Today, April 21, 2018, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) honored Revolutionary War veteran Matthew Davis at a special ceremony dedicating the headstone Gottheimer’s office worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain.

Private Matthew Davis served in the Revolutionary War, first as a Private in the 3rd Regiment of the New York Troops and later as a Quartermaster in the New York Militia. He passed away in September 1780 and was laid to rest at the Newton Cemetery, but, inexplicably, received no headstone to mark his gravesite. In August 2017, members of the Sussex County Historical Society realized it was missing and reached to Gottheimer’s office, who worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs to obtain a headstone for Private Davis, which was installed in December 2017, just four months after the Historical Society first contacted Gottheimer’s office for help.

“There is no responsibility I take more seriously than protecting our country and standing up for those who have risked their lives to do so, whether that’s by obtaining a headstone, working with the Newton CBOC to help them begin offering on-site mental health services, helping constituents with Medicare and Social Security, or supporting increased funding for veterans’ programs,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Today I was proud to be able help Revolutionary War veteran Matthew Davis receive the honor deserves, even if it was 238 years overdue. I want the 34,000 Fifth District veterans I represent to know my door is always open. No veteran should ever be forgotten.”

Below: Congressman Josh Gottheimer honors Revolutionary War veteran Matthew Davis at the Old Newton Burial Ground.