By Cathy Miller

REVOLUTIONARY WAR DAY
June 2, 2019, was Revolutionary War Day at Shippen Manor in Oxford. It featured the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, Helms’ Company of Maxwell’s Brigade of Washington’s Continental Line, who were on hand to commemorate Oxford Furnace and Shippen Manor’s role in the American Revolution. The soldiers, who were firing the 75 caliber Brown Bess or the 69 caliber Charleville French musket, performed several military exercises, including loading and “firing” the firearms, and charging with bayonets. There were also tours of Shippen Manor, with all the reenactors available for questions.

ABOUT CHARLES PRESTOPINE, FEATURED REENACTOR
Charles (Charlie) Prestopine and his wife Phyllis have resided in Hackettstown for 50 years, moving there in 1969. He taught history at Teaneck High School for 6 years, then taught 30 more years at Hopatcong High School. He retired in 1994, giving him more time to share his knowledge of local history with everyone from senior citizens to school-age children. As a local historian, he is a member of both the Hackettstown Historical Society and The Olde Burial Ground Restoration Committee. Since 1974, Mr. Prestopine has been an active reenactor – both a Revolutionary War reenactor (2nd New Jersey Regiment, Helm’s Company of Maxwell’s Brigade of Washington’s Continental Line) and a Civil War reenactor (8th New Jersey Regiment Company H). He readily admits that reenacting is time consuming and expensive as far as uniforms and various accoutrements. “Historical reenactment is an educational or entertainment activity in which people follow a plan to recreate aspects of a historical event or period.” Sounds like “once a teacher, always a teacher!”

THE CAST OF REENACTORS AND WHAT THEY DO
Dorothy Rae Tamashausky prepared an authentic batch of switchel for the re-enactors – a traditional, refreshing beverage of apple cider vinegar, raw honey, ginger, and water (it’s much tastier than it sounds!). Drea Hahn explained cast-iron cooking over an open fire. Monica Matiosz was there with her young son Mickey Joe, in authentic garb. Assembled soldiers were Dave Skorka (commander), Bill Hahn, Tom Such, Craig Mayhan and Bruce Duty. Pharmacist Donah Beale explained the medical necessities, along with her colonial corgi. Pat Fancera and Nelson Abrahams performed some surveying. Lauren Skorka was busy sewing and mending. Young Will Santucci played fiddle for the assembled troops.

In 1974, Charles Prestopine and Craig Mayhan met in Hackettstown’s old Town Hall on Moore Street to discuss America’s Bicentennial celebration. Hackettstown was forming a Bicentennial Committee, “The Cannon Ball Committee,” for the big celebration, and as a history teacher, Charlie felt his grasp of the past would be useful. The Committee dissolved after the event, but several members decided to form Helms Company.

This group of Revolutionary War reenactors is dedicated to portraying the men and women of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment during the War for American Independence. Through living history displays and battlefield reenactments, they educate the public and honor those whom they depict, those who dedicated their lives to the Revolutionary movement, those who sacrificed everything for what became the United States of America.

By explaining the period as detailed and accurately as they can – wardrobe, customs, military, drills – they try to ignite a spark in learners, young and old. Of visiting sites like Gettysburg, Charlie said “There’s a feeling when you walk on the battlefield. You can sense something epic and great happened there.”

Charlie and co-reenactor Pat Fancera have presented in many classrooms. “5th graders were the best – for 1-1/2 hours they kept asking questions, they were very inquisitive,” noted Prestopine. They’ve also presented to Senior Citizens. It all helps to humanize history.

HACKETTSTOWN AND THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
The men from Hackettstown who fought throughout the Revolutionary War were the 2nd NJ Regiment, Helms’ Company, of Maxwell’s Brigade.

Helms was the name of a family originally from County Tyrone, Ireland, who settled in what is now known as Hackettstown. The head of this family was Thomas Helms, who opened a grist mill on the Musconetcong River in 1764. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, his son William Helms organized a company of volunteers, who were mustered in Trenton. William was promoted to Major and became commanding officer of the 2nd NJ Battalion, Helms’ Company, which was authorized in October 1775, making them a part of the war from the start. They would serve with the Continental Army under the command of Colonel William Maxwell. The regiment was disbanded in 1783. William Helms was elected to the Seventh Congress in the early 1800s. He took his land grant, and moved to Hamilton, Ohio, where he died. His sister and his father are both buried in the Olde Presbyterian Burial Ground at 291 Main Street, Hackettstown.

General William Maxwell commanded all the New Jersey troops of the Continental Army. In 1775, Maxwell received a commission as a Colonel of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment in the Continental Army, eventually rising to the rank of Brigadier General. He is buried in the Old Greenwich Presbyterian Cemetery in Stewartsville, New Jersey. 

OLD PRESBYTERIAN BURIAL GROUND
In 1763, Obadiah Ayers conveyed to the Presbyterian Committee the land on which the Olde Historical Burial Grounds was established, becoming the first burial ground in Hackettstown. One hundred years later, in 1863, it was declared full. It’s estimated that there are around 1,000 people buried in the graveyard, with 29 of the interred being Revolutionary War Soldiers.

Charles Prestopine was shocked when he discovered, in 1998, the sad state of the storied cemetery. Since 1999, the all-volunteer Olde Burial Ground Committee, led by Prestopine, has restored over 180 headstones with the help of private donations and state funding. In addition to the 29 who served under General George Washington, there are ten soldiers who fought in the War of 1812 among those interred in the Olde Burial Ground. With 29 Revolutionary War soldiers’ graves, Charles believes that number is one of the largest in any cemetery in the state. The Olde Burial Ground is located adjacent to the historic First Presbyterian Chapel at 291 Main Street in Hackettstown. 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Helms Co. 2nd NJ Regiment is incorporated and a non-profit charitable 501c3 organization. With four original members, including Charles Prestopine, the group is always evolving, and happily welcomes newcomers. If interested, go to www.2nj.org for recruitment and photos or visit them on Facebook: 2nd New Jersey regiment.