battles of Saratoga took place on September 19 and October 7, 1777. The site of the battle is now a National Historic Park in Saratoga, New York. For more information see the park's webpage.
3. ^ Information drawn from:
• Gravestones and markers in the cemetery
• The Daughters of the American Revolution Genealogical Research System
• Historical Memorial, Presbyterian Church Succasunna, NJ, 1765-1895 (Dover, NJ: Press of the Iron Era, 1895) Page 45
Available to be read at the Internet Archive here4. ^ Information drawn from:
• National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form for the Lewis Cary Farmhouse
Available as a PDF on the National Park Service website here• The Daughters of the American Revolution Genealogical Research System, where Lewis Cary is Ancestor # A068916
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