July Fourth and the Old Bowlder

Millburn’s July Fourth celebration is always particularly significant for our community because of the noteworthy role Millburn played in the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Springfield. 

With the American army strategically placed in Morristown, and surrounded by a protective ring of mountains, General Washington shrewdly reasoned that the British and Hessians would want to move in from New York to capture Morristown.

The most practical way to get past the ring of mountains that stood between the British and Morristown’s iron forges, supplies, and the American army was to go through a gap in that mountain ring and along the road to Morristown that was at Hobart Gap.

In anticipation, then, of the incursion of the enemy soldiers via that route, Washington placed lookouts along the chain of Watchung mountains that overlooked the road toward Hobart Gap. Atop those mountains, the lookouts were instructed to build a signal beacon that could be set afire if the enemy was spotted. Lord Stirling’s sketch for the construction of the log-based and dry-brush-filled signal beacon can be seen here.

Also nearby hill was a cannon, placed on Beacon Hill, and which is the reason for the name of the country club there. The cannon was affectionately known as Old Sow and a plaque that is supposed to be at 226 Hobart Avenue, near Beacon Road, notes that "Here in the time of the American Revolution stood the Signal Beacon and by its side the cannon known as the Old Sow, which in time of danger and invasion summoned the patriotic Minute Men of this vicinity to the defense of the country and the repulse of the invader."

An 1896 article in the New York Times reports on the installation of a ‘bowlder’ in Short Hills, which has a plaque on it with the same information as above. The article notes that: “On Monday two monuments are to be dedicated by the New-Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in this vicinity, one in Springfield and the other in Short Hills.

At Short Hills the monument is in the shape of a huge bowlder, weighing nearly three tons, which was carefully removed from the old camping ground on Battle Hill, now Madison, where Washington reorganized the wreck of his army in the Winter of 1777, after the disastrous campaign of that Fall, and the great victories of Trenton and Princeton. The underside of the bowlder is blackened by fire from the old campfires that were built about it in the days of the Revolutionary War.

This historic bowlder is to be placed on the exact spot at Short Hills, in this (Millburn) township, where the signal fire used to burn, and near where the famous old Revolutionary cannon known as “The Old Sow” used to stand. A bronze tablet has been securely fastened on one of its sides, bearing the following inscription: 1776; Here in the time of the Revolution stood the Signal Bearer and by its side the cannon known as “The Old Sow,” which, in time of danger and invasion, summoned the patriotic Minute Men of this vicinity to the defense of the country and the repulse of the invader. 1896. 

Do any Patch readers know if the plaque is still at 226 Hobart Avenue?

On July 4, 2012, loud explosions will once again echo around these Watchung Mountains, not to warn residents to take cover or arms, but to celebrate the Battle of Springfield's crucial role in the outcome of the war. Millburn residents can celebrate the revolutionary history of the community, and do so on the same acreage where brave soldiers, militia, and Millburn farmers turned back the British and Hessian soldiers who were trying to get to Morristown on June 23, 1780. 

The July Fourth celebration will begin with the flag-raising at Taylor Park at 9:00 a.m., followed immediately by the Patriot Award presentation, which will be conferred upon the Millburn-Short Hills Girl Scouts in honor of their many years of patriotism and service to the community and the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Girl Scouts in the USA.  The Patriot Award ceremony will be followed by the ever-popular bike/trike/stroller parade at 9:30 (start decorating those bikes, trikes, and strollers!)  and the girls’ All Star softball game at 10:00. From 11:00-3:00, all of Taylor Park will be transformed into a festival for the whole family.

There will be children’s rides, games, ponies, and a Revolutionary War encampment reenacted by the Morgan Rifles. At night the activities move to Millburn High School, with patriotic music provided by Krazy Kat, starting at 7:00. Also back by popular demand is an expanded schedule of Family Field Games. The day’s events will culminate with a fabulous fireworks display at dusk.

Tickets for the festivities can be purchased for a reduced price of $10 before the Fourth, or $12 on the day of the event; tickets for the fireworks only are $5. They are available through local merchants, including the Millburn Deli, Futter's Shoes, Anthony Laurence Jewelers, Buncher's Hardware, Michael's Barber Shop, La Strada, and Splurge Bakery, at town hall, or at the gate. Please note that the rain date is July 5, 2012.

The members of the Millburn-Short Hills July Fourth Committee depend heavily on private contributions and donations to offset expenses for the celebration. Checks can be made payable to Millburn-Short Hills Fourth of July Committee, Inc. and sent to PO Box 4, Short Hills NJ 07078. Donations can also be made online at www.mshjuly4th.com