The soldiers’ surgeon: Morristown’s Dr. Campfield, who battled smallpox during the Revolution, will be honored, May 28

Headstone of Dr. Jabez Campfield. Photo courtesy of the Morristown chapter of the D.A.R.
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At 1:30 pm this Sunday, May 28, 2023, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Revolutionary War re-enactors will dedicate a new veteran’s headstone in the cemetery of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown.

The event will honor Dr. Jabez Campfield, a Morristown surgeon during the War for Independence. Here is background about Campfield, republished with permission from the D.A.R.

By Bobbie Bailey

Dr. Jabez Campfield (born 24 Dec 1737) was the first doctor in Morristown, a surgeon in the Continental Army during the Revolution, and a civil servant who left a lasting legacy to Morristown.

He grew up in Newark, graduated from The College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and studied medicine in Newark under Dr. William Burnet. He married Sarah Ward and moved to Morristown in 1765 to set up his medical practice.

Dr. Jabez Campfield, Revolutionary War surgeon. Portrait via njcincinatti.org

During the Revolutionary War he served on the Committee of Safety, and as soon as the fighting arrived in New Jersey in 1776 he was quick to join the Morris County Militia under his neighbor, Colonel Jacob Ford.

In his brief time in the militia, his unit fought the first battle of Springfield and marched in the “mud rounds” or the “march across the Jerseys,” guarding the rear flank of the Continental Army as it raced from Fort Lee to safety in Pennsylvania, with Cornwallis and his troops on the soldiers’ tail.

Campfield joined the Continental Army in early 1777 as a regimental surgeon in Spencer’s Additional Continental Regiment, and when it dissolved in 1781, he continued to serve in the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons.

He stayed in the Army until it was dissolved in 1783, serving during the Sullivan campaign that took him through Pennsylvania and western New York, in many major battles such as Ash Swamp, Short Hills, Brandywine, Germantown, Newtown, and (second) Springfield, and at winter encampments including Valley Forge and both major encampments in Morristown. His diary from the Sullivan Campaign is preserved at the New Jersey Historical Society.

During the winter encampment in Morristown in 1777, smallpox swept through the Army and the town, and George Washington ordered the inoculation of all soldiers in the Army.

As a doctor on the Army’s medical team, Dr. Campfield was deeply involved in inoculating the entire army against the disease during that winter encampment. His house was used as his medical office, and his extensive gardens were a source of medications for his patients and the soldiers billeted in the area. The inoculation program no doubt saved the Army, but the disease imposed a heavy toll of lives lost among the citizens of Morristown.

When the Army returned to Morristown for the winter encampment of 1779-1780, Surgeon General Dr. John Cochran was billeted to stay at Dr. Campfield’s house, and he used it as the Army’s medical storehouse and meeting place for the medical corps. Cochran’s niece, Elizabeth Schuyler, joined him at Campfield’s house, where she was courted by her future husband, Alexander Hamilton.

Campfield rejoined the military a few years after the war. He was a Captain in the Morris County Squadron, New Jersey Cavalry, from 1798 until 1807.

Plaque honoring Dr. Jabez Campfield. Photo courtesy of the Morristown chapter of the D.A.R.

Though Campfield continued his medical practice until around 1792, he gradually shifted his medical practice to his son William, and he became involved in civic leadership in Morris County.

He was the first Surrogate of Morris County in the new United States (not appointed by the Crown) for 18 years, a long tenure that was not exceeded until 2014. He served on the Town Committee, was Judge of Elections, Tax Collector, and Justice of the Peace.

Campfield instituted an early lending library, donated his book collection, and served as its librarian. His library developed into what we know today as the Morristown and Morris Township Library. He also founded the Morris Academy, a well respected school that was a fixture in town until the early 1900s, and served twice as its President.

As a member of the building committee of Morristown’s First Presbyterian Church, Campfield was instrumental in erecting its second edifice in the 1790s. This building was so beloved by Morristown residents that when it was replaced in the mid-1800s, its steeple was placed on display in the burying yard, where it still stands today.

Campfield trained many young men in the area to become doctors, serving an important role in establishing the practice of medicine in this area. He was an incorporating member of the Medical Society of New Jersey, and when it faltered in the early 1800s he was instrumental in bringing together rival factions to save it.

This society continues to operate today as the oldest professional society in the United States.

Queens College (now Rutgers University) recognized Campfield with an honorary doctorate in 1792. He was also an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey, the fraternal and benevolent organization formed by George Washington and officers of the Continental Army that continues as a vibrant service organization today.

His membership as a Freemason predates George Washington’s Masonic meetings in Morristown.

Campfield died in Morristown on May 20, 1821. He is buried in the burying yard of the Morristown Presbyterian Church, across from the Morristown Green. No headstone marked his grave for many years. A new veteran’s headstone will be dedicated on May 28, 2023.

Bobbi Bailey is registrar of the Morristown chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a volunteer at the Morristown National Historical Park.

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