Robert A. Mayers (94) passed away peacefully on January 25th at the Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains. Bob was born in Passaic on April 7, 1930. He grew up in Belleville and after his honorable discharge from the Navy moved with his wife Norma to Watchung where he raised his family.
Bob is predeceased by his grandson Robert K. Mayers. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Norma, sons Robert (Karyn), Ronald (Annette) and daughter Dawn (William) and grandchildren Christopher (Corinne), Allison (Andrew), Andrew (Bridget), Mark, Maximilian and Madeline as well as his 8 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Watchung Rescue Squad, 10 Stirling Road, Watchung, NJ 07069 or Watchung Police Department, Attn: Watchung PBA Local 193, 840 Somerset Road, NJ 07069.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a visitation on Friday February 7th from 4 to 7 pm with a service following immediately at Higgins Funeral Home, 752 Mountain Blvd, Watchung, NJ 07069. Burial will be private. To read Bob’s complete obituary on his amazing life, please go to HigginsFuneralHome.com and click on Robert A. Mayers.
SOMERVILLE, NJ – Somerset County in February completed the open space purchase of the “Eagle’s Nest,” one of several major lookouts in the Watchung Hills used by General George Washington during the American Revolution. Consisting of 1.43 acres, the property holds outsized historic importance, and fills in a missing piece in the Somerset County Park Commission’s Washington Valley Park.
“Somerset County’s Watchung Mountain range was incredibly important to the Continental Army during the War for Independence,” said Somerset County Commissioner and Park Commission liaison Paul Drake. “The hills provided a strong defensive position during two major encampments, while also providing a great view of British troop movements on the plains below. I am thrilled that we could add this important historic site to Washington Valley Park.”
Also known as Wayne’s Brigade Encampment, the” Eagle’s Nest” site in Bridgewater Township was owned for several decades by local restauranteur and Navy veteran Herbert Patullo, who showcased it, off-and-on, as a private Revolutionary War museum. The property was accessible via a right-of-way through Washington Valley Park. A lifelong resident of Bound Brook, Mr. Patullo wanted the property to be preserved. Acquiring the land has been a high priority of Somerset County and the purchase was handled through his Estate, following Mr. Patullo’s death in 2020.
“On behalf of the Estate of Herbert (“Herb”) Patullo, we are very pleased that Herb’s wishes and legacy are fulfilled with the transition of this property to the County of Somerset,” said John Bruder, co-executor of the estate. “Herb expressly desired that the property be conveyed to the County so that the property would be maintained as an historic site and not developed. With this transaction, we have now ensured that Herb’s wishes for the preservation of this historic piece of property are honored. Herb was himself a treasured piece of Somerset County history, having accomplished many things in his life including leaving Bound Brook High School as a 16-year-old to serve his country, at the US Army Supply Depot during WWII, and later in the US Navy. Herb was a local historian and Revolutionary War history buff. He would be very happy to know that Somerset County shall preserve this property for the benefit of all its residents and use it as a centerpiece for its celebration of the 250th anniversary of this nation’s founding.”
“This property fits into our strategy of promoting heritage tourism in Somerset County, especially with the 250th anniversary of the nation coming in 2026,” said Commissioner Melonie Marano, who is liaison to the Open Space Advisory Committee and to the Cultural and Heritage Commission. “In addition to promoting history, it also will enhance outdoor recreation and improve parking and access for the nearby Hawk Watch and Chimney Rock sites.”
Local historian Robert A. Mayers, of Watchung Borough, wrote about the Eagle’s Nest site in his book Middlebrook: The Revolutionary War Encampment that Saved America (American History Press, 2021). In the book, he describes seven lookout rocks through the Watchung Mountains, including the most famous, Washington Rock in Green Brook. Mayers has dubbed the newly acquired property as “Middlebrook Washington Rock” and believes it was used by Washington more often than any other.
“The Revolutionary War was here. Washington stayed seven months right here,” said Mr. Mayers in a video released today by Somerset County. “This is a fantastic place, and for 250 years it was forgotten!”
The Eagle’s Nest was acquired in February by Somerset County with dedicated Open Space funds for $680,000 and will be incorporated into the surrounding Washington Valley Park. The County is considering options for possible future uses of the small residential building, barn, and pavilion that remain on the property. Until a plan is developed for the property, the buildings and adjacent fenced area will not be accessible to the public.
Historian and author Bob Mayers will be at the Watchung Historic Commission table to sign his book, Historic Tales of Watchung. The work highlights a range of historic events that occurred in the town of Watchung over the years.
Saturday, October 22, 1-4PM Mobus Field Playground Mountain Boulevard Watchung, NJ
The Revolutionary War encampments of George Washington’s Continental Army at Middlebrook and nearby Pluckemin, New Jersey, have been neglected in history. These places were critical to the American struggle during the Middle Atlantic campaigns. Bob will discuss the details of these vital encampments.
Somerset County Library System, Bridgewater branch 1 Vogt Drive Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807
Historian and author Bob Mayers will speak to readers and sign his book, Historic Tales of Watchung, which highlights a range of historic event which occurred in the town of Watchung. Sunday, May 1, 2022, 2-4PM Texier House (on the Watchung Circle) 10 Mountain Boulevard Watchung, NJ
Bob Mayers will speak about Middlebrook, the Revolutionary War Campground that Saved America on Tuesday, Feburary 22, 2022, 6 PM at the Somerville Elks Lodge, 375 Union Ave, Bridgewater, NJ.
Schedule:
6:00 PM – Seating – Music
6:30 PM – Welcome, Business Meeting (election of officers, …)
7:00 PM – Entertainment by “Liberty Tree” = Songs of the Revolutionary Era
7:30 PM – Dinner Buffet & Desert
8:00 PM – Historical Talk: Bob Mayers “Middlebrook – The Revolutionary War Campground that Saved America”
Dinner: $20 members, $25 non-members
Contact Phil at 1-732-469-6453
Saturday October 9, 2021, 10:00 am – 5:00pm Book signing, house tours – Bob Mayers “Historic Tales of Watchung” Texier House (on the Watchung Circle) 10 Mountain Boulevard Watchung, NJ
Middlebrook — The Revolutionary War Encampment the Saved America
To published on August 15, 2021
The Revolutionary War encampments of George Washington’s Continental Army at Middlebrook and nearby Pluckemin, New Jersey, have been neglected in history. This places were critical to the American struggle during the Middle Atlantic campaigns. The highlands and surrounding valleys of this natural fortress was the location of two major encampments of Washington’s Continental Army. A harrowing seven weeks during the early summer of 1777, and during the entire winter of 1778-1779. What is astonishing is the American Army spent close to nine months here, yet this hub of the American Revolution languished in obscurity and virtually disappeared from national awareness for over 200 years.
The campground served as the center of operations for American forces through much of the war and during many of its darkest hours. Most significant is that at Middlebrook, during the winter of 1778-1779, the raw American Army matured into a cohesive fighting power capable of defeating the British forces regarded at the time as the best trained and equipped army in the world. Unlike Valley Forge and Jockey Hollow, that have been so eulogized that they are familiar to most school children, this sacred land, where decisive events occurred that changed the course of the war, is now built over by suburban creep, rarely marked, shrouded in mystery and mythology and fading from memory
Author and historian Robert Mayers will speak on the “Forgotten Revolutionary Battlefields of Somerset County” at the Somerset County Library on July 1st at 7:00pm. This looks to be a great event. And it’s open to the public.
Somerset Co. Library
1 Vogt Drive
Bridgewater, N.J.
Hackettstown Historical Society – American Legion
494 Willow Grove
Hackettestown, N.J.
Tuesday, March 5, 7:30 PM
Searching for Yankee Doodle-Washington’s Common Soldiers in the American Revolution
Author and Historian Bob Mayers explores the vastly different opinions have been offered over the years by historians concerning the true image of the most essential element of the War for Independence-the common foot soldier. For most of America’s history little was known about the identity of these men, why they fought and how the war affected their lives. A few were known for their exploits in battle, but most Yankee Doodles appear only on lists of thousands of shadowy names published by each state. Yet the men of the Continental Army were the people most responsible for achieving America’s independence.
Who exactly were they and what inspired them to endure appalling hardships during the most critical time in American history? Reading their words and tracking their actions day to day brings these soldiers to life. We can experience their emotions and exposes the attitudes and behavior of these valiant warriors. Mayers unravels the lives of the “grunts,” “doughboys” and “GIs” of our most important war. He has been able to salvage information that for more than two centuries since the Revolution ended has been a daunting challenge for other historians.
Mayers many works on the Revolutionary War are based on his on-site experience and primary sources combined with the discovery of original documents and oral accounts passed down in his family through many generations. His works include
“Searching for Private Yankee Doodle” George Washington’s common soldiers, the men of the Continental Army. Who were they and what inspired them to endure appalling hardships?
“The Forgotten Revolution” and Revolutionary New Jersey, Forgotten Towns and Crossroads of the American Revolution cover battlefields, encampments and sites of many critical events of the War that have been lost or neglected by history.
“The War Man” is a true account of a soldier in the Continental Army who served for the entire eight years of the American Revolution.
Mayers is an active member of several historical societies and a frequent speaker and contributor to publications. He has spoken at West Point and the Pentagon and has recently been on Comcast TV and published in the History Channel Magazine and Garden State Legacy
He served as a combat officer in the Navy and Marine Corps. His military experiences provide him with a deeper perspective of the campaigns and battles depicted in his works.
Robert A. Mayers (94) passed away peacefully on January 25th at the Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains. Bob was born in Passaic on April 7, 1930. He grew up in Belleville and after his honorable discharge from the Navy moved with his wife Norma to Watchung where he raised his family.
Middlebrook — The Revolutionary War Encampment the Saved America
The Revolutionary Detective 