Jockey Hollow facts for kids
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Jockey Hollow
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Wick House at Jockey Hollow in 2016
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 Location in Morris County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Area | 1,307.49 acres (5.2912 km2) |
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| Part of | Morristown National Historical Park (ID66000053) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Designated CP | October 15, 2000 |
Jockey Hollow is a historic place in New Jersey. In the 1700s, families like the Wicks, Guerins, and Kembles farmed the land here. No one is exactly sure how it got its name, but people called it Jockey Hollow during the American Revolution.
During the war, a big part of the Continental Army used Jockey Hollow as a winter camp. It was the main camp for the army during the "Hard Winter" of 1779–80. This winter is thought to be the coldest in recorded history.
Jockey Hollow is located in Harding Township and Mendham Township, in Morris County, New Jersey. Since 1933, the Wick House, a famous building there, has been part of Morristown National Historical Park. The National Park Service looks after this park.
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Jockey Hollow and the American Revolution
During the American Revolutionary War, Henry Wick owned a large farm in Jockey Hollow. His farm had 1400 acres of trees and open fields. This area was perfect for a winter camp for the army. It was far enough from the British forces in New York City. There were also plenty of trees for building shelters and for firewood. Plus, there were houses for officers, like generals, to stay in.
During the winter of 1779–1780, soldiers cut down many trees. About 600 acres of trees on Wick's land were used. In total, about 2000 acres of trees in Jockey Hollow were cut down. These trees were used to build huts and for warmth.
The Wick House and Garden
The Wick House is a historic home at Jockey Hollow. In the spring of 1777, the Wick family hosted Captain Joseph Bloomfield.
During the very cold winter of 1779–1780, the Wicks let General Arthur St. Clair stay in their home. He was a commander of the Pennsylvania Line, a group of soldiers. Several of his helpers also stayed there.
Today, the Wick House has been restored. It is one of the historic buildings you can visit at Morristown National Historical Park. You can check the park's website for visiting hours.
A special garden is next to the Wick House. It is called the Wick Kitchen Garden. The Northern New Jersey unit of the Herb Society of America takes care of it.
The "Hard Winter" at Jockey Hollow
In December 1779, more than 10,000 Continental Army soldiers set up camp at Jockey Hollow. They stayed there until June 1780. During this time, they faced some of the toughest conditions of the entire war.
The dirt roads were very bad in winter and spring. It was hard to move supplies. The camp was also far from the British army in New York. The Watchung Mountains also provided natural protection. This made Jockey Hollow a very safe place for the army to camp.
This winter was even worse than the famous winter at Valley Forge two years earlier. Twelve men often shared one small hut. Soldiers built over a thousand of these simple huts in Jockey Hollow. Even with the difficult conditions and little food, fewer than 100 soldiers died. Only one out of ten soldiers left without permission.
Soldier Housing at Camp
Soldiers had to build their own huts. They also dug trenches around them for drainage. The huts were made of logs. They were about 14 feet by 16 feet and 6.5 feet high.
Twelve men often lived in one of these small huts. Inside, they had a fireplace for warmth and cooking. The floor was just packed dirt. Soldiers also had to make their own furniture, like bunks and tables. Their bunks were covered with straw. Each soldier was supposed to get one blanket. However, General Washington said that a quarter of his men "did not have the shadow of a blanket."
The soldiers' huts were built close together. They were about 2 to 3 feet apart. Each regiment had three rows of eight huts. By 1780, soldiers had built about 1,200 huts in Jockey Hollow.
Today, there are four replica huts on Sugar Loaf hill. They were built in 1964. There is also a marker from 1932 for the "Jockey Hollow Hospital." However, later studies found no graves there.
The Pennsylvania Line Mutiny of 1781
On January 1, 1781, a group of soldiers called the Pennsylvania Line started a mutiny. They were camped in Jockey Hollow under General Anthony Wayne. The soldiers believed their time in the army was over. They thought their enlistment terms, "two years or during the war," meant their service ended with the new year. But the army said it meant until the war was truly over.
The soldiers planned to march to Philadelphia to complain to their state government. They reached Princeton, New Jersey. There, leaders from Pennsylvania talked with them. The mutiny ended peacefully. Some soldiers agreed to stay in the army. This event is believed to be the largest mutiny during the American Revolutionary War.
Visiting Jockey Hollow
Jockey Hollow is a great place to visit and learn about history.
Facilities for Visitors
- Jockey Hollow Visitor Center: This is where you can start your visit.
- Wick House: You might see a park employee dressed in old-fashioned clothes here.
Activities to Enjoy
- Biking: You can ride bikes on the roads.
- Bird Watching: Look for different kinds of birds.
- Hiking: There are trails to walk and explore.
- Interpretive Programs: Learn more about the history from park rangers.
- Snow Skiing: You can ski here when there's snow.
- Children's Junior Ranger Program: Kids can earn a special badge by completing activities.
See also
- New Jersey Brigade Encampment Site - Another winter camp used during the same time.
- Temperance Wick - A member of the Wick family.
- Valley Forge - Another famous winter camp of the Continental Army.
