The Local DAR chapter has restored the graves of Revolutionary hero New Jersey Brigadier General William Maxwell; his brothers, fellow soldiers John and Robert Maxwell; and their wives
The General William Maxwell Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, of Belvidere, will rededicate of the gravesites of local Revolutionary hero New Jersey Brigadier General William Maxwell; his brothers, fellow soldiers John and Robert Maxwell; and their wives 11 a.m. Oct. 4 as part of the Stewartsville Presbyterian Church 275th Anniversary Celebration.
The gravesite re-dedication takes place on Sunday, Oct. 4 and coincides with the Stewartsville Presbyterian Church's 275th Anniversary Celebration. (File photo) The Maxwell gravesites are located in the Greenwich Presbyterian Churchyard, 17 Greenwich Church Road, in Warren County. The gravesites were restored due to their historic significance and the general state of disrepair.
Local historian John O'Brien brought the condition of the gravesite to the attention of the local General William Maxwell Chapter NSDAR to see what could be done. Once the project was put in motion, the fieldstone sides around the graves were re-pointed and the marble ledger tops were cleaned to reveal the inscriptions. The inscriptions were preserved on bronze plaques which were placed on granite bases at each grave.
Brigadier General William Maxwell was in charge of the Second Battalion of the New Jersey Continental Troops when he was chosen to lead an elite group of 700 soldiers upon orders by General George Washington. Maxwell's Brigade, which consisted of the finest light infantry, were charged with the non-ending harassment of the British troops throughout battles in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware during the Revolutionary War using guerilla war tactics.
General Maxwell was a resident of Greenwich Township and a member of the Greenwich Presbyterian Church congregation.
The General William Maxwell Chapter NSDAR raised the funds necessary to sponsor this project.