USA > New Jersey > Camden County > Revolutionary reminiscences of Camden County : (originally part of "Old Gloucester") state of New Jersey > Part 1
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02232 7933
REVOLUTIONARY
REMINISCENCES
OF
CAMDEN COUNTY,. N.J.
5.7.
(Originally part of "Old Gloucester,")
STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
2.01
.
CAMDEN, N. J .: S. CHEW, PRINTER, FRONT AND MARKET STREETS.
1876.
·
1764873
F
Clement, John, 1818-1894.
853149 .2 Revolutionary reminiscences of Camden county (originall' part of "Old Gloucester") state of New Jersey. Camden. N. J., S. Chew, 1876.
the fourth dur of July 1 n 1570 Ju
1. Title.
1-23717
Library of Congress
I-142.C1H12
DHELP CARD (35b1;
P 8786
-
1
July 1876.
F 853149.2
There is a propriety in this, the Centennial year of our National Independence, in making some effort to save the few traditions and stories relating to the war which secured these blessings, so that they may be read and known of by coming generations. Vague and uncertain as many are, yet they relate to an epoch in our history that cannot but interest every citizen ; especially those whose ancestors were participants, and the scenes of which were laid near their homes. Incidents are often grouped together by the historian, and hence to the gen- eral reader unknown, while to such as are familiar with the occasion and locality they become doubly attractive.
The uncertainty of tradition is proverbial, and much that is told relating to past occurrences obtains a shade of romance and is often surrounded with doubt. But when associated with events from which sprung a nation of freemen, whose advancement commands the respect and admiration of every civilized people, those traditions and tales should not be altogether neglected and forgotten. No attempt at arrangement in regard to date or place has been made, and no apology is offered for presenting these few pages to the citizens of Camden county (which during that memorable struggle was part of "Old Gloucester,") but as a tribute of respect to the patriotism and bravery of those who "pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors," to a cause that yielded such great results, and also as a link to con- nect and contrast the dark days of the revolution with those, which at this present surround a prosperous and happy people.
JOHN CLEMENT.
Haddonfield, July, 1876.
REMINISCENCES.
WO days before the Declaration of Independence was made by the Continental Congress, at Philadelphia, the assembled delegates of the Colony of New Jersey, at Burlington, published a Constitution.
In the preamble to that document it was declared " That all authority claimed by the King of Great Britain over the Colonies was, by compact, derived from the people, and held of them for the common interests of the whole so- ciety ;
" That allegiance and protection are in the nature of things reciprocal ties, each equally depending upon the other and liable to be dissolved by the other being refused or withdrawn ;
" That the King of Great Britian has refused protection to the good people of these colonies, by assenting to sun- dry aets of the Parliament-has made war upon them for no other cause than asserting their just rights ; hence all civil authority under him is necessarily at an end, and a dissolution of government has taken place. And also, the more effectually to unite the people and to enable them to exert their whole force in their own necessary defence : and as the honorable, the Continental Congress, the Supreme Council of the American colonies, has advised us to adopt such government as will best conduce to our happiness and safety, and the well-being of America gen- erally ;
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" We, the representatives of the Colony of New Jersey, having been elected by all the counties in the freest man- ner, and in Congress assembled, have, after mature delib- eration, agreed upon a set of charter rights and the form of a Constitution."
In doing this the people of New Jersey showed then- selves fully in earnest and determined to join with the other Colonies, under direction of the Continental Con- gress, to throw off their allegianee to the king of Great Britain. The delegates to that Convention from the county of Gloucester (now the counties of Gloucester, Atlantic and Camden,) were JOHN SPARKS, JOHN COOPER, ELIJAH CLARK, JOSEPH HUGG and JOSEPH ELLIS-good and true men, faithfully representing the people. There was no hesitation in their action, nor indecision in their pur- pose. The reasons for such step were clearly, firmly, yet respectfully, expressed, and they were willing to trust to their own strong arms to accomplish the end sought for.
The county of Gloucester, extending, as it originally did, from the Delaware river to the Atlantic ocean, was oftener the scene of military operations than any other in the Province. Fronting on the river for several miles above and below Philadelphia, which city was always re- garded as a stragetie point, and generally occupied by one or the other party during the war, "the ferries," now Camden and Gloucester cities, and Red Bank as well, be- came of necessity out-posts to that place. On account of the disaffection of the inhabitants, small bodies of soldiers were sent into the country from these points to watch their movements and prevent surprise ; availing but little, however, as escape into the forests and swamps was too easy for those they were in search of.
On the seaboard, also, the Great and Little Egg Harbor rivers were a means of transportation and travel soon
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brought into use, and many incidents relating to the great struggle occurred upon and near those streams.
In the early part of the year 1778 General ANTHONY WAYNE was sent with a body of soldiers into the lower counties of New Jersey to collect cattle and horses for the Continental army. His movements were a source of much trouble to the British commander, who had his headquar- ters in Philadelphia ; and Colonel STIRLING was detached with one of the best regiments in the service, more to watch than to give him battle. Part of the command, under Major SIMCOE, proceeded as far as Haddonfield, while the balance remained near Cooper's ferry, where it had crossed the river. SIMCOE occupied the main street with his troops, sending a portion to destroy some tar in barrels near Timber creek, and another small body to seize a lot of rum on the Egg Harbor road, east of the village. The approach of General WAYNE from towards Mount Holly caused Colonel STIRLING to recall Major SIMCOE, who left the town in the night for Cooper's ferry, marching through a storm of sleet and rain, much complained of by his soldiers and himself. But little time, however, was allowed for rest, as the aggressive policy of General WAYNE became so evident, that the next day found Colonel STIRLING's force on the defensive.
ISAAC MICKLE, Esq., in his " REMINISCENCES. OF OLD GLOUCESTER," has the best version of this encounter, and which is here closely followed. "The next day a sharp skirmish ensued between the Spicer's ferry bridge, over Cooper's creek (now at the end of Market street) and where the Camden Academy (corner of Sixth and Market streets) now stands. Fifty men pieked out of the Forty- second and the Rangers, having been sent three or four miles up the direct road to Haddonfield for some remain- ing forage, were met by WAYNE's cavalry and forced to
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retreat to the ferry .. The Americans followed to the very cordon of the enemy. The British were drawn up in the following order: The Forty-second on the right, Colonel MARKHAM in the centre, and the Queen's Rangers on the left, with their left flank resting on Cooper's creek. Cap- tain KERR and Lieutenant WICKHAM were in the mean- while embarking their men to Philadelphia, as the Amer- icans seemed disposed only to reconnoitre.
"Colonel MARKHAM's detachment and the horses also started across the river. At that moment a barn within the cordon was fired, and the Americans, taking this as . evidence that but few were left on the eastern shore, drove in the pickets. The Forty-second moved forward in line and the Rangers in column by companies, the sailors draw- ing some three pound cannon. A few Americans appear- ing on the Waterford side of Cooper's creek, Captain ARMSTRONG, with a company of grenadiers, was ordered to line a dyke on this side to watch them.
" Upon the right, in the neighborhood of the Academy and the Hicksite meeting house, a heavy fire was kept up by the Forty-second upon the main body of the Ameri- eans, who were in the woods along the Haddonfield road. The Rangers on the left, toward the creek, only had to oppose a few scattered cavalry who were reconnoitering. As SIMCOE advanced rapidly to gain an eminence in front, which he conceived to be a strong, advantageous position (about the crossing of the Camden and Amboy and the Camden and Atlantic railroads, formerly Dogwoodtown) the cavalry retired to the woods, except one officer, who reined back his horse and facing the Rangers as they dashed on, slowly waved his sword for his attendants to retreat. The English light infantry came within fifty yards of him, when one of them called out, "You are a brave fellow, but you must go away." The undaunted
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officer, paying no attention to the warning, one MeGill, afterwards a quartermaster, was ordered to fire at him. ITe. did so, and wounded the horse, but the rider was un- scathed, and soon joined his comrades in the woods a little way off.
The brave man here mentioned was Count PULASKI, spoken of in another part of this sketeh, having command of the cavalry, and who might have been made a prisoner if the huzzars had not previously been sent to Philadel- phia. He lived, however, to do signal service in the cause of liberty, and died from a wound received in battle, to be gratefully remembered by every American citizen.
So persistent were the efforts of the Americans to drive their enemies from about Cooper's ferries that a series of entrenehments were thrown up, extending from the creek westerly toward the river, and the timber thereabouts was so cut as to obstruct the movements of troops coming from the interior. The position was also protected by the cannon of vessels lying in the river, and which saved the abandonment of the place.
During the residence of General WASHINGTON in Phila- delphia, as President of the United States, he frequently crossed the river to enjoy the pure air of the country. On one occasion he passed over on horseback, the ice being strong enough for wagons and sleds, and rode along the old Cooper ferry road, leading towards Burlington, where he met a resident of Camden who knew him. They recognized each other, and near by was a Dutchman, a Hessian deserter, who said, " I tink I have seen your face before; vat ish your name ?" The General drew up his horse and replied, "My name is GEORGE WASHINGTON." Half frightened out of his wits the poor Dutchman ex- · claimed : "Oh, mine Gott, I wish I was unter te ice. I vish I vas unter te iee. Oh, mine Gott!" The General
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assured him no harm was done and started away with a smile upon his countenance.
In these rides he sometimes examined the earthworks thrown up during the war, reflecting, doubtless, that the end of the conflict brought peace and freedom to his native land. These incidents are but a few of the many lost to the present generation, often told by garrulous lips to those already passed away, who scarcely heeded their interest, and hence they are lost to us who would gladly cherish them now.
" Vain is the wish, since other cares demand Each vacant hour, and in another clime, But still the willing harp invites my hand,
Which tells the wonder of thine earlier time."
Haddonfield is one of the old towns of West New Jer- sey. In 1681 the Legislature passed an aet for the laying out of a publie highway from Burlington to Salem, to be one hundred feet wide. This was simply following the Indian trail from the one point to the other, perhaps straightening the same in a few places, and fixing the spots where bridges should be built across the streams. Being near Philadelphia, the village was exposed to more than ordinary danger from marauding parties of soldiers and other dishonest hangers-on about an army. The inhabitants were never secure with their horses and cattle, and their growing crops fell an easy prey to stragglers from the camps.
The house is still standing (now occupied by George W. Stillwell as a temperance hotel,) where the Legislature sat for a short time, as that body had no abiding place on ac- count of the active movements of the British troops. The "Council of Safety" was organized in the same house March 18, 1777. This body was created by an act of the Council and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, entitled, " An Act for investing the Governor
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and a Council, consisting of twelve, with certain powers therein mentioned, for a limited time." The gentlemen selected were: John Cleves Symmes, William Patterson, Nathaniel Seudder, Theophilus Elmer, Silas Condict, John Hart, John Mehelm, Samuel Neick, John Combe, Caleb Camp, Edmund Wetherby, Benjamin Manning.
Governor WILLIAM LIVINGSTON was president of the board, and appears to have given the business relating thereto his special attention, as he was present at nearly all the meetings. Like the Legislature, this body was driven from place to place, always avoiding the enemy, however, and preserving their documents and the minutes of their proceedings. These consisted of five volumes, and by an act of the Legislature, in 1872, they were col- lected and printed in one book-ereditable alike to the liberality of the Legislature as they are interesting to the people.
The Council had power to arrest persons suspected of . attachment to the royal cause; to try them, and imprison such as gave " aid and comfort thereto." In doing this, the military power was frequently called upon, and, in fact, a strong guard attended them on all occasions.
This body remained at Haddonfield only a few days after the organization, as, on the 26th of March, it was convened at Bordentown, Burlington county, but returned to Haddonfield on May 10th. Afterwards it sat at Morris- town and Princeton, and September 5th, again at Haddon- field. Here it remained until the 25th of the same month, when a meeting was held at Burlington, and after that period in various towns in the northern part of the State until the act was repealed. Much valuable information may be gathered from the minutes of their proceedings, and of which the present generation has no knowledge.
Two guard-houses were necessary to the safe keeping
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of such as were under arrest, one of which still stands, opposite to the place of their deliberations, now occupied by ZEBEDEE I. TOMPKINS, and the other recently owned and occupied by Dr. I. W. HEULINGS. A frame shop adjoining the last mentioned building was burned by the British troops during the war, intended as a beginning to a general conflagration in that part of the village, but stopped through the efforts of the residents.
The Friends' Meeting House, (now down) the largest building in the town, was occupied by both parties as a hospital, and many evidences of such use remained until the house was removed. The advantages of room and ventilation which this building afforded made it a desirable place to care for the sick and wounded, strangely contrasting with the purposes for which it was built. In the place where sat those who professed and practiced non-resistance and passive obedience were found others whose weapons had been wet with the blood of their fel- low creatures ; and where often was heard the voice of persuasion and love, inviting to repentance and peace, sounded the harsh commands of military authority, mingled with the clash of arms and the rush of angry men.
The last encampment of the Hessian troops under Count Duxop, before the battle of Red Bank, was in Had- donfield. It was across the street near the residence of JOHN GILL (where now stands the dwelling of JOHN GILL, Esq.,) extending some distance into the fields. In this house Desor had his headquarters, and although the owner was an elder among Friends, yet the urbanity and politeness of the German soldier so won upon him that the was kindly remembered ever after.
This body of troops moved from Philadelphia, about twelve hundred strong, on the evening of October 21st.
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The inhabitants suffered from the depredations of the common soldiers, who. wantonly destroyed or carried off their property and endangered their lives. This conduct aroused the people, and did much to strengthen the Ameri. can cause. In reply to a letter from Lord CORNWALLIS, inl- quiring if money and stores could be sent to prisoners cap- tured at Trenton, General WASHINGTON said, no molesta_ tation would be offered to the convoy by any part of the regular army under his command, but he would not an- swer for the militia, who were resorting to arms in most parts of the State, and were exceedingly exasperated at the treatment they had met with from both the Hessian and Brittish troops.
In a letter from Postmaster HAZZARD to a friend, he says, "These rascals plunder all, indiscriminately. If they see anything they like, they say: "Rebel good for Hesse-mans," and seize upon it for their own use. They have no idea of the distinctions between the Whig and Tory."
The presence of an officer in a house was the only pro- tection against their depredations, and every family sought one, with the promise of good entertainment, free of charge. These troops regarded the American people as semi-barbarous, and to destroy their property was only doing the king's service.
Fort Mercer was evidently of much importance in a military point of view, and the commander-in-chief was solicitous of its being garrisoned by American troops, when the movements of the enemy seemed tending towards Philadelphia. This may well be inferred from the letter addressed by him to Colonel GREEN, the com- mander of the detachment, who so gallantly defended that place, in which he seeks to impress upon him the im- portance of the duty he was about to discharge, and what
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may be expected of him by his superior in authority, and the country.
WASHINGTON's letter of instructions to Colonel GREEN is full of interest. He says: "Sir, I have directed General VARNUM to send your regiment and that of Colonel Ay- GELL's, to Red Bank, by a route which has been marked out to him. The command of that detachment will, of course, devolve on you, with which you will proceed with all expedition, and throw yourself into that place. When you arrive there, you will immediately communicate your arrival to Colonel SMITH, commander of the garrison at Fort Mifflin, and Commodore HAYZLEWOOD, commander of the fleet in the river. You are to co-operate with them in every measure necessary for the defence of the obstruc- tions in the river, and to counteract every attempt the enemy may make for their removal. You will find a very good fortification at Red Bank; but if anything should be requisite to render it stronger, or proportion it to the size of your garrison, you will have it done. The cannon you will stand in need of, as much as can be spared, will be furnished from the galleys at Fort MitHin from whence you will also derive supplies of military stores. I have sent Captain DUPLESSIS with some officers and men to take the immediate direction of the artillery for your garrision. He is also to superintend any works that may be necessary. If there be any deficiency of men for the artillery, the security of the garrison will require you to assist them in the few additional ones from your de- taclient. You should not lose a moment's time in get- ting to the place of your destination and making every preparation for its defence. Any delay might give the enemy an opportunity of getting there before you, which could not fail of being most fatal in its consequences. If in the progress of your march you should fall in with any
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.detachment of the enemy, bending towards the same ob- ject, and likely to gain it before you, and from intelli- gence should have reason to think yourself equal to the task, you will by all means attack them and endeavor by that means to disappoint their design.
"I have written to General NEWCOMB, of the Jersey militia, to give you all the aid in his power, for which you will accordingly apply when necessary. Upon the whole, sir, you will be pleased to remember that the post with which you are now intrusted is of the utmost importance to America, and demands every exertion of which you are capable for its security and defence. The whole defence of the Delaware absolutely depends upon it; and, con- sequently, all the enemy's hopes of keeping Philadelphia and finally succeeding in the object of the present cam- paign.
"Influenced by these considerations, I doubt not your regard to the service and your own reputation will prompt you to every possible effort to accomplish the important end of your trust, and frustrate the intentions of the enemy."
"Given at Headquarters this 7th day of October, 1777."
Before day-light on the morning of October 22d, 1777, the Hessians left Haddonfield, but as the American guards (in anticipation of their movements) had destroyed the lower bridge over Timber creek, they were forced to eross by one about four miles above, by reason of which delay they did not reach the fort until nearly noon. That point was at or near the present Clement's bridge, and where in their retreat two brass field pieces were thrown into the stream.
The sad defeat that followed, and the death of their commanding officer, completely demoralized them, and
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they returned in detached bodies, begging shelter and food of those they had so badly treated. The transportation of the wounded caused much trouble, and as a detach- ment approached Haddonfield, a farmer living near the road was, with his horse and cart, pressed into their ser- vice to carry some that were unable to walk further. The appearance of armed men so terrified the farmer that he neglected to fasten down the front part of his vehicle, and when rising a hill near the village the weight of the men was thrown on the back of the cart, and all were pitched headlong into the road. The swearing of the soldiers in Dutch, and the protestations of the farmer in English, made things no better; but after many threats the vehicle was properly secured and the journey completed, much, no doubt, to the comfort of all concerned. Becom- ing better acquainted with the people, and find- ing the country much in need of settlers, many deserted and remained, afterward becoming thrifty people and good citizens.
A Scotch regiment had their winter encampment near the centre of Haddonfield, whose soldierly deportment made them many friends. The boys of the village soon initi- ated themselves into the good graces of the soldiers, and carried on a thriving trade by exchanging game for powder-an article very searee among the inhabitants dur- ing the war. The men of this regiment wore the High- land dress and their uniform attracted much attention, being the first seen by the people hereabouts. They were men of large frame and well developed, conducting them- selves in a proper manner, thus contrasting favorably with other parts of the army sometimes in this region of country.
In a house then standing on the easterly side of the Main street, and opposite Tanner street, resided ROBERT
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. BLACKWELL, D. D., an Episcopal clergyman, who was a chaplain in the American army during the war, and fol- lowed its fortunes through the entire struggle. He mar- ried Rebecca, a daughter of JOSEPH HARRISON, Esq., of . Gloucester town. After the war he removed with his family to Philadelphia, and had charge of one of the churches in that eity. His private register of baptisms, marriages and deaths in his parish may be seen in the library of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania-a eurious and valuable book.
A few years previous (1765) there also resided in the village NATHANIEL EVANS, A. M., a missionary of the same church, appointed by the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, of London. He went to England for the purpose of finishing his collegiate course, and while there was admitted into holy orders by the Rev. Dr. TERRICK, Lord Bishop of London. He was a man of education and fine literary attainments, leaving at his death (1767) a manuscript volume of poems, which was afterwards published. He had charge of the churches at Gloucester and Colestown, and was much respected in the community.
The old church at Colestown is among the few build- ings of the Revolution left among us. Its history dates many years before that time, and in the yard surrounding this aneient structure lay the remains of many persons who figured in that contest. Although standing beside the king's highway, and where the contending armies often passed, yet it was not injured nor in any way desecrated. Services no doubt were frequently held there, and while on one occasion the chaplains of the king prayed for the overthrow of the rebellion; yet upon another and from the same desk would be heard the petitions of those ask-
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