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Online Archive Collections
Publications
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Historical Booklet of Bernards Township,
N. J. Published to Commemorate the Bicentennial: 1760-1960
Out of Print. Few copies still available at THSSH Museum
Store.
Booklets are available at THSSH. |
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Lord Stirling - William Alexander
Author: George Helmke
Country Gentleman &
New Jersey Military Leader in the War for Independence
From the Early Years thru his military career, capture, and
close relationship with General Washington, as well as his life
in Basking Ridge; by George E. Helmke
Booklets are available at THSSH. |
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Walking Tour of Basking Ridge
A great way to see some of the most noted historical sites
in and around the downtown Basking Ridge area

Download Now
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The Brick Academy, Basking Ridge, NJ
(1978)
Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary (1928-1978) of The Historical
Society of the Somerset Hills (then known as the Basking Ridge
Historical Society).
14 pages full of historic facts, images, and stories about
the storied Classical School and Academy.
Booklets are available at THSSH. |
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The
Official Publication of The Historical Society of the Somerset
Hills |
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May
2008

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Inside This Issue
- Shop Online...Preserve Somerset Hills History
Do you shop online? Here is a fantastic opportunity to get online discounts and donate to the Historical Society at the same time. Trustee Brooks Betz has coordinated this new exciting shopping experience with ShopforMuseums.com. more online
- John Morton: The Rebel Banker
On the night of the 22nd between the hours of eleven and one o-clock, the house of the John Morton, at Baskenridge, was broke open by a number of armed villains, three of whom entered the house and robbed it."
- Charter Day - May 17
Bernards Township's 14th Annual Charter Day will be held on Saturday, May 17. The celebration begins at 11 a.m. with the Town Crier Hank Barre and the Rural Felicity Fife and Drum Corps conducting the opening ceremony.
- Culture & Heritage Commission Awards
Seven Recipients Are Honored
By Somerset Cultural and Heritage Commission The 1850 J. Staats House, Hillsborough, owners Barbara and Jerry Kaulius, Adaptive Use The Bernards Inn, Bernardsville, Continuing Use John Charles Smith of Far Hills, The Historic Map and Walking Tour of Peapack and Gladstone circa 1938, Education The Black River Journal of Pottersville, Lee and Christian Wolfe, Owners, Education Schoolhouses of Early Bernards Township by Josephine M. Waltz of Belle Mead, Education The Uncertain Revolution by John T. Cunningham of Florham Park, Education The Heritage Trail Association, Monique Rubens Krohn, Executive Director, Leadership and Education
- Farm & Technology Musuem
For Bernards Township resident Jim Hallgring, his boyhood interest in the internal operation of machinery has lead from refurbushing lawnmowers to an impressive 30 year collection of antique engine and farm equipment.
- Betsy Ross Burial
June 14 reminds us all of Betsy Ross (1752- 1836), our national heroine, credited with sewing the first American flag, at the request of General George Washington and his friends Robert Morris, in Philadelphia. Over the past two decades, more than half a dozen references to this story have been uncovered in our archives at the Brick Academy and in the files of the Bernards Township Library History Room.
- 2008 Historic Preservation Awards
Please join us on Wednesday evening, May 28, 2008, for the fifth annual presentation of awards for noteworthy preservation projects in the Somerset Hills!- Learn More
- Welcome New Members:
Ralph and Margaret Skelly, Basking Ridge William and Marian Craig, Monroe Township
- Rock-a-Bye Baby Railroad
The Borough of Peapack and Gladstone is very proud of its fine electric train service into Hoboken and it is used by many daily commuters. Back in 1887 John Melick of Morristown came forward with plans to build the first part of a...
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February
2008

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Inside This Issue
- Chairman Marcella Maccolis - Executive Summary
- 2007 Annual Report
- Community Outreach
- Consultation & Clerical Work
- Historic Preservation
- Education Update
- Brick Academy Restoration
- Utilization of Brick Academy
- Archive Activities
- Association Memberships
- Acquisitions
- General Lee's Capture (Historical Perspective)
- Schoolhouse Book
- YMCA Volunteer Award - Dan Lincoln
- Historic Preservation Awards 2007
- Spring Speaker Series
- Welcome New Members
- Frank & June Cioppettini
- Nancy Ferreira
- Charles & Sally Hoiles
- William & Virginia Kearns
- Sheila Miller
- Jim O'Brien
- Richard & Blair Scott
- Virginia Troeger
- Looking ahead to 2008
Free
Download for Mac or Windows
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September
2007

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Inside This Issue
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Inside the Brick Academy gets a new look!
May
2007

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Inside This Issue
- Chairman's Corner
- Charter Day Scheduled for May, 19, 2007
- 2007 Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony
- Ann Parsekian appointed THSSH Archivist
- Welcome New Members
- In the Good Ole Summertime...in
Peapack Gladstone by Ruth Hill Thomson
- Restoration Project Thanks
- Facts about Francis Bernard,
Show Compassionate NJ Governor by June Kennedy
- Inside the Brick Academy Newsletter gets a New Look
- Recent Acquisitions
- New - Third Floor Finds
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October
2006

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Inside This Issue
- Message from the Chairman
- Revolutionary War Activities Dominate Sept/Oct Calendar
- NJ Turnpike Rest Stop Areas All Have New Jersey Connections
- How did one Get from Here to There?
- Brick Academy Restoration Update
- Hidden History Revealed
- Local History goes Online
- Photos of Historic Preservation Award Winning Projects
on Display
- Weekend Journey thru the Past Update
- Meet Three New THSSH Trustees
- Welcome New Members
- Dues Are Due
- Have You Visited These Museums?
- News from Around New Jersey
- Did You Know?
- Upcoming Talks- Calendar
- Masthead
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May 2006

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Inside This Issue
- Three Somerset Hills Recipients Are Honored By Cultural
& Heritage Group
- Marcella Miccolis Replaces June Campbell As Chairman
Of THSSH Board Of Trustees
- Remembering the Battle of Monmouth: June 28, 1778
and General Charles Lee
- The First Train
- An Historic Building in Gladstone (continued)
- Somerset Hills Historic Preservation Awards Announced
- Museum Notes
- Website Planned
- Cadette Girl Scout Troop 712 Earns Special Silver
Award: History Camp Held At Academy
- The French Are Coming! The French Are Coming!
- New Jersey Rehabilitation Subcode
- Academy's Flag Tells Early History Of Our Nation
- On Tuesday, July 4, 2006, Remember
New Jersey's Signers - They Pledged For Us
July 4, 1776
- New Acquisitions
- Upcoming Talks- Calendar
- Masthead
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February 2006

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Inside This Issue
- ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2005
The Historical Society of The Somerset Hills
- PORTRAIT OF GENERAL CHARLES LEE
The Man Credited with Getting Basking Ridge Into the
History Books
- Outlook for 2006
- BOUDINOT-SOUTHARD ESTATE SET FOR "MANSION IN
MAY"
- PLUCKEMIN’S GRAND BALL OF FEBRUARY 1779
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN!!
- 14th HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR ATTRACTS 500 VISITORS
- Upcoming Talks- Calendar
- Masthead
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October 2005

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Inside This Issue
- BOUDINOT-SOUTHARD MANSION BOUGHT BY SOMERSET COUNTY
- An Historic Building in Gladstone
- Friends of the KMS Farmstead News
- Archeology at the Brick Academy
- New Acquisitions in the Brick Academy Archives
- “Basking Ridge: The Study of a Town in Transition”
- scrap album compiled by Nettie Allen
- Historic Preservation Committee Undertakes New Project
- HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR SET FOR DECEMBER 4
- A NEW JERSEY CHRISTMAS- William S. Stryker, 1898
- HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF LONG AGO
- SEPTEMBER 23, 2005 MARKED 77th BIRTHDAY OF SOCIETY
- SIGNIFICANT DATES RELATING TO THE SOMERSET HILLS
- Volunteer Needed
- DUES NOTICE
- Masthead
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May 2005

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Inside This Issue
- Francis Bernard,
A Compassionate Governor:
History Of Royal Charter Is Explained
- New Monument Is Dedicated Honoring Reverend Kennedy
- Save Ellis Island
- The Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster
- Janet Foster to be Featured Speaker at 2005 Historic
Preservation Awards
- Old House Owners: Did You Know?
- History Resources on the Internet
- Brick Academy News: New Exhibit Planned
- THSSH Donates Vintage Student Chairs To Local Schools,
Etc.
- Bernards Had 10-Day Celebration
In 1960 For Its 200th Anniversary
- Poet laureate publishes
Second book of verse
- There's A Liberty Corner
Now Located In Ireland!
- Sun Catchers For Sale
- About Jockey Hollow, Morristown
- Notable Dates In History
March
- Masthead
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February 2005

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Inside This Issue
- ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2004
The Historical Society of The Somerset Hills
- Acquisitions
- Outlook for 2005
- 226 Years Ago, George Washington Danced
In Pluckemin
- George Washington Slept Here…
His Lodgings in New Jersey
- Meet Elias Boudinot—Patriot, Statesman
And Former Basking Ridge Resident
- Banking in Peapack and Gladstone
By Ruth Hill Thomson
- Local Preservation News
- Masthead
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October 2004

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Inside This Issue
- New Grants Issued
- John Stelle’s 1847 Diary
- Libraries and Schools of Peapack and Gladstone
- October Recalls Return of Heroine Mary Kinnan
- Spoon From Pluckemin’s Kenilworth Inn Newest
Acquisition of Historical Group
- Some Past History In The Somerset Hills
- Somerset Hills Residents Prominent In State And National
Governments
- Girl Scout’s Gold Award Project Results in Oral
History Publication
- New Acquisitions
- New Walking Tour Booklet
- Reserve the Date: Dec. 16 For THSSH Yule Party
- Membership Renewal
- Masthead
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June 2004

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Inside This Issue
- Tour of Presbyterian Churchyard
Reveals Bernards Early History
- From the Friends of the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead:
Memories of Gerald Pearson
- Hardware Stores of Peapack and Gladstone
- English Family Farm Recipient
Of Cultural/Heritage Award
- First Historic Preservation Awards Announced
- Third Floor Update
- Kennedy Farmstead Fundraiser Announced
- Lewis & Clark:
The National Bicentennial Exhibition”
- An Indian Legacy of Names
- Some Facts About the Brick Academy Bell
- Masthead
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February 2004

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Inside This Issue
- ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003
The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills
- Restoration
- Preservation
- Education
- Utilization of the Academy
- Fund Raisers
- Clerical and Museum Work
- Acquisitions
- Association Memberships
- Outlook for 2004
- Churches of Peapack and Gladstone
- From “The Union” 1818
- French Encampment 1781 Sign
Placed on English Farm Site
- Unique Military Museum Located at Veterans Center
- What is Bonnie Brae? ? ? ?
- Masthead
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October 2003

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Inside This Issue
- The Unhappy History of a
Vanished Church- Raritan-in-the-Hills
- Peapack and Gladstone
- Legend of Mary Kinnan,
Local Heroine (1763-1848) Recalled
- Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead Signed Onto NJ Historic
Register
- Sunday “Open House” Hours Resume
- Holiday House Tour Set for Dec. 7;
Six Homes Prepare to Receive Guests
- Academy Receives Three Display Cases
- Brick Academy Gift List Impressive
- Masthead
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January 2003

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Inside This Issue
- 2002 - A GOOD YEAR
Excerpts from the Chairman’s Annual Report
- Community Outreach
- Restoration
- Preservation
- Education
- Utilization of the Academy
- Clerical and Museum Work
- Acquisitions
- Outlook for 2003
- Two New Trustees Seated
- Ann Parsekian and David Connolly
- Thank You's
- The Brick Academy updates
- Members Provide Donkeys For
“Walk to Bethlehem”
- Meet The Real George Washington
- Welcome New Members
- In Memoriam
- Historical Society will be 75 Years Old
- Some Facts About New Jersey
- Masthead
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September 2002

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Inside This Issue
- Copy of Rare Document Reveals Area Involvement in
Revolutionary War
- Rev. Samuel Kennedy Relative
Visits Parsonage Farm
- Facts/Figures About the Somerset Hills
- Brick Academy Helped Educate Four U.S. Senators
- Moguls, Millionaires, Statesmen, Captains of Industry,
Financial Giants, Media People, Society Figures, Politicos
-- Broken down by each town within the Somerset Hills
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April 2002

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Inside This Issue
- Cultural & Heritage Awards
- Costume Jewelry At the May Society Meeting
- THSSH Trustee News
- Charter Day Festivities May 18 Displays, Games, Crafts
- Historic District Regulations
- How Some Somerset County Towns Rank, According To
Age
- Where does Bernards Township rank in age, with
respect to its sister communities in Somerset County?
Research done during the 200th Bicentennial in 1960
reveals that Bernards ranks fourth oldest.
- Exciting Restoration Developments
- Historical Society Of The Somerset Hills W i s h L
i s t
- First In America – And From New Jersey
Arlington, steam engine, 1763
Burlington, chinaware, 1685
Camden, condensed soup (add water, heat/serve),
1897
Hoboken, brewery, 1642
Jamesburg, canned tomatoes, 1847
Morristown, successful telegraph tested,1837
Murray Hill, transistor, 1948
Menlo Park, incandescent lamp, 1879
Newark, patent leather made, 1818
Newark, malleable iron, 1826
Newark, successful plastics factory opened, 1873
Paterson, planned industrial city, 1791 at The Great
Falls
Paterson, silk factory started, 1838
Paterson, submarine made, 1878
Paterson, revolving pistol, 1836
Pompton Plains, rocket engines ,made during World
War II
Salem County, successful glass factory started,
1739
Trenton, iron beams for buildings, 1854
Trenton, railroad suspension bridge, 1855 (made
in Trenton to carry heavy trains over canyon near
Niagara Falls)
Trenton, American-made china used in White House,
1917 (before that all china was made in Europe)
Vineland, thermos bottle made, 1880s
West Orange, phonograph played, 1887
West Orange, movies shown, 1889
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January 2002

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Inside This Issue
- 2001 - A YEAR OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
Excerpts from the Chairman’s Annual Report
- 12th Holiday House Tour
- Historic Preservation
- Community Outreach
- Education
- Other Items of Interest
- Acquisitions
- Utilization of the Brick Academy
- 2002 Outlook
- Reverend Kennedy Parsonage
Farmstead Task Force Named
- Brick Academy Open Sunday Afternoons
- Another Volunteer Opportunity
- Coming this Spring
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Documents
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A
Town In Transition
A photo essay and manuscript from 1940 by Basking Ridge resident
Ms. Janet Carswell |
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 THSSH
Annual Report (2007) - Click
Here
THSSH
Annual Report (2006) - Click
Here
THSSH
Annual Report (2005) - Click
Here
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The
Presbyterian Church, Basking Ridge, NJ - A History 1717-1968 by Dorothy Loa McFadden, Mildred Van Dyke and Eileen Luz Johnston
EILEEN LUZ JOHNSTON

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Bernardsville
(Historical Timeline 1723-1951)
(pdf Download) |
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Kate Macy Ladd (Natirar)
Reproduced Brochure- Includes history, photographs and descriptions
of the services and estate grounds.
(1.75mb pdf download)
20 pages.
Also, see what Somerset County is proposing as a master plan
to preserve Natirar and the new Somerset County Park proposal. Click Here
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Natirar Master Plan - Also, see what Somerset County
is proposing as a master plan to preserve Natirar and the new Somerset
County Park proposal. Click
Here
Natirar Building Survey - Click Here |
Historical Local Maps
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Village
of Basking Ridge 1873
From the Atlas of Somerset County, New Jersey, published by Beers,
Comstock & Cline, 36 Vesey Street, New York, 1873. |
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Township
of Bedminster Map 1873
From the Atlas of Somerset County, New Jersey, published by Beers,
Comstock & Cline, 36 Vesey Street, New York, 1873. |
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Map
- Bullions Tavern (Now Liberty Corner, Bernards Township)
CourtesyW3R and Library of Congress. |
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Map
- Bullions Tavern (Now Liberty Corner, Bernards Township)
CourtesyW3R and Library of Congress
From the Volume set "The American Campaigns of Rochambeau's
Army 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783. Translated and Edited by Howard Rice
and Anne Brown, Princeton University Press, Brown University Press,
1927 |
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Map
- Bullions Tavern 1781 (Now Liberty Corner, Bernards Township)
From the Volume set "The American Campaigns of Rochambeau's
Army 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783. Translated and Edited by Howard Rice
and Anne Brown, Princeton University Press, Brown University Press,
1927 |
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Liberty
Corner (1873)
From the Atlas of Somerset County, New Jersey, published by Beers,
Comstock & Cline, 36 Vesey Street, New York, 1873. |
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Bernardsville
& Madisonville 1873
From the Atlas of Somerset County, New Jersey, published by Beers,
Comstock & Cline, 36 Vesey Street, New York, 1873. |
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Lesser
Cross Roads,
Bedminster 1873
From the Atlas of Somerset County, New Jersey, published by Beers,
Comstock & Cline, 36 Vesey Street, New York, 1873. |
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1880
Map of Pleasant Valley
(W. Millington/Millington/Lyons-Bernards Township) what looks
like the junction of Valley Road and Stonehouse Roads today
(see Baptist Church icon) |
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Greater
Bernards (1875)
From the Atlas of Somerset County, New Jersey, published by Beers,
Comstock & Cline, 36 Vesey Street, New York, 1873. |
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Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church Graveyard
Map - Oak
Tree Area
Cemetery
Burial Records/ Maps - Presbyterian Church, Basking
Ridge
See if you have ancestors from the region. 700+
plot records! |
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Village
of Peapack (1850)
Then part of Bedminster.
From the Atlas of Somerset County, New Jersey, published by Beers,
Comstock & Cline, 36 Vesey Street, New York, 1873. |

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Thortons
1700 map of the East West Jersey region. John Thornton’s
massive atlas of maritime charts covering the entire nautical
world. On this copper-engraved early English nautical chart includes
soundings in New York harbor, Delaware Bay, and off shore. The
diagonal lines are early colonial boundaries. The beautiful hand-colored
outline and wash coloring is original.
North and South New Jersey (or East and West Jersey in colonial
times) have always differed in some respect—geographically,
politically. The northern areas were settled by the Dutch, and
had a commercial focus strongly oriented toward the New York City
market. The southern part of the state was settled by Swedes along
the Delaware, and was a more rural farm-based economy linked to
Philadelphia markets. The Dutch eventually took over the Swedish
colonies, and those were subsequently taken by the English. The
royal province of New Jersey was established by the English in
1702. During the American Revolution, New Jersey was a crossroads
of conflict.
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