Millburn's Significance in the Revolutionary War
Millburn's Historic Role
During the American Revolution, Millburn (formerly part of Springfield) became an important location because of its proximity to George Washington’s encampment in Morristown. The Hobart Gap, a pass in the Watchung Mountains just west of Millburn, was one of the few routes through which the British could attempt to reach Washington’s army. This made Millburn a target in 1780, when British and Hessian forces launched their last northern campaign of the war.
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On June 23, 1780, Millburn was swept into the Battle of Springfield. British troops advanced from Elizabethtown through Union, crossing the Rahway River at the Vauxhall Bridge, near today’s Millburn Avenue, in an attempt to force their way through to Morristown. The American militia, supported by Continental troops, met them with determined resistance. Fighting spread across the countryside, with key clashes taking place in what is now the center of Millburn. Near the present-day Town Hall, the American forces successfully stopped the British advance. Defeated, the British retreated toward Staten Island.​
This victory was far more than local. The Battle of Springfield marked the last major engagement of the Revolutionary War fought in the northern colonies and was the first American triumph since Bunker Hill. It ensured that Morristown, and Washington’s army, remained secure, and it convinced the British that further northern campaigns would be fruitless. From that point forward, the war’s decisive battles shifted southward. Millburn, though a small community at the time, played a key role in ending large-scale British efforts in New Jersey.
Where You Can Visit Today
Millburn still carries visible reminders of its Revolutionary War history, allowing the community to connect directly with the events of 1780. At the site of the old Vauxhall Bridge, plaques mark where British troops attempted to cross into the township. In front of Town Hall stands the “Last British Thrust” boulder, commemorating the spot where the militia finally halted the enemy’s advance.
Along Millburn Avenue, the Hessian House, built around 1730, remains a living tie to the battle, long associated with Hessian mercenaries who deserted during the fighting. Washington Rock, located in the South Mountain Reservation, offers the same commanding view that General Washington is believed to have used to observe British troop movements. And tucked away on White Oak Ridge Road, the Parsell Family Cemetery serves as a solemn reminder of local sacrifice, with the graves of Captain Thomas Parcell and Nicholas Parcell, both killed in skirmishes during the Revolution.
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Millburn continues to honor this heritage through the Forgotten Victory Trail, a community project dedicated to telling the story of the Battle of Springfield. In Taylor Park, a historical kiosk was recently installed to commemorate the 245th anniversary of the battle, providing visitors with context and insight into how Millburn helped secure America’s independence. These sites together allow residents and visitors alike to walk in the footsteps of history and understand how the township stood at a turning point in the Revolution.
Plaque on the Vauxhall Bridge on Vauxhall Road
at the border of Union and Millburn
Hessian House - 155 Millburn Ave.
Plaque at the corner of Millburn Ave. and Vauxhall Rd.