By Barbara A. Preston | Posted Dec. 16, 2025
Township officials will honor Maj. Gen. Richard Montgomery — for whom the township is named — on New Year's Eve Day at the municipal building at 2 pm. December 31 is the 250-year anniversary of his death.
Maj. Gen. Montgomery was the first high ranking officer in the Continental Army to die in a battle of the American Revolution in 1775. A plaque will be erected in his honor at the municipal complex.
An oil painting by John Trumbull titled, "The Death of General Montgomery in the Attack on Quebec, December 31, 1775." Montgomery Township is reportedly named Maj. Gen. Montgomery.
Maj. Gen. Richard Montgomery died at the Battle of Quebec, an early but strategically important battle fought before the Declaration of Independence. This tenacious siege and assault during blizzard conditions demonstrated the resolve and determination of the Continental Army. The township, then known as the Western Precinct, was named after Montgomery in 1798 — as were hundreds of other towns and counties throughout the country.
The Montgomery Township Committee is nearing the final stages of approving a plaque to honor Maj. Gen. Montgomery, aiming to strike a balance between honoring the town’s namesake and acknowledging the complexities of his history as the 250th anniversary of his death approaches.
During a discussion at the Township Committee meeting on Dec. 4, officials reviewed draft language for the memorial, which is being developed in coordination with the local "Revolution 250" committee. A primary focus of the text is to present a "comprehensive look" at the general's legacy — specifically noting the contradiction that while he fought for American freedom, he was also an enslaver of people.
"We wanted to recognize the full history and the complexity and contradictions that happened during that time," said Township Administrator Lori Savron during the meeting.
Maj. Gen. Montgomery.
The Township Committee's draft text for the plaque states, Maj. Gen. Montgomery "is remembered for his courage and sacrifice in pursuit of American independence. Yet, we also acknowledge he was an enslaver, as were many of his contemporaries. His life reflects the profound contradictions of the Revolutionary generation — champions of liberty who nevertheless upheld systems of bondage. We remember not only the ideals for which he fought, but also the unfinished struggle for freedom that continues."
The plaque may also include a quote from Gen. George Washington, who also enslaved hundreds of people at his Mount Vernon estate, benefiting from their forced labor for tobacco and other crops, though he grew increasingly conflicted about slavery, eventually freeing his own slaves in his will but not those belonging to his wife's estate, creating separation for many families, according to mountvernon.org.
"I am heartily sorry and most sincerely console with you upon the unhappy fall of the brave and worthy (Maj. Gen.) Montgomery and those gallant officers and men who have experienced a like fate," according to a shortened version the Washington quote.
The quote was researched and provided by former Montgomery Deputy Mayor Brad Fay who now lives in Griggstown and heads up the National Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association Inc. (W3R-US), a private sector 501c3 partner to the Washington Rochambeau National Historic Trail.
The plaque will not be ready for the Dec. 31 ceremony, so Montgomery Township Committee will have another chance to look at the wording at their Dec. 18 township committee meeting, and to finalize the text then.
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Committeeman Vince Barragan emphasized the need for precise military terminology on the plaque regarding Montgomery's rank. While the draft described Montgomery as an "officer of high rank," Barragan argued for more specific language, noting that "high rank" is too vague.
"Officer of high rank is too vague," Barragan clarified, suggesting the text be amended to reflect his status as the first American General officer killed in combat.
Montgomery was born in Swords, County Dublin, Ireland, to a wealthy family of Ulster Scots. Montgomery joined the British Army in 1756, and was transferred to the Thirteen Colonies, fighting in the French and Indian War. Afterwards, he returned to Britain for health reasons in 1761, and he joined the Templar Order secret society. In 1773, Montgomery returned to the Americas, where he settled down. He was commissioned as a Brigadier-General after becoming a member of the Continental Congress, as he was a man with military experience. Montgomery was given command of an army that would invade British Canada in the winter of 1775-1776, and his army captured Fort St. Jean (Montreal) from the British, capturing John Andre in the process. Montgomery would march on the Canadian capital of Quebec as another army also moved on the city, and on 31 December 1775 the American assault on Quebec began.
Montgomery led his troops into battle, equipped with captured British cannon and winter clothing, and assisted in the attack on the British, Iroquois, and Canadien forces at the Battle of Quebec alongside Benedict Arnold and his army. Montgomery led a charge against the British artillery, and he was shot in the head while most of his men were killed by grapeshot. Montgomery's death was a blow to the patriots, who were forced to retreat from Canada.
Township Committee weighed the logistics of a commemoration ceremony slated for December 31, which marks the exact 250th anniversary of General Montgomery’s death. Because the physical plaque will not be manufactured in time for that date, the event would serve strictly as a recognition ceremony.
The New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution has offered to provide a Color Guard for the event, complete with period uniforms and the firing of Revolutionary-era muskets. However, some expressed concern regarding attendance on New Year's Eve Day, questioning whether it would be better to delay the full ceremony until the plaque is installed to ensure a larger turnout.
"I want to make sure that they're committed to making sure that there's enough people here, so it's not just 10 people," Deputy Mayor Barragan stated, comparing the desired turnout to the larger crowds seen on Veterans Day. Township Committee is inviting multiple local community organizations, including Princeton Elks, the Montgomery Business Association, the Montgomery/Rocky Hill Rotary, SSAAM, VHHS, and DAR.
Next Steps Officials plan to finalize the plaque’s language at the December 18 Township Committe meeting. Before final approval, the text will be shared with the Landmarks Commission, the Veterans Committee, and the Van Harlingen Historical Society to ensure broad community alignment.
