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Important sites along the Battle of
Monmouth path
By Dave Benjamin and Brian
Donahue  | | Tennent Church, Manalapan |
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This year marks the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth. The Battle of Monmouth is an important part of Central Jersey history. This battle was the largest land artillery battle of the American Revolution. The Continental artillery won the battle, forcing the British artillery to withdraw. Gen. George Washington moved new troops in to resume the battle at dawn, but the British forces slipped away during the night, ending the last major battle of the north.
Besides the battlefield itself, there are many historic sites in the area that played important roles during this battle. Here are some highlights of a few of these landmarks:
John Anderson House
On the night of June 26, 1778, thousands of Colonial troops led by Washington camped in what was then an area known as Gravel Hill, north of present-day Gravel Hill Road, just past Union Valley Road in Monroe Township, before crossing the Manalapan Brook and marching down present-day Monroe Boulevard en route to the Battle of Monmouth.
 | | The Village Inn in Englishtown |
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While Washington stayed at the John Anderson House on Hoffman Station Road (near Prospect Plains Road) that night, Capt. James Monroe, who would later become the nation's fifth president, and Gen. Marquis de Lafayette stayed on a farm further east on Hoffman Station Road. The John Anderson house has been rebuilt over time, and there is no sign of even the foundation of the Story farmhouse where Lafayette and Monroe are said to have stayed that night. "We don't know exactly where the house was, but we're pretty close for 225 years," said Paul Lucey, a member of the Monroe Township Historical Commission.
The Village Inn
The Village Inn, established in 1732, Water Street, Englishtown Borough, was constructed in the 1740s, according to Rich Walling, president, Friends of Monmouth Battlefield. "It was a story and a half on Water Street, and as it expanded over the generations, it grew to be the size that it is now."
Walling said at the time of the Battle of Monmouth, the owner had died, and there is no record of who the tavern keeper was.
 | | Tennent Church cupola was used as a lookout during the Battle of Monmouth. |
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"However, we do have two accounts from the journals and the court-martial of Charles Lee that places Lee in that building during the Battle of Monmouth once he was relieved of his command," said Walling. "Actually, he was sent back from the battlefield to Englishtown to pick up the troops."
Lee was court-martialed on three charges: failing to obey orders, conducting a disorderly and shameful retreat, and disrespect for the commanding officer, Walling said.
Being disrespectful wasn't grounds for being discharged, so the first two charges were added.
Lee had written three very nasty letters to George Washington, misdating the first letter, and writing sloppily. It was presumed that he had been drinking.
 | | Hedgerow at the Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan |
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"He wrote in anger, as he was inebriated," said Walling.
Eventually, Lee demanded a court-martial to clear his name, even though Washington was willing to forget the charges. Then, Washington offered an informal hearing. But Lee demanded his court-martial, and so Washington arrested Lee and a court-martial was held.
Tennent Church
"Tennent Church was a very important community structure at the time," said Walling. "The building we see today was the same building that was there at the time of the battle. Much of the woodwork is the original, both exterior and interior."
 | | St. Peter's Church, Freehold Borough |
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Tennent Church was within one mile of the British scouts who were located at the hedgerow area, the boundary between Freehold and Manalapan townships.
"During the battle, Lee's men advanced into Freehold Borough, and a few hours later, Washington's men advanced using the same road out of Englishtown," said Walling.
It was at Tennent Church that several of his aides, Alexander Hamilton, Major Mead and Richard Kidder Meade, told Washington what they saw and what was going on regarding Lee, Walling said.
The church cupola, the top of the steeple, was used as a lookout tower during the battle.
"From that height you have a good vantage point," said Walling.
During the battle, the church and several area buildings were used as military field hospitals.
"There are pews inside that are not only stained with blood, but there are also pews that are cut with amputation saws," said Walling. "The seats of the pews have saw blade (marks) cut in as they were cutting the limbs off."
A mass grave of American soldiers was also discovered just outside the front entrance. There were also at least 200 wounded Americans, and about 40 badly wounded British soldiers, that were left behind, Walling said.
"They were either killed in the battle or they died of their wounds," said Walling.
There are no individual tombstones of soldiers killed during the battle, but there is a commemorative marker for Col. Henry Monckton, commander of the second battalion of British Grenadiers, who was killed on the afternoon of June 28. Monckton was given a full military burial, with honors, by the Americans, at Tennent Church.
Stories that have been handed down tell of bullet holes that still remain in the facade of the church.
Molly Pitcher's well
Molly Pitcher's well is located near the border of Manalapan and Freehold townships.
"We're all familiar with the legend of Molly Pitcher, based upon the exploits of a real person," said Walling. "But with the need to have a legendary heroine, at least six local farmers have identified a well or spring that they believed was Molly's. About 70 years ago, local people built a decorative well that still stands on Route 522 along the railroad tracks."
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
St. Peter's Church, Throckmorton Street, Freehold Borough, also served as a battle hospital.
"St. Peter's Episcopal Church is a colonial building that predates the American Revolution," said Walling. "We're not sure if it had a steeple or not, because we do not have any early images of it."
The church as seen today has been modified and expanded, Walling said. Since the church was an Episcopal church, meaning that it was a Church of England or Anglican Church, the British soldiers did not damage that church.
Walling said that other churches and homes in Freehold were wrecked, but the Episcopal Church went untouched out of respect.
The British used this church as a field hospital during the battle. Walling also noted that the British left their most severely wounded behind at St. Peter's Church - 44 privates and a number of officers.
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