General Robert Erskine: Mapmaker and Minemaster for the American Revolution

General Robert Erskine: Mapmaker and Minemaster for the American Revolution

September 17,2026
METC
9 Main Street Madison
NJ, 07940

$15/person, free for METC members

Join William “Billy” Neumann, New Jersey historian and a Certified Historic Preservationist, as he delves into the life of mapmaker and minemaster Robert Erskine. Erskine was born a Scott and matured into a noted inventor in London. As a loyal British citizen, he was chosen to immigrate to America to manage the Ringwood Iron Mines. Arriving in Bergen County at the dawn of discord in the colonies, Erskine absorbed the fever for independence and aided the revolution by production in the mines and creating obstructions to British transit up the Hudson River. He is best known as the “forgotten general” who created military maps for the Continental Army at the behest of General George Washington. These early maps indicated roads, rivers buildings and noted landowner locations and are important tools for understanding our history and how to preserve it.

Billy s a five times Chairman of Rutherford’s Historic Preservation Commission, former Chair of Bergen County’s Historic Preservation Advisory Board and VP of Preservation NJ. Billy has authored three local history books, and is a full time Professional Photographer who is constantly researching and capturing images to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America’s War for Independence.

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