Fort Montgomery in Orange County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Soldiers’ Necessary
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
1. Soldiers’ Necessary Marker
A “necessary” is a privy, or outhouse. In front of you is the vault of the only necessary known to have existed at Fort Montgomery. When it was finished in April 1776, it was described as “a large necessary, for soldiers.” It is hard to imagine that this one small building served the needs of hundreds of soldiers, so it is possible that there were other necessaries within the fort that have not yet been identified.
In privies, archeologists usually find large quantities of discarded material like bottles and broken dishes as well as things that were inadvertently lost like coins and buttons. However, relatively little was found at the bottom of Fort Montgomery’s necessary. One possible explanation is that soldiers may have avoided using this necessary to keep it in readiness in case the fort was ever besieged.
Erected by Fort Montgomery State Historic Site.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1776.
Location. 41° 19.504′ N, 73° 59.23′ W. Marker is in Fort Montgomery, New York, in Orange County. Marker is in Fort Montgomery State Historic Site on the walking trail, near Route 9W. Touch for map.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Guard House (a few steps from this marker); Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); Enlisted Men’s & Officers’ Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); North Redoubt (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Battle Around the Redoubts (about 300 feet away); Building a Fort (about 300 feet away); Fort Montgomery Today (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Montgomery.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This series of markers follow the walking tour of the Fort Montgomery Battlefield.
Also see . . . The Battle of Fort's (sic) Montgomery and Clinton. The American Revolutionary War website entry (Submitted on May 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
2. Marker in Fort Montgomery State Historic Site
The remains of Fort Montgomery's necessary or privy are visible beyond the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
3. Necessary Observation Platform
The walking trail in Fort Montgomery State Historic Site passes the remains of earthworks and foundations of buildings from the original fort. This observation platform overlooks the Soldiers’ Necessary.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
4. Soldiers’ Necessary
These are the remains of the only privy known to have existed in Fort Montgomery.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,119 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
