Hardyston in Sussex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

George Washington Encampment

1779 – 1912

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, May 31, 2008

1. George Washington Encampment Marker

Inscription.
In this field, General George Washington encamped for a night on a march from Newburg to Morristown in 1779 to meet General Lafayette.

With him was an aide, Lieutenant John Kays of Sussex County, a soldier of the American Revolution.

This memorial was erected by Marchioness Ellen Kays McLaughlin, a member of the Newton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a Grand Daughter of John Kays.

Erected 1912 by Daughters of the American Revolution, Newton Chapter.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1779.

Location. 41° 9.088′ N, 74° 35.584′ W. Marker is in Hardyston, New Jersey, in Sussex County. It is at the intersection of Route 94 and Beaver Run Road (County Route 661), on the left when traveling north on Route 94. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamburg NJ 07419, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Joseph Sharp's Iron Works (approx. 0.9 miles away); Dr. Samuel Fowler (approx. 2 miles away); Franklin School (approx. 2.4 miles away); Franklin Furnace (approx. 2.8 miles away); Sussex Borough, New Jersey (approx. 4.1 miles away); The Sterling Mine (approx. 4.6 miles away); Old Schoolhouse and Firehouse Museum (approx. 4.9 miles away); Sand Hill Road and Route 94 (approx. 5.2 miles away).

Regarding George Washington Encampment. Elsewhere is information that Lafayette came back from France in 1780. Also, there is link https://newjerseyhistory.wordpress.com/2014/04/18/a-brief-snapshot-of-sussex-county-history/
which mentions Newburg, NY, so should that be Newburgh?

Hardyston Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, May 31, 2008

2. Hardyston Marker

According to legend, Gen. Washington lost a valued timepiece at this site. Lieutenant Kays found the watch and returned it to the General, becoming a hero for a day.

Continental Army Encampment Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, May 31, 2008

3. Continental Army Encampment Site

The monument lies beside a busy highway, but the site is largly undisturbed by development.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,780 times since then and 249 times this year. Last updated on October 24, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.