The Revolutionary War becomes a little more real when you discover that George Washington’s army once camped on your ancestor’s property.

My 5X great grand uncle, Joshua Guerin (1737-1808), lived with his wife and eight children on a 76-acre farm near Morristown, New Jersey. Joshua served as a sergeant in the Morris County militia and supported the Continental Army by hauling supplies in his wagon. He also allowed army horses to graze in his pasture, sold hay and firewood to the military, and even had soldiers briefly quartered in his home.

But having Washington’s army as neighbors came at a price.

According to claims Joshua filed after the war, American soldiers helped themselves to his potatoes, rye, sheep and tools – and even took some of his wife’s clothing. They burned his fences for firewood and allowed horses into his wheat field, destroying about half of his crop.

It’s easy to romanticize Washington’s army encamped at Morristown. Joshua’s story is a reminder that ordinary families in the middle of the Revolution experienced something considerably messier.

He supported the cause. He just probably wished the cause would stay out of his wheatfield.