In December 1776, Patriot Cornelius Vermeule allowed the construction of a militia post and fort on his plantation in current day North Plainfield – the largest in the area. This encampment was key to protecting the southeastern flank of Washington’s future Middlebrook encampment and played a noteworthy role in the 1777 Battle of Short Hills.

During the Saturday Morning History Chat, Vermeule descendant John Daniel will discuss the creation and significant military importance of the Blue Hills Encampment and Vermeule Fort during an online presentation. Register here to receive the event link.

John Daniel has a B.A. in history from Washington and Lee University. He has a special interest in New Jersey history as a direct lineal descendant of Cornelius Vermeule, his patriot ancestor, for inclusion in Sons of the American Revolution. He traces his family back 600 years and 19 generations. His work is based on New Jersey site visits and primary sources combined with the discovery of original documents and oral accounts passed down through his family through many generations.

This history program is made possible in part by a 2022 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners