USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 24
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Thomas Clement.
N. B. Those who have a mind to view the premises before the day of sale, may apply to Samuel Clement1 near Haddonfield .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, March 11, 1777.
March 7, 1777.
All persons that have any demands against the estate of JOHN DUELL, deceased, late of the county of Salem and province of West New-Jersey, are desired to bring them in for settlement; and all persons indebted to said estate, either by bond, note or book-debt, are desired to come and pay off the same, at the house of Samuel Bar-
1 Samuel Clement received from his father-in-law, Joseph Collins, a large tract of land at Haddonfield, extending from the main street directly to Coopers creek. This property was the homestead of Samuel Clement, who was active not only in the Society of Friends but in the political affairs of the day. In 1765, as a surveyor, he successfully adjusted the ill-defined township lines which for a long time had been a subject of contention among the citizens of Burlington, Salem and Gloucester
counties. Samuel was direct in descent from Gregory Clement, the Regicide. Thomas Clement was probably a brother of Samuel .- First Settlers of Newton Town- ship, by John Clement, p. 274 .- F. B. L.
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berer Inn-keeper, in Wood's town, on the 20th day of this instant March, by ten o'clock in the forenoon.
JOHN KILLE, Administrator.
By virtue of a writ to me directed, will be exposed to public sale, on Saturday the 12th day of April next, on the premises, a valuable Plantation, situate in the town- ship of Mannington, in the county of Salem, and joining to lands of Edward Keasbey,1 Benjamin Wynkoop,2 Lewis Simms, and others, containing about 220 acres, be the same more or less, with a good dwelling-house, kitchen, barn and stable, and other out-houses, a good apple and peach orchard, and a noted spring of good water, gener- ally known by the name of Nicholson's spring; 100 acres of the premises are cleared land, of a good quality, a quantity of drained meadow, and the remainder well-
1 Edward Keasbey, grandson of the emigrant (Edward Keasbey), who came to America from England about 1694, was the eldest son of Edward and Elizabeth Bradway Keasbey. He was born in Salem, New Jersey, March 22d, 1726. Was married twice-first to Prudence Quinton in 1745 ; second, to her sister Sarah, May 16th, 1765; daughters of Edward and Temperance Quinton. Edward Keasbey died September 15th, 1779, and was buried in the old Baptist ground at Mill-Hollow. He was prominent in the State during the Revolution, and his activity in behalf of the "rebels" made him a conspicuous mark for the enemy. A price is said to have been set on his head. His name is mentioned first in a long list of exceptions to the pardon offered by Colonel Mawhood to all soldiers in Salem county who would lay down their arms and disperse. This proposal, made March 1st, 1778, was rejected by Colonel Hand for the patriots. Edward Keasbey was a member of the Legisla- ture during the war and served on the Committee of Public Safety. He was also a Deputy to the Provincial Congress ; elected in September, 1775 .- Note by Miss Hen- rietta Hancock Gibbon, of Salem City.
2 Benjamin Wyncoop was born in England, and at one time had large landed in- terests in Salem county, having acquired possession of two thousand of the six thousand acres owned originally by John Pledgoe and Hyppolite Le Fevre, which they purchased of John Fenwick in 1674. comprising some of the best land in Salem county, and now divided into productive farms with su stantial improvements of great agricultural and residential value. A portion of it, then known as The Neck, was covered with heavy timber, and called Wyncoop's Woods. During the Revolu- tionary struggle, being a well-known Tory, Wyncoop, fearful of confiscation, sold all of the above real estate, by deeds executed to divers purchasers, dated from 1774 to 1778. He then resided in Philadelphia, and names his avocation as that of a merchant. His wife's Christian name was Sarah. Tradition says that owing to depreciation of the currency, he eventually became impoverished, and died in indigent circumstances .- Note by Dr. Edward S. Sharpe, of the Salem County His- torical Society.
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timbered woodland ; late the property of Joseph Bur- roughs, Esq ; deceased, seized and taken in execution by THOMAS SINNICKSON, Sheriff.1 Feb. 12, 1777. |
-The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 12, 1777.
Extract of a letter from Morristown, dated March 10, near Quible or Squable town, as they were penetrating into the country for provender, most kinds of which are much wanted among them. We had three men slightly wounded, none killed or taken ; the enemy left four dead on the field, and carried off numbers as usual, which, by accounts from the prisoners, were twenty, and numbers wounded. Their rear was so closely pursued that they left one waggon behind ; the three prisoners taken are just arrived, and say the 42d, or Highland Watch suffered greatly in the last action.
On Tuesday the fifth instant, five hundred men at- tacked the Hessian picket guard near Brunswick, drove them in, took eleven milch cows, two horses, and brought
" Thomas Sinnickson, fifth in descent from Anders Seneca, who emigrated from Sweden in company with Minuits, first Governor of New Sweden in 1638, was the eldest son of Andrew and Sarah Gill Johnson Sinnickson, the first who adopted the present terminology of the family patronymic. His ancestor, the immigrant, bought land of the Indians in Olisquahapit, now Penns Neck, where he was born about 1748. He resided during the greater part of his long and useful life in the village of Salem, N. J., engaged in mercantile pursuits. Being an ardent patriot, he took a prominent and active part in the Revolutionary struggle, and commanded a com- pany in the Continental Army. His name was conspicuous amongst those outlawed by Lord Howe; a large pecuniary reward having been offered for his capture, alive or dead. After the organization of the government, he was the leader of the Federal party in his section of the State, during the administration of Washington and the elder Adams, and was a member of the first Congress of the United States during its sessions in New York City, where he is frequently mentioned, as participating in the social and official functions of that period. Likewise, he represented New Jer- sey in the National Legislature in 1796 and 1798. He was also elected several times to the State Legislature, was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Justice of the Peace, County Treasurer, and held other county offices. He married Sarah Hancock, daughter of Judge William Hancock, who was massacred in his own house at Han- cock's Bridge, by the British, in 1778. He died at an advanced age intestate and childless, leaving a large real and personal estate to be divided between his heirs- at-law. His widow survived him several years .- Note by Dr. Edward S. Sharpe, of the Salem County Historical Society.
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off fifteen or twenty loads of hay, which those mercenaries had stacked up within their lines. After the Hessians ran, a number of the light horse came out, drew their swords, and cut a few capers, but did not choose to dis- turb our men, whom they saw very leisurely take away the hay .- Philadelphia Evening Post, March 13, 1777.
Philadelphia, March 15. Extract from a letter from an officer in New-Jersey.
The officer who commanded the two thousand British troops going as a reinforcement from Amboy to Bruns- wick, we hear, is under an arrest for undertaking, like Don Quixote, to do impossibilities, and get himself a great and immortal name. For this purpose, he instead. of marching directly to Brunswick, which he might have done, must needs go fourteen miles out of the direct road to take prisoners Gen. Maxwell and his party at Spank- town, and to make his triumphant entry into Brunswick, leading his captives in chains, like an old Roman Gen- eral, in which he found his fatal mistake when too late to remedy it, for he found that he had surrounded a nest of American hornets, who soon put his whole body to flight, pursued them to Amboy, and obliged them to get on board their ships again, since which they have never ventured a second time to reinforce their cooped up brethren in Brunswick .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post,. March 15, 1777.
Whitehall, December 30. From the London Gazette Extraordinary.
Extract from the Dispatches of Gen. Howe to Lord Ger- maine, dated
New-York Nov. 30, 1776.
" Fort Lee being the next object for the entire Com- mand of North River, and a ready Road to penetrate into
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Jersey ; an Addition of Boats under the Command of Capt. Phipps, was sent by the Admiral to King's Bridge, in the the Night of the 17th, without being discovered by the Enemy. The first Division, for Embarkation, landed next day at Eight o'Clock in the Morning, about seven Miles above the Fort, while the second division marched up the East Side of the River, by which Move- ment the whole Corps, as per Margin,1 were landed with their Cannon, by Ten o'Clock under the Command of Lieutenant-General Earl Cornwallis. The Seamen dis- tinguished themselves remarkably upon this Occasion by their Readiness to drag the Cannon up a rocky narrow Road, for near Half a Mile, to the Top of a Precipice, which bounds the Shore for some Miles on the West Side.
Lord Cornwallis immediately began his March, and had not the Enemy, at Fort Lee, been apprized of his. moving towards them, by a Countryman, after he had proceeded some Distance, he would have surrounded two- Thousand Men at the Fort, who escaped in the utmost Confusion, leaving all their Artillery, and a large Quan- tity of Stores and Provisions ; their Tents standing, and Kettles upon the Fire.
His Lordship encamped that Night near the Fort, making use of the Enemy's Tents.
The next Day Major General Vaughan, with the Light Infantry and British Grenadiers, was detached to the New-Bridge, upon Hackensack River, and a Detachment of the 16th Dragoons, under the Command of Colonel Harcourt, was sent over to Fort Lee. This Detachment. with some Companies of Light Infantry, scoured the Country on the 22d, as far as Passaick River, and found
1 First and Second Battalions of Light Infantry; two Companies of Chasseurs ; two Battalions of British, and two ditto of Hessian Grenadiers ; two Battalions of Guards ; Thirty-third and Forty-second Regiments.
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the Enemy had abandoned all the intermediate Country, their advanced Guard being at Aquakinunc.1
On the 24th, the 2d and 4th Brigades of British, and 1 Battalion of the 71st Regiment joined his Lordship, who, leaving the 2d Brigade at Fort Lee, advanced with the main Body on the 25th to the New-Bridge.2 On the Enemy retiring to Newark, as his Lordship approached, he took Possession of that Place on the 28th, and is now following them, retreating towards Brunswick."
New-York, March 17. Sir William Howe arrived in Town from the Jersies on Sunday Afternoon the 9th Instant. His Excellency's Escort was fired upon by the Rebels in passing from Brunswick to Amboy, but were soon put to the right about by a Party of the Troops.
Last Friday Morning a Party of the Rebels came down on the Jersey Shore, and fired on some Boats that were taken in Forage at New-Blazing-Star, Staten-Island, on which Major Timpaney,3 of the Bergen Volunteers, crossed the River with about 40 Men, drove the Rebels above three Miles from the Water Side, and brought off ten Head of Cattle and about thirty Sheep, without the Loss of a Man.
1 Washington retreated from Hackensack to Acquackanonk on November 21st 1776, and crossed the Passaic river on the 21st and 22d, destroying the bridge after he had crossed. As he reached Newark on the 23d, it is not probable that his, "advanced guard" was still at Acquackanonk on the 22d .- W. N.
2 The British probably reached the Passaic river, at Acquackanonk, November 25th, but finding the bridge destroyed did not cross until November 26th, when they forded the river, and proceeded as far as Third river, plundering the inhabitants all along the route of the march .- W. N.
3 Robert Timpany was an Irishman by birth, and was educated at the University of Glasgow. He came to America in 1760, lived in Philadelphia several years, and then removed to Hackensack, N. J., where he opened a school. He was made Major of the Fourth Battalion (New Jersey Loyalists) in 1778. He was a very ardent soldier during the entire war, always ready to serve his King, and he received several wounds during the campaigns in the South. He died at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1844, aged 102 years. His name is often written Tenpenny .- Sabine's Loyalists, II., 356.
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L OST in December last, a deal box containing a bed- stead and curtains, with sundry men and womens apparel, supposed by some mistake in shipping them on board a sloop carrying baggage from New-York to Amboy, for the 33d regiment. The baggage of the 26th regiment was loading at Amboy the same time ; it is thought probable that the said box might be mixed with that baggage. Whoever will bring or give intelli- gence of the said box to Lieut. Ward of the 33d regi- ment, or H. Gaine, so that the said box may be had again, shall receive Ten Dollars reward, and all expenses paid .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 17, 1777.
STOP THE ROBBERS ! ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD.
Last Tuesday three villains came to the house of Mr. Nowel Furman, near Princeton, and after abusing the family in a barbarous manner, took with them goods to the amount of between one and two hundred pounds, consisting chiefly of Germantown Woollen stockings milled, of several colours, large pocket handkerchiefs of several kinds of red and blue stripes, kenting ditto, pins of the small kind, four dozen razors, one pair of four thread fine black worsted hose, black leather pocket books, pocket almanacks, a few pieces of children's garters, and many other goods unknown.
One of the above rogues is an Irishman, a middle sized man, well set, has bushy sandy hair, and supposed to be marked with the small-pox ; had on a blue coat, his name is said to be WATSON, and have been informed he belongs to Capt. Brown's company of Pennsylvania Riflemen, under Col. Brodhead. The second person I cannot describe. The other is a tall slim man, with light colored clothes. It is said they have already changed their clothes. They put the goods into bags or knapsacks. They were seen near the
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Baptist meeting house at Hopewell on Wednesday evening, but could not be taken for want of men of resolution, and its supposed they are bound for Delaware, and so on to Shamo- kin. Whoever secures said goods and the men, so that they be convicted, shall have the above reward, or Fifty Dollars for the men, or in proportion for any of the men or part of the goods, by applying to MR. STACY POTTS,1 at Trenton, or MR. WILLIAM WOODHOUSE, in Philadelphia, or the subscriber in Princeton.
JOHN DENTON.2
-The Pennsylvania Packet, March 18th, 1777.
To Be Lett,
That noted and well-accustomed TAVERN in the town of Salem, New-Jersey, formerly kept by Joseph Bur- roughs, Esq; and now in the tenure of Archibald M'Elray, with 17 acres of upland and 12 acres meadow, &c. For terms apply to Mary Burroughs, in Salem, or John Hart, in Philadelphia .- The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 19, 1777.
PHILADELPHIA
Extract of a letter from Haddonfield, March 17, 1777.
" I have just seen a letter from Gen. Maxwell, dated at Westfield, on the 14th instant, in which he mentions a skirmish of some importance with the enemy, on Satur- day the 8th instant : As it is new to me I transmit it to you, 'tho you may probably have had a better account of it. He mentions that the enemy had brought out all their troops from Amboy &c. supposed to be about 3000 and posted themselves on Punkhill : They brought
1 See note, p. 238.
2 John Denton was a bookseller in Princeton, where he lived as early as 1764. He died in 1805, in his seventy-eighth year.
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artillery and a number of waggons, as if to forage, 'tho there was none left in that neighbourhood worth notice. General Maxwell, with the troops under his command, was on a rising ground to the northward, in plain view, tho' at a good distance. The enemy were too well situated to be attacked : He sent a party to the left to amuse them, but his real design was to the right on the heights towards Bonamtown : He sent a strong party that way to examine their lines, if they had any, & to fall in near the end of them, that he might fall on their flank ; this was performed by part of Col. Potter's bat- talion of Pennsylvania militia, and part of Col. Thatcher's of N. E. Col. Cook of the Pennsylvanians had been ordered from Matuching to come down on Carman's Hill and keep along the heights till he met the enemy. About half a mile lower down between Carman's Hill and Woodbridge, the two parties being joined, met a strong advanced party of the enemy. On the first firing Col. Martin and Lieut. Col. Lindley1 were sent to support them ; they all behaved well, and kept their ground till they were supported from the main body, which imme- diately marched that way. The enemy also sent out a reinforcement ; but on another regiment of ours being sent on the left to cut them off from their main body ; the party gave way in great confusion ; the flame catched their main body, and all went together. Our people pursued them and took a prisoner and a baggage waggon close in their rear, a good way down in the plain ground. Bonamtown lay too near on the right, and a plain open ground towards Amboy, to pursue far. They left four dead on the field, and we took three prisoners. By the quantity the enemy carried off in sleds, and waggons, it
1 Probably Lieutenant Colonel Eleazer Lindsley, who, in the militia, was Second Major and Lieutenant Colonel of the " Eastern Battalion" of Morris county, and in the Continental Line was Lieutenant Colonel of "Spencer's Regiment."
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is supposed they had near 20 killed and twice that num- ber wounded.
Gen. Maxwell also mentions, that by a soldier taken about the 11th instant, he learns, that Gen. Howe was at Bonamtown during the engagement, till he saw his troops make the best of their way home, and then he thought it was time for him to go. That the enemy's rea! design in coming out that day was to secure the General's safe passage to Amboy, and that he is since gone to New- York. The soldier further says they talk no more of going to Morris-Town. Gen. Maxwell adds, that by every account from prisoners, deserters, and inhabitants, the killed, wounded and missing of the enemy, in the action of the 23d of February was upwards of 500."- The Pennsylvania Journal, March 19, 1777.
Extract of a letter from Morristown, dated March 10.
" General Maxwell attacked the enemy on Saturday last, near Quible or Squable-town, as they were penetrat- ing into the country for provender, most kinds of which are much wanted among them. We had three men slightly wounded, none killed or taken; the enemy left four dead on the field, and carried off numbers as usual, which, by accounts from the prisoners, were twenty, and numbers wounded. Their rear was so closely pursued that they left one waggon behind ; the three prisoners are just arrived, and say the 42d, or Highland Watch, suffered greatly in the last action.
" Yesterday Major Butler, whose station is near Sam- town, had a brush with the enemy, drove in their piquet guard, took four slain on the field, and seven horses. The express waits, or I would be more particular."- The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 19, 1777.
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The legislature of New-Jersey have appointed Nathan- iel Heard,1 William Winds,2 David Forman,3 and Silas Newcomb,4 Esquires, Brigadiers General of the militia of that state .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, March 20, 1777.
The Creditors of JOHN EWAN, deceased, late of Mount Holly, are desired to send their accounts to the subscriber, and call for a dividend of the effects.
Joshua Howell.
March 14, 1777.
New-York March 24. On Sunday Morning the 16th Instant, a Party of the King's Troops under the Com- mand of Major General Vaughan, marched from Amboy as far as Spanktown in order to surprize a party of the Rebels who had been plundering in that Neighbourhood for some Days. Col. Mawhood was appointed to cut off their Retreat, while the others attacked them in Front, but the Badness of the Roads prevented the Design from being put into full Execution. However, the main Body
i See p. 9.
2 William Winds was born in Southold, Long Island, in 1727 or 1728, and removed to Morris county at an early age. He was commissioned Captain of the New Jersey Regiment sent to Canada in 1758. At the beginning of the Revolution he was com- missioned Lieutenant-Colonel in 1775, and afterwards Colonel of the First Battalion, First Establishment, New Jersey Continental Line, during the first year of the war, and in 1777, Brigadier-General, in which capacity he : endered excellent service and. proved himself a most zealous and patriotic officer. Apparently owing to some mis- apprehension, he failed to obey orders to march to Monmouth to take part in the. battie there in June, 1778, and his conduct was much criticised, which doubtless led. to his resigning June 10th, 1779. However, until the close of the war he frequently rendered service. In 1788 he was elected a member of the State Convention which ratified the Federal Constitution. He died October 12th, 1789, and is buried in Morris county .- See 1 N J. Archives, IX , 184, 185; X., 699; N. J. Hist. Soc. Proc.,. May, 1853; Annals of Morris County, 18 ; Centennial Collections of Morris County, 73 .- W. N.
3 See p. 197.
4 Silas Newcomb was Colonel of the First Battalion of Cumberland County, New Jersey, Militia, at the beginning of the war. He commanded a Battalion of General Heard's Brigade of New Jersey Militia at the battle of Long Island. He was pro- moted Colonel of the First Battalion, Second Establishment, New Jersey Continental Line, November 28th, 1776, and commissioned Brigadier General of the New Jersey Militia March 15th, 1777.
21
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fell in with a Detachment of the Rebels, killed some, and took 15 Prisoners, who were brought to Town the Day they were taken.
Last Week a Rebel Privateer came out of Byram River, and took a Boat coming to Town with Wood and some other small Matters from Long-Island.
Last Thursday Night Col. Barton with a small Party of Men, went up towards the English Neighbourhood,1 and brought in four Prisoners.
The NEW-JERSEY FARMER, and Mr. CRANE BRUSH'S Case, with sundry other Pieces, must be postponed for Want of Room .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 24, 1777.
Departed this life on the Sth instant, the Rev. Mr. WILLIAM TENNENT,2 Minister of Freehold, aged 72 years, and in the 46th year of his Ministry, faithful and beloved .- The Pennsylvania Packet, March 25th, 1777 ; The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 26, 1777.
Philadelphia, March 24, 1777.
The under graduates of the College of New-Jersey are desired to hold themselves in readiness to assemble on the tenth day of May next, which is the first day of the Summer session according to the usual practice ; and all who propose to enter into any of the Classes are requested to observe the utmost punctuality as to the time ; for it is proposed by assiduous application to recover what has been lost by the public confusions, and therefore it will be impossible, by extra attendance, to bring up those who fall behind their Classes .-
It is not probable that the meeting will be at Princeton,
1 Bergen county.
2 William Tennent, second son of the Reverend William Tennent, founder of the Log College, was born in the County Antrim, Ireland, June 3d, 1705 ; ordained, October 25th, 1733, to succeed his brother John in the Freehold Church. He is especially famous because of the remarkable trance which he is said to have ex- perienced. For a fuller sketch, see N. J. Archives, XII., 604.
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but at some other place of greater security and retirement, of which public notice will be given as soon as it is fixed upon.
JOHN WITHERSPOON,1 President. WIL. C. HOUSTON,2 Math. Professor. -The Pennsylvania Evening Post, March 25, 1777; The Pennsylvania Packet, March 26, 1777.
PHILADELPHIA
By accounts from New-Jersey we learn, that deserters daily come over from the enemy, who are penned up in Brunswick, so that they never peep out, but our People have a knock at them, which as often turns out in our favour. One of which skirmishes happened on Tuesday, the 18th instant, where we took several waggons, 8 prisoners, and found 4 or 5 dead in the field ; and another happened on Friday last, when the enemy made the best of their way into the town to tell, that they could not get any forage for the rebels.
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