USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 34
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to stand to sea, since which we have not discovered any more of those plundering pirates. The schooner is from Martinico, had 22 days passage ; the Captain says some late papers were taken in a Bristol ship and carried into Martinico, and that they contained some interesting intel- ligence relating to America affairs, but could not learn particulars, as they were transmitted to Congress."-The Pennsylvania Packet, July 29th, 1777.
To be SOLD at Private Sale, by the Subscriber, That valuable tract of land called Mount Penn,1 in Monmouth county, East-New-Jersey, fronting on the sea, distant from Philadelphia, 50 odd miles, containing 1200 acres, two improvements on it, the one having a neat frame dwelling house lately built, and a cellar under the same with a well of good water at the door, 30 odd acres of upland cleared, near 400 natural and grafted young thriv- ing apple trees in two orchards that begin to bear, 45 or 50 acres of low land two years cleared, the greater part in fresh meadow which promises to be as fruitful for Timothy grass, red and white clover, as any in the province, the latter coming in, in great plenty. The salt marsh is extensive and as high as any on the seacoast and will keep a remarkable large stock of cattle, the situation of the dwelling-house affords a prospect of Little Egg-Harbour inlet,2 where the shipping coming in from sea through the same, anchor at the Fox Barrows: And the great ocean from south-west to north-east and by north : Few situations on the sea from Cape May to Shrewsbury more high and beautiful. Standing in the dairy all your cattle on the marshes are in view ; the salt marsh is supplied with fresh water, and laid out by
1 Mount Penn was an elevation of sand and gravel, with a rich surface soil, situated near the old Province line, separating East and West Jersey .- F. B. L.
2 Little Egg Harbor was so called by Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, who, in his ship "Fortune," first visited the seacoast of New Jersey in 1614. From the immense number of gulls' and other sea fowls' eggs there found, the Harbor took its name .- F. B. L.
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ditches, that a part may be pastured, the other for mow- ing, which can be changed annually at conveniency ; the great road from Cape May to Shrewsbury runs through it, within 50 yards of the dwelling. This situation will suit for tavern-keeping, shop-keeping and black-smith's business, or a company of Philadelphia merchants, in order to expedite their sea trade.1 The other improve- ment is small, a logg dwelling house and a number of young bearing apple and peach trees ; on the northerly end of the tract is a considerable quantity of Cedar swamp,2 fit for cutting (the demand and price for this most valuable timber even from the northerly farmers in a short time, is now beyond conception) it is within 4 miles of a landing ; there is a stone quarry3 on the premises.
This tract is capable of great improvement.
One other tract of marsh in Burlington county, West- Jersey, containing by estimation 103 acres, adjoining the above land, equalled but by few lots of salt marsh, a brook of fresh water bounding it on the west side, and is situate on the head of the tide. These two tracts of up- land and marsh are distant from the Friends Meeting House of Little Egg Harbour4 2} miles, and from the
1 There was early in the Colonial history of the State, a trade established between "the Shore" and Philadelphia. Goods were conveyed through the " Pines ". by means of heavy wagons, fitted for travel through the sandy roads. These wagons were driven by negro and Indian slaves and by "redemptioners."-F. B. L.
2 From the cedar swamps in this vicinity large quantities of lumber were exported to the West Indies, during the Colonial period, and there exchanged for rum and molasses .- F. B. L.
3 This stone was an iron conglomerate, of a dark-brown color, occurring in gravel deposits It was the only "stone " known along the southern New Jersey coast .- F. B. L.
4 This meeting was established at Tuckerton in the year 1704. In 1708 Edward Andrews deeded the society two acres of land, the meeting-house being erected in 1709. Both Monthly and Yearly Meetings were held in this edifice, which remained in use until torn down in 1863. During the Revolution the four glass windows, with their diamond-shaped panes, set in a leaden sash, were removed, so that the lead should not fall into the hands of those who would have appropriated the lead to the making of musket balls. Some of the most distinguished ministers of the so- ciety were members of this meeting, notably the Andrews, Ann Gauntt, Ann Wil- litts, Daniel Parker and Rhoda O. Lamb .- History of Little Egg Harbor Township,. Leah Blackman, page 196 .- F. B. L.
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Baptist Meetting-House of Mannahockim 43 miles,1 hav- ing grist and saw mills convenient: One other tract of woodland and marsh in Burlington county, within & of a mile from the Friends Meeting-House of little Egg- Harbour, containing 130 acres, which will make a genteel plantation, having a great plenty of oak and other timber on it, besides several other lotts of marsh and upland. In the neighbourhood of these lands, the market for all sorts of grain, beef and pork, is as good as that at Phila- delphia : The situation is very healthy and convenient either for hunting or fishing, even whale fishing;2 the inhabitants in general are peaceable ; many of them re- spectable. As good titles as any in the province of Jersey will be given for these lands. Any person desirous of purchasing, may know the terms by applying to James Freeland in Philadelphia, the second door from Front- street, on the south side, or John Donnell, at the late dwelling of Mr. Joseph Sharp, in Piles grove, Salem county, West-Jersey.
PHILADELPHIA
Extract of a letter from Cape May, dated July 25, 1777.
On Friday between the hours of one and two o'clock P. M. came to my house Miles Henry and William Dodge, formerly belonging to the Roebuck, and made the following report from due examination, viz. They came into Carson's3 Inlet, situate between the Five Miles Beach
1 The Manahawkin Baptist church was erected as early as 1758, and was one of the earliest meeting-houses erected within what is now the limits of Ocean county .- F. B. L.
2 The advantages of the whale fisheries on the coast of New Jersey, particularly in the vicinity of Little Egg Harbor, led to an emigration of whaling families thither from the south shore of Long Island before the year 1700. In both the Pro- vinces of East and West Jersey whaling interests were protected by legislation, while as early as 1678 a license was granted a number of persons to take whales and other great fish between Barnegat and the eastern part of the province. As late as 1825, whaling was carried on in a desultory manner by the residents on Long Beach. At one time the industry was exceedingly profitable, and to the whale fishermen, the settlement of Cape May was due .- F. L. B.
Corson's.
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and Peck's Beach, about sun-rise, on Friday, and put into a small creek, by the name of Heake-Fish, putting in at the west end of Peck's beach, in a whale boat, under the command of Thomas Slater and Rowland Edwards, chief pilot, with three hands, besides the two deserters; the names of the three are, William Hatch, James Herner, John Jackson ; they all belonging to the brig Stanley, Richard Whitworth commander. From their informa- tion, I conceived it my indispensible duty, with all pos- sible speed, to dispatch a detachment to take the said whale boat, which detachment arrived on the west end of Peck's Beach, said afternoon, about five o'clock, under the command of Major Enoch Stilwell,1 who by certain intrigues took the whole crew with boat, arms &c. an account of which I here inclose.
"I beg leave to inform you, by what means the two deserters made their escape : They were placed as centries, to guard the others, while they took a nap, during which they made their escape. I shall as soon as possible im- mediately convey the prisoners to Philadelphia under proper guards."
. N. B. Seven men compleated the expedition .- The Pennsylvania Journal, July 30, 1777.
Friday morning, August 1.
Extract of a letter from Cape May, dated July 30, five o'clock in the afternoon.
1 Enoch Stillwell was First Major of the Cape May Battalion September 20th, 1776, and upon March 27th, 1778, was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Battalion. At this period Col. Stillwell was active in the protection of the exposed seacoast of Cape May county. He and his associates were constantly in communication with the Council of Safety of the States of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, messages being carried by express riders. At this time British men-of-war lay at the Capes of the Delaware, harassing outward bound shipping from Philadelphia. Cape May was considered an important strategic point, owing to its commanding position, and to this end attempts were made to fortify exposed points upon the sparsely settled peninsula .- History of Cape May County, Lewis Townsend Stevens, page 192 .- F. B.L.
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"The fleet is standing in again. Forty-five sail in sight. The wind at E. which is more favourable for them. It appears to me they are bound up our bay."- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, July 31, 1777.
By order of the Court of Admiralty of New-Jersey will be sold at public vendue, on Tuesday the fifth in- stant (August) at the Court-house at Freehold in the county of Monmouth, the sale to begin at ten o'clock, the cargo of the prize brigantine WILLIAM and ANNE, lately taken by a detachment of the troops in the Conti- nental service, consisting of fine white sugars, in boxes and casks, sweet oil in barrels, lemons in boxes, ground sumach in sacks, figs in baskets, wine vinegar in casks, corks cut and uncut, almonds in casks, lees of wine for clothiers, &c. &c. Also the anchors, cables, sails and running rigging and hull of the said brigantine as she now lies on shore at Long Branch.
Extract of a letter from Cape May, dated July 31, 1777, five o'clock.
"At eight this morning the fleet stood off, steering E. N. E. and are now out of sight, and have been these three hours. This morning I was, with many others, of opinion they were bound up the Delaware ; but as they could have got in this morning, and did not, I am now of opinion they are making a feint ; if so, they have a fresh wind at S. S. W. which will carry them to the east- ward very fast. I believe their whole fleet was in sight, though I could count only one hundred and ninety sail. I shall send off an express if the fleet appears."
The people of England are in daily expectation of re- ceiving the news of Philadelphia's being in the hands of their General. Every ship that arrives they are looking
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for the important intelligence. With what surprize will they hear that Gen. Howe has thrice undertaken the ex- pedition, twice by land and once by water ; that his heart has both times failed him, and that he has not dared to put the matter to the trial ; that less than three thousand men insulted him in New Jersey, and confined his whole army in New Brunswick ; that when he dared to march out a few miles from that place, our brave coun- trymen chaced him from the state ; and when his fleet and army, changing their route, arrived at the mouth of the Delaware, the very report of our preparations melted their hearts, and they shrunk back baffled in their so long boasted enterprize .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, August 2, 1777.
The 23d day of June last, died of the jail-fever in New- York, Mr. JOHN GIBBON,' having been a prisoner of war there six months. He was descended from a very antient and honorable family in the west of England, who became early adventurers to America, were some of the original proprietors of West-New-Jersey, and from whom he derived a very large and valuable landed estate. An ardent love of liberty, and an anxious desire to preserve the freedom and independency of America, induced him at a time when the enemy were overrun- ning New-Jersey, and our affairs wore the most unfavour- able aspect, voluntarily to turn out to oppose, with his musket and bayonet, those cruel invaders of his country and of the rights of mankind. On the retreat of the Jersey militia from Mount Holly the 23d of December last, he was unfortunately taken prisoner and conveyed to New-York, where he remained closely confined until his death.
1 For some account of the first members of the Gibbon family in West Jersey, see New Jersey Archives, XX., 154, note.
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He supported his cruel and severe confinement with a firmness and resolution that does honor to his memory, and to the glorious cause in which he suffered, and proves beyond a possibility of doubt, that he justly deserves the character of A REAL AND DISINTERESTED PATRIOT .- The Pennsylvania Evening Post, August 5, 1777.
Extract of a Letter from the New-Blazing Star Ferry, Jersey Shore, to a Friend in this City, dated July 20, 1777. "On the Night of the 19th Instant, two of the Rebel Light Horse deserted from Elizabeth-Town. They belonged to Doctor Barnet's Company, and inform, that there is two Battalions, consisting of 200 Men each, under the Com- mand of Mathias Ogden and Elias Dayton stationed at Newark and Elizabeth-Town; that the Men are very badly clothed, and almost all barefoot ; that the generality of the People throughout the Jersies express great dissat- isfaction at Mr. Washington's Behaviour when he was last attacked at Metouching Meeting-House, for retreating in such a Manner, and leaving the Inhabitants to be plundered ; that they begin to suspect Mr. Washington is treacherous, and going to sell their Country : This they are induced to believe from the great Dispersion of the Rebel Army in their Retreat, which was so great that they did not get altogether again in seven or eight Days.
" They likewise inform, that there is a Regiment of Light Horse stationed at Spank-Town,1 consisting of 150 Men, 28 of which were last Week drafted into the Foot, to march on an expedition into the back Settlements to attack the Indians. They were apprehensive that they would desert over to the British Troops, which was the Occasion of their being sent back.
1 Rahway.
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"A few Days ago these Gentry were hove into the greatest Confusion by the landing of 8 or 10 Men from Staten-Island at the New-Blazing Star. They moved off their Baggage, and got all things in the greatest Readi- ness for a safe and glorious Retreat, which they effected, and got safe to Springfield.
The following are the Prices Current among the Rebels, viz.
Wheat per Bushel 12s. Congress.
Ditto Rye. 10s.
Ditto, Indian Corn 10s.
Butter per Pound. 4s.
Stinkabuss Rum per Jill. 2s. 6d.
At Susquehannah, Salt per Bushel 301.
Ditto, at Eliz. Town, per Quart 8s
" The above Articles may be purchased for much less Sums in hard Specie, but the Generality of People that have those Articles to dispose of, are unwilling to take the Congress Money, it is merely a force Put, looking upon Country Produce better than such Cash, and offer to exchange five for one.
" The Deceit that is used by the Officers among them, makes it difficult Recruiting, and is the Occasion of many deserting. To induce the Light Horse Men to inlist, it was reported they should receive Twenty Dollars Bounty, a Coat, Jerkin, Pair of Buckskin Breeches, Pair of Boots, four Shirts, and four Pair of Stockings, and Ten Dollars per Month, but these Men have been four Months in the Service, and one of them has got a Coat, Jerkin, and Pair of Boots. They have both received their Bounty, and are told they shall receive Eight Dollars every Month to pay for their Cloaths. They had not received any Wages when they deserted.
" The Congress are now about raising an Army for 21
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years : the Recruiting Officers have Liberty to inlist out of any of the other Regiments in the Rebel Army : They are to receive 120 Dollars Bounty. What think ye of the Congress now ?"
By MAJOR GENERAL VALENTINE JONES Commandant in New-York. PROCLAMATION.
W HEREAS there is great reason to believe that many evil practices are carried on by persons passing and repassing to and from this city and the Jer- sey shore, in small craft. In order, therefore, the more effectually to prevent such practices for the future, I HAVE THOUGHT FIT to issue this proclamation, hereby declaring, that if any boat or small craft whatever, shall be found passing or repassing as aforesaid, without having first obtained a regular pass for so doing, that the persons found in such boat or small craft shall be subject to con- finement, and the boat or craft to seizure and confisca- tion ; and that all persons going from this city without proper passes will be seized and confined. And I do hereby strictly forbid all persons passing from this city to the Jersey shore after sun-setting, and before sun-rising, under pain of military execution.
Given under my hand, at the city of New-York, the 23d day of July, in the 17th year of his Majesty's reign. VAL. JONES, M. G. Commandant of New-York, &c.
New-York, August 4. The Brig mentioned in our last to be ashore at Deal, near Sandy-Hook, was a Prize to the Milford and Thames Frigates ; she was taken by a Rebel Privateer on her Voyage from Oporto to Petersburgh, and
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ordered for Boston, and on the Voyage was retaken by the above-mentioned Frigates, and sent for this Port, but the Prize Master thought proper to call on the Coast of New-Jersey, where the Cargo, consisting of Oyl, Lem- mons, Wine and Brasil Sugar, was immediately taken ashore, and carried up into the Country.
Several Deserters arrived here since our last from the Rebel Army, two Brigades of which were at Second River last Wednesday, under the Command of Mr. Sullivan, on their Way to the Southward.
The whole of Washington's Army that marched from the Clove by Second River last Week for Philadel- phia, amounted to about 4500 Men, with four Pieces of Cannon, the Remainder took the upper Road thro' Mor- ris Town.
Last Monday departed this Life in this City, in the 43d year of her Age the Lady1 of his Excellency William Franklin, Esq ; Governor of the Province of New-Jersey : Her remains were decently interred in the Chancel of St. Paul's Church, the next Evening, attended by a Number of the most respectable Inhabitants of this Place : She was a loving Wife, an indulgent Mistress, a steady Friend, and affable to All .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, August 4, 1777.
1 William Franklin married Miss Elizabeth Downes, of St. James street, London, in St. George's Church. Hanover Square, London, in 1762, and having about the same time been appointed Governor of New Jersey, came to America with her, reaching Perth Amboy February 21th, 1763. Throughout the stormy career of her husband, until her death, Mrs. Franklin remained a devoted wife. She died July 28th, 1778, in New York, and was buried within the chancel of St. Paul's Church, where a handsome marble tablet, erected ten years later by her husband, com- memorates her many admirable qualities. Much of her married life in America was spent at Green Bank, on the river shore, in the city of Burlington, or on the Governor's near-by farm at Rancocas. See "Biographical Sketch of Governor William Franklin," by William A. Whitehead, in 1 N. J. Hist. Soc. Proc., III., 137- 159; Whitehead's Perth Amboy, 185-207 ; N. J. Hist. Soc. Colls., VII., by L. Q. C. Elmer, 51, 52 .- F. B. L.
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Cumberland County, West-New-Jersey, July 22, 1777.
SIXTEEN DOLLARS REWARD.
Broke goal in January last, and this day made an es- cape from the subscriber, a certain ELIAS PAWLING, was born in said county, about 23 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, full faced, black hair, very clumsy walk ; had on, when he escaped, a brown, sailor jacket, and an under ditto, near the same colour, of German serge, bound with binding something lighter, homespun shirt and trowsers, an old castor hat ; his other clothes unknown ; he resided last winter in Slater Neck, in Sussex county, on Delaware, and called himself Elias Johnston. Who- ever takes up the said prisoner, and secures him in any of the States goals, so that the subscriber gets him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by JOHN SOULLARD, Goaler -The Pennsylvania Gazette, August 6, 1777.
Last week died at New York, MRS ELIZABETH FRANKLIN, the wife of William Franklin, esq ; late governor of New Jersey.
STOLEN from the subscriber living in Allentown, Mon- mouth county, New-Jersey, the 31st of July last, at night, a likely half blooded BLACK MARE, six years old last. spring, near fifteen hands high, shod before, is a natural trotter, and hand gallops well, a small star in her fore- head, a short docked switch tail, and one of her hind feet white. Whoever secures said mare and thief, so that the thief be brought to justice, and the mare returned to the owner shall have Twenty Dollars reward, and for the mare alone Ten Dollars.1
August 4, SAMUEL QUAY
-The Pennsylvania Evening Post, August 7, 1777.
1 In the Pennsylvania Packet, August 19th, 1777, the reward was increased to $20, with reasonable charges, " if brought to the Harp and Crown in Third street Phila- delphia or to the owner as above."
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New-York, August 11. A poor Farmer, named An- drew Innis, was the Week before last, hanged by order of one of the Rebel Generals, near his own House at Second River, on Suspicion of being privy to the Deser- tion of some of their Soldiers, as they passed that Way on their Rout to the Southard.1
Mr. Washington, we hear, was at Philadelphia last Wednesday. Mr. Sullivan at Morris Town, the same Day, and Lord Stirling at Elizabeth-Town, the same Day also ; . that Mr. Sullivan had got as far as Hackensack, in his Way to the Northward last Friday, but was ordered again to the Southard, and that he had taken his Rout that Way for the second Time.
Accounts from New-Jersey last Saturday were, That General Sir William Howe was landed in Cheesepeak Bay, in Maryland ; that Gen. Burgoyne was at or near Albany ; and that Washington was at German-Town, near Philadelphia -- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, August 11, 1777.
On the 3d instant died at Allentown, in New-Jersey, ELIZABETH BREARLEY, wife of Col. David Brearley, after a long and painful illness, which she bore with great fortitude, it may with truth be said of this Lady, that her external form (for she was eminently beautiful) was but a fair copy of her mind ; and it would be doing injustice to her memory not to say, that she possessed all the qualities that adorn human nature .- The Penn- sylvania Gazette, August 13, 1777.
1 For some further account of this affair, see History of Paterson, by William Nelson, I., 422. Family tradition says it was Richard Ennis, baptized January 2d, 1732, a younger brother of William, who was hanged, opposite Lyndhurst, a short distance below the present city of Passaic, by Gen. Howe, the British commander, for show- ing the American army across the Passaic river. See Genealogy of the Doremus Family in America, by William Nelson, 199, note.
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Last week died at New-York, MRS. ELIZABETH FRANKLIN, The WIFE of WILLIAM FRANKLIN, Esq ; Late Governor of New-Jersey. She was a Lady distinguished by a Refined Education, A peculiar sweetness of Manners, And dear to her friends
For the VIRTUES of her HEART: She filled her Station in life With a dignity that commanded Respect,
And an affability that engaged the LOVE of ALL Her circumstances were affluent, Her life exemplary, Her death unfortunate. A sincere Friend Pays this small tribute to her Worth, And embalms her Memory with A TEAR. -The Pennsylvania Gazette, August 13, 1777.
Burlington, August 15, 1777.
It is with real concern that I find myself again under a necessity to address the public, on account of the ex- cessive high price both of shop goods and provisions, linen, bedding, &c. being in continual wear. The pres- ent price of those articles render it impracticable for me to replace them, and having found, both by weekly ac- counts of the consumption in my family, and by the most exact calculations I could make, that forty pounds per annum for each boarder is very inadequate to my expences, and that I suffer a considerable daily loss, I flatter myself that my generous employers do not expect that my family and self should undergo the fatigue of my employment and sink money by it.
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I beg leave to lay before the public the former and the present price of a few articles only, and I make no doubt but the least reflection will convince all my employers that sixty pounds for each boarder is not yet equal to my customary price of twenty-six pounds per annum.
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