Harding in Morris County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

A Trash Pit

Morristown National Historical Park

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 9, 2008

1. A Trash Pit Marker

Inscription. Even in times of severest want, there are trash pits. What else can you do with the occasional bone? Or the inevitable broken oddments? Wreckage of a chicken or a beef, a pipe or a musket?

Archeologists removed everything – a meager collection. The army’s supplies gave out. At times the men ate bark or shoes, if they had shoes (and many didn’t). Yet, there was still a trash pit.

Erected by Morristown National Historical Park, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 40° 44.598′ N, 74° 33.806′ W. Marker is in Harding, New Jersey, in Morris County. It can be reached from Jockey Hollow Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in the New Jersey Brigade Unit of the Morristown National Historical Park, along a hiking trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morristown NJ 07960, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Jersey

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A Warm Fire (a few steps from this marker); RHIP (within shouting distance of this marker); The New Jersey Brigade (about 300 feet away,

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measured in a direct line); A Revolutionary Winter (about 300 feet away); New Jersey 7th Brigade (approx. ¼ mile away); A Haven From Everyday Life (approx. ¼ mile away); William Childs (approx. 1.4 miles away); “George” 2001 (approx. 1.4 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker contains images of various object recovered from the trash pit, such as pottery fragments, animal bones, buckles, musket balls and a bayonet.

Also see . . . Morristown National Historical Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on October 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker in Morristown National Historical Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 9, 2008

2. Marker in Morristown National Historical Park

The remains of the trash pit can be seen in the photo behind the marker.

New Jersey Brigade Area Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 9, 2008

3. New Jersey Brigade Area Markers

"A Trash Pit" (left) is one of several markers found in the New Jersey Brigade Unit of Morristown National Historical Park.

The Trash Pit image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 9, 2008

4. The Trash Pit

This Trash Pit has been fully excavated by archeologists.

New Jersey Brigade Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 9, 2008

5. New Jersey Brigade Site

Remains of hearths used by the New Jersey Brigade during the 1779-80 winter encampment can be found near the marker, visible in the background.

New Jersey Brigade Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 9, 2008

6. New Jersey Brigade Area

The marker is located in the New Jersey Brigade Unit of Morristown National Historical Park, off Jockey Hollow Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,277 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.