USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 29
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Lieutenant-colonel Mawhood not being apprehensive of the enemy's strength, attacked and beat back the troops that first presented themselves to him, but finding them at length very superior to him in numbers, he pushed forward with the 17th regiment, and joined Brigadier Leslie. The 55th regiment retired by the way of Hillsborough to Brunswick, and the enemy proceeding immediately to Princetown, the 40th regiment also re- tired to Brunswick.
The loss upon this occasion to his Majesty's troops is 17 killed, and nearly 200 wounded and missing; captain Leslie of the 17th is among the few killed. Captain Philips, of the 35th grenadiers, returning from hence to join his company, was on this day beset between Brunswick and Prince- town by some lurking villains, who murdered him in a most barbarous manner; which is a mode of war the enemy seem from several late in- stances to have adopted, with a degree of barbarity that savages could not exceed.
It has not yet come to my knowledge how much the enemy has suffered, but it is certain there were many killed and wounded; and among the former a general Mercer from Virginia.
The bravery and conduct of Lieutenant-colonel Mawhood, and the be- haviour of the regiments under his command, particularly the 17th, are highly commended by Lord Cornwallis .- His Lordship finding the enemy had made this movement, and having heard the fire occasioned by Col. Mawhood's attack, returned immediately from Trenton, but the enemy being some hours march in front, and keeping this advantage by an imme- diate departure from Princetown, retreated by King's Town, breaking down the bridge behind them, and crossed the Millstone river at a bridge under Rocky-hill, to throw themselves into a strong country.
Lord Cornwallis seeing it could not answer any purpose to continue his pursuit, returned with his whole force to Brunswick, and the troops upon the right being assembled at Elizabeth Town, Major-general Vaug- han has that command.
Return of the Killed, wounded, and missing, of the following corps of his Majesty's forces, in the Jerseys, Friday January 3, 1777.
17th Regiment .- 1 captain, 12 rank and file, Killed ; 1 captain, 1 lieu- tenant, 1 ensign, 4 serjeants, 46 rank and file, wounded ; 1 serjeant, 1 drum- mer, 33 rank and file, missing.
40th Regiment-1 lieutenant wounded ; 1 ensign, 3 serjeants, 1 drum- mer, 88 rank and file missing.
55th Regiment-1 sergeant, 4 rank and file, killed ; 1 ,ensign, 1 serjeant,
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2 rank and file, wounded ; 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 ensign, 1 serjeant, 2 drummers, 66 rank and file, missing.
Total-1 captain, 1 serjeant, 16 rank and file, killed ; 1 captain, 2 lieu- tenants, 2 ensigns, 5 serjeants, 48 rank and file, wounded; 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 2 ensigns, 5 serjeants, 4 drummers, 187 rank and file, missing. W. HOWE.
Hon. captain Leslie, of the 17th regiment of foot, killed.
Captain Philips, of the 35th grenadiers, killed on his way to join the battalion.
N. B. Since the above return many of the men missing have joined their corps.
It appears by the muster master general Sir George Osborn's return of the Hessian troops, after the affair of the 26th of December at Trenton, that the prisoners and missing amounted to about 700 -New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, May 12, 1777.
Salem County, New-Jersey, April 1, 1777. THE HORSE ROYAL OAK. A FULL BLOOD.
He is a beautiful jet black, with a star in his forehead, full 15 hands high, and rising nine years old : He was got by the noted horse Oghello, commonly called Black and all Black ; his dam was Dr. Maglather's Lovelace, a most beautiful mare, got by the famous Flying Childers, near the city of Annapolis ; his grand dam by Lord Chatsworth's Bosphorus, who won seven King's plates. It is needless to say more of his pedigree, as his compleat size and beauty are sufficient to recommend him to all judges of horses. He is in good order, and will cover at the stable of William Thompson, in Pottsgrove,1 from the first of April to the sixteenth ; then to be moved to John Mulford's at Cohansey Bridge,2 to continue to the twenty sixth day of said month, and afterwards regularly ten days at each place until the first of August next. The terms are Fifty Shillings the season, Twenty-five Shillings the single leap and Four Pounds Ten Shillings
1 Pittsgrove.
2 Bridgeton.
+
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to ensure a foal ; the money to be paid at the end of the season .-
Good pasture provided for mares, at 2s 6d per week, by WILLIAM RIDDLE and WILLIAM THOMPSON.
N. B. Those mares who were covered by said horse last season, and have not proved with foal, may have a chance this season at half price.
To be SOLD by PUBLIC VENDUE,
On Monday, the second day of June next, at Ten o'clock, on the premises in Morris-Town, two miles from the Court-house,
The very commodious seat of John Ayres, Esq ; de- ceased, consisting of about 52 acres of land, whereon is a good dwelling-house and barn, grist-mill, iron-works, saw-mill, and a good young orchard, about half the land is meadow, &c.
SILAS CONDICT,' BENJAMIN PIERSON, S Executors -The Pennsylvania Packet, May 13th, 1777.
Head-Quarters, Morristown, May 8, 1777. GENERAL ORDERS.
As few vices are attended with more pernicious conse- quences in civil life, so there are none more fatal in a
1 Silas Condict, born 1738, died 1801, was one of the most distinguished citizens of Morristown. As an ardent patriot, he was one of the committee of the Provincial Congress to draft the State Constitution adopted July 2d, 1776. In 1777-78 he was a member of the Council of Safety, and from 1781 to 1784 represented New Jersey in the Continental Congress. Twice appointed a Judge of Morris county, he was eight times elected to the House of Assembly, serving as Speaker 1792-94 and in 1797. Silas Condict was twice married, first to Phebe Day and afterward to Abigail Byram. One descendant survived-a granddaughter-who became the wife of Colonel Jo- seph Cutler .- History of Morris County, 1882, page 26 .- F. B. L.
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military one than that of gaming, which often brings disgrace and ruin upon officers, and injury and punish- ment upon the soldiery. And reports prevailing, which it is to be feared are too well founded, that this destruc- tive vice has spread its baneful influence in the army, and in a peculiar manner to the prejudice of the recruit- ing service, the Commander in Chief, in the most pointed and explicit terms, forbids all officers and soldiers playing at cards, dice, or at any games except those of exercise for diversion, it being impossible if the practice be allowed at all, to discriminate between innocent play for amuse- ment and criminal gaming for pecuniary and sordid purposes.
Officers, attentive to their duty, will find abundant employment in training and disciplining their men, pro- viding for them, and seeing that they appear neat, clean and soldier like. Nor will any thing redound more to their honor, afford them more solid amusement, or better answer the end of their appointment, than to devote the vacant moments they may have to the study of military authors.
The Commanding officer of every corps is strictly en- joined to have this order frequently read and strongly impressed upon the minds of those under his command.
Any officer or soldier, or other person belonging to, or following the army, either in camp, in quarters, on the recruiting service, or elsewhere, presuming under any pretence to disobey this order, shall be tried by a General Court Martial. The General Officers in each division of the army are to pay the strictest attention to the due exe- cution thereof.
The Adjutant General is to transmit copies of this order to the different departments of this army ; also to cause the same to be immediately published in the Ga-
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zettes of each state, for the information of officers, dis- persed on the recruiting service.
By his Excellency's command, Morgan Conner,1 Ad. Gen. Pro Tem. -The Pennsylvania Evening Post, May 13, 1777.
THIRTY DOLLARS Reward.
Deserted from Captain Jonathan Kinsey's Company of the Fourth Jersey Regiment, commanded by Colonel Ephraim Martin, Esq ; the following persons, viz. John Foy, an Irishman, enlisted in Salem, about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high. Isaac John Johnson, inlisted in Deerfield, Cumberland county, about 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high. James Davis, inlisted in Salem, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, bald-headed, says he was taken in a sloop from Baltimore to the West-Indies, and taken into New-York. Whoever secures said Deserters in Salem goal, shall have the above reward, if sent to camp reasonable charges paid by
JONATHAN KINSEY, Captain.
DESERTED, on the 18th day of April, from Captain Dillon's Company, of the Second Regiment of the State of New-Jersey, now lying at Short-Hills, near Wood- bridge, viz. JOHN COX, a Serjeant, about 5 feet 10 inches high, slim made, a little marked with the small- pox, swarthy complexion, down look, and short black hair ; had on, when he deserted, a brown short coat, faced with the same, leather breeches, good shoes and stockings. Also JOHN SALMON, a Serjeant of Captain John N. Cumming's Company, and same Regiment, born in New-England, about 26 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches
1 Morgan Conner was a Captain in Colonel William Thompson's Pennsylvania Battalion of Riflemen in January, 1776; was Adjutant-General on the Staff of Gen- eral Washington in 1777, and Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the Seventh Penn- sylvania Continental Regiment, and was lost at sea in January, 1780.
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high, well made, fair complexion, light brown hair, grey eyes ; had on a short brown coat, vest and breeches of the same ; an artful sly fellow, and writes an excellent hand. Whoever secures said deserters, shall receive THIRTY DOLLARS reward for each.
ISRAEL SHREVE, Colonel.
DESERTED from Captain John N. Cumming's Com- pany, of the Second Regiment of the State of New-Jersey, JOSEPH FOWLER, an Irishman, and served last year in Canada, in Captain Williams's Company ; he inlisted with Lieut. Bowen, in Cumberland, on the 12th of March past, and left that county with Captain Craig, of the Ar- tillery, who is supposed to have inlisted him.
Whoever takes up and secures said Deserter, shall re- ceive TWENTY DOLLARS reward.
JOHN N. CUMMING, Captain.
DESERTED, on the 20th of March, from the Jersey Forces, under the Command of General Maxwell, a certain Morris Miles, having received twelve Dollars of his Bounty ; he is a well-set Man of a brown Complexion, about 40 years of age, and about 5 feet 6 inches high ; he has since entered on board the Washington Galley, commanded by Captain John M' Fetrige, from whom he received seven Dollars Bounty, and afterwards absconded. Whoever secures said Miles in any Goal, or delivers him to Captain M' Fetrige, or the Subscriber, at Hugh Creighton's, in Haddonfield, shall have Forty Shillings Reward and reasonable Charges, paid by MICHAEL HAGERTY. -The Pennsylvania Gazette, May 14, 1777.
Deaths-George Holden Esq ; of Gloucester county- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, May 15, 1777.
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London, February 25.
On Sunday night Capt. White of the land forces, and Capt. Robinson of the royal navy, arrived at Lord George Germaine's house in Pallmall, with despatches from Lord and General Howe at New-York, brought by the Bristol man of war, which were carried yesterday by his Lord- ship to his Majesty at the Queen's palace. Capt. White attended, and had the honor of a conference with his Majesty.
The intelligence brought by these officers is chiefly this : The taking of Lee is said to be true ; he is confined at Brunswick. The taking of nine hundred or more (but last night the ministerial people said the loss was only . seven hundred) of the Hessians at Trenton is also true ; they behaved indifferently, having an eye to the preser- vation of their plunder more than to fighting. Soon after this affair, the Americans, under General Washing- ton, crossed the Delaware, and marched to Princeton, where they made a regular and steady attack on the King's forces, who was posted there, with the advantage of an eminence, the large building called the college, and other fences. Washington was obliged to desist with the loss of between four and five hundred. The King's troops (according to this account which is admitted by the ministerial friends to be true) lost about two hundred and fifty. The seventeenth regiment had upwards of one hundred killed. In consequence of these actions, all thoughts formerly entertained of going to Philadelphia, were intirely given over; and it was resolved to narrow or lessen the cantonments of the army, in order to keep them nearer together during the winter; and that no farther operations would be attempted till summer, as every part of the army were going into winter quarters. The friends of government admit, that, upon the whole,
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the news is disagreeable, and the military gentlemen call the affair at Princeton a military check.
The Ministers confess that the American officers out generalled our officers in Jersey. After the defeat of the Hessians at Trenton, Lord Cornwallis collected all the British and foreigners in Jersey, with an intention of attacking General Washington at Trenton; but after reconnoitring his situation, Lord Cornwallis declined it. Mean while a detachment from General Washington, marching to cut off his Lordship's retreat to Princeton, fell in with the 17th and 49th regiments going to rein- force Lord Cornwallis; an action ensued, in which the two regiments were totally defeated. But this action gave Lord Cornwallis an opportunity to get away, which he did as well as he could. General Donop attempted to face upon the Americans, but retreated without attack- ing them. All the Hessian colours are taken, together with eight pieces of cannon; and what is of the most value, all the Commissaries stores for the army, which had been collected and laid up at Burlington. This last will prove a great loss to our army. The contractors will, no doubt, be glad of it. Our loss in the Jersies is thought to be about four hundred killed, and ten officers, and about twelve hundred Hessian, three battalions of whom behaved very ill .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, May 17, 1777.
New-York, May 19. Last Saturday Sennight about 4 o'Clock in the Afternoon, a Body of 2000 Rebels, which had been collected from the neighbouring Posts of Quib- bletown Simptown, Westfield, Chatham, &c. commanded by Brigadier Generals Stevens and Maxwell, attacked the Picquet of the 42d, or Royal Highland regiment, at Pis- cataway, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Stirling. The Picquet, which was in a short Time supported by two
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Companies, advanced into the Wood, where, notwith- standing the very superior Number of the Rebels, they maintained their Ground until they were joined by the Rest of the Regiment, when a very heavy Fire com- menced, which obliged the Rebels to retreat in the greatest Confusion toward their Left, where they fell in with the Light Infantry, quartered between Piscataway and Bon- ham-Town, who were advancing to support the 42d. The Whole of the Rebels now gave Way, and fled with the utmost Precipitation, our Troops pursuing them close to their Encampment, (on the Heights near Metuchen Meeting-House) which they began to strike with the greatest Terror.
The Ardour of the Troops was so great, that it was with difficulty they could be restrained from storming the Encampment ; but Night coming on, they were ordered to return to their Cantonments, in this Affair we had two Officers and 26 men killed and wounded. The Loss of the Rebels must have been very considerable, as upwards of 40 were found next morning in the Woods, besides an Officer and 36 Men taken Prisoners.
It is worthy of Remark, that the Brave but unfortunate Lieutenant Stewart, who was wounded in this Action, has been three Times attacked when commanding the Picket at the same Post.
Last Monday Afternoon, a Detachment of his Majesty's Provincial Troops, consisting of 300 Men, under the Command of Lieutenant Colonels Barton and Dongan, marched from Bergen Town, in order to attack the re- doubted General Heard, who lay at Pompton with a Party of Rebels of 350. The various Impediments, occasioned by Morasses, &c. rendered it impossible for the Troops to reach the Place by the time intended. Col. Barton, who commanded, held a Consultation, wherein it was determined to take the Road to Paramus, and destroy
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some stores said to be deposited there, under a Guard of 80 or an hundred Men. Col. Dongan was previously detached with a small Party to Saddle River and Slotter- dam,' in order to surprize a Party of Rebels, under the Command of Capt. Marinus, and two others. The Colo- nel arrived at the Place at the Dawn of Day, made the Attack, carried his Point, took the Captain, his Lieu- tenant, and Three others, together with a small Cask of Powder, some Ball, eight or nine Stand of Arms, a Drum, and some other Articles. In this Skirmish the Colonel had the Misfortune to have Capt. Hardnut, a worthy Officer, wounded in the groin by a Bayonet, but not mor- tally. Col. Barton marched on to Paramus, drove the Rebels from their strong Holds, and obliged them to re- treat to the Woods. The Bravery of the Provincial Troops on this Occasion does them Honour.
By several persons who are lately come in from the Jersies, we hear that the Rebels are scattered about. Boundbrook, Morris Town, Princeton, &c. to the Amount of about 7000 Men ; that their Reinforcements from the Southard are but weak and slow ; that the Inhabitants of the Country appear very cool towards them ; that they have no Hopes of preserving Philadelphia ; that every necessary of Life is become extremely scarce and dear among them ; and that they are obliged to pick out the most trusty Men for their Out-Posts, to prevent the Peo- ple from deserting them .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, May 19, 1777.
Whereas some evil disposed persons, at this time of distress and desolation in Trenton, have taken the brass pipes off the two fire engines belonging to the Fire Com-
1 Settlements along the east bank of the Passaic river, a short distance above the present city of Passaic. Slotterdam (sometimes written and usually pronounced Slaughter-dam) is from the Dutch, Elooterdam-a dam with a sluiceway in it, for impounding fish running up-stream from tide-water -W. N.
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panies1 in the said town. It is hoped that every one who may see them offered for sale, or knows of either of them, will give notice thereof to the printer, that the dis- tressed inhabitants may have them again, and they shall have Four Pounds reward, or Forty Shillings for either. -The Pennsylvania Evening Post, May 20, 1777.
TO BE SOLD,
On reasonable terms,
A Valuable Plantation and Iron Works situate in Morris and Sussex County, New-Jersey, at the head of Muskenykunck River, about 33 miles from Elizabeth Town, same distance from Newark, and 15 miles from Easton, containing 2000 acres of good land, on which is erected a good grist mill, saw-mill, and a large forge with four fires, two hammers, one large stone coal-house, one large dwelling-house, and five small blacksmith's shops, all in good order, where 300 tons of bar iron can be made a year, as it never wants water. Any person inclining to purchase may apply to Charles Eddy, in Philadelphia, or to Garret Rapalie, at Squire's Point, in New-Jersey .- The Pennsylvania Packet, May 20, 1777.
Whereas, on or about the tenth day of December last, Anthony Woodward, junior, of Upper-Freehold, county of Monmouth, in the eastern part of the state of New- Jersey, came to my house in said township, with others, seized on my Negro man, two horses and waggon, and sent them into the service of the British army ; and at Trenton one of my horses was taken by an Officer in said army, who left a black Mare, about 13} hands high, 8 or 9 years old, with a blaze in her face, one hind foot white,
1 These two fire companies were the Union Fire Company, organized May 8th, 1747, and the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company, organized April 2d, 1772.
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paces and trots ; the owner is desired to come, prove his property, pay charges, and take her away, otherwise the mare, with her colt, will be sold to defray the expences, as the law directs.
JOSEPH HOLMES, Junior.
Salem county, May 10, 1777.
Was left with the subscriber, living in the township of Lower Alloway's-creek, in the county of Salem, in the state of New-Jersey, about the first of January last, by a certain Jeremiah Pickeron, a bay MARE, about 8 or 9 years old, with foal, and has since had a Colt; this is therefore to request the said Jeremiah Pickeron to come and take away the said Mare and Colt, and pay the charges of their keeping, by the last day of May, or they will be sold for the same by
JOHN BUSBY.
-The Pennsylvania Gazette, May 21, 1777.
TO BE SOLD,
By GEORGE RANKIN, at Mount Holly,
A Lot of ground, containing 100 feet front and 462 feet depth, with a one story dwelling-house, near 30 feet front, a good parlour and room adjoining, a large kitchen, and another room adjoining. Likewise a new building, with a passage between it; also a dwelling house, about- 30 feet front on the street, fit for a store, or at a small ex- pence may be made into a dwelling-house for a small family. A very good well of water. The title is indis- putable.
THIRTY DOLLARS REWARD.
Deserted from Capt. Joseph Stout's company of the second Regiment of the State of New-Jersey, commanded by Israel Shreave, a certain STEVEN HAWKINS, en- listed in Salem, about 5 feet, 8 inches high, dark com-
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plexion, and well made. Also a certain CHARLES MIRES, about 5 feet, 8 inches high, fair complexion, and formerly lived in Broad Neck, in the county of Salem. They are both born and bred in said county. Whoever secures them in Salem goal, or in any goal in the United States, so that they may be found to join their regiment, shall have the above reward, or FIFTEEN DOLLARS for each, paid by
WILLIAM PARROTT, First Lieut.
FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
Was taken out of the clerk's office, in Trenton, with a number of law and other valuable books, at the time of the Hessians being defeated, a certain LEDGER, late the property of ABRAHAM COTNAM,' Esquire. Any
1 Abraham Cottnam was licensed as an attorney and counselor-at-law of New Jer- sey at the November Term, 1746, of the Supreme Court. He married a daughter of Joseph Warrell, Attorney-General of the Province, 1733-1754, and in 1751 was de- puted by him to prosecute the pleas of the Crown in Middlesex county. He mar- ried, second, by license dated June 11th. 1764, Eli abeth Ann Pearce. His residence was probably the place known as Doud's Dale, or "Downdale, near Trenton, on the Hopewell road." on the Pennington road, near Calhoun street, in the northern part of Trenton. His will, dated December 16th, 1775, was proved February 12th, 1776. In it he appoints his wife, Elizabeth Ann, the Honorable Daniel Coxe, Esquire, his son-in-law, Robert Hoops, and his son, George Cottnam, as executors. with William Pidgeon as adviser. His eldest son, Warrell Cottnam, is bequeathed £30, to be laid out for him by the executors in fitting him to go to sea, or for any other rational purpose, at their discretion, "but I beg and entreat my other children, if in their power, that they will not see him want the common necessaries of life, but never to be security for him for any sum of money nor trust him with more money at a time than will be sufficient for immediate subsistence." The will also mentions daughter Martha, wife of Robert Hoops, and niece Charity Lee. His son George is to receive "his mother's family pedigree roll by her mother's side, being of the Bradshaw's family." The wife is given all the books, "that belonged to her mother, Mrs. Catherine Peirce." whose heiress-at-law she was. The will also mentions the home- stead, a meadow-lot of five acres, bought of Samuel Tucker at sheriff's sale; other land held on a long lease under ground rent of £3 per acre, payable to Wm. Moore, of Philadelphia, merchant ; personal estate, negro slaves, law books, pictures ("of my brother and of the Warrell family "), china, a gold watch, a silver coffee pot. Witnesses-Wm. Pidgeon, Benj. Smith, R. L. Hooper. The son, George Cottnam, was licensed as an attorney, May, 1780. A company of Hessian soldiers was quart- ered in the house of Warrell Cottnam previous to their capture by Washington on December 26th, 1776. The two sons occupied the paternal residence until 1779, when they sold it to Captain (afterwards Chief Justice) David Brearly .- Vroom's Supreme Court Rules ; N. J Archives, VII., 613 ; Ibid., XX., 248; Ibid., XXII., 76 ; Hall's Hist. Pres. Church in Trenton, 238; Stryker's Trenton One Hundred Years Ago, 6; Stryker's Battles of Trenton and Princeton, 119; W. J. Wills, Liber 17, p. 295 .- W. N.
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