Patriot Stories

A Soldiers’ Story: A Waggoner’s Tale — Isaac Hinds, 1780 The following report was written by Eric Olsen, Historian at Morristown National Historical Park, under the title “Morristown’s Camp Followers.”…

“they found a Leader in the brave Coll. Ford they followd him with Alacrity” – Samuel Adams, January 9, 1777 Colonel Jacob Ford, Jr. & the Morris County Militia 1776…

A Soldiers’ Story: Colonel Benoni Hathaway Benoni Hathaway (DAR ancestor A052992, born 6 November 1743 in Morristown) has been described as “bustling” because of his many roles in support of…

Soldiers’ Story: A Tale of Two Hessians Most Hessian soldiers fought on the side of the British during the Revolution, but there were exceptions. Here are two stories of Hessian…

Soldiers’ Story: The Musicians of War Today we enjoy fife and drum performances at parades and celebrations. During the Revolution, military field music had little to do with entertainment, but…

Soldiers’ Story: Dr. Jabez Campfield Dr. Jabez Campfield (born 24 Dec 1737) was the first doctor in Morristown, a surgeon in the Continental Army during the Revolution, and a civil…

SOLDIERS STORY: THE SOLDIER BOYS (PART 2) Officially, a young man during the Revolution could be drafted or volunteer for service at the age of 16, and indeed many young…

SOLDIERS STORY: THE SOLDIER BOYS (PART 1) Detail from a picture of Washington reviewing the troops at Valley Forge, by John Andrew, 1856, reprinted in The American Revolution: A Picture…

SOLDIERS’ STORY: SHEPARD KOLLOCK The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol X, 1900, p. 158 Shepard Kollock, Jr. is a perfect example of how the pen can be mightier than…

SAY THEIR NAMES There is a saying that you die twice, once when you stop breathing, and a second time when somebody says your name for the last time. Our…

A SOLDIER’S STORY: SAMUEL SHELLEY Morris County patriot and centenarian, Private Samuel Shelley (DAR ancestor A128276), was an interesting storyteller who provides valuable insights about military service during the Revolution.…

A SOLDIERS’ STORY: THE LEGEND OF SAMUEL MCILRATH Samuel McIlrath (DAR ancestor A077200) has a mixed reputation. He was a respected church elder and a soldier in the Revolutionary War.…