Morristown () is a town in and the county seat of Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.New Jersey County Map, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed July 10, 2017. Morristown has been called "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the war for independence from Great Britain.About Morristown, Town of Morristown. Accessed April 3, 2013. "Morristown became characterized as 'the military capital of the American Revolution' because of its strategic role in the war for independence from Great Britain."Weig, Melvin J.; and Craig, Vera B. Morristown: A Military Capital of the American Revolution, National Park Service, 1950, reprinted 1961. Accessed July 19, 2011. 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.
Morristown was incorporated as a town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1865, within Morris Township, and it was formally set off from the township in 1895.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 195. Accessed May 30, 2024. As of the 2020 United States census, the town's population was 20,180, its highest decennial census count ever and an increase of 1,769 (+9.6%) from the 2010 census count of 18,411, which in turn had reflected a decline of 133 (−0.7%) from the 18,544 counted at the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.
According to British colonial records, the first permanent settlement in Morristown was New Hanover, founded in 1715 by colonists from New York and Connecticut. Morris County was created on March 15, 1739, from portions of Hunterdon County. The county, and ultimately Morristown itself, was named for the popular Governor of the Province, Lewis Morris, who championed land ownership rights for colonists.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 8, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 215. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 8, 2015.
History
Present-day Morristown was initially inhabited by the Lenni Lenape Native Americans for up to 6,000 years prior to exploration of Europeans.Nye, Melinda. "Panning for Old", Skylands Visitor. Accessed December 19, 2012. The first European settlements in this portion of New Jersey were established by Sweden and the Netherlands in the early 17th century, when significant trade in furs existed between the natives and the Europeans at temporary posts. It became part New Netherland, a Dutch colony, but the English seized control of the region in 1664, which was granted to Sir George Carteret and John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton, and named the Province of New Jersey.
18th century Morristown was settled around 1715 by English Presbyterians from Southold, New York, on Long Island and New Haven, Connecticut, as the village of New Hanover.Staff. "Morristown Timeline", Daily Record, March 23, 2000. Accessed September 5, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "1715 - The Green is established as the center of the community of Morristown, then known as West Hanover, or New Hanover.... 1740 - Morris County separates from Hunterdon County and about half of the new county becomes the Township of Morris. As the most promising village in the county, West Hanover changes its name to Morristown, in honor of Lewis Morris, the first governor of the colony of New Jersey after it separated from New York."Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In /Morristown, N.J.; Presence of the Past in a Lively Downtown", The New York Times, October 31, 1999. Accessed July 19, 2012. "The downtown radiates from a trapezoidal green that was set aside by the town's first Presbyterian settlers, who arrived from New England in 1715." The town's central location and road connections led to its selection as the seat of the new Morris County shortly after its separation from Hunterdon County on March 15, 1739.Gosier, Chris. "Morris County's history man", Daily Record, January 26, 2003. Accessed September 5, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "Its central location, at the convergence of all the local roads, were one reason Morristown was named the county seat when Morris County was created in 1739, the first courts were held at Jacob Ford's house, and in 1740 he was appointed collector of Morris township." The village and county were named for Lewis Morris, the first and then sitting royal governor of a united colony of New Jersey.
By the middle of the 18th century, Morristown had 250 residents, with two churches, a courthouse, two taverns, two schools, several stores and numerous mills and farms nearby.
George Washington first came to Morristown in May 1773, two years before the Revolutionary War broke out, and traveled from there to New York City with John Parke Custis, his stepson, and Lord Stirling.Editorial. "225th Anniversary", Daily Record, January 3, 2002. Accessed February 20, 2011. "He was in Basking Ridge and at Morristown's Mount Kemble with stepson John Parke Custis and patriot Lord Stirling in May of 1773 before the war."
In 1777, General Washington and the Continental Army marched from the victories at Trenton and Princeton to encamp near Morristown from January to May. Washington's headquarters during that first encampment was at Jacob Arnold's Tavern, located at the Morristown Green in the center of Morristown.Jacob Arnold's Tavern, The North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. Accessed July 17, 2011. Morristown was selected for its extremely strategic location.Why Morristown?, National Park Service Museum Collection, American Revolutionary War, Morristown National Historic Park - map shows the important geographic features that led to the importance of the site and the Hobart Pass. It was between Philadelphia and New York and near New England while being protected by the Watchung Mountains from the bulk of British troops camped in New York City. It also was chosen for the skills and trades of the residents, local industries and natural resources to provide arms, and what was thought to be the ability of the community to provide enough food to support the army.
The churches were used for inoculations for smallpox. That first headquarters, Arnold's Tavern, was eventually moved south of the green onto Mount Kemble Avenue to become All Souls' Hospital in the late 19th century. It suffered a fire in 1918, and the original structure was demolished, but new buildings for the hospital were built directly across the street.All Souls Hospital , The North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. Accessed July 17, 2011.Whatever happened to Washington's 1777 HQ in Morristown? , accessed May 7, 2006.
From December 1779 to June 1780, the Continental Army's second encampment at Morristown was at Jockey Hollow. Then, Washington's headquarters in Morristown was located at the Ford Mansion, a large mansion near what was then the edge of town. Ford's widow and children shared the house with Martha Washington and officers of the Continental Army.Hubbard, Louise. "Home Was Washington's Base", Edmonton Journal, January 3, 1962. Accessed July 19, 2012. "General george Washington accepted Mrs. Theodosia's invitation to make her home his headquarters the winter of 1779-80 and lived there longer than in any other encampment of the Continental army... The widow Ford kept two rooms for her family and Washington expressed the discomfort of the too-many tenants in a letter..."
The winter of 1780 was the worst winter of the Revolutionary War. The starvation was complicated by extreme inflation of money and lack of pay for the army. The entire Pennsylvania contingent successfully mutinied. Later, 200 New Jersey soldiers also attempted unsuccessfully to mutiny. Many soldiers died, due to weak health.
During Washington's second stay, in March 1780, he declared St. Patrick's Day a holiday to honor his many Irish troops.The "Hard" Winter of 1779—80 , National Park Service. Accessed March 17, 2006. Martha Washington traveled from Virginia and remained with her husband each winter throughout the war. The Marquis de Lafayette came to Washington in Morristown to inform him that France would be sending ships and trained soldiers to aid the Continental Army.Staff. , Hartford Courant, February 23, 1963. Accessed July 19, 2012. "The Marquis de Lafayette arrived in Morristown to tell Washington that France was sending America six ships and 6,000 well-trained troops."
Ford Mansion, Jockey Hollow, and Fort Nonsense are all preserved as part of Morristown National Historical Park, managed by the National Park Service, which has the distinction among historic preservationists of being the first National Historical Park established in the United States.Northwest Skylands: Morristown National Historical Park, New Jersey Skylands. Accessed September 17, 2006.Fort Nonsense taken from Steeple of the Old First church, not dated, Morristown, NJ, Morristown & Morris Township Public Library, The North Jersey History & Genealogy Center. Accessed August 20, 2011.
During Washington's stay, Benedict Arnold was court-martialed at Dickerson's Tavern, on Spring Street, for charges related to profiteering from military supplies at Philadelphia. His admonishment was made public, but Washington quietly promised the hero, Arnold, to make it up to him.Dickerson's Tavern, The North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. Accessed July 17, 2011.
Alexander Hamilton courted and wed Elizabeth Schuyler at a residence where Washington's personal physician resided. Locally known as the Schuyler-Hamilton House, the Dr. Jabez Campfield House is listed on both the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places.New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Morris County , New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Historic Preservation Office, updated January 22, 2015. Accessed September 8, 2015.Olyphant Place, house, Dr. Jabez Campfield's house, not dated, Morristown, NJ , Morristown & Morris Township Public Library, The North Jersey History & Genealogy Center . Accessed August 20, 2011.
At Morristown Green, there is a statue commemorating the meeting of George Washington, the young Marquis de LaFayette, and young Alexander Hamilton as they discussed forthcoming aid from French ships and troops being sent by King Louis XVI to aid the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.Washington, Lafayette and Hamilton Bronzes - Morristown Green - Morristown, NJ, Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. Accessed August 20, 2011. "One of the main focal points on the central Green in Morristown, New Jersey is the life-sized sculptural grouping of General Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Marquis de Lafayette, known as "The Alliance." It commemorates Lafayette's arrival with news of French support for the American cause."
Morristown's Burnham Park has a statue, "Father of the American Revolution", depicting Thomas Paine, who wrote Common Sense in 1776, which urged a complete break from British rule and helped inspire the American Revolution. The bronze statue by sculptor Georg J. Lober shows Paine in 1776 using a drum as a table during the withdrawal of the army across New Jersey composing Crisis 1. He wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls..." The statue was dedicated on July 4, 1950.Staff. "Paine Statue Unveiled; 3,000 at Morristown Ceremony in Memory of Patriot", The New York Times, July 5, 1950. Accessed July 24, 2018. "Morristown, N.J., July 4-- While 3,000 persons watched under heavily overcast skies a $75,000 Thomas Paine statue was dedicated this afternoon at Burnham Park."