USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the Colonial History of the state of New Jersey, Vol. XXVII > Part 36
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NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
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of the jury must be the justice's judgment, so that their objection was at once removed-I then asked the justice if all actions that came before him were litigated. His answer was, not above one in twenty, on an av- erage at most, and he believed not so many-that generally the defendant acknowledged the debt, confessed judgment, took the benefit of the law, by staying execution three months, otherwise paid the debt and costs, if under Forty Shillings-This put me upon considering the immense sav- ing this law must be to the industrious tradesmen and others in this colo- ny. You must know, Mr. Printer, that I thought myself so much inter- ested in the many excellent advantages that the common people had and daily did receive from this beneficial Ten Pound law, that I have made it my business to enquire of every magistrate, with whom I had the least ac- quaintance, what number of the actions that came before thein were liti- gated ; the answer, by some, not one in thirty, and others not one in twenty, which induced me to conclude what an immense saving is this law to the colony ! And now let me intreat every freeholder and inhabitant in this province, to join unanimously with me, and heartily petition the Governor, Council and Assembly at their next session, to revive the afore- said law, for such further limitation of time as they, in their wisdom, shall see meet ; and in order to carry this matter with decency into execution, let a petition be drawn and copied, and sent into every township in the colony ; and let every well-wisher to so salutary a work make a business of getting every freeholder and inhabitant to sign ; Then let one person from each county collect and carry up the petitions of his own county to the General Assembly ; by which means the sentiments of the colony will be ascertained-at the same time I could wish some abler pen would take up the matter-that so beneficial a law may be constituted, is the sincere desire and prayer of
A TRADESMAN OF NEW-JERSEY.
New- Jersey, 15th August, 1771.
* This excellent law expires by its own limitation, at the next session of the General Assembly.
-The Pennsylvania Chronicle, No. 247, Septem- ber 30 to October 7, 1771.
A Tract of land to be sold on Long-Island, con- taining about 500 acres together, with mead- ow adjoining Islip's line. Any person inclinable to purchase the same, may apply to Nicholas Vaghte, at Grig's Town, in Somerset, New-Jersey.
RUN-AWAY from the subscribers, living in Mill-
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stone, near Somerset court-house, in the county of Somerset, in New-Jersey, on Saturday night the 21 st of September, two negroes, one named WILL ; he can read, write and cypher, and it is supposed he has wrote a pass : Had on when he went away, an half worn hat, linsey woollsey coat and jacket good leath- er breeches, black woollen stockings, and a pair of mens shoes ; he plays very well on the fiddle, and took one with him, and is about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high. The other named Prym, is about 5 feet 9 inch- es high : Had on when he went away, one lent or stolen hat, linsey-woollsey coat, leather breeches and new shoes, pretty long hair, and one of his great toes cut off; he speaks very good English and Dutch, and we suppose they will stay together. Whoever takes up and secures them so that their masters may have them again, one is about 30 years old, and the other about 25, shall have Six Dollars and all reasonable charges, paid by us,
Captain STOFFEL PROBASCO, Or, HENDRICK PROBASCO.
-The New York Gazette ; and the Weekly Mer- cury, No. 1040, September 30, 1771.
Shrewsbury, Sept. 26, 1771.
On Monday the 23d Instant died, after a short Ill- ness, Mrs. Cooke, Wife of the Rev. Mr. Cooke, Mis- sionary at Shrewsbury. She was a Woman so truly amiable in her Temper and Disposition, and so ex- emplary in the Discharge of every Christian and rel- ative Duty, as justly endeared her to all that knew her, and renders her Death greatly and sincerely la-
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mented by all her surviving Relations, Friends and Acquaintance.1
-The New York Gazette; and The Weekly Mer- cury, No. 1041, October 7, 1771.
New Jersey, Gloucester County, September 29, 1771.
FOUR DOLLARS Reward. | RUN away on the 29th instant, from the subscriber, a Negroe man, named KENT, about 24 years of age, a middle sized fellow, and pock-marked; had on, when he went away, a white linen shirt, brown broadcloth coat, old black plush jacket, new leather breeches, thread stockings, new shoes, with carved metal buckles, and a new felt hat. He has lived in Philadelphia, where he followed sweeping of chimnies, and it is very like- ly is lurking about town. Whoever takes up said Negroe and secures him in any goal, so that his mas- ter may get him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
WILLIAM COOPER.
N. B. All masters of vessels, and others, are forbid to harbour or conceal said Negroe at their peril.
Penn's-Neck, Salem County, New-Jersey, Sept. 16, 1771. .
THIS may certify all whom it may concern, that we, the inhabitants of Lower Penn's-Neck, do intend to petition the Assembly of said province, at their next sitting, for a repeal of an act, passed in Novem-
1 Mrs. Cooke was .Graham Kearny. dau. of Michael Kearny, of Perth Amboy, and granddaughter of Gov. Lewis Morris. For a notice of the Rev. Samuel Cooke, missionary at Shrewsbury, see N. J. Archives, 20; 636.
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ber, 1760, for laying a toll on the bridge and cause- way, from Stony Island, unto the land late belonging to Richard Woodnut, and likewise for liberty to have the same laid out four rod wide; and also that the said inhabitants may be enabled to maintain the said bridge and causeway, as other public highways, &c.
September 26, 1771.
TO be sold, in Mansfield, in Burlington county, within a mile of Bordentown, a plantation con- taining 106 acres, 20 acres of meadow ground, with 40 acres of good land, a young orchard, a good dwell- ing-house, and barn, with a well of good water by the door, and within half a mile of Lewis's and Foster's grist-mills, and two good landings within a mile of the same. For terms, enquire of MAHLON THORN, on the premises, who will give a good title for the same.
RUN away from the subscriber, in West-Nant- well township, Chester county, on the 18th of Sep- tember last. an indented servant boy, called John Mitchell, about 17 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, straight black hair, with a linen shirt, check trowsers, old hat, and shoes ; says he was bred near Trenton, in the Jerseys, writes a good hand ; it is supposed he will forge a pass; said servant was brought out of Chester goal the day before he ran away. Whoever takes up said servant and secures him, so as his mas- ter may get him again, shall receive Four Dollars re- ward, and if brought home, reasonable charges, paid by MICHAEL GRAHAM. -The Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2232, October 3, 1771.
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PRINCETON, (New-Jersey,) Sept. 25. Yesterday was held, in the Public Library of the College in this place, before about twenty Gentlemen of liberal education, A COMPETITION for PREMIUMS, in the following branches of study.
I. Reading the English language with propriety, and answering questions on the Orthography. On a decision by ballot, the first premium was adjudged to Aaron Burr, of the junior class; the second to William Linn, of ditto ; the third to Belcher Peartree Smith, of the Sophomore class.
2. Extempore-exercises in the Latin language. The judges thought proper that the premium should be equally divided between Brockholst Livingston and David Witherspoon, both of the freshman class.
3. Reading the Latin and Greek languages with propriety. The first premium was given to John Witherspoon, of the sophomore class; the second to Aaron Burr, of the junior ; the third to Henry Lee, of the sophomore.
4. Written translation of English into Latin. The Judges, on reading the several pieces, decided in fa- vour of Henry Lee, of the sophomore class.
5. Public speaking. As the competitors were nu- merous, and the judges were highly pleased with each of the performances, it was very difficult to decide the pre-eminence. On a division the majority of votes adjudged the first premium to William Brad- ford, of the junior class ; the second to William Linn, of ditto ; the third to Hugh Hodge of the freshman class.
This day the anniversary COMMENCEMENT of the
1
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College of New-Jersey was held in the Church here.
After the usual procession, the business of the day was introduced with Prayer by the President, and a piece of vocal music performed by the Students.
The exercises were conducted in the following or- der,
I. Mr. Brackenridge delivered a Salutatory Latin Oration " De societate Hominum."
2. The following Proposition, " Mendacium est semper illicitum," was defended by Mr. Williamson ; who was opposed in the syllogistic form by Messrs. McKnight and Taylor.
3. Mr. Black supported this Thesis, " Moral qual- "ities are confessedly more excellent than natural ; yet " the latter are much more envied in the possessor by " the generality of mankind: A sure sign of the cor- " rupt bias of human nature." Mr. Cheeseman op- posed him, and was answered by Mr. Taylor.
4. Mr. Campbell pronounced an English Oration on "The advantages of an active life" : And the bus- iness of the fore-noon was concluded with an Anthem by the Students.
5. At three o'clock the Audience again convened, and, after singing by the Students, Mr. Spring de- livered an English Oration on "The idea of a Patriot- King."
6. An English forensic Debate on this question, " Does ancient Poetry excel the modern ?" Mr. Fren- eau the respondent, being necessarily absent, his ar- guments in favour of the ancients were read to the assembly : Mr. Williamson answered him and sup- ported the moderns ; and Mr. McKnight replied.
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7. A Poem, on "The rising glory of America"1 was spoken by Mr. Brackenridge, and received with great applause by the Audience."
8. Mr. Ross delivered an English Oration on " The Power of Eloquence."
9. The Students sung an Anthem: After which the following young Gentlemen were admitted to the first Degree in the Arts, viz : Gunning Bedford, John Black, Hugh Brackinridge, Donald Campbell, Ed- mund Cheeseman, Philip Freneau, Charles M'Knight, James Madison, Joseph Ross, Samuel Spring, James Taylor, and Jacob Williamson.2
1 In The New York Gazette and The Weekly Mercury, No. 1041, Oct. 7, 1771, the title is given as "The rising glory of the Western World."
2 The following biographical sketches are principally from Alexander's "Princeton College in the Eighteenth Century :"
GUNNING BEDFORD while a student in college married Jane B. Parker, one of the most elegant and accomplished women of her times, who brought her first- born child to Princeton. leaving it in the care of Mrs. President Witherspoon while she went to the church to hear her young husband's valedictory address at Commencement After graduating Mr. Bedford became a lawyer. and rose to em- inence in Delaware, his native State In 1785 and 1783 he was a member of the Continental Congress; and in 1787 was a member of the Convention which formed the Constitution of the United States. In 1796 he was elected Governor of Dela- ware, and soon after was the first appointee of Washington to the United States District Court of Delaware, which position he held with distinguished honor until his death in March, 1812.
JOHN BLACK, a South Carolinian by birth, was licensed by Donegal Presby- tery, October 14, 1773, and was ordained and installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Upper Marsh Creek, York County, Pennsylvania. August 15, 1775. On April 10, 1794. he was released from his charge. but continued to preach in various places without any regular settlement. Mr. Black possessed a high order of tal- ent, and was especially fond of philosophical disquisitions. He died August 6, 1802.
HUGH HENRY BRACKENRIDGE came to this country from Scotland when quite young. He supported himself while in the higher classes in college, by teaching the lower classes. In conjunction with his class-mate, Philip Freneau, he wrote a poem in dialogue, between Acasto and Eugenio, on the " Rising Glory of Amer- ica," which he delivered at commencement, and which was published the next year in Philadelphia. After graduation, he remained two years as a tutor, pur- suing at the same time the study of theology. Mr. Brackenridge was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 1777, but resigned his license a few months afterwards. For several years after leaving the college he taught school in Maryland, but in 1776 he went to Philadelphia, and supported himself by edit- ing the "United States Magazine." In 1781 he located at Pittsburg, from which
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The following Gentlemen, allumni of this College, proceeded Masters of Arts, viz Waightstill Avery,
city he was sent to the legislature. He was closely associated with Albert Galla- tin during the Whisky Insurrection, and when the affair was over he published "Incidents of the Insurrection in the Western parts of Pennsylvania, 1794." In 1796 he published a political satire, "Modern Chivalry ; or, The Adventures of Captain Farrago and Teague O'Reagan, his servant." After an interval of ten years he published the second part. The whole, with his last corrections, was published in Pittsburg in 1819. In 1789 he was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. A few years before his death he removed to Carlisle, where he died June 25, 1816.
DONALD CAMPBELL joined the American army from New York, and on July 17, 1775, was commissioned Quartermaster General of the New York Department, with the rank of Colonel in the Continental Army, serving in that capacity until June 2, 1784.
PHILIP FRENEAU was born in New York City, January 2, 1782, being descend- ed from a French Huguenot family. He began to write verses very early, and while residing in New York in 1774 and 1775, published a series of poetical satires on the royalists and their cause, which speedily made him famous. In 1776 he visited the Danish West Indies, where he wrote several of his best poems. Two years later he was at Bermuda, and in 1779 was in Philadelphia, superintending the publication of the " United States Magazine," In 1780 he sailed in the " Au- rora" for St. Eustatia, but was captured in sight of Cape Henlopen by the British frigate Iris. and carried to New York and confined in a prison-ship, from which he eventually escaped. He subsequently became a sea captain and made many voyages between 1784 and 1789, and 1798 and 1809. In 1790 he was editor of the "Daily Advertiser" in New York ; and in 1791 was appointed by Mr. Jefferson "interpreter of the French language for the Department of State." In 1795 he set up his own press at Mount Pleasant. Monmouth county, New Jersey, and com- menced the publication of his "Jersey Chronicle," which he continued for one year. In 1797 he started in New York "The Time Piece and Literary Com- panion," which was published three times a week, in a neat folio form. In 1798 Freneau's name disappears from the paper. He perished in a snow-storm, on his way home on the night of December 18, 1832, in the eightieth year of his age.
CHARLES MCKNIGHT, a son of the Rev. Charles McKnight, was born in Cran- berry, New Jersey, October 10, 1750. After graduating, he studied medicine with Dr. William Shippen, of Philadelphia, of the class of 1754, and entered the army as Surgeon of the Pennsylvania Battalion of the Flying Camp, serving as such from June to December, 1776 ; he was appointed senior Surgeon of the Flying Hospital of the Middle Department, in April, 1777, and Surgeon General of the same, February 21, 1778, and Chief Hospital Physician. October 6, 1780, serving un- til January 3, 1782. He was with the main army in all its movements, and the du- ties of his office he performed with signal ability. At the close of the war he set- tled in New York city, and became Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in Colum- bia College, where he delivered lectures on these two branches of medical sci- ence, and where he enjoyed the reputation of being the most eminent surgeon of his day. Dr. McKnight died November 16, 1791.
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JAMES MADISON, President of the United States, 1809-1817, was born March 5, 1751. Dr. Witherspoon remarked to Jefferson, in reference to Madison. that in his whole course in college, he had never known him to do or say an indiscreet thing. While in college he was a laborious student, during a part of the course allowing himself but three hours out of the twenty-four for sleep. The state of
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Richard D)evens, William Charles1 Houston, Thomas Reese, Thomas Smith, and Isaac Story.
Samuel Wilson, Esq; of Maryland, for his known literary merit and reputation, was complimented with the Degree of Master of Arts.
The Rev. William Jackson, of Bergen in New-Jer- sey, M. A. in Yale-College in Connecticut, and King's College in New-York, was admitted ad eundem.
Messrs. John McClarren Breed, and Thomas Wooster, Masters of Arts in Yale College, were ad- mitted ad eundem.
Jacob Bankson, M. A. in Philadelphia College, was admitted ad eundem in this College.
Michael Joyce, Bachelor of Arts in Harvard Col- lege, was admitted ad eundem.
Io. A pathetic Valedictory Oration on Benevo- 1 Churchill.
opinion in the college in regard to the oppression of the colonies by Great Brit- ain, may be learned from an extract of a letter from Madison to Thomas Martin, his former tutor. and himself a graduate of the class of 1762 : "We have no pub- lic news but the base conduct of the merchants of New York in breaking through their spirited resolution not to import. Their letter to the merchants in Phila- delphia, requesting their concurrence, was lately burned by the students of this place in the college yard, all of them appearing in their black gowns, and the bell There are about an hundred and fifteen in tolling.
the college and the grammar school, all of them in American cloth." After grad- uating, Mr. Madison spent about a year at Princeton studying Hebrew with Dr. Witherspoon. On his return to his home, he applied himself to the study of the- ology and kindred sciences. Mr. Madison entered upon public life in May, 1776, as a member of the Convention of Virginia which formed the first Constitution, and which instructed its delegates in Congress to prepare the Declaration of Inde- pendence. His subsequent career is a part of the history of his country.
SAMUEL SPRING was born in Massachusetts. While in college he was called upon on a certain occasion to explain and defend the Copernican System in the presence of the class, when, after proceeding awhile, he became overwhelmed with a sense of the Divine majesty, and burst into tears, so that he was unable to proceed. In 1774 Mr. Spring was licensed to preach, and immediately joined the Continental Army as a chaplain, and was in the severe campaign to Canada under Arnold. At the close of the year 1776 he left the army and began preaching at Newburyport, Massachusetts, where he was ordained and installed August 6, 1777. He remained at Newburyport until his death, March 4, 1819. The honorary de- gree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him in 1806 by Princeton.
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lence, by Mr. Bedford, concluded the exercises.
The whole was conducted with the greatest pro- priety. The Speakers performed their several parts with spirit, ingenuity and address ; and met with the highest marks of approbation and applause from a numerous, polite and discerning audience.
-The Pennsylvania Journal, No. 1504, October 3, 1771 ; The Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2232, October 3, 1771 ; The Pennsylvania Chronicle, No. 247, September 30, to October 7, 1771 ; The N. Y. Gazette, or, The Weekly Post-Boy, No. 1483, October 7, 1771 ; The New York Fournal, or, The General Advertiser, No. 1500, October 3, 1771 ; The New York Gazette ; and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1041, October 7, 1771.
PHILADELPHIA. | We hear from Princeton, that on the 22d ult died there JOB STOCKTON, Esq; one of the Judges for Somerset county, New-Jersey. He was a gentleman of excellent capacity, and great ap- plication to business, and at the same time unblem- ished integrity and singular humanity, which makes his death at the age of 38 deeply and universally re- gretted. He has left by his will £100, to the Col- lege of New-Jersey.
TO BE SOLD.
A Certain Tract of Land, now in the tenure of DR. OTTO, situate on Salem road and on Repaupa creek, in Greenwich Township, in the county of Gloucester, West New-Jersey, about two miles be- low Mantua creek bridge, and 15 miles from the city
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of Philadelphia; on which is erected a neat stone dwelling house, 2 stories high, 35 feet front and 20 feet deep, and a stone kitchen, 18 feet by 13, with a chamber over the kitchen ; a well of excellent water by the house, a good orchard and about 20 acres of meadow are made or may be made on the said tract, and several constant streams running through the said land; containing in the whole 100 acres, about 30 of which are thriving young timber, the rest cleared ; the soil at least equal to any in the neigh- bourhood : It is an excellent situation for a store, being in a well settled part of the country, and but two miles from water carriage to the city of Phila- delphia. For terms apply to JAMES BIDDLE, Esq; in Philadelphia ; or to JOHN SCULL, in Read- ing.
W HEREAS it appears to the Managers of the Filature, that the following persons, viz. JOHN EDWIN of Bethlehem ; FREDERICK ANTES, Esq; of Philadelphia county ; JANE DAVIS of Chester county ; JOHN ASHBRIDGE of Lancaster ; and DANIEL LONG- STRETH of Bucks county, all of Pennsylvania .- MARMADUKE WATSON of Chesterfield ; SARAH BISP- HAM of Burlington county ; and JOSEPH MORGAN of Gloucester county, all of New-Jersey ; are claimants for some of the prizes for raising Cocoons for the year 1771, but have not yet sent the requisite certif- cates of the number by them raised within their res- pective families, and delivered at the Filature. They are therefore desired to send the said certificates to the Managers on or before the 25th day of October
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next, when the premiums will be finally adjudged. -The Pennsylvania Journal, No. 1504, October 3, 1771.
New-Jersey, Somerset County, Sept. 24, 1771. THESE are to give Notice, to all whom it may
T Concern, that we do intend to petition the Leg- islature of the Province of New Jersey, at the next sitting of General Assembly at Perth-Amboy, to at- tain an Act, to secure us in repairing an ancient Mill- dam across Rariton-River, which has been lately torn up by a number of People in an arbitrary manner. JOHN HART and JOHN POLHEMUS.
To be sold, 15,000 Stock Brick, fit for Furnaces TTO and Forges. The Quality of these Bricks, which were manufactured by Isaac Conro, deceased, is so well known in regard to their Quality for stand- ing the most intense Heat, that it will be needless to say any thing more about them, than that they are well burnt, and to be sold by the Subscriber, who will send them to New-York, agreeable to Directions, or deliver them at the Kill, at Amboy.
STEPHEN SKINNER.
TO BE RUN FOR,
ROUND the course at Morris-Town, and to be won by the best of three two-mile heats ; a SILVER TANKARD of TWENTY POUNDS value, on the fifth day of November next, free for any horse, mare, or gelding, not exceeding three-quarter blood, carry- ing weight for age and blood ; to wit. - - - Half
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bloods, 3 years old, six stone four pounds; four years old, 7 stone 4 pounds ; five years old, 8 stone ; six years old, S stone 9 pounds; and aged horses nine stone. Three quarters blood, 3 years old, 7 stone 4 pounds ; four years old, 8 stone ; five years old, g stone 2 pounds, six years old, Io stone; and aged horses, ten stone 5 pounds.
N. B. undoubted credentials of the horses blood will be required, and anything above half blood, will be adjudged three quarter blood. Four pounds al- lowance for fillies will be given.
THIS is to give Notice to the Publick, That a young Lad, about 16 Years of Age, who calls him- self John Miller, and says his Master's Name is Edward Hill, was lately committed to Trenton Goal, Hunterdon County, and will be sold to pay Cost and Goal Fees, on Thursday, the 24th of October, In- stant, if no Owner appears before that Time.
PETER HANKINSON Goaler. -The N. Y. Gazette ; and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1041, October 7, 1771.
TEN POUNDS Reward.
WHEREAS the Swedish Church, called Trinity Church, in Wilmington in Newcastle county, was broke open in the night between the last day of Sep- tember and first of October, and robbed of the fol- lowing articles, viz. - - - Two new large hangings belonging to the pulpit and the communion table ; a cushion, all of green broadcloth, garnished with strings ; a white fine diaper linen table-cloth, a pair
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