USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Annals of Morris County > Part 9
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ANNALS OF MORRIS COUNTY.
in the midst of a circle of illustrious men withi - ont profound emotion.
These are our shrines, and as from these poiuts we look over the maguificent county of which we are so proud, we are not to torget that our ancestors did what they could to save it from the enemy and make it a place in his- tory. But this picture of the patriotism, the trials and the triumphs of our Morris county ancestors fairly represents the people in other counties of New Jersey and the other States of the Union. It was the people who asserted the principles of the Declaration. If they had not felt as they did, and labored and suffered as they dul, if they had not laid themselves and their children, their estates, the increase of their herds and their flocks, the golden wealth of their fields and granaries, indeed their all on the altar of their country, if from thonsauds of family altars, closets and pulpits, the people had not sent their cries to God for their conn- iry, even Washington conld net have gained us what we now have, A COUNTRY! We love onr country and it is worthy of our love. Let us not cease to praise God who gave the men of '76 wisdom, courage and fortitude which led to resnits that are so conspicuous to-day.
The Republic has survived a hundred years. It has passed through some tremendous perils, and I fear the perils are not alt past. I speak not as a partisan to-day, but as an American as I assert the conviction that amidst the shak- ing foundations of systems and beliefs and nations in every part of the civilized world it will be well for every American patriot to fortify his heart, not by referring to the examples of Greek and Roman heroos, but by recalling the names of those who signed the Declaration, and fought our battles and through great and heroic sufferings wronght out for us those triumphs which are now emblazoned in results vastly grander than they ever dreamed of.
And in these glories of our Centennial year let us proudly remember that in the achieve- ment of these glories the men and women who a hundred years ago lived in Morris county bore an honorable part, and see to it that they are forever held in grateful remembrance.
Fellow citizens of Morris county, I bare thus thrust ont my hand at random and gathered iuto a garland a few of the names ar I deeds of the patriot fathers who a hundred years ago bore their part in the great struggle for Independence among the grand old bills of Morris. Such as it is on this Centennial 4th of July in the spirit of a true loyalty both to our common country and to our houored county I bring this garland from afar as the sign of the love I have both to our county and our country. And as the fore fathers were wont on all sorts of documents and occasions to say, so let me
close these remarks with their oft repeated prayer,
" God save America ["
WASHINGTON IN MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY,*
The County of Morris, in the State of Neo. Jersey, was settled "about 1710," by families from Newark and Elizabethtown. The main objeet attracting them thither was the iron ore which had been discovered in a mountain range a few miles West of Morristown. During the three quarters of a century which preceded the War of the Revolution, the settlements which had been made in Hanover were multiplied, spreading over the territory now occupied by
the Townships of Chatham, Morris, Mendham, Chester, Rockaway and Pequannock. Several forges were built on the Whippany and Rocka- way rivers ; and a small "slitting mill," contra- ry to the arbitrary laws of the Mother Coun- try, was carrying on a contraband business. As early as about 1770-if not earlier-a blast furnace was built, and named "Hibernia." some twelve miles North of Morristown. The noted Samuel Ford, a counterfeiter, who "left his country for this country's good," was engaged in this ; and. afterwards, Lord Stirling became its proprietor. In 1772, John Jacob Faesch, a native of Hesse Cassel, bought a small trael. at Mount Hope, of Colonel Jacob Ford, Jr., and a large surrounding tract of the heirs of the East Jersey Proprietaries, and built a blast furnace, which became, with the "Hibervia" furnace, a most efficient auxiliary to our army, in furnishing balls and grape. There is some reason to suppose that some canuon were also cast at "Hibernia."
Up to the period of the Revolution, the pop- ulation was of New England origin, coming from Newark, Long Island, or, directly, from the New England States, and entered deeply
* In the year 1854, the author of this article, at tle request of several gentlemen of Morris- town, prepared two Lectures ou the history of Washington's two Winters in Morris County. These were afterwards re-written, and read he- for the New Jersey Historical Society. Tue commendation bestowed on the paper, by that Society, led the late Washington Irving, whilst preparing his LIFE OF WASHINGTON, to ask for tho loan of it, which he referred to, in one of his volumes, in a complimentary manner. Af- terwards, Mr. George Bancroft sent for the manuscript. Not hearing from the article, I wrote him ; and his answer indicated that it had failed to reach its destination. After- wards. the editor of Harper's Monthly solicited a copy for that Magazine ; and, from the orig- inal notes, a condensed sketch was prepared. This was handsomely illustrated and published. Some months after this, the original article was found ; and it is published, in full, in THE HIS- TORICAL MAGAZINE .-- J. F. T.
ANNALS OF MORRIS COUNTY.
into the r'elings and struggles which agitated the Eastern Celonies. It is true that the cast- ern part of Pequannock, on the plains which bordered the Passaie and Pequannock rivers, and in Washington township, along a branch of the Raritan, the Hollanders predominated. Whilst many of these did not share in the opin- ions which produced the Revolution, in fact, were entirely averse to that movement, the masses of the Dutch were patriots. In 1776, the cultivation of the soil ocenpied the atten- tion of those who resided in the eastern and southern Townships of the County : whilst. in the remaining Townships, the manufacture of iron was the main pursint.
The County is one of the most varied and beautiful, in its scenery, in the whole State. On the eastern borders are the Short Hills and Long Hill, a range of highlands commanding a magnificent prospect of the country, North, as far almost as to the Orange county hne ; East, as far as New York and the Narrows; and South as far as New Brunswick. The prospect from theso Hills, in a clear afternoon, blending into one charming landscape, woodlands and meadows. hills and mountains, farms, villages, towns and cities, ponds, rivers, and the en- trance to the ocean, is one which can never be forgotten. West of Morristown, there are ran- ges of mountains traversing the County. from North-east to South-west, and containing in- calculable amounts of magnetic iron ore, and abounding in valleys finely adapted to the plough. One thing is observable in the topog- raphy of the County, that its ranges of hills and mountains are so disposed as to make it easy to arrange beacon fires, which, in a very very short time, would alarm the whole Coun- . ty. This fact, I shall have occasion to mark in another place, as one of good importance, during the War, and as investing these local- ties with thrilling interest to all succeeding generations.
Until within a few years, among the monn- taios of Morris, were having many old men and women who had passed through the trying scenes of the Revolution, which had made so deep an impression on their memories that, very naturally, it becamo tho delight of their life to repeat the story of their sufferings and victories. In 1845, in the Presbyterian Con- gregation of Rockaway, alone, there were some eighteen persons over eighty years of age. One of these died in 1852, in his ninety-third year; another in 1850 in his 91st year. Both had served in the Revolutionary War. Several women bave died within five years, who were ninety years old or upwards. In 1851, thore were two persons at the respective ages of eighty-right and eighty-nine. In Morristown were two brothers, Edward Condict, Esq., and
the Hon. Lewis Condiet, whose memory rea o- ed back to the period and events of the Rero- Intion. In addition to such venerable witness- es, there were many descendants of those who shared in the tria's and conflicts of that time. The children of such as Captain Stephen Jack- son, of Rockaway, Colonel Jacob Ford, Jr., Hon. Lewis Coudiet, Captain William Tuttle, and others, of Morristown : Captain David Thomp. son, of Mendbam ; Aaron Kitchel, of Hanover ; and many others of the same period and opin- ions, still reside in Morris and remember woll "what their fathers told them," concerning that unparalleled struggle for freedom.
For years, it was a peculiar pleasure to the writer of this sketch to converse with the ac- tual witnesses of the Revolution, or those who had heard, from such, the facts and traditions of the Revolution. These have been written down for preservation ; and the principal oh- jeet of this article is to weave, into one narra- tive, as far as possible, that part of these rec- ords which illustrate the history of Washing- ton, during the two Winters be passed in Mor- ris county-the Winters of 1776-'7 and 1779-'80. Excepting the brief and, certainly, for tocal in- terest, the quite meager sketch of Lossing, in his admirable Field Book of the Revolution, I am acquainted with no book or pamphlet which pretends to give even an outline history of those two memorable Winters. Nor do I pre- tend to give a complete sketch ; but only to add facts and traditions which may aid in a work so desirable, since everything which serves to bring out, distinctly, the trials of the patriots and, especially, the character of Washington. during that period, immortal in history, is val- nable.
Before sketching the sojourn of Washington in Morris County during the Winter of 1776-7. it will be important and pertinent to glance at the events which preceded it.
The Summer and Fall of 1776 had been mark- ed with disheartening reverses, on the part of the Americans. In August, General Groene. next to Washington, the ablest ofheer in the Army, and at that time in command on Long Island, was "confined in his bed with a raging fever," "but he hoped, through the assistance of Providence, to be able to ride before the presence of the enemy may make it absolutely necessary." His wish was not realized ; and, on the twenty-seventh of August, the disas_ trous Battle of Long Island was fought. Wash- ington "is said to have witnessed the rout and slaughter of his troops with the keenest au- gmsh," being unable to render any assistance withont the greatest peril to his whole Army. Meanwhile Washington says, "our people con- tinue to be very sickly," even "one-fourth u" the whole ," and "during the heavy storms, are
ANNALS OF MORRIS COUNTY.
much distressed, unt having a sufficiency of tents to cover them." (Sparks's Writings of | before, that he was heart-sick to "1 Washington, iv .. 64, GS ; Ramsay's Washington, 37.) Between eleven and twelve hundred men were either killed or taken prisoners ; and among the latter Generals Sullivan and Lord Stirling. On the thirtieth of August, all the military stores, artillery, and mine thousand men were removed from Long Islau .. to New York ; and, with such skill was this manœuvre performed, that the enemy, only six hundred vards distant, did not discover what was going on, until the last boat was pushing from the shore. "So intense," says Sparks, "was the anxiety of Washington, so unceasing his exer- lions, that for forty-eight hours he did not close his eyes, and rarely dismounted from his horse." "The darkness of the night and heavy fog in the morning" were good blessings from the God of battles.
During this trying period, Washington real- ized the manly words he addressed to his troops, that "each one for himself, resolving to conquer or die, and trusting in the smiles of Heaven on so just a cause, would behave with bravery and resolution." (Ramsay, 40.) That defeat "dlispirited too great a proportion of our troops," and "great numbers of the Militia have gone off in some instances by whole Regi- ments ;" aud yet, he says, "every power I pos- sess shall be exerted to serve the cause,"- words amply verified by his actions. (Sparks's Washington, iv., 73. 74.)
In September, he had the mortification of seeing two Regiments show too great disrelish for the "smell of gunpowder ;" and General (ireene, now "able to ride," wrote that "his Excellency was so vexed at the infamous con- Inct of the troops, that he sought death rath- er than life ;" still, posted strongly on Harlem Heights. he hopes against hope that "the ene- my would meet with a defeat in case of an at- jack, if the generality of our troops would behave with tolerable bravery."- (Sparks's Washington, iv., 94, 95.) In fact, there was something about this man which seemed to in- «piro his victorious enemies with dread ; so that, notwithstanding one vicissitude after an- other, not of the most comforting nature, his bearing was caliu and self-reliant. At last he began that ever-memorable retreat through the Jerseys. On the nineteenth of November, he was at Hackensack, experiencing "great morti- feation" at the capture of Fort Washington, with two thousand men, a good deal of artil- lery, and some of the "best arms we had." Hc is "wearied to death with the retrograde mo- tion of things, and solemnly protests to his brother that a pecuniary reward of twenty thousand pounds a year would not induce him to undergo what he does ; and yet this was not
inconsistent with the words he he
a brother's sword had been sheathed in er's breast, and that the once happy and pe 'ul plains of America aro either to be drench in blood or inhabited with slaves. Sad alterna- tive ! But can a virtnous man hesitate in his choice ?" (Sparks's Washington, i., 137; iv., 183,184.)
From Hackensack, he retreated with his lit- tie Army to Aquaekanock ; thence to Newark, where he halted from the twenty-third to the twenty-seventh. On the thirtieth, he was at New Brunswick ; on the third of December at Trenton ; and on the ciglith at "Mr. Berkeley's summer-seat," on the West side of the Dela- ware, with the great resolution burning in his soul, like vestal fires, to live a freeman, or, if need be, to die for so noble an atm, and, in fact his eye, at that time, glancing Westward, as he says, "if overpowered, we must cress the Alle- ghany mountains." (Ramsay, 51.) Those who elung to his fortunes, caught his spirit ; for, whilst there, West of the Delaware, a Connect- ient officer wrote very spicy words to his friend at home, "to advise the old and young to be in readiness. 'Push the affair of good muskets ;' let them carry a full ounce ball ; but I think a three and a half feet barrel is long enough, 'with a good bayonet.' Depend upon it, to avoid the worst, it's necessary to be well and martially equipped." (American Archives, iii., 1275. )
This retreat through New Jersey, in Novem- ber and December of 1776, has usually been called by the veterans of that day, "the Mud Rounds," which is to this day a familiar phrase in that State. It was so called on account of the roads which, during the first part of the march, were almost impassable quagmire, ; which became frozen before the march was ended-an awful road, indeed, for barefooted soldiers, of whom there were many in the di- diminished ranks of Washington. I have con- versed with several soldiers who were in the Army during that retreat, and have read the copious notes of the late venerable man, Doe- tor Lewis Conaiet, of Morristown, which were taken from the lips of Revolutionary soldiers applying for pensions ; and all who were in that march alluded to the "Mad Rounds," as a time of very peenhar suffering aod hardship. Okdl David Gordon, of Rockaway, who, at the age of ninety-two, was as elcerful as a bird, frequent- ly spoke of that mareh with a shudder ; and he was better off than many of his companions, for he had shoes on his feet. Their tents and clothing were insufficient to protect them ; the roads were either muddy or frozen ; the rain. storms were severe ; and the inhabitants along the route, panic-stricken, supposing the cause
ANNALS OF MORRIS COUNTY.
endence to be ruined. And yet the . Regiments of Washington never dis- sted him, whose virtue and greatness shone esplendently in that darkest hour. To appear calm and confident, as if he were pursuing the foe, instead of conducting a retreat, this was heroism ; this was faith in the future ; and at this point the fame of Washington received "the image and snperscription" which shall challenge the veneration of mankind, in the ages to come.
It is unnecessary for me to recount the vic- tories of Trenton and Princeton ; but, at this point, may be related a well-authenticated fact showing on what little things the great events in history apparently depend. It is generally conceded that the victory of Trenton, on the moruing of the twenty-fifth of December, 1776, was the crisis in our national destiny ; but few are aware how near the beam of destiny was to deciding adversely to us. The anecdote I have received from that zealons antiquarian, Doctor Charles G. McChesney, for many years the ac- complished Secretary of the State, for New Jer- sey. He tells mne that the two-story brick house is still standing at the North-west corner of Warren and State-streets, in Trenton, in which Colonel Rabl, the brave but dissipated Commander of the Hessians, with a seleet cir- .le of friends, was spending that Christmas uight in drinking and gambling, never dream- ing of danger from the dispirited enemy hiding on the other side of the Delaware. Whilst Washington and his troops were contending with the firerce storm of snow and hail and the chiitting ice fields of the Delaware, the mercen- ary, Rahl, was doing something qmte different. for which America has great reason to be thankful. A Tory on the Jersey side of the river discovered sigus which led him to sup- pose that Washington was crossing for an ob- ject which could not well be mistaken. The Tory wrote a short letter, warning Rahl of his danger, and dispatched a messenger with it, directing him to give it to no one but the Ics- sian Commander. On inquiring at head-quar- ters for labi, he was directed to the house in which he was carousing. A negro servant opened the door, but refused to admit him, ac- cording to explicit directions from Rahl to ad- mit no one; but, as the informer seemed su urgent, he promised to deliver the note to him, immediately and actually did deliver it. This was in ample time to have prevented a snr- prise, but most fortunately, just then, heated with drinking, he was distributing the cards for a fresh game, and thrusting the ominous note into his pocket forgot it. The same news, however, were brought him a few hours after- ward, and in a shape not to be thrust into his pocket ; and he found to his sorrow that his
recklessness had enabled Washington to accon- plish a brilhant achievement for his own re- nown and the salvation of his country. It the pernicious vices of druukenness and gambling ever deserved gratitude, as the indirect means of great good, this would seem to be the case !
After the Battle of Trenton Washington again crossed with his army to the West bank of the Delaware. The enemy was in force at New Brunswick and at Princeton. The weather had become so cold that on the second of Jannary the Americans re-crossed the river and took possession of Trenton. On the third of Jau- vary the enemy attacked Washington on the Assanpink, which runs through Trenton, but were repulsed with considerable loss. That night Washington executed a brilliant manoeu- vre in a masterty manner. The camp-tires were kindled along his whole line, as if the bat- tle were to be renewed in the morning ; but the Americans silently withdrew towards Prince- ton, to make the fourth of Jannary a memora- ble day, by another cheering victory, attended with one incident, at the time considered ens- blematic. The portrait of George the Third graced the walls of the College Chapel ; and whilst the enemy were defending themselves in the venerable College, a random cannon-shot passed into the window and severed the King's bead in the picture. It is said that the portrait of Washington now occupies the very frame from which the headless George was so rudely ejected.
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning ;" the retreat through the Jerseys, called the "Mnd Rounds," bs those who experienced its severe hardships, was the fore-runner of the victories of Trenton, A,- sanpink, and Princeton. Forthwith, we tind a moro cheerful tone in Washington's letters. Whilst retreating, he declared "the conduct of the Jerseys has been most infamous." not mak- mg sufficient allowance for the fearful pressure of circumstances ; but on the fifth of Jaunary he, in effect, recalls the harsh expressions of the cighteenth of December: "These vict( .- ries," he said, "have fired the Eastern Regi- ments with ardor to protract their terms of ser- vice ;" "and the Militia are pouring in from all quarters, and only want veteran troops to lead them on ;" "the enemy have evacuated the country below ; they went off in the greatest hurry and confusion."- (Sparks's Washington, iv., 230, 253, 258.,
It will not be out of place to state bere, that many of the captured Hessians were sent to different parts of the country, to be put to work. Thirty of them were employed by John Jacob Facsch abont his furnace, at Mount Hope, in Morris County, the Government har- ing furnished him with muskets sufficient for
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ANNALS OF MORRIS COUNTY.
his American workmen to use in keeping the prisoners at their duty. Somo of these priso- ners died and were buried at an oll graveyard on the West slope of the Mount Hope range, half -- a mile West of the works. Several of them be- : Ford conducted th . Militia from Chatham to Morristown ; and, from the fact that he was on parade on the thirty-first of the month, it is evident they had not been disbanded. Proba- bly they were kept together until Washington's Army arrive l from the Battle of Princeton.
canie attached to the conutiv and concluded to remain. Their descendants are found to this day in the vicinity of Rockaway.
Some suppose, and so state, that no portion of the American Antry was encamped in the vi- cinity of Morristown until after the Battle of Princeton ; but on the twentieth of December, 1776, Washington wrote to the President of Congress that he bad "directed the three Reg- iments from Ticonderoga to halt at Morristown, in Jersey (where I understand about eight huu- dred Militia had collected), in order to inspirit the inhabitants, and as far as possible. to cover that part of the country." These were "East- ern Regiments," led to Morristown under the command of Colonel Vose, about the middle of December. In a letter to Washington, dated December 19th, 1776, General MeDougall says be came to Morristown, the day atter General Lee was captured at Baskinridge, which was on the thirteenth of that month : and that Vose arrived at Morristown, "dav before yesterday," which was the seventeenth of December. From the same letter we learn that Cotonel JJacob Ford, Junior, had at that time under his com- mand seven hundred Militia. The three East- ern Regiments were "Greatons Regiment, about 250 men ; Bond's do., 100; Porter's do , 170 ; in all 520 men." At his own request, Me- Dougal, the General Officer at this station. was superceded by General William Maxwell of Sus- sex County, New Jersey. The people of Morris County were greatly alarmed, and had reason to be; for "Colonel Ford's Militia had an en- gagement with the enemy at Springfield," on the fourteenth of December ; and "he expected it would be renewed the next morning, to gain the pass of the mountains." The engagement was not renewed; but the enemy, under Gen- eral Leslie, retreated "towards Spank-Town." In this first engagement, in which the Morris County Militia distinguished themselve, the celebrated John Cleves Symmes-a pioneer of Oho -- participated with a detachment ot Mili- ta from Sussex County. (American Archives, V., iii., 1226 ; Sussex Centennial, 62.) The reg- ular troops were intended to join the Army of Washington ; but the enemy made such demon- strations of their designs to reich Morristown, where was an invaluable powder-mill, that they were ordered to remain, to assist in keeping the enemy away. Morris County at this time had a regiment in the regular service at the North, under colonel William Winds, which had mate- mally dinumshed its means of defence; and this was one reason why Wasbington consented
that the few New England troops should re- main at Morristown, at a time when he needed them so greatly.
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