Minisink Battlefield
Why it's listed
Minisink Battlefield is a wooded, rocky hilltop of nearly 58 acres in southern Sullivan County, New York, preserved today as a county park. It marks the ground where, on July 22, 1779, a force of roughly 85 Indians and Tories under Mohawk leader Joseph Brant defeated about 120 New York and New Jersey militiamen led by Colonel John Hathorn. Brant had just raided frontier settlements near Peenpack and was heading west when the militia caught up with him. Using a small party to split the militia line, he routed the depleted, thirsty and nearly out-of-ammunition defenders, killing 47. Features such as Sentinel Rock and Hospital Rock mark key phases of the fight. Remains of the dead were gathered and buried in several places over the following decades, and a fieldstone monument was raised in 1879 for the centennial. The steep, undeveloped terrain still conveys the wilderness setting of the battle, which is why the site was listed for its association with the American Revolution.
Significance in brief: The site is the location of a battle in which about 85 Indians and Tories led by Joseph Brant defeated about 120 New York and New Jersey militia under Colonel John Hathorn, part of the British campaign to harass frontier settlements. Although few combatants were involved, it is notable for the high number of casualties, with 47 Americans killed. The battlefield retains a high degree of integrity and includes an 1879 commemorative monument.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 93000946, listed September 16, 1993. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | York Lake Rd. (Co. Rd. 168) N of Minisink Ford, Minisink Ford |
|---|---|
| County | Sullivan County |
| Listed | September 16, 1993 |
| Reference number | 93000946 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1779-1879 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Contained within a largely undeveloped county park used for battlefield interpretation, environmental education and passive recreation. |
| Acreage | 57.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.48800, -74.97138 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 93000946.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.