Documents relating to the Colonial History of the state of New Jersey, Vol. XX, Part 5

Author: New Jersey Historical Society; Nelson, William, 1847-1914
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Paterson, N.J. : Call Printing and Publishing
Number of Pages: 738


USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the Colonial History of the state of New Jersey, Vol. XX > Part 5


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Burlington, August 6, 1756.


WHEREAS one Jonathan Thomas, of Burlington, in the year 1755, surveyed part of a tract of land in the county of Morris, near the Falls of Alometung; which tract was, in the year 1714, surveyed to Benjamin Hunt- er, my father, as by the record of the same survey, now in the Surveyor General's Office at Burlington will ap- pear. In order therefore to prevent any innocent per- sons being imposed on and injured by purchasing under the survey to Jonathan Thomas, I give this publick notice, that the survey to said Benjamin Hunter is on


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record, and that I shall immediately take the steps proper for the survey of my right.


Thomas Hunter.


-The Pennsylvania Gasette, No. 1442, August 12, 1756.


New- York, August 16. Saturday Night last, his Maj- esty's Ship Stirling-Castle, Captain Cornish, of 74 Guns, arrived at Sandy-Hook, from England, with 12 Trans- port Ships, (having about 800 Soldiers, and a Number of Officers for the Royal American Regiment on board) under her Convoy Captain Denny, lately appointed Governor of Pennsylvania, is come in the Stirling- Castle. The Money granted by Parliament, for defray- ing Part of the Charges the Provinces were at last Cam- paign, is also arrived in the Stirling-Castle.


The anniversary Commencement at the College of New-Jersey, is appointed to be held on the last Wed- nesday in September next, which, this Year, is the 29th Day. This Notice is given to the Publick, to prevent Disappointments, as it has been, thro' Mistake, put into some New-England Almanacks, the fourth Wed- nesday .- The New York Mercury, August 16, 1756.


Trenton, August 10, 1756.


By virtue of a writ to me directed, will be exposed to sale by way of publick vendue, at the Courthouse in Trenton on Wednesday the 22d of September next, a house and lot and wind-grist-mill, situate in Pening- ton, in the county of Hunterdon, and province of New- Jersey, the lot containing a quarter of an acre, and is about eight miles from Trenton; late the property of


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Samuel Price ; taken in execution at the suit of Samuel Tucker, junior, by


BENJAMIN BILES, Sheriff.


N. B. The conditions may be known at the time of sale.


Trenton, August 10, 1756.


By virtue of a writ to me directed, will be exposed to sale by way of publick vendue, at the Courthouse in Trenton, on Wednesday the 22d of September next, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, a plantation, situate in Am- well, in the county of Hunterdon, and province of New Jersey, containing 159 acres, with a good frame dwell- ing house, a good barn, and a young bearing orchard, 5 or 6 acres of good meadow, and as much more may be made. It is about 24 miles from Trenton, and as far from Brunswick, and a very good road to either place; late the property of William Davison junior, and taken in execution at the suit of Paul Richards, by


Benjamin Biles, Sheriff.


N. B. The conditions may be known at the time of sale.


New- York, August 23. The Money brought by the Stirling Castle, amounting to £11500 Sterling, in Sil- ver and Gold, for reimbursing the Provinces Part of the Charge of last Year's Campaign, was landed here on Wednesday last, and filled 24 Carts .- The New York Mercury, August 23, 1756.


N. YORK, August 23.


Yesterday Morning the Nightingale Man of War, Capt. Campbell, got under Way to proceed to the Hook .- The Pennsylvania Gasette, No. 1444, August 26, 1756.


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Perth-Amboy, August 19.


We have a certain Account from the Northern Fron- tiers of this Province, That on Thursday last Abraham Vanaken, Esq; a Justice of Peace in the County of Sus- sex; was shot through the left Arm, and had one of the Fingers of his Hand shot off by an Indian, who had concealed himself in the Cellar of an old House in one of Vanaken's Fields; and as he was driving his Team loaded with Grain, his Daughter who had been help- ing him being upon the Top of the Load, the Indian fired upon him; upon which Vanaken called to his Daughter to jump off the Load, and run for her Life. The Girl in leaping down, happened to fall, and the Indian was going to dispatch her with his Tomahawk, which the Father perceiving, wounded as he was, made toward the Indian with his Pitch-Fork, and saved his Daughter from the Stroke: And Vanaken's Son com- ing up with his Gun at the same Time, the Indian fled: and when he was got to the End of the Field they saw two other Indians join him, but they all run away. This was done within a Mile of Cole's Fort, upon Mahak- amack River, near Delaware. Justice Vanaken lay so ill of his Wounds, that his Life was in great Danger.


We have a further Account from the same Place, That on Friday last, three men, to wit, Gerardus Swartwout, eldest Son of Major Swartwout, Samuel Finch, and Peter Westphalen, were found murdered, and stript quit naked, and Swartwout and Finch scalped by the Indians, some Miles higher up the River Mahakamack, and within the Province of New York.


We hear that the Company that went out with Capt. Gardner, one of the Captains of the New Jersey Forces now stationed upon the Frontiers of Delaware, into the Province of Pennsylvania, in order to discover the lurk-


=


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ing Places, and destroy the Settlements of the Enemy Indians, traversed the East Branch of Susquehanah, 15 Miles above Wioming, an Indian Town upon the said Branch; but could not discover any Indians, who had all abandoned their usual Places of Abode: However they set Fire to Wioming, and destroyed all the Houses there, some of which were very good Ones .- The Penn- sylvania Gasette, No. 1444. Aug. 26, 1756.


Extract of a Letter from Goshen, dated August 14.


Last Thursday Morning about a Mile on the West Side of the Wallkill, two Men were fired upon as they were at Work in the Field, by a Party of Indians, but missed them; when two of the Indians set off to catch them; but as they ran different Courses they both es- caped, and that Night got safe to their Neighbours. This Day it is reported by some Minisink People, that Major Swartwout is carried off by the Indians. Hc went last Week to a Place called Besha's Land, to fetch some Horses he had there, and not returning in the Evening. they found one Horse shot in the Field, and his Throat cut, and ten taken away, but can hear no farther of the Major .- The Pennsylvania Journal, No. 716, Aug. 26, 1756.


Philadelphia, August 26. On Thursday last a Number of Gentlemen set out from this City, in order to meet the Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esq; our new Gov- ernor, on his Journey here from New-York. They met him at Trenton, and were received by him in a very genteel Manner .- The New York Mercury, August 30, 1756.


Run away on the 20th of August, from James Dun- lap, junior of Alloway's Creek, in Salem county, an Irish


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servant woman, named Mary Roch, about 22 years of age, of a fair complexion, thick set: Had on when she went away, a striped linsey gown and petticoat, straw hat. homespun linen shift, and a pair of old damask shoes. One Cornelius Daly went with her, and 'tis probable they will pass for man and wife; he is a short man, and had on an old blue coat, and a bluish col- oured jacket, with one of the sleeves almost torn off. It is supposed, as the man has a wife in Pilesgrove he may possibly take some of her clothes to change Roch's dress with. Whoever takes up the said Mary Roch, and secures her, so that her master may have her again, shall have Thirty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by


James Dunlap, junior.


N. B. They both have a good deal of the brogue on their tongues.


-The Pennsylvania Gasette, No. 1445, Sept. 2, 1756.


Burlington, August 24, 1756.


Whereas in the Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 1442, there was an advertisement published by Thomas Hunt- er, cautioning all persons from purchasing a tract of land of me, which I the subscriber surveyed in the county of Morris, near the Falls of Alometung, because the said tract of land, he alledges, was before surveyed to his father Benjamin Hunter: Therefore, in order to prevent the publick, or any innocent persons being im- posed upon, by purchasing under the title of said Hunt- er. I shall endeavour to set forth said Hunter's claim, if it be so termed, which is collected from his own writ- ings, and the records. One Richard Hunter, who he says was his grandfather, was seized of one twentieth


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part of propriety in West Jersey; and being thereof seized, made his last will and testament. in writing, bearing date the first day of March. Anno Domini 1679. and in said will devised the said share of propriety to be equally divided between his wife Elizabeth, and his four children, namely, his son Benjamin, and his daugh- ters Anne, Rachel and Elizabeth, and soon after died, whereby the said Benjamin Hunter became seized of one fifth of one twentieth part of propriety, which could draw but 50 acres, at a dividend, for his share: the said Benjamin Hunter, or his agents, did. the 19th of Feb- ruary, 1712, obtain a warrant from the council of pro- prietors, in his own name. for 750 acres, being three dividends of the whole twentieth part, which as he was seized of but one fifth, should not have been but 150 . acres: thro' which mistake they located the said 750 acres, and got it on record. in said Benjamin's name. And as the council of proprietors, not being appre- hensive of such a mistake, did the 8th of October, 1714. grant one other warrant for 250 acres, being the fourth dividend of said twentieth part, whereby he, or his agents, got a surveyor to run round 250 acres of land. which survey was supposed to interfere with the West - Jersey Society land, by reason whereof, as well as by reason that the said Benjamin Hunter has surveyed more than he had any right to, the said survey of 250 acres could not be entered on record or otherwise for some reason was not. And as I was seized of rights to land in West-Jersey, did some time past locate all the land that was there, that did not interfere with the So- ciety, which proved to be but 135 acres: which survey was approved by the council, and by their order put on record. prior to any record of his. Therefore as the said Benjamin Hunter had a right for but 200 acres, and had


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got 750 surveyed, he could not have any right to the 250 acres, nor the said Thomas Hunter, who claims as heir at law to the said Benjamin; but admitting the said Benjamin had been seized of the whole twentieth part, which he was not, the said survey of 250 acres is void by an act of assembly of New-Jersey, made in the fifth year of King George, the first. See New-Jersey laws, fol. 73 and 74; therefore for the reasons herein set forth, I conceive that my title is good, and am ready to defend the same.


Jonathan Thomas. -The Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 1445, Sept. 2, 1756.


By his EXCELLENCY JONATHAN BELCHER, Esquire,


Captain General, and Governor in Chief, in and over his Majesty's Province of NEW-JERSEY, and Territories thereon depending in AMERICA, Chancellor, and Vice Admiral in the same, &c.


A PROCLAMATION.


HEREAS upon the Decease of JAMES ALEXANDER, Esq., late Surveyor General of the Prov- ince of New-Jersey, the Propri- etors of the Eastern Division of said Province, have nominated and appointed WILLIAM ALEX- ANDER, Esq; to be Surveyor General of the Lands in the said Eastern Division, to execute the said Office by himself, or his lawful Deputy, and such Deputies as he shall appoint in the several Counties within said Division un- til further Order. AND WHEREAS the said WILLIAM ALEXANDER, hath given Security for the due Execu- V


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tion of his said Office, and hath taken the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration appointed by Law, and hath taken an Oath for the due Execution of his said Office, pursuant to his Majesty's Instructions, and also hath given Bond, pursuant to the Directions of an Act of General Assembly of this Province, passed in the Fifth year of his late Majesty's Reign, entitled, An Act for running and ascertaining the Line of Parti- tion or Division, between the Eastern and Western Di- visions of the Province of New-Jersey, &c. AND WHEREAS the said WILLIAM ALENANDER, with the Approbation of the Proprietors aforesaid, hath appointed THOMAS BARTOW, to be his lawful Deputy to execute the Office aforesaid, until he shall otherwise Order. for whom he will be answerable. and who is also properly qualified for that Purpose. THIS is therefore to notify the same. and all his Majesty's Subjects within the said Eastern Division, and all others whom it may concern, are here - by required to take Notice thereof and govern them- selves accordingly. And all Magistrates, Officers, and Ministers of Justice, are required to be aiding and as- sisting to the said WILLIAM ALEXANDER, and his Dep- uties respectively. in the due Execution of the said Of- fice, as they will answer the contrary at their Peril.


Given under my Hand and Seal. at Arms, at the Bor- ough of Elizabeth, this Twenty-eighth Day of August. in the Thirtieth Year of his Majesty's Reign, Annoqui Domini, 1756.


J. BELCHER.


By Command of his Excellency, by and with the Ad- vice of his Majesty's Council.


CHARLES READ, Secretary.


- The New York Mercury, September 6, 1756.


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NEW-YORK, Sept. 6. We hear from New Jersey, that on Sunday Night, the 29th last past, 3 Men arrived at Elizabeth-Town in a poor, weak and starving Condi- tion, to wit, Thomas Sherby, Benjamin Springer, and John Denite, who had been Prisoners among the Indi- ans, and were almost naked, having only old Indian Blankets about them to cover their Nakedness. They made their Escape from the Indians at a Place called Jenango or Venango, an Indian Town, situate near the Head of Sasquehannah, and were 32 Days in the Woods, during which Time they suffered great Hard- ships, for want of Food, and were obliged to eat Rat- tle-snakes. Black-snakes, Frogs, and such vermin; and sometimes they could find nothing to eat for Days together. The first Settlements they made, where. they found any Inhabitants, was the upper Fort, upon Delaware River in New-Jersey, called Cole's Fort; and from thence they were sent under a Guard to Elizabeth- Town, for fear the White People should annoy them. they looking more like Indians than Christians, being very swarthy, and their Hair cut by the Savages after the Indian Fashion, and dressed only in Indian Blank- ets. Springer says, that he was taken Prisoner the 22d Day of May last, when being at Work at one Anthony Swartwout's, in Sussex County, New Jersey, about ten o'Clock in the Morning, two Indians attacked the House, and shot Swartwout's Wife dead upon the Spot. They then seized Swartwout and Springer, and three of the Indians drove Springer away with a Negroe, who they had taken the Night before at one Capt. Hunt's in said County, making them run all the Way, until they came to the River Delaware, which they crossed on a Raft of Rails, about 8 Miles above Col. Van Camp- en's. When they were got about a Mile and a Half into


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Pennsylvania, they waited in the Bushes for the two Indians who were left behind with Swartwout and his Children: and in about an Hour and a Half thie said Indians came to them with only two of Swartwout's Children, a Girl about 12 years old. and a Boy about 9. These Children told Springer, that the Indians had killed three of the Children at the House, and had killed and scalped their Father about seven Miles from the House, near a Brook, where they likewise killed their little Sister, and threw her into the Brook. The Indians then carried Springer, Swartwout's two Chil- dren, and the Negroe, to the Indian Towns, where they were dispersed about. Hunt's Negroe told Springer. That young Hunt, Brother to Capt. Hunt, who was also taken Prisoner with him, was killed by the Indians, in endeavouring to make his Escape from them. This is the first Intelligence we have had of Swartwout and his Children. and of young Hunt and the Negroe, since they were missing in May last, when Captain Hunt's House was burnt to the Ground. Sherby says, he was made Prisoner at Juniata, in Pennsylvania, by six Indi- ans at the House of Daniel Williams in December last. when Williams himself was killed, and Sherby and Will- iams's Wife carried into Captivity. Denite was taken Prisoner in the back Parts of Maryland by 7 Indians, in May last, as he and another were splitting Rails, who were both carried into Captivity. They were all three taken care of at Elizabeth-Town, and a Collection was made for them to cloath them, and to enable them to travel to their several Places of Abode.


To be SOLD


A plantation in Evesham township, Burlington county late the estate of Mary Mickle, deceased, con-


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taining 275 acres, about 70 acres of which is upland, 15 acres of mowable meadow, and about 45 acres more meadow may be made. There is on the place a dwell- ing-house, a very good orchard, and a good well near the House. It is well watered and timbered. The title is indisputable. Any person inclining to purchase, inay apply to John Stokes, in Willingborough, in the same county, who will inform him of the terms of sale .. - The Pennsylvania Gasette, No. 1446, Sept. 9, 1756.


NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 1756.


Extract of a Letter from Albany, dated August 31.


"After an anxious Suspence for several Days, 'tis now past all doubt that we have lost Oswego ---- The Manner how, is not certain .- Two Sailors who escaped from thence tell the following Story. How it came to be lost is a Question, which no Man in this Colony will take upon him to determine-New Jersey has lost a Regiment -- She has lost more-She has lost Col. Schuyler, 1 a brave and loyal Subject, who dispised his own Ease, and all the Delights of an affluent For- tune, for the Service of his Country. Who had greater Inducement to content himself at Home ? None. Who has followed his disinterested Example ? But one. And yet few have been less noticed."- The Penn- sylvania Journal, No. 718, Sept. 9, 1756.


Extract of a Letter from Boston, dated last Monday.


Since our last four of the Scotch Transports arrived here from Glasgow; the Snow Duke of Argyle, Capt King, being the seventh and last Transport, with the


1 On August 14, 1756, Gen. Montcalm, with 5,000 French and Indians, captured the forts garrisoned by the English and Americans, at Os- wego, and 1.400 prisoners, among them Col. Schuyler, who was re- leased at Quebec, in October, 1757.


-


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Highland Troops, run ashore last Wednesday Evening near the Cove at Sandy Hook; and 'tis feared cannot be got off again; but the People are all come up to Town .- The Pennsylvania Journal, No. 718. Sept. 9, 1756.


Run away from Elizabeth Forman. of upper freehold in monmouth county, East New Jersey, a servant man named Peter Ruff (but has been run away several times, before and always, changed his name.) he is a short well sett fellow with a Bushy head of hair, with an iron col- lar about his neck. a Brown Coat with flat mettle but- tons, had on a gray broadcloth Jacket with sleeves, a brown worsted Jacket without sleeves, two hats, a beaver and racoon, two pare of stockings, one of them blue worsted ribed the other blue and white clouded, two shirts one white the other Oznabrigs, two or three pare of trowsers, a pocket book, worked Irish stich with his Indentures in it, whoever takes up said ser- vant, and secures him so that his Mistress may have him a gain shall have Thirty Shillings Reward and all reasonable, Charges.


Elizabeth Forman. -The Pennsylvania Journal, No. 718. Sept. 9. 1756.


Trenton. September. 13. 1756.


To be sold by way of publick vendue, by the sub- scribers, at the house late of John Dagworthey, de- ceased. in Maidenhead, in Hunterdon county, on Fri- day the first day of October next, the plantation where- on the said Dagworthy lived, belonging to his estate, containing about 180 acres, having on it a good dwell- ing house, good barn, and two pretty large orchards. and a good part of them grafted fruit, with near 70


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acres of choice good cleared meadow, the upland very rich and fertile, and is very suitable for keeping a large flock, and the grazing business.


Also to be sold at the same time and place, belong- ing to the same estate, a large number of horses, cattle and hogs, a waggon, cart, ploughs, harrows, and sun- dry other farming utensils; likewise a quantity of household goods, such as feather beds, a case of draw- ers, looking glasses, pewter dishes, plates, brass ket- tles, iron pots, tables, chairs, and many other things too tedious to mention; also a large quantity of very good English hay, well cured, eleven acres of Indian corn, a Negroe man, and woman, and a Negroe boy, about 10 years old.


Also to be sold at Trenton, on Monday, the 4th day of October next, belonging to the same estate three dwelling houses and lots belonging to them, one of the houses being very large and spacious, built with stone, two stories high, with four large rooms on a floor, a wide entry through it, with a kitchen, stable and a good garden: The other two houses being wooden build- ings and all of them situate in the most publick part of Trenton. And also several lots of land belonging to said estate, whereon are no buildings.


In case any person should incline to purchase the plantation, or any of the houses, lots or Negroes, before the above vendue, they may, upon applying to the sub- scribers, have an opportunity of buying them upon rea- sonable terms.


The conditions of the vendue to be known at the times and places abovesaid.


All persons indebted to the said estate, are desired to pay the same, in order to enable the executors, to pay the debts due from the testator, and those persons


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that have any demands against the said estate, are de- sired to bring or send them to the subscribers to be settled, who will discharge them as soon as they can raise money out of the said estate sufficient.


Joseph Yard, and Andrew Reed Executors.


There is in the custody of John Cox, of Morris-town, in Burlington county. West Jersey, a bay mare, with a black mane and tail, supposed to be about 14 hands and a half high, paces a travel, trots and hand gallops, in exceeding good order, branded on the off thigh with E F. The person who brought her there (on being ex- amined) confessed he stole her from some person in Philadelphia county, near Schuylkill, to the best of his knowledge, but the thief has made his escape. The owner describing her natural marks, proving his prop- erty and paying the cost. may have her again, by ap- plying as above.


N. B. 'Tis supposed he stole her on the 6th of this instant September, at night .- The Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 1447, Sept. 16, 1756.


To be SOLD


A plantation, situate in the township of Deptford, and county of Gloucester, in the western division of the province of New Jersey, bounding on the river Dela- ware, about eight miles below Philadelphia, contain- ing 130 acres, 100 acres of which is meadow ground, and within good bank. On the said plantation is a large new dwelling-house and barn, with several other out-houses, a good draw-well, and a young orchard. For terms of sale, enquire of James Talman, in Phila- delphia, or John Rambo living on the premises .- The Pennsylvania Gasette, No. 1448, Sept. 23, 1756.


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Newark, (in New-Jersey) September 30. Yesterday was held, for the last Time at this Place, the Anni- versary Commencement of New-Jersey College, in the Presence of a great and crowded Auditory; when after the usual Ceremonies, viz. The Salutatory Oration, and Sylogistic Disputations, the following young Gen- tlemen received the Honours of that Society, and were admitted the Degrees of Bachelors of Arts.


STEPHEN CAMP, JOSIAH OGDEN,


DAVID HULL,


JOSEPH PECK,


ISAAC LIVERMORE, AZEL ROE,


WILLIAM LIVERMORE, TESSE1 ROOT,


ALEXANDER MARTIN, JEFFERY SMITH.


WILLIAM MILLS,


At the same Time a Number of Gentlemen received the Degrees of Masters of Arts, whose Names we are at present obliged to omit, they having escap'd our Mem- ory.


Whereas William Day, apprentice to James Still, of Newark, ship-wright, absconded his said master's ser- vice, and is gone a privateering in the brig Johnson Capt. Grig, of New-York: This is therefore to forewarn all persons whatsoever from purchasing any prize money from the said William Day, or dealing with him in any other respect whatever .- The New York Mercury, Oc- tober 4, 1756.


New York, October II. Saturday last the Hon. Thomas Pownall, Esq; Lieutenant Governor of New- Jersey, arrived here from Albany; and we hear is to em- bark in the first Packet for England.


1 A typographical error for Jesse. He was subsequently an officer in the Continental army, was a member of the Continental Congress, 1778-1782, and was Chief Justice of Connecticut, 1796-1807.




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