Morristown Green

Last updated
Morristown Green
Morristown District NJ.JPG
Morristown Green
Type Village green
Location Morristown, New Jersey
Coordinates 40°47′49″N74°28′52″W / 40.7970°N 74.4811°W / 40.7970; -74.4811
Established1715
Website www.morristourism.org/directory/the-morristown-green
Part of Morristown District (ID73001126)
Designated CPOctober 30, 1973
"Patriots' Farewell" Fountain -- a Revolutionary War monument on the Green. Photo of Morristown Green New Jersey.JPG
"Patriots' Farewell" Fountain -- a Revolutionary War monument on the Green.

Morristown Green, most commonly referred to as the Green, is a historical park located in the center of Morristown, New Jersey, United States. It has an area of two and a half acres and has in the past served as a military base, a militia training ground, and an area for public executions. It is now a public park in which many community events are held. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places, listed as a contributing property of the Morristown District, on October 30, 1973. [2]

Contents

A map to walking paths on the Morristown Green is available. [1]

History

Lenape ownership

Around the year 1000, the Morristown area was inhabited by Munsee Lenape people. Circa 1500, Morris County was part of the Lenapehoking, i.e., modern-day New Jersey. [3] Arrowheads found in Munsee encampments throughout the Washington Valley suggest that they hunted wolf, elk, and wild turkey for game and likely ate mussels from the Whippany River. [4]

In 1757, colonists of the "New Jersey Association for Helping the Indians" forcibly relocated some 200 Lenape to Brotherton, New Jersey. [5] In 1801, some members of the tribe voluntarily traveled to join the Oneidas' reservation in Stockbridge, New York after receiving an invitation from the Oneidas. [6] [7] [8] However, Americans again expelled Lenape families in Stockbridge to Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1822. [7]

English ownership

The Green - 1715, historical marker The Green - 1715 sign, Morristown, NJ.jpg
The Green – 1715, historical marker

According to a historical marker, the park was established in 1715. [9] Throughout the 18th century, the Green was a "grazing area for cattle, sheep, and horses." [10] The town had about 250 inhabitants at this time. [11]

The Presbyterian Church on the Green Presbyterian Church on the Green, Morristown, NJ - information sign.jpg
The Presbyterian Church on the Green

In 1731, the first burial took place in what is now the Presbyterian Church's historic graveyard. [12] In 1733, Presbyterians began to gather for service at the Morristown Green. That year, the graveyard was officially founded. There were 1,640 burials on record (71 of which fought in the Revolutionary War). In 1738, King George II "issued the church a charter," and the Church structure was built sometime before 1742. That year, Reverend Timothy Johnes became its first pastor. [13] From 1758 to 1816, the Green and some surrounding land was owned by the Presbyterian Church in Morristown. [14] [15]

Circa 1740, Samuel Arnold established the "famous" [16] Arnold's Tavern on the North side of the park. The Tavern was located beside "the Morris County courthouse and jail [and] the Presbyterian and Baptist churches." [10]

American ownership

During the Revolutionary War, from January to May 1777, the Arnold's Tavern was George Washington's headquarters, [17] [18] "while his troops stayed in [locals]’ homes" [19] and/or camped in the Loantaka Valley to the east. [20] [21] By that year, Arnold's Tavern had "sprouted an extension with a large public hall for dances," which Washington used to convene councils. [10] The National Park Service claims "Much of [Morris]town's social, political, and business life was conducted at Arnold's Tavern" during the Revolutionary era. [22]

According to Simons[ who? ], "the Green was the site of the Morris County Courthouse and jail for nearly 75 years (until 1827) and was the stage for many penal activities, including the incarceration of Tories and Hessian soldiers during the Revolutionary period".

In 1816, trustees of the Morristown Green purchased the land from the Morristown Presbyterian Church. [14] The trustees pledged that the Green would remain "a common forever for the use and enjoyment of the public" and by the 1850s, efforts were made to revitalize the Green with tree plantings and fencing." [14]

Morristown Green, panoramic view, ca.1910, Morristown, NJ.png
Morristown Green, panoramic view, circa 1910.

Executions

The Green was used as a public executions ground.

The last execution took place on September 6, 1833, of French immigrant Antoine Le Blanc, who was convicted of murder. Le Blanc worked as a farmhand on the farm of Samuel Sayre and his wife, despite living in a dark cellar and receiving no pay. On the night of May 11, 1833, he murdered the Sayres and their possibly enslaved servant Phoebe. [23] [24] Le Blanc then stole cash, jewelry, and clothing, and he attempted to escape via the Sayres' horse. That year, he was captured in a tavern at the Hackensack Meadows. [23] Unspecified persons "returned [Le Blanc] to Morristown, tried, found guilty of murder, and sentenced to death by a jury. In addition to execution by hanging, Le Blanc was condemned by Judge Gabriel Ford to a post-execution medical dissection." [23] The Jerseyman reported that 12,000 people attended his execution on the Morristown Green on September 6, 1833. [23] People travelled from "Essex, Union, Somerset, Warren, Sussex and all other contiguous [counties]," and horses and wagons blocked the Green's roads for a mile in every direction. [23] Many brought bagged lunches, presumably to picnic, and others sat on tall trees and rooftops for a better view. [25] Among the attendees was judge Stephen Vail, creator of the Speedwell Ironworks, who later journaled about the experience. [23] [24]

Statues

Morris County Civil War Monument (1871) Morris County Civil War Monument, Morristown Green, NJ.jpg
Morris County Civil War Monument (1871)
The Alliance (2007), featuring bronze figures of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette The Alliance, Morristown Green, NJ.jpg
The Alliance (2007), featuring bronze figures of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette

Several statues have been erected, many of which glorify American colonial, Revolutionary War, and Civil War figures.

On July 4, 1871, the Morris County Civil War Monument was dedicated, featuring a full-length statue of a Civil War soldier. It was designed by sculptor Henry H. Davis and erected by the people of Morris County. [26]

In 2007, The Alliance was unveiled, a bronze statue that served as "the centerpiece of the 'Green Vision' campaign, a plan to upgrade and enhance the park, and to establish an endowment fund to help maintain and preserve it." The statue commemorates a supposedly historic "meeting of George Washington, the young Marquis de Lafayette, and young Alexander Hamilton depicting them discussing aid of French tall ships and [6,000] troops being sent by King Louis XVI of France," [27] which is symbolized by Washington holding a letter from the French king. [28] The statue was created by Eliot and Ivan Schwartz of Brooklyn's Studio EIS. [28]

During the Bicentennial of the Morristown Green on October 16, 2016, reenactors of each historical figure were photographed beside the statue. [27] That year, an unknown person vandalized the statue by stealing Washington's thumb and his letter from King Louis XVI. [28]

Statue of Morris Frank and Buddy, seeing-eye dog pioneers, off the Morristown Green Morris Frank and Buddy 01.jpg
Statue of Morris Frank and Buddy, seeing-eye dog pioneers, off the Morristown Green

There is also a guide dog commemorative statue.

Landscape

The Green has won some awards due to the renovation efforts by Dewberry, a civil, landscape architecture, environmental services and construction engineering firm. It received an Excellence Award in the Public Space category from Downtown New Jersey for the renovation done on the Morristown Green under the following criteria:

Landmarks

Landmarks include:

  1. Patriots' Farewell Fountain (2001). [29]
  2. The Alliance (2007). A bronze lifesize sculpture also known as The French Are Coming, located on Morristown Green, commemorating the meeting of General George Washington and Colonel Alexander Hamilton with the Marquis de Lafayette on May 10, 1780. [30]
  3. Morris County Civil War Monument (1871). A white granite figure of a Civil War soldier atop a 50-foot white granite shaft. [26]
  4. Morris Frank and Buddy statue (2005). On April 29, 2005, a sculpture titled The Way to Independence was unveiled on Morristown Green in Morristown. The sculpture of seeing-eye dog pioneer Morris Frank and his first service animal Buddy, created by John Seward Johnson II, is made of bronze and painted in color. [31] It depicts the pair in mid-stride, with Frank motioning as if he is giving his seeing eye dog the "forward" command. [32]
  5. Plaque marking site of Arnold's Tavern (20 North Park Place, across from the Green, in front of Charles Schwab). [33]
  6. Marker for the Baptist Church on the Green. Original Site of the First Baptist Church (then located where Century 21 is today). Used as Revolutionary War hospital and burial ground. West of the Green, the present building was constructed in 1892.
  7. Original site of the Presbyterian Church.
  8. The Liberty Pole.
  9. Granite "E. Pluribus Unum" medallion at the center of the Green.
  10. Stone marker of first courthouse.and jail
  11. Time capsule. [34]
  12. Site of the Alexander Carmichael House, occupied by Nathanel Greene, the quartermaster during the Revolution.
  13. Site of the Continental Storehouse (where the 40 Park condos now stand).
  14. A replica of the survey of the Green by Major Robert Erskine, ordered by Washington in 1779.
  15. Gold Star Mothers' Tree. [35]

Activities

The Green holds many different activities throughout the year, but the most prominent event is the Festival on the Green. This is an open-air event where businesses and organizations come together to share their resources and have a huge block party. Other events include the Christmas Festival, the Moonlight Movies in Morristown, and multiple blood drives. The Green is also used to let the community gather and voice their opinion, a fact of which the Tea Party has made use. [36]

The annual Christmas Festival is a four-week event that began 97 years ago, with a group of volunteers lighting a star on top of a signal tree in the Green. Now it has grown to include a Santa House and other seasonal decorations. The festival includes several events that are free to the public thanks to the sponsorship of local businesses, including Century 21, Morristown Memorial Hospital and Hyatt Morristown.

The Seeing Eye was established in 1929, and is the oldest existing school for guide dogs in the world. Here dogs are instructed in helping individuals that are blind so that they can be more mobile. The dogs are taught when and where something is dangerous or is an obstacle and people are instructed in how to get the best from their dog. The Seeing Eye gives tours of its facilities to schools in the surrounding area.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morristown, New Jersey</span> Town in Morris County, New Jersey, US

Morristown is a town in and the county seat of Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Morristown has been called "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the war for independence from Great Britain. Morristown's history is visible in a variety of locations that collectively make up Morristown National Historical Park, the country's first National Historical Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morristown National Historical Park</span> National Historical Park of the United States

Morristown National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park, headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, consisting of four sites important during the American Revolutionary War: Jockey Hollow, Ford Mansion, Fort Nonsense, and Washington's Headquarters Museum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Mansion</span> United States historic place

The Ford Mansion, also known as Washington's Headquarters, is a classic 18th-century American home located at 30 Washington Place in Morristown, New Jersey that served as General George Washington's headquarters from December 1779 to June 1780 during the American Revolutionary War.

Cranford, New Jersey is home to a diverse number of historic architectural styles, historically significant buildings, and landmarks. Structures dating from 1740 through the present can be found in a relatively small area of the township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Church of Hanover</span> Historic church in New Jersey, United States

The First Church of Hanover, also known as the First Presbyterian Church of Hanover or the Hanover Presbyterian Church, is located on Mount Pleasant Avenue in East Hanover, Morris County, New Jersey, United States. Established in 1718 in what was then the British Province of New Jersey, it is a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is the oldest religious congregation in Morris County. The congregation's current building, constructed in 1835, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caroline Rose Foster</span> American farmer (1877–1979)

Caroline Rose Foster was an American farmer and philanthropist who managed Fosterfields, a working farm in Morristown, New Jersey, United States.

The Loantaka Brook Reservation is a nature reserve and public park in the American state of New Jersey in Morris County. It consists of five miles of nature trails for jogging, hiking, and biking. Seaton Hackney Stables, owned and operated by the Morris County Park Commission, offers horseback riding at an adjacent property with trail riding along a long and narrow corridor near the Loantaka Brook. It has four distinct areas including the South Street recreation facilities, the Seaton Hackney Stables, the Loantaka Brook area at Kitchell Road, and the Loantaka Way Trail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. Jabez Campfield House</span> Historic house in New Jersey, United States

The Dr. Jabez Campfield House, also known as the Schuyler Hamilton House, is a historic, two-story, braced timber-frame colonial Georgian-style house and museum located at 5 Olyphant Place, Morristown, New Jersey.

Jabez Campfield was a colonial-era medical doctor, one of the earliest to set up practice in Morristown, New Jersey. He served as a surgeon in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. During the Continental Army's winter encampment in Morristown in 1777, Dr. Campfield helped inoculate soldiers against a smallpox outbreak that spread through the army and the area that winter. Campfield was a surgeon on the Sullivan Expedition in upstate New York in the summer and autumn of 1779, during which he kept a detailed diary which has been preserved and published. During the winter encampment of 1779-1780, surgeon general John Cochran stayed in Campfield's home, and his home served as a "flying hospital". Cochran's niece, Elizabeth Schuyler, came to stay in Dr. Campfield's home, and while there fell in love and became engaged to Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fosterfields</span> United States historic place

Fosterfields, also known as Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, is a 213.4-acre (86.4 ha) farm and open-air museum at the junction of Mendham and Kahdena Roads in Morris Township, New Jersey. The oldest structure on the farm, the Ogden House, was built in 1774. Listed as the Joseph W. Revere House, Fosterfields was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 20, 1973, for its significance in art, architecture, literature, and military history. The museum portrays farm life circa 1920.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Revere (lawyer)</span> American lawyer, great-grandson of Revolutionary Paul Revere

Paul Revere was a lawyer, writer, public speaker, and civic member of Morristown, New Jersey. He was the great-grandson of American revolutionary figure Paul Revere, and his father was Navy officer and Union general Joseph Warren Revere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Souls' Hospital</span> Hospital in New Jersey, United States

The All Souls' Hospital was a Catholic hospital based in Morristown, New Jersey. It was run in part by the Grey Nuns of Montreal. Its founding chair was Paul Revere, lawyer, civic leader, and great-grandson of American revolutionary figure Paul Revere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morristown District</span> United States historic place

The Morristown District, also known as the Morristown Historic District, is a historic district in the town of Morristown in Morris County, New Jersey. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 30, 1973, for its significance in architecture, communications, education, military, politics, religion, social history, and transportation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julia Keese Colles</span> American historian and writer

Julia Keese Nelson Colles (1840–1913) was an American historian, lecturer, and writer who lived in and studied Morristown, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arnold's Tavern</span> Building in North Park Pl. , Mt. Kemble Avenue

Jacob Arnold's Tavern, also known as the OldArnold Tavern and the Duncan House, was a "famous" historic tavern established by Samuel Arnold circa 1740. Until 1886, it was located in Morristown Green in Morristown, New Jersey. In 1777 it served as George Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War, and it was the site of Benedict Arnold's first trial in 1780. The National Park Service claims "Much of [Morris]town's social, political, and business life was conducted at Arnold's Tavern" during the Revolutionary era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adams & Fairchild</span> 19th century grocery store in Morristown, New Jersey

Adams & Fairchild was a 19th century grocery store located beside the Morristown Green in Morristown, New Jersey. Circa 1882, it operated out of historic 1740s tavern, Arnold's Tavern, notable for its Revolutionary history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hoffman Building (Morristown, New Jersey)</span> Historic building in New Jersey

The Hoffman Building, also known as The Arnold, was a Morristown, New Jersey structure completed before 1896.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip H. Hoffman</span> American tailor nand banker

Philip Henry Hoffman was an American tailor, banker, and building owner in Morristown, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Presbyterian Church (Morristown, New Jersey)</span> Church in New Jersey, United States

The First Presbyterian Church is located at 57 E. Park Place in the town of Morristown in Morris County, New Jersey. The congregation started worship here in 1733. It received a royal charter from George II of Great Britain in 1756. The current church building was erected in 1894. The stone building features Romanesque Revival architecture and works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places, listed as a contributing property of the Morristown District, on October 30, 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equestrian statue of George Washington (Morristown, New Jersey)</span> 1928 statue by Frederick Roth

George Washington is an outdoor equestrian statue by the American sculptor Frederick Roth located near the Ford Mansion, Washington's Headquarters, in Morristown, New Jersey, United States. It was commissioned by philanthropist E. Mabel Clark to commemorate General George Washington's importance to the history of the city. The bronze sculpture was dedicated on October 19, 1928, the anniversary of the surrender of British General Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781.

References

  1. 1 2 Patriots' Farewell Fountain 46 Washington Street, Morristown, NJ 07960 https://www.google.com/maps?cid=12340713164847828606&hl=en&gl=us
  2. ↑ Karschner, Terry (July 1973). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Morristown District". National Park Service. With accompanying 18 photos
  3. ↑ Alvin M. Josephy Jr, ed. (1961). The American Heritage Book of Indians. American Heritage. pp. 168–189. LCCN   61-14871.
  4. ↑ Barbara, Hoskins; Foster, Caroline; Roberts, Dorothea; Foster, Gladys (1960). Washington Valley, an informal history. Edward Brothers, Inc. OCLC   28817174.
  5. ↑ "Collection: New Jersey Association for helping the Indians records | Archives & Manuscripts". archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu. Archived from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  6. ↑ "The Brotherton Indians of New Jersey, 1780 | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History". www.gilderlehrman.org. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  7. 1 2 Barbara, Hoskins; Foster, Caroline; Roberts, Dorothea; Foster, Gladys (1960). Washington Valley, an informal history. Edward Brothers. OCLC   28817174.
  8. ↑ "New Stockbridge Tribe". collections.dartmouth.edu. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
  9. ↑ "The Green - 1715 Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  10. 1 2 3 (Handbook 120) A History and Guide: Morristown National Historical Park, New Jersey. Division of Publications, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. 1980. p. 33. ISBN   978-0-912627-21-2.
  11. ↑ Morristown National Historical Park (N.P,), General Management Plan: Environmental Impact Statement. 2004. p. 12.
  12. ↑ Tooley, Jenny. "Historic Graveyard – Presbyterian Church in Morristown" . Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  13. ↑ "The Presbyterian Church in Morristown ⋆ Your Next Destination Awaits - Morris County, NJ". Your Next Destination Awaits - Morris County, NJ. Retrieved 2022-11-02.
  14. 1 2 3 Chemerka, Bill. "LexisNexis Academic & Library Solutions." Business Solutions & Software for Legal, Education and Government. 21 June 2001. Web. 12 September 2010. <http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic/>
  15. ↑ A Brief History of The Presbyterian Church in Morristown, by Frederick B. Cobbett. Revised by Barbara R. King. For 275th anniversary, 1733-2008. Accessed 2022.
  16. ↑ "History of "The Arnold Tavern," Morristown, N.J. : and many incidents connected with General Washington's stay in this place, as his headquarters in winter of 1777 : with views of historic buildings and places of Revolutionary interest". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  17. ↑ "CONTENTdm". jfpl.contentdm.oclc.org. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  18. ↑ NJ.com, Delaney Dryfoos | For (2018-07-05). "A true Fourth of July celebration: This town had a reading of Declaration of Independence". nj. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  19. ↑ "Unique History: A Quick History of Morristown". Morristown Partnership. 2017-07-25. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  20. ↑ Cunningham, John T. (1994). This is New Jersey. Rutgers University Press. ISBN   978-0-8135-2141-1.
  21. ↑ Ring, Trudy; Watson, Noelle; Schellinger, Paul (2013-11-05). The Americas: International Dictionary of Historic Places. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-134-25930-4.
  22. ↑ "Morristown". npshistory.com. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Center, North Jersey History and Genealogy. "Antoine Le Blanc: A shocking story of murder and a community's revenge | Morristown Green" . Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  24. 1 2 Iannitelli, Giulia (2011-07-28). "Trial of the Century, Historic Churches and Militiamen in Morristown". nj. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  25. ↑ "Wedgewood Inn". cromwellcrew.com. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  26. 1 2 "Civil War Monument, (sculpture)". Inventory of American Sculpture, Smithsonian Institution Research Information System. Smithsonian American Art Museum.
  27. 1 2 Coughlin, Kevin. "By George, has someone vandalized Washington's statue on the Green? | Morristown Green" . Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  28. 1 2 3 Buckeye 1776. "Morristown Green." Wikimapia - Let's Describe the Whole World! 6 June 2010. Web. 6 December 2010. <http://wikimapia.org/102764/Morristown-Green>.
  29. ↑ https://morristowngreen.com/2016/04/25/now-its-spring-the-fountains-flowing-on-the-morristown-green/; https://www.google.com/maps/place/Patriots'+Farewell+Fountain/@40.7967566,-74.4818243,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c3a6bc9c6b5d91:0xab43053d51bdce7e!8m2!3d40.7967566!4d-74.4812771
  30. ↑ "By George, has someone vandalized Washington's statue on the Green? | Morristown Green".
  31. ↑ "Morris Frank and Buddy Statue · Morristown, NJ 07960".
  32. ↑ "Morris Frank and Buddy". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
  33. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-05-09. Retrieved 2018-01-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. ↑ "Plan_Visit_to_Morristown". www.wanj.org. Archived from the original on 2015-02-23.
  35. ↑ "'A Common Forever': Trustees celebrate 200 years of Morristown's Green | Morristown Green".
  36. ↑ The Morristown Tea Party. "About Us." Home Page. Web. 6 December 2010. <http://www.themorristownteaparty.org/About_Us.php>.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.