USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 30
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person, who will deliver the same to EBENEZER COWELL,' Esq ; in Trenton, or to the subscriber, in Philadelphia, shall receive the above reward, and no questions asked.
GEORGE COTTNAM.
Post, near Bonham Town, May 11.
"I have the pleasure to inform you, that yesterday afternoon, part of Gen. Stevens division attacked the royal highlanders, and six companies of Light Infantry. It was a bold enterprize; they being posted within two miles of Bonham town, and about the same distance from Brunswick. The action continued about an hour and a half. The Continental troops behaved well, drove in the picquets at Bonham-town, attacked and drove the highlanders out of a wood they had taken possession of, near Piscataqua town. The enemy were reinforced, but again compelled to give way. They were re-inforced a second time, when upon due consideration of our situa- tion, with respect to the enemie's different posts of Bruns- wick, Rariton landing and Bonham-town, it was judged adviseable to retire. The retreat was made in excellent order, and our loss is inconsiderable. I congratulate you on this advantage obtained over the enemies best troops. The highlanders, obstinately brave, were too proud to surrender, which cost many of them dear."
We are told, that the enemy allowed, (by a flag that came out soon after the above action) that they had one Major, and one Captain mortally wounded, and since dead, two Lieutenants wounded, and 65 privates killed and wounded .- The Pennsylvania Journal, May 21, 1777.
1 Ebenezer Cowell was a lawyer of Trenton, licensed as an attorney November 30th, 1769. He and his brother, Dr. David Cowell, an eminent physician and sur- geon, lived near the Cottnams, on the Pennington road, leading from Trenton. He was chosen an elder of the Presbyterian Church in Trenton in 1771. During the Revolution, from 1776 to 1781, he rendered valuable service to the American army in seeing to the repair of guns, &c., often advancing considerable sums out of his own pocket in paying local artisans in and about Trenton for work of that kind. He died May 4th, 1799. He was a nephew of the Rev. David Cowell, for many years pastor of the church .- W. N.
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PHILADELPHIA.
We hear that Congress have received intelligence, that a small post of militia, under command of General Herd in the Jersies, was lately intended to be attacked by three hundred of the Tory levies; but being timely in- formed of their design, he changed his ground. The enemy entered his former quarters by different routs, when mistaking each other for their enemy, they engaged, and killed ten of their own men .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, May 22, 1777.
Extract of a letter from Ash swamp, dated May 20, 1777. " Last Saturday week Gen. Stephen ordered eight hun- dred men, from different regiments, to muster at Col. Cook's quarters, about nine miles from Matuchin meet- ing-house. In the afternoon they marched over Dismal swamp, and advanced to the place where the enemy kept their picket, and where the enemy, having observed our motions, had collected about three hundred, whom our advanced guard engaged for some time, and making a feint retreat over a narrow causeway, turned suddenly upon the enemy, and repulsed them with a considerable slaughter. By this time we were reinforced with six companies of light infantry, and other troops, when the skirmish became general, was pretty warm for some time, and the enemy gave way ; but being reinforced with a large body and artillery from Brunswick, we were at last obliged to retreat to a hill, they not daring to pursue us. The next morning we sent a flag to Bonamtown, desiring a list of our men ; in the afternoon we received it, ac- cording to which they had one subaltern, whose leg had been cut off, and twenty-three privates prisoners most of whom were wounded, and also informed us of two of our men killed.
" By the best accounts from the inhabitants since come
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out of Brunswick, the enemy had near a hundred killed, and many wounded ; this may seem very extraordinary, but when you consider that we had a number of good riflemen, and many excellent marksmen well posted in the woods, and other suitable places, the enemy in the open field, and frequently in confusion, I think you will be reconciled to the probability of their loss so far ex- ceeding ours. This action was conducted by Gen. Max- well, and the troops were Jerseymen, Pennsylvanians and Virginians."-The Pennsylvania Evening Post, May 24, 1777.
To be sold, a convenient frame Dwelling-House that would suit a small family, with a garden lot of ground containing a quarter of an acre, situated on the main road leading from Trenton to Amwell, about half a mile from Trenton. For terms and title apply to Alexander Carr, jun. in Front-street, opposite the Bank Meeting- house in Philadelphia, or to Alexander Carr in Trenton.
Wanted at Mountholly iron works, a number of FORGEMEN and NAILORS, to whom the best wages will be given, and constant employ. None need apply but those who can bring good characters with them. A few WOODCUTTERS are likewise wanted, to whom three shillings and ninepence per cord will be paid for cutting ; the wood is chiefly pine and maple. For far- ther information apply to Colonel Cox in Philadelphia, or the subscriber at the works.
Mountholly, May 24. RICHARD PRICE -The Pennsylvania Evening Post, May 27, 1777.
All persons indebted to the estate of Samuel Spicer,1 late of Waterford township, Gloucester county, West-
1 Son of Thomas Spicer ; he was born October 29th, 1720. For some account of Samuel Spicer, his ancestors and his descendants, see 2 N. J. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, XIII., 57.
25
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New-Jersey, deceased, are requested to make speedy pay- ment, and those that have any demands against said es- tate, to bring in their accounts, properly attested, in order that the same may be adjusted and paid by JOHN KEBLE and WIFE, Execut.
N. B. Those persons who may have heretofore bor- rowed, and still have, any books, or surveying instru- ments of the deceased, are requested to return them immediately .- The Pennsylvania Journal, May 28, 1777.
Extract of a letter from the Jersies, dated Chatham, May 19.
"Since my last, a considerable number of General Stephen's division, being hastily assembled from the different posts, attacked the 42d,1 2d battalion of the 71st.2 and 33d,3 and six companies of light-infantry, posted at Bonum-town, Piscataway, and in that neigh- bourhood. It was a bold enterprize as the enemy might be easily reinforced from Brunswick, the Landing, or Amboy. We had learned the hour of their dining, and gave them time to take a drink, and made a sudden at- tack upon them about half an hour after four. Among their killed were Major M'Pherson, 3 Subalterns, 3 Ser- jeants, and as we are informed by a person from Piscat- away, 60 privates. Major Frazer of the 71st, and Capt. Stewart of the light infantry wounded. It is said 120 privates were wounded, 40 of them dangerously, and carried to New York. We lost 2 killed, 1 Captain, 3 Subalterns, 11 privates wounded, 1 Subaltern danger- ously wounded, and taken with about 12 of his division.
1 The Forty-second (or Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot served in America, 1776-1782. It is frequently referred to as the "Royal Highlanders." Lord John Murray was the Honorary Colonel.
2 The Seventy-first (or Highland) Regiment of Foot served in America, 1777-1782. It is frequently referred to as "the Highlanders," or "Highland " Regiment. The :second battalion was commanded in 1777 by Major Simon Fraser.
3 The Thirty-third Regiment of Foot served in America, 1776-1782 ; the Honorary Colonel was Charles, Eail Cornwallis.
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"This great advantage gained over the best of the enemy, has compelled them to send from New-York, one battalion of Hessian Grenadiers, the 10th and 55th Brit- ish regiments, to reinforce these posts."-The Pennsylva- nia Gazette, May 28, 1777.
PHILADELPHIA.
Extract of a letter from the camp at Middletown, dated the 27th inst. "A deserter, who is just arrived, informs that the enemy, in the engagement yesterday, had a Lieut. Col. and a Lieut. Connor, both in the guards, killed, that General Grant' had his horse shot under him, and that they lost a considerable number of privates. Capt. Proctor directed our artillery with great conduct and bravery. We had none killed."-The Penn- sylvania Evening Post, May 29, 1777.
New York, June 2. By Accounts, from some Persons who have lately seen the Rebel Army, we understand, that Mr. Washington has called in all his Out-Posts, and is removed towards East-Town2 on the Delaware, with the greatest Part of his Force, in order, 'tis apprehended, to proceed to the Southward ; that Mr. Putnam will set out for Peek's Kill, and that Mr. M'Dougal was gone from the last mentioned place to Morris Town .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, June 2, 1777.
Extract of a letter from Morristown, dated May 25.
Our troops here are all marching down to the lines. I think we shall all be there in a few days .- The Penn- sylvania Evening Post, June 3, 1777.
1 James Grant, a British general officer who commanded the Fourth and Sixth Brigades in the battle of Long Island. In the winter of 1776-77 he held the chief command in New Jersey at the time of the disasters at Trenton and Princeton. He was made a Major-General in 1777, and fought well at Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. He died April 13th, 1806.
2 Easton, Pa.
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On Thursday, the 26th of this instant June, on the premises, will be SOLD by public VENDUE,
A VALUABLE PLANTATION, situate in Pilesgrove, in the county of Salem, in the State of New-Jersey, con- taining 150 acres, be the same more or less, a large two story brick Messuage and Kitchen, and stone cellar under the same ; a new frame Joiner's shop, a large barn and stables, a good orchard, and other valuable improvements there on; about 70 acres thereof are in good tillable order, 10 acres meadow well improved, the rest well tim- bered. Also another plantation of about 140 acres, with a log house and other improvements, situate in Piles- grove aforesaid. Any person inclining to view the premises before the day of sale, may see them, by apply- ing to JOSEPH SHINN,1 who lives on the first described premises. The whole is to be sold in pursuance of the last will and testament of ALEXANDER HILL, de- ceased, by
WILLIAM ROBINSON, Executor.
TO BE SOLD.
One equal and undivided 4th part of the Andover Iron- works,2 in the counties of Sussex and Morris, in the pro- vince of New-Jersey, to which belong between eleven and
1 For a notice of the Shinn family, the first three generations in America, see 1 N. J. Archives, XX., 555-6, note.
2 The Andover iron works were established about the middle of the eighteenth century, and were operated on an extensive scale. Owing to the fact that at the outbreak of the Revolution the owners were Loyalists, the works were closed at the instance of the State authorities. In 1778, the Continental Congress, recognizing the excellent quality of Andover ore, directed Whitehead Humphreys to make steel at Andover for the use of the army. Previous to this, the works were the subject of much legislation on the part of Congress. Tradition says that the products of the works were carried along the Musconetcong valley by pack-horses and carts to Dur- ham, whence by the "Durham" boats the manufactured iron and steel were con- veyed down the Delaware to Philadelphia. The earliest owner of the Andover mines was William Penn, who derived title thereto from the Council of Proprietors of West Jersey, March 10th, 1714. See The Iron State-Its Natural Position, Power and Wealth, Miller ; Proceedings N. J. Historical Society, VII., 69; History of the Manufac- ture of Iron in All Ages, Swank, page 146 et seq .- F. B. L.
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twelve thousand acres of land ; the ore is esteemed of the best quality of any in America, and the mine bank, situ- ated at a mile's distance from the furnace, is thought to be inexhaustible. The iron has been proved, by experi- ments made both in England and America, to be par- ticularly adapted, and equal to the Swedish for making of steel. The furnace and forge lie at the distance of 7 miles from each other; the mansion house and other buildings are elegant and commodious ; the situation is convenient for either the Philadelphia or New York mar- kets. For terms, apply to
LEWIS WEISS, in Second-street.
PHILADELPHIA.
We can with pleasure inform our readers that General Washington has now received such supplies of men, &c. that he has removed his head-quarters from Morris-Town to Middle-Brook, on the east side of the Rariton, within seven miles and an half of Brunswick, where his army, (which is not composed of soldiers, whose times of ser- vice are continually expiring, but of those inlisted for the war,) are now encamped and make a show that must please every person who is not a Tory.
From our posts, near Middle-Brook, we are able to see and watch the movements of the enemy, who are en- camped on Brunswick-Hills, the west side of Rariton.
Extract of a letter from a place called Mount Pleasant, near Bound-Brook, May 29.
" On Monday last a party of our men gave the enemy a pretty little threshing : The number on the enemy's side was superior to ours. Gen. Lincoln, who commands at this post, had information the night before of their marching a body of between 6 and 700 men towards Bound Brook, we were immediately ordered to face them,
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which was done in a regular manner; we met them about 100 yards from the bridge, and drove them near 3 miles, 'till they got within their lines : They left seven men and three light horse dead in the field ; we had three men wounded, one of them mortally. We expect every moment to receive orders to attack them, or to hear they are moving towards us; we are very easy which way, as we flatter ourselves we are strong enough for them, and dare meet them when and where they please."1
EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.
Run away from the subscriber, living in Northampton township, Burlington county, in New-Jersey, the 5th of May last, a Negro man, named CUFF, about 25 years of age, country born, and has been bred to plantation business ; he is about 5 feet, 5 or 6 inches high, and stocky built ; he has had the small-pox by inoculation and is not marked with it ; had on when he went away, a new felt hat, a new ozenbrigs shirt, red and black stamped serge waistcoat, reddish brown homespun cloth upper jacket, lappelled, and wooden buttons, black and white shoes, with buckles. Whoever takes up said Negro, and brings him home, or secures him in goal, so that the owner may have him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
HENRY BURR, senior
-The Pennsylvania Gazette, June 4, 1777.
1 See, also, Philadelphia Evening Post, June 5th, 1777.
2 Henry Burr, Sr., grandson of Henry Burr, original immigrant, was born 8th month, 26th, 1715, and married Sarah Eayre, of Eayrestown. John Burr, the father of Henry, was one of a number of children, some of whom became conspicuous in the Colony. John's sister, Elizabeth, was the mother of John Woolman, possibly the most eminent minister of the Society of Friends in New Jersey, while another sister, Martha, was the mother of Colonel Timothy Matlack, the " Fighting Quaker of the Revolution." From Joseph, a brother of Henry, the signer of the advertise- ment, descended the wife of Governer Richard Howell, of New Jersey, while an- other descendant was the wife of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America .- A General History of the Burr Family, Charles Burr Todd, page 446 et seq .- F. B. L.
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Extract of a letter from Rariton, dated May 24, 1777.
" Dear brother-This comes with my love to you and all the family, hoping it will find you all in good health. As to myself, I have been in a poor state of health most. part of the winter ; first with grief, then lame, and these ten or twelve days past have had a bad cold, which has: thrown me into my bed, but am better, blessed be the Lord. My wife has been sick all winter, and is poorly yet, occasioned by an affright when the Hessians came on the first of December last. General Washington's. cannon sent two balls through my house, which struck her into a panick, and I believe it will carry her to the- grave, with the continual insults she daily meets with. from one and another.
" I suppose you would gladly hear how we have fared' the winter past with the regular soldiers ; which, in a. word, is beyond my tongue or pen to express. I could not have thought there was such a set of blackguards in the world. I have said, and have no reason to recall it, " That if the Devil had a permission to send the worst. crew from Tophet, these people, if they may be allowed the title, would outdo them in swearing, lying, stealing and blackguarding." The last thing when they go to. bed, and the first in the morning, is to remind God to- damn their eyes, tongues, liver, pluck, heart and soul, and this they do more than a thousand times a day ;. they have stole the chief of my loose estate, all my meat and flour, hay, horses, a hundred and more bushels of wheat, two hogsheads of lampblack, beds and bedding.
"I bought sixty or seventy sheepskins of the Regular butchers that they had stole in the neighbourhood ; they afterwards stole twenty-two of them from me. I am not. alone ; all my neighbourhood, that had any thing to. lose, fared the same fate. You would hardly know the landing. Not a pannel of fence left standing in a mile,.
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all the wheat fields open, some houses burnt down, some pulled down and burnt. They came into my room in the middle of the day, and stole my watch. We have nothing comfortable to eat or drink, every thing dear ; veal one shilling, York butter four shillings, sugar ten- pence, and cheese one shilling and three pence per pound ; rum eight shillings per gallon.
"They burnt all my garden fence, but this spring I made a slight one of sod. Some sallad seed, which my wife found, she sowed, and was to have half the sallad. She accidentally went with a pint cup, this week, to pick some, but a Serjeant or a Devil, damned her, ordered her away, kicked over the cup and broke it. If such people are to rule and reign on earth, then the Devil must be stiled God of this world ; I wish I lived in a cave on bread and water, rather than live as I do."
Extract of a letter dated camp near Bound-Brook, May 31, 1777.
" On Monday last we had a brush with the Philis- tines,1 killing three lighthorsemen, four Highlanders, and one Lieut. Colonel, the latter was killed by a six pound shot. We had only two slightly wounded. The locusts have kept in, since they are not able to pay so dear for travelling so little a way. We have a pretty situation for our encampment, plenty of wood and excellent water.
We hear the enemy at Brunswick have lately been reinforced with one brigade from Rhode-Island and New- York.
We hear the Honorable Congress have ordered a monument to be erected in Connecticut, to the memory of the late gallant and venerable General Wooster.
On the first instant departed this life, Mrs Mary
1 A term frequently used by Governor William Livingston and other Whig writers, Its significance is self-evident.
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Emlen1 of this city, in the 86th year of her age, and was interred on Tuesday last, in Friends burying ground, attended by a respectable number of the inhabitants, many of whom were her relations and descendants. She was an eminent preacher amongst the people called Qua- kers, for nearly half a century, and during her long life enjoyed the most uninterrupted state of good health, ac- companied with that tranquility of mind, which enabled her to submit to the last summons with a truly pious resignation.
The liberal provision made by Congress in the new medical arrangement, joined with a humane desire to prevent the repetition of the distresses which afflicted the brave American soldiers the last campaign, have drawn men of the first abilities into the field, to watch over the health and preserve the lives of the soldiers, many of them from very extensive and profitable prac- tice ; and every species of domestic happiness. Dr. Wil- liam Brown of Virginia, Dr. James Craik of Maryland, and Dr. Thomas Bond, jun. of Philadelphia, are ap- pointed Assistant Director Generals. Dr. Walter Jones of Virginia and Dr. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia, Physician and Surgeon Generals of the Hospitals of the middle department. Under these none but gentlemen of the best education, and well qualified, are employed as senior Physicians, Surgeons, &c. The Eastern and North- ern departments are filled with gentlemen of the first
1 Mary, daughter of Robert and Susannah Heath, arrived in Pennsylvania with her parents, from Great Britain, about the year 1701, in the ninth year of her age. In 1716 she married George Emlen, and settled in Philadelphia. In 1728 she felt herself called to the ministry, and repeatedly thereafter visited various Friends' meetings in New Jersey and Philadelphia. In 1744 she visited meetings in New England. According to the Testimony of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, "Her ministry was lively, and delivered in much innocency and brokenness of spirit. Being a woman of integrity, she loved Christian candor and plain dealing, and was preserved clear in her understanding, and in her love to truth. During her illness, which was short, she was favoured with an earnest of that divine peace and rest which is prepared for the righteous." See Collection of Memorials Concerning Divers deceased Ministers and others of the People called Quakers, &c., Philadelphia, 1787, page 370 .- W. N.
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characters in those countries ; and the public may depend on it, that the greatest exertions of skill and industry shall be constantly made, and no cost spared, to make the sick and wounded soldiery comfortable and happy. As a consequence of the above liberal arrangement of the Honorable Congress, we do, with great pleasure, and equal truth, assure the public (notwithstanding the many false and wicked reports propogated by the enemies of American liberty, and only calculated to retard the re- cruiting service) that all the military hospitals of the United States are in excellent order, and that the army enjoy a degree of health seldom to be seen or read of.
W. SHIPPEN, jun. Director General of the American Hospitals.
JOHN COCHRAN, Physician and Surgeon General of the Army in the Middle Department.
Head Quarters, Middle Brook, June 4, 1777.
It is requested that the above may be pub- lished in all the newspapers on the continent .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, June 5, 1777.
To be SOLD, a TRACT of WOODLAND in the town- ship of Walpack, Sussex county, East-Jersey, containing one thousand acres, and part adjoining the river Dela- ware. Any person inclining to purchase, may be in- formed of the terms by applying to Isaac Hughes at Walnut Grove, Upper Merion township, Philadelphia county .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, June 7, 1777.
New-York, June 9. Mr. Washington's Army, we hear, is now collected together, and occupies the advantageous Posts from or near Bound Brook to New Germantown, a Space of about 25 Miles ; and that Mr. Washington him- self daily rides from the place last mentioned to Pluck'e- min, or Bedminster.
Abraham Patten, a Spy from the Rebel Army, was executed at Brunswick last Friday, between Eleven and
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Twelve o'Clock. He had agreed to give a Grenadier 50 Guineas to carry four Letters to Washington and Put- nam ; the Soldier took the Cash, and carried the Letters to his Excellency Lord Cornwallis, wherein was proposed on a certain Day to set Fire to Brunswick in four Places at once, blow up the Magazine, and then set off a Rocket as a Signal for the Rebels to attack the Town. At the Gallows he acknowledged all the Charges brought against him, and said he was a Principal in setting Fire to New- York, but would not accuse any of his Accomplices. The said Patten formerly lived in this Place, and has left a Wife and four Children at Baltimore in Maryland.
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W HEREAS a certain Francis Kingston (a native of Devonshire, who came to New-Jersey a few years since) on the 29th ultimo came into this city with a flag, in order to procure a passage to his family in England, and has not been since heard of. He is a mid- dling stature and thin habit, wore a blue cloth coat, and other old cloths ; is about 30 years of age, and sometimes disordered in his mind. As it is possible that for want of a knowledge of his unhappy circumstance, he may have been impressed or imprisoned, any person who will kindly give any information concerning him to Samuel Burling, merchant, at No. 36, in Wall-street, will do a humane office, and receive an adequate compensation for their trouble .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, June 9, 1777.
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