history
Passaic County Historian Ed Smyk is grateful for Frazza ’ s work bringing to life the struggle for liberty waged by the country ’ s forefathers . “ He ’ s done a tremendous service ,” Smyk says . “ He ’ s a private citizen enlarging our knowledge , and is beneficial to the general public .”
The long list includes Morristown ’ s Jockey Hollow , sites in Princeton , Trenton and Monmouth where significant battles were fought , and locations in Rifle Camp in Woodland Park and the fort and visitor center in Fort Lee . While some of the sites were easy to find , such as the location of the Pompton Mutiny or the Federal Hill Rebellion in Bloomingdale , others required a bit of investigating .
Frazza began to assemble the list of sites in 2009 and completed it in 2017 .“ Ihad thought it would take a few months ,” he says . “ I didn ’ t know it would turn into a 10,000-hour project .” He hopes people will connect with the role their towns and state played in the Revolution . “ I want people to know what happened right where they are standing ,” hesays .
A “ DEY ” IN THE LIFE ( Clockwise from top left ) Frazza ’ s book ; Dey Mansion in Wayne as it looks today ; this encampment at Dey Mansion shows visitors what life was like during the American Revolution .
When it comes to the Revolutionary War , people think Boston , Yorktown , Saratoga and Trenton are the most significant sites , but they need to know that all of New Jersey played a part , says Frazza .
James Lewis , a historian with the Morristown & Morris Township library ’ s North Jersey History & Genealogy Center , says Gen . George Washington spent more time in New Jersey during the war than in any other colony . “ There were more battles in this state , but it seems no one remembers us ,” he says .
Frazza published his book , State of Revolution : My Seven-and-a-Half- Year Journey Through Revolutionary War New Jersey , inMarch . The work alternates between stories of the Revolutionary War and Frazza ’ s experience exploring the state — including some humorous anecdotes from his journey . The book and website draw on evidence scattered all around the state , the historic homesteads , battlefields and roadside signs . Frazza ’ s website provides directions to the various locations , and a few surprises .
NEW JERSEY ’ S HISTORIC SITES
Frazza ’ s Revolutionary War website is broken down by counties and municipalities . The list links to more detailed information .
In Passaic County , the list includes Bloomingdale ’ s Federal Hill Historic
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BOOK : COURTESY OF AL FRAZZA ; DEY MANSION : COURTESY OFBRIAN LOPINTO ; ENCAMPMENT : ANNE-MARIE CARUSO
12 MAY 2022 WAYNE MAGAZINE