USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
Extract of a Letter from Chatham,1 March 27.
Yesterday morning orders were received at the Com- missioner's office in this dock yard, for the following ships to be fitted for sea at this port with the greatest ex- pedition, viz. Sulton (a new ship) of 74 guns ; Russel, of 74 ; Cornwall, of 74; Trident, of 64; and Sterling Cas- tle, (a new ship) of 64 guns, exclusive of the other ships
1 Chatham dock-yards, England.
396
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1777
which were before ordered."-The Pennsylvania Packet, June 10th, 1777.
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD.
Deserted from my company, a certain JEDIDIAH ADAMS, about five feet 2 or 3 inches high, well set, redish hair, which he usually wore tied ; had on, when he deserted, a blue regimental coat, faced with red, spot- ted jacket and blue breeches ; he served his apprentice- ship with Samuel Bouger, taylor of Mount-Holly. Who- ever takes up the said deserter, and delivers him to any of the Militia Officers of that place, or to me at Bound- Brook, shall be entitled to the above reward, and One Shilling per mile allowed for expences. June 9, 1777.
JOHN ROSS,1 Capt. 3d. Jersey Regiment. -The Pennsylvania Gazette, June 11, 1777.
Mountholly, June 10, 1777.
To be sold or rented, and may be entered upon imme- diately, a convenient House with about six acres of land, situated in the upper part of Mountholly, on the Spring- field road. The house consists of four rooms on the first floor, three on the second, and a good cellar. There are on the premises a chairhouse, hayhouse, a stable for two horses, cowhouse, smoakhouse, a pump of good water, garden, orchard, about seventy or eighty appletrees, near an acre of extraordinary meadow, the rest of the land is tolerable good pasture. It is a pleasant, healthy situa- tion, and in good tenantable order, and would suit a family, that chooses to retire from the city, or a store- keeper, as there used to be a store kept there. For terms apply to WILLIAM CALVERT.
1 John Ross was born in Mount Holly, March 2d, 1752, became Captain Third Bat- talion, First Establishment, New Jersey Continental Line, February 9th, 1776 ; was also Captain in the Third Battalion, Second Establishment, New Jersey Continental Line, November 29th, 1776. He became Major Second Regiment April 7th, 1779, act- ing as Brigade Major and Inspector New Jersey Brigade October, 1:79, to November, 1780, retiring from the army January 1st, 1781. Major Ross died September 7th, 1796. He was one of the original members of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey .- F. B. L.
397
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1777]
Extract of a letter from Middle Brook, June 7.
" I think we shall have a movement about Tuesday or Wednesday next. In the course of this week we have had between twenty and thirty deserters. A few days ago we sent out a scouting party, from which a Lieu- tenant Martin with ten men was detached as an advanced scout, who soon fell in with, and engaged a party of Hes- sians and British light horse, fifteen in number. At the first fire, he killed the commander of the gang ; but they spurring up, our men gave way, and left the Lieutenant on the field, who was soon surrounded, and, although calling out for quarters, was butchered with the greatest cruelty ; seventeen wounds were plain to be seen, most of which, it is said, were sufficient singly to prove mortal ; the body, with a flag, was sent to go into the enemy ; but they would not receive it; the letter they did, and prom- ised to answer it in a few days. The answer I have not heard of since."-The Pennsylvania Evening Post, June 12, 1777.
PHILADELPHIA.
By a letter from Gen. Sullivan, dated seven o'clock this morning, at Princeton, we are informed that the enemy are advancing in two columns, one by the way of Prince- ton to Trenton ; and the other by Griggs's mills1 and Sowerland's meeting, in order to come, as is supposed, by Coryell's ferry.2
Gen. Sullivan, it is said, has marched to intercept the last division.
A gentleman, who left Trenton at ten o'clock this morning, says that he heard a heavy firing, from which it is supposed some of the advanced parties have engaged. -The Pennsylvania Evening Post, June 14, 1777.
1 Now Griggstown.
2 Lambertville.
398
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1777
New-York, June 16. Colonel Barton, with a Party of 200 Men went from Bergen last Wednesday, as far up the Country as Paramus, without the least Opposition : He saw a Party of the Rebels commanded by one Free- linghuysen, but they took to their Heels as soon as he made his Appearance.
Last Friday a Party of about 12 Men went from Staten- Island to Elizabeth-Town Point, where they were fired upon by the Rebels, but they soon put them to flight, killed one and wounded three more, and brought off a new flat-bottomed Boat, sufficient to hold 100 Men : By one of our People's Pieces going off through careless- ness, Peter Kingsland was shot in the Head, of which Wound he died immediately .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, June 16, 1777.
The following letter gives a better account than any yet received concerning the armies in the Jersies
"Corell's Ferry, June 15, 1777,-11 o'clock at night. "Dear General,
"I have received no intelligence from General Wash- ington since four o'clock last evening, at which time the enemy were encamped at Somerset Courthouse, supposed to be eleven thousand in number, under the command of Generals Howe and Cornwallis. This is doubtless their main body. Their first design seems to have been to have cut off Gen. Sullivan's retreat, and possess them- selves of this place. Finding Gen. Sullivan had frus- trated their intentions by a forced march, they appeared to have given over their first design, and now wish to draw Gen. Washington from his strong hold ; which if they effect, probably a body from Brunswick will take possession of it-Gen. Washington will doubtless disap- point them, as he remains quiet in his encampment. The militia turn out in great numbers in the Jersies. Gen.
399
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1777]
Sullivan has gone to Flemming Town,1 twelve miles from this The troops, that arrive here, are immediately sent after him. I am very fearful the enemy will retire to Brunswick before you arrive with your reinforcements, and oblige us to attack them at a disadvantage ; for fight them we must, when all our reinforcements are in, we cannot avoid it with honor. Our men are in high spirits, and in four days we shall have upwards of twenty thou- sand. General Putnam has eight thousand with him. . Gen. Washington has wrote three days since for four thousand to be sent immediately to him.
I expect every minute to hear from our army and the enemy. Every intelligence of consequence shall be for- warded to you directly.
I am, &c.
B. ARNOLD.
" Major General Mifflin."
By an express just arrived, we hear that the enemy were in motion at one o'clock this morning, but their design unknown .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, June 17, 1777.
WHEREAS SARAH MANNING, the wife of Ephraim Manning of Princeton, New-Jersey, has absconded her- self from his bed and board, and has taken considerable of his effects with her, without any just cause or reason ; therefore this is to forewarn all persons from harbouring or trusting her on his account, for he will pay no debts of her contracting after the date hereof; as witness my hand, this 24th day of May, 1777.
EPHRAIM MANNING.
-The Pennsylvania Journal, June 18, 1777.
New-York, June 23. We hear, that Mr. Furman, with about 400 of the Rebel Army, has abandoned Shrews-
1 Flemington, Hunterdon county.
400
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1777
bury, and is gone to Middletown, about 12 Miles distant. Many of the Committee Men and other hot People, at the first mentioned Place, have followed Mr. Furman's Ex- ample, being apprehensive of a Visit.
'Tis said great Part of the Rebel Army lately collected at Peek's-Kill, crossed the North-River a few Days ago, in order to join Mr. Washington at his Camp near Bound Brook, in New-Jersey.
The 15th Instant returned here from a Cruize his Majesty's armed Sloop Harlem, Lieut. Knight, and the Stanly Brig Tender : A few Days before they came in, they cut out of Egg-Harbour two Brigs, one of them a Letter of Marque, the other is loaded with Lumber and Tar .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, June 23, 1777.
PHILADELPHIA. June 24.
By an express arrived yesterday afternoon from New- Jersey, we have the important intelligence of the enemy's having retreated from Somerset Court-house to Bruns- wick, and were on their march from that place towards Amboy, burning and destroying many valuable houses on their way and exercising their usual barbarity to the inhabitants in their power ;- That a part of our army had taken possession of Brunswick, while a large num- ber were in pursuit of the enemy and had engaged some of their rear guards .- No particular accounts are yet come to hand, but the following letter, (received by the above express) tho' imperfect, will serve to convey some idea of the manner of their retreat-
Camp at Middlebrook, evening of 22d June, 1777.
"Our troops were within a mile or less of the bridge at Brunswick when General Howe with the party passed from that place.
Gen. Wayne with his brigade pushed the enemy so
401
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1777]
close, that they retired from redoubt to redoubt, without having time to form. All the troops that came up pushed forward with vigour, and had those on the West of Rari- ton been so lucky as to have come up the same instant, the stroke must have been capital. The enemy seem to retire to Amboy in haste : They were pushed to Piscata- 4 way by Col. Morgan's Riflemen (a fine corps) and the troops under Gen. Green, and must have suffered consid- erably. Our loss is three or four killed and as many wounded. They have burnt numbers of houses, and their whole possessions shew what they must have suf- fered last Winter ; indeed their waste exceeds all I could fancy, tho' often discribed to me .- They have lost their reputation, their troops disspirited; their plans subverted ; a new scene of action to commence ; and of course one half of the campaign lost to them.
" Our troops are in good health, high spirits, and ready to pursue the blow."-The Pennsylvania Packet, June 24th, 1777.
Philadelphia.
Extract of a letter from GENERAL WASHINGTON to CON- GRESS, dated Middle Brook, June 20, 1777.
" When I had the honor of addressing you last, I in- formed you that the main body of the enemy had marched from Brunswick, and extended their van as far as Somerset Court house. I am now to acquaint you, that after encamping between these two posts, and beginning a line of redoubts, they changed their ground yesterday morning; and, in the course of the preceding night, re- turned to Brunswick again, burning as they went, several valuable dwelling-houses.
" I must observe, and with peculiar satisfaction I do it, that on the first notice of the enemy's movements, the militia assembled in the most spirited manner, firmly
26
-
402
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1777
determined to give them every annoyance in their power, and to afford us every possible aid. This I thought it my duty to mention in justice to their conduct, and I am inclined to believe that Gen. Howe's return, thus sud- denly made, must have been in consequence of the infor- mation he received that the people were in, and flying to arms in every quarter to oppose him."
Extract of another letter from GENERAL WASHINGTON to CONGRESS, dated Head Quarters, Middle Brook, June 22, 1777 .- Eleven o'clock, P. M.
" I have the honor and pleasure to inform you that the enemy evacuated Brunswick this morning, and retired to Amboy, burning many houses as they went along. Some of them, from the appearance of the flames, were consid- erable buildings.
From several pieces of information, and from a vari- ety of circumstances, it was evident that a move was in agitation, and it was the general opinion that it was intended this morning. I therefore detached three bri- gades, under the command of Major-General Green, to fall upon their rear, and kept the main body of the army paraded upon the heighths, to support them if there should be occasion. A party of Colonel Morgan's regi- ment of light infantry attacked and drove the Hessian picket about sunrise, and upon the appearance of Gen. Wayne's brigade, and Morgan's regiment (who got first to the ground) opposite Brunswick, the enemy immedi- ately crossed the bridge to the east side of the river, and threw themselves into redoubts, which they had before constructed. Our troops advanced briskly upon them, upon which they quitted the redoubts without making any opposition, and retired by the Amboy road. As all our troops, from the difference of their stations in camp, had not come up when the enemy began to move off, it
403
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
177.7]
was impossible to check them, as their numbers were far greater than we had any reason to expect, being, as we were informed afterwards, between four and five thousand men. Our people pursued them as far as Piscataway, but finding it impossible to overtake them, and fearing they might be led on too far from the main body, they returned to Brunswick. By information of the inhabit- ants, General Howe, Lord Cornwallis, and General Grant, were in the town when the alarm was given, but they quitted it very soon after.
" In the pursuit, Colonel Morgan's riflemen exchanged several sharp fires with the enemy, which, it is imagined, did considerable execution. I am in hopes that they afterwards fell in with General. Maxwell, who was de- tached last night with a strong party to lie between Brunswick and Amboy, in order to interrupt any con- voys or parties, that might be passing ; but I have yet heard nothing from him.
" Gen. Green desires me to make mention of the con- duct and bravery of General Wayne and Col. Morgan, and of their officers and men upon this occasion, as they constantly advanced upon an enemy far superior to them in numbers, and well secured behind strong redoubts.
" General Sullivan advanced from Rocky-Hill to Bruns- wick with his division, but as he did not receive his order of march till very late at night, he did not arrive till the enemy had been gone some time."
Published by order of Congress,
CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.
Extract of a letter from Chatham,1 March 26.
April 5. The defeat of the Hessians at Trenton was primarily owing to a dispute which subsisted between the
1 Chatham Dock-yards, England.
404
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1777
English and German troops. Col. Rhal, apprehending he should be attacked by superior numbers, required of Lord Cornwallis a reinforcement. Two regiments under Col. Grant were detached for the purpose. The English troops shewed a reluctance to assist the Hessians. They halted for a few hours, during which interval Col. Rhal was defeated.
The disputes between the English and the Hessian troops originated from the following incident. An officer of the regiment of Lesberg1 engaged some English offi- cers at Princeton, in a conversation respecting military discipline. An English officer, whether heated by liquor, or irascible through passion, replied to the German by throwing a punch bowl at his head. The insult was. properly resented. But the seeds of discord being thus unhappily sown, a crop of evils ensued. The private men, adopted the quarrels of their officers, indulged themselves in frequent rencounters.
If we credit the tale bearers of the ministry, the defeat. of the Hessians at Trenton is to be ascribed to the drunk- enness of Col. Rhal. Lord Weymouth is the best judge,. whether there is any virtue in such a palliative .- The; Pennsylvania Evening Post, June 24, 1777.
June 21, 1777.
Made his escape, this morning, over the wall of the- goal of Burlington, a certain man who goes by the name of Stephen Flood, about 40 years of age, thick and well set, about 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high, sandy hair and beard, has lost one of his fore teeth ; had on, when he went off, a blue jacket, made sailor fashion, blue breeches, a round hat ; he has a brother-in-law lives near South-Amboy, and a wife and family (as he says) in Perth-Amboy, and it is thought he will make towards one of those places ..
1 Losburg.
405
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1777]
Whoever takes up said Flood and delivers him at the goal in Burlington, shall receive Eight Dollars reward, paid by EPHRAIM PHILLIPS.
-The Pennsylvania Gazette, June 25, 1777.
PHILADELPHIA.
In our last we informed our readers that "General Howe, with a large part of his army, were marched from Brunswick and encamped at Somerset, while there Colo- nel Morgan, with 500 Riflemen, continually harassed them, and in a small re-encounter, we are told, killed 18 Hessians, and took several prisoners, which, together with the deserters, &c. rendered his stay there so dis- agreeable, that in a few days after his arrival, being seized with the horribles, at the sight of General Wash- ington on one side, and General Sullivan on the other, he packed up his all and pushed off to Brunswick. In his rout he (Sir William Howe) stole every thing worth carrying off, burnt Somerset Court-House, meeting-house, and a great number of other houses, wheat, &c. and hung up three women, (two of them by the feet, at the head of his army) whom he imagined were spies .- in short, his whole progress through this part of the country, is marked with devastation and cruelty, more like the sav- ages of the wilderness, than that of Britons, once famed for honour and humanity, the characteristics of brave men .- How long the horrors would let him remain in Brunswick, and with what precipitation he fled, the fol- lowing letters will probably give our readers some idea .-
Extract of a letter from Camp Middle Brook, June 22.
"A letter wrote two days ago, I find is not gone for- ward, I therein informed you of the precipitate retreat of the British army from Somerset to Brunswick. A great
406
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1777
part of their force has passed the river, and are stationed between that and Amboy, and from every circumstance there is the strongest reason to believe, have given up all thoughts of passing to the Delaware by land.
" Last evening General Maxwell marched with his bri- gade to attack or rather harrass them, and this morning we hear a very smart firing-a large party also went out before day, so that the retreat, if designed, will not be without considerable loss. What their design may be, is as yet un-certain, whether to push up the North River, to New England, the southward, or to the Delaware ; but this I am confident, that they have no chance of any considerable reinforcements, or making any capital stroke, unless by a sudden removal, they may surprize ยท some part of the continent.
Our affairs certainly bear a most favourable appear- ance,-a noble army, well-officered and in fine spirits,- the enemy dispirited by their last retreat."
Mount Pleasant, 11 o'clock.
" Here we have been some hours viewing the retreat of the enemy. They have left Brunswick, and all the road from thence to Amboy is covered with smoke, which we have the best reason to believe, are the houses they have set fire to, as they go. General Green was below the landing near Brunswick, on this side of the river-Two thousand of the enemy within half a mile -General Varnum advancing along the Rariton, and General Sullivan pushing direct to Brunswick-General Maxwell is on our left, towards Woodbridge, to intercept them on their way. We can from this noble situation trace many of their routs.
" Anxious for the event, and eagerly watching for re- turn of messengers, I defer adding more than that every thing appears favourable to us, and I dare say, they have
407
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1777]
not committed such horrid waste on the inhabitants, without paying severely for it, as they have but one way open to retire."
Sunday. Brunswick, Three o' Clock
" We have been some hours in possession of this place, -I came here with the General half an hour ago-De- struction shews itself all around-We have taken a few prisoners, and deserters are hourly coming in-The enemy retired very precipitately, and are pushing to- wards Amboy ; our People followed them to Piscataway, and I hope General Maxwell will yet fall in with them."
Another Letter from the same place, June 23.
"I wrote two letters yesterday, by different expresses, giving an account of our being in possession of Bruns- wick, and the enemy retiring to Amboy, where we now hear their main body have reached, and their advanced guard about 4 miles between Woodbridge and Bonam- Town. General Maxwell was near them, also General Parsons with his brigade, and Lord Sterling, with his division, is between them and our camp here. Near 6000 of our troops remain in Brunswick. The enemy have thrown their bridge (destined for the Delaware) across the Sound from Amboy to Staten Island, by which it is clear, they design to retreat, if closely pushed. The weather last night and this morning has been so wet, that nothing could be done, otherwise I believe we should have moved nearer towards them. Their retreat has been attended with such a destruction of property, that marks their despair of possessing this country.
RUN AWAY, on the third day of June instant, from the subscriber, living in Great Egg Harbour township, Gloucester county, a Negro Man, named SIM, near 6 feet high, well made, about 24 years of age. Had on and took with him, an old felt hat, a new broad cloth jacket.
408
NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.
[1777
Russia sheeting shirt, a pair of home-spun trousers, one pair of pumps, and one pair of shoes, and several other articles.
Whoever takes up the said negro and delivers him to his master, or secures him in any goal belonging to these states, shall receive TEN DOLLARS Reward, and all reasonable charges, if taken in Gloucester county, Cape May or Cumberland : and if out the said counties, a Reward of TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS, and all reason- able charges paid, by
JAPHETH IRELAN
N. B. The said Negro can read and write, and has a remarkable large foot .- The Pennsylvania Journal, June 25, 1777.
Philadelphia, June 24, 1777.
The Undergraduates of the College of New Jersey are desired to repair to Princeton without delay, as College orders will begin on Tuesday, the 8th day of next month. They are desired to take all possible pains, to provide themselves with books, according to their standing and future studies, which are already known to them. It is hoped, that all of them have been pursuing their studies separately as well as their circumstances would allow, and that they will now apply with extraordinary diligence, to recover the ground that has been necessarily lost. The seniors in particular are requested to come prepared for continuing at Princeton until the end of September, as the examination for Batchelor's degrees will not be this year as formerly, in the middle of August, but immedi- ately before commencement.
JOHN WITHERSPOON.1
N. B. The printers of newspapers in this and the ad- jacent states are requested to insert the above, for the information of those concerned .- The Pennsylvania Even- ing Post, June 26, 1777.
1 See page 148.
409
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1777]
Mountholly, in New-Jersey, June 23, 1777.
Wanted at Batsto and Mountholly IRON-WORKS a num- ber of labourers, colliers, nailers, and two or three expe- rienced forgemen, to whom constant employ and the best wages will be given-Four shillings per cord will be paid for cutting pine and maple wood. For farther informa- tion apply to Mr. William Cox at Col. Cox's counting- house in Arch-street, Philadelphia, to Mr. Joseph Ball, manager, at Batsto, or to the subscriber at Mountholly.
RICHARD PRICE
N. B. The workmen at these works are, by a law of this state, exempt from military duty.1
Philadelphia
Extract of a letter from General Washington to Con- gress, dated Camp at Quibbletown, June 25, 1777.
" Sir,
" When I had the honor to address you last, it was on the subject of the enemy's retreat from Brunswick to Amboy, and of the measures pursued to annoy them. At the time of writing, the information I had received respecting their loss was rather vague and uncertain ; but we have reason to believe, from intelligence through various channels since, that it was pretty considerable and fell chiefly on the grenadiers and light infantry, who formed their covering party. The inclosed copy of a letter corresponds with other accounts on this head, and
1 These men were exempt from actual service in the militia, under a State act passed at Haddonfield, June 5th, 1777. Inasmuch as the furnaces at Batsto and the forge and rolling.mill at Mount Holly supplied to the army and navy of the United Stat-s cannon shot, camp-kettles, as well as castings for the salt-works, John Cox, "Proprietor and Conductor of the said Works " presented a memorial to the Legis- lature that fifty men be exempt from military duty. The act provided for the or- ganization of a company of iron-workers not exceeding fifty, under the command of a Captain and two Lieutenants, to be named by John Cox and commissioned by the Governor of New Jersey. See Acts of the General Assembly of the state of New Jer- sey, session begun at Princeton, August 27th, 1776, pages 76, 77 .- F. B. L.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.