Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 4

Author: Stryker, William S. (William Scudder), 1838-1900; Lee, Francis Bazley, 1869-1914; Nelson, William, 1847-1914; Scott, Austin, 1848-1922; New Jersey Historical Society
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Trenton, N.J. : J.L. Murphy Pub. Co., printers, [etc.]
Number of Pages: 632


USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 4


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And it is further directed, that, when any Companies shall be inlisted, the Captains having warrants for rais- ing the same, shall cause a muster to be made thereof, in the presence of Azariah Dunham, John Mehelm, Joseph Ellis, or Edward Thomas, Esquires, who are hereby ap- pointed muster-masters, to review the said companies, and administer an oath to such captains, in the words follow- ing, which the said captains respectively are required to take, viz.


I A. B. do solemnly swear, that all the men, whose names are entered in the Muster-roll by me produced, are truly and bona fide, inlisted, and, so far as I know or believe, intend going in the service of the United Colonies, in the third Bat- talion raised or raising in this Colony. So help me God.


And if upon such review, such muster-master, who


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shall attend for that purpose, shall obtain the abovesaid oath, (or if of the people called Quakers) an affirmation to the same effect, and also find the same company com- plete, agreeable to the above directions, he shall there- upon certify the same on the back of the muster-roll of such company, to this Congress, or in their recess to the Committee of Safety, in order that commissions may be made out to the officers of such company ; which com- missions the Committee of Safety of this colony, during the recess of this Congress, upon receiving certificates as above, are required to make out and deliver, and it is hereby recommended to the inhabitants of this colony, to be aiding and assisting as far as their influence extends in raising the aforesaid levies.


By Order of Congress,


SAMUEL TUCKER,1 President


Attest. WILLIAM PATERSON,2 Sec'ry.


In PROVINCIAL CONGRESS


NEW JERSEY, Brunswick, February 5, 1776.


ON Motion made, Resolved unanimously : That all County or Town Committees within this Province exert themselves to prevent any Vessel within their several Districts taking in any lading, or departing therewith from any Port in this Province, contrary to the General Association of the Continental Congress ; unless the Mas- ter of such Vessel produce a special Licence therefore duly authenticated from said Congress, agreeable to a subsequent Resolve thereof or from the Congress or Com-


1 Samuel Tucker, see p. 11.


2 William Paterson was born of Irish parentage in 1745, at sea. He graduated at Princeton College, studied law with Richard Stockton, was a member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1776, and then made Attorney-General. He was a member of the Continental Congress, 1781-3, and of the Federal Constitutional Con- vention of 1787. In 1789 he became a U. S. Senator and in 1790 Governor of New Jersey. In 1793 he was appointed by President Washington to be a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, which office he held until his death at Albany, New York, September 9th, 1806.


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mittee of Safety of this Province, signed by the President or Vice-President : And also particularly attend to all Imports into this Colony, that the Resolutions of the Con- tinental Congress be duly observed ; and that the Militia of this Province do give all necessary Assistance to the said Committee in their Exertions above mentioned, when called upon for that Purpose. And it is hereby recom- mended to the Officers of the Continental Troops, which are or may be in this Colony, also to assist in the above Measures when thereto particularly requested by the Committees aforesaid.


And it is further Resolved, That no County or Town Committee within this Province presume to grant any Licence or Permit for the Exportation of any Produce, Provisions, Lumber or Merchandize whatsoever, contrary to the aforesaid General Association ; and that a Copy of the foregoing Resolves be immediately transmitted to the Printers at New-York and Philadelphia, to be inserted in the public papers.


A true Copy from the Minutes : WILLIAM PATERSON, Sec.


New York, February 19th. We hear from Elizabeth- Town, in New-Jersey, that on Monday the 12th inst. Intelligence arriving in that Town about 11 o'Clock at Night, that the Man of War, Transports ; and Tender, which fell down the Day before from the Harbour of New-York to the Watering-Place, with 200 Marines on board, intended to commit Depredations on Staten Island, and furnish themselves with live Stock. General Liv- ingston1 ordered 300 of the Militia to march forthwith to prevent the intended Robbery; and having dispatched the necessary Orders, and a party to reconnoitre the South


1 By General Livingston is meant William Livingston, afterwards Governor of the State, and the company referred to was a troop of Essex county light-horse, under the command of Captain John Blanchard.


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Side of the Island, and to procure all possible Intelli- gence of the Motions of the Enemy, marched himself about three in the Morning. The several Detachments met at Ward's, in Sight of the Light House, and were there joined by a Company of Light-Horse, under the Command of Captain Blanchard,1 but learning that the Fleet had left the Hook the Day before, the greater Part of the Troops still on their March were ordered back, and a proper Number directed to Guard the Coast, under the Command of Col. Thomas (lest the Departure of the Enemy might prove a Feint) to give instant Notice of their Return.


The Alacrity with which the Men entered into the Ser- vice is truly laudable, and worthy that Spirit which ought to animate every honest American.


To be SOLD or LET,


At public Vendue on the Premises, on Tuesday the 12th day of March next, at three of the Clock in the Afternoon.


MTHE late dwelling House of Col. Josiah Ogden, and two Lots of Land, containing about one Acre,


situate at the most public Landing in Newark ; the House is built with Stone, two and a half Stories high, very convenient for a Merchant, and a pleasant Seat for a Gentleman, on Passaick River, where is plenty of Fish in the Season. Terms of the Vendue will then be made public by the Executors.


-New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, February 19, 1776.


Philadelphia, February 19. OFFICERS of the Third Battalion now raising in the Province of New Jersey.


Elias Dayton, Colonel, Anthony Walton White, Lieu- tenant Colonel, Francis Barber, Major.


1 See note on preceding page.


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Captains. Samuel Potter, Joseph Bloomfield, Peter Dickerson, Thomas Patterson, John Ross, Anthony Sharp, Thomas Reading, William Eugene Imlay.


First Lieutenants. Rynear Blanchard, Josiah Seeley, John Mott, John Anderson, William McMichael, Stephen Dunham, Samuel Flanagan, Richard Lloyd.


Second Lieutenants. Josiah Quimby, William Gifford, David Tuttle, William M'Donald, Ralph Guild, Richard Cox, jun. Samuel Hazelet, Daniel Pearson.


Ensigns. William Ten Brock, Ebenezer Elmer, Edward Patterson, Cornelius Hennion, Nathaniel Leonard, Thomas Coachey, Robert Hagan, Edgar Gaulidet.


Samuel Shippard, Adjutant. William Norcross, Quarter- Master.


-The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 21, 1776.


To be SOLD by PUBLIC VENDUE, on the 6th day of March next,


A Valuable plantation and tract of 124 acres of land, situate near the road leading from Cooper's ferry to Mountholly, in the township of Evesham and county of Burlington, in the province of New-Jersey ; there are 56 acres of upland cleared, 40 acres of which are good wheat land, about 12 acres of meadow cleared, and 8 or 10 more may be made, the remainder wood land; there are on said premises a one story framed house, 2 rooms on a floor, a good cellar under the same, a well of excellent water near the door, a good barn, stables, and sundry other out-houses, a good apple and peach orchard ; the said plantation is about 12 miles from Philadelphia, 8 from Mountholly and Burlington, about 2 miles from a Friends Meeting-house in Moorestown, about 6 miles from an English Church ; the house is situate on a high pleasant spot, in a healthy part of the country. Any person inclining to purchase, may know the terms of


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sale, and title, by applying to the subscriber, on the premises, who will show the land, &c. if desired.


Feb. 19, 1776. MOSES HUESTIS. -The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 21, 1776.


Princetown, December 15, 1775. TWENTY DOLLARS Reward,


F OR the taking of one JOHN SAUNDERS, who after being served with the King's warrant, made his escape : he is a likely well set young fellow, had on a light coloured surtout coat with a cape, his other cloaths unknown, he has no certain place of abode, but is com- monly stroling about living by the shark ; a very great gambler ; sometimes borrows a horse and never returns him again, and such like practices. Whoever takes up and secures said Saunders in the goal of this province of New-Jersey, or brings him to Princeton so that I may have him again, shell have the above reward, paid by me,


HOWTEN MERSHON, Dep. Constable.


MTHE sale of the goods and chattels, lands and tene- ments of Mr. Philip French's, of the city of New- Brunswick, in the counties of Middlesex and Sussex, is adjourned to Monday the first day of April next, the sale to begin at ten o'clock in the forenoon of said day, and to be held at the Widow Voorhies's, innkeeper, in the city of New-Brunswick.


THOMAS SKINNER, late Sheriff.


THE Committee of Observation and Correspondence T' for the County of Somerset, in the Province of New-Jersey, at their Meeting at Hillsborough, on Wednesday the 14th Instant, took into their Considera- tion the great Importance of promoting Manufactures in America at this Time. They were speedily convinc'd of


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the happy Situation of the County of Somerset for an inland Trade, and were inform'd from every Quarter, of the spirited Endeavours of particular Persons to promote Manufactures of different kinds. After mature Delibera- tion on what it was their Duty and in their Power to do, to continue and improve the Disposition now so gener- ally prevailing, they fixed upon this Principle, That whatever will make it easy for every Person old or young, rich or poor, to do a little, and immediately to turn that little to their own Advantage as well as throw it into the public Service, must have the most immediate and pow- erful Influence. With this view they determined that there should be fixed Markets in different Parts of this County, for the Materials and Instruments of Manufac- tures in general, but particularly the Linen and Woolen ; and for Goods in every Stage of their Progress. There- fore the Public may expect at the Places and Times under- written, Markets for Wool, Woolen Yarn, Cloth, fine and coarse Wool Cards ; and for Flax rough and dressed, Linen Yarn in any Quantity, Cloth green and whitened, also Reeds and Mounting for Looms, Wheels, Reels, &c. These Market Days will also be very proper Times of Meeting, for Persons of Substance to give out, and poor Persons to receive Wool or Flax for spinning. All the Gentlemen concerned in projecting this Measure, and many others, will encourage it to the utmost of their Power, by buying what they can turn to Account, and selling what they have to spare. The Committee are also desirous that the Reason and Necessity of it should appear. General Industry cannot be produced in any other Way ; many poor people (old and young) would spin a little if they knew where to turn it into ready Money at the End of a Week or a Month, but they have neither Stock to purchase the Materials, nor are they able to wait the Time nor find the Hands and Assistance


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necessary to bring it to a Fabrick of any Consequence ; and on the other Hand, many Persons of better Station would do a great deal if they could be readily supplied with such Materials or Work as they might stand in need of to compleat what they have. The laudable and gen- erous Undertakings by Subscription to carry on Manu- factures of any particular Branch are proper for Cities and not for the Country ; nor are they by any Means so free from risk as the Method here propos'd, in which in- deed there is neither Risk nor Expence, but a Door opened for every one to turn his own or Families Indus- try to his own immediate and greatest Gain. It is also supposed that this Scheme, if carried into execution, will be an Advantage to the large Manufactories, and they to the Country. If Plenty and Variety are produced, Pur- chasers will come from a considerable Distance. It is therefore earnestly requested and hoped, that publick spirited Persons, will give Encouragement to this Plan at first, particularly by bringing to sale, whatever they can spare, because it is supposed there will be many more Buyers than Sellers, in the present State of Things. After it is begun there is little doubt, that common Interest will keep it up and perhaps invite others to imitate it.


In Prosecution of this Plan, a Market is to be held for the Western Precinct at Princeton,1 and for Bedminster, at Pluckemin, being distant Parts of the County, on the first Tuesday of every Month. For Bernard's Town at John Boylan's; and for the Eastern Precinct, at James Whitelock's; the second Tuesday in March and so on


1 Regular fair days, or market days, were among the earliest institutions of New Jersey, but from various causes ceased to be popular, and were ultimately abolished by act of the Legislature, those at Burlington, Princeton and Windsor in 1772 .- Whitehead's Perth Amboy, 305-6. Coming as he did from a country where the manu- facture of linen was a staple industry, and where it was customary to hold fairs regu- larly to dispose of linen yarns and the products of the loom, it was natural that the public-spirited President of Princeton College should think the plan worthy of imitation in America. It is needless to say, however, that the linen industry was never firmly established in New Jersey as a result of this scheme. Peter Hasen- clever spent many thousands of dollars ten years before this in attempting to grow hemp and flax, near Ringwood, N. J., but without success .- W. N.


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[1776


monthly. For Bridgewater at Bound Brook, on the third Tuesday of March and so on monthly, And for Hills- borough, at Somerset Court House the fourth Tuesday in March, and so on monthly, as above .- By this Means there will be a Market, with few exceptions, every Week in the year, in some Part of this extensive County.


The above is published by Order of the Committee .- John Witherspoon, Præses.


Notice is hereby given to the Creditors of William Bonya, and John Vallentine, confined for Debt in the Goal of Bur- lington, that they be and appear before Daniel Ellis and Thomas Rodman Esquires, two of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid at the house of Joseph Haight in Burlington, on Wednesday the 12th Day of March next, to shew Cause, if any they have, why the said Prisoners should not be discharged, agreeable to an Act of the Legislature intituled "An Act for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors."


Feb. 16, 1776. -The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 21, 1776.


To be let from the first of March next.


A Convenient dwelling-house, in the city of Perth- Amboy, with a good garden, stables, &c. and two lots of twelve acres each ; Also from the first of April, a farm on the south side of Raritan river, contain- ing 300 acres of upland, and 74 of salt meadow, whereon is a good house, barn, orchard, &c. To be sold, a Brewer's copper, that will hold about nine barrels, with the neces- sary utensils for a brewery. Enquire of


Ravaud Kearny1


Perth Amboy Feb. 21. 1776. -New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, February 26, 1776.


1 Ravaud Kearny was a grandson of Michael Kearny, an Irishman who bought land in Perth Amboy in 1716, and removed thither soon after. His (Michael's) eldest son was Philip Kearny, an eminent lawyer, who married the Lady Barney Dexter (nee


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To be exposed to Sale by way of public Vendue, on the 4th day of the Third Month next, pursuant to the last will and testament of Thomas Rambo, deceased on the premises.


A Plantation and tract of 107 acres of land, situate in the township of Deptford, county of Gloucester, and western division of the province of New-Jersey, on Salem road, about a quarter of a mile above Mantua-creek- bridge, and 12 miles from Cooper's ferries, whereon are a stone dwelling-house, a kitchen, a pump of good water before the door. And as part of said land is very con- venient to lay out in lots, there being many already laid out on said road, from the said land, in the life-time of the said Rambo, and several houses already built thereon, the same will be sold all together, or in lots, as may best suit the purchasers. Any person inclining to view the premises before the day of sale, may be shown the same, with a draught thereof, by applying to the subscriber living near thereto.


Joshua Lord, Executor -The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 28, 1776.


FOR SALE


An Extraordinary Piece of Land, situate on Alloways Creek, in Salem County, containing 125 Acres. There is a good Dwelling-house, with a cellar under it, on the Premises. For Particulars enquire of the Subscriber, living in Dearfield, Cumberland County.


SAMUEL WOOD.


-The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 28, 1776.


Ravaud); they had issue Philip, Elizabeth, Susannah and Ravaud. The last-named studied law ; he married Ann, daughter of James Hude, of Perth Amboy. He died September 3d, 1806, aged 68. One of his daughters, Susannah, married John Rich- ardson Bayard Rodgers, M.D., an eminent physician and surgeon of New York, who was graduated at Princeton in 1775, and died in 1833. Their son, the Rev. Ravaud Kearny Rodgers, D.D., was President of the New Jersey Historical Society, 1872-5. Philip died 1789. Philip, elder brother of Ravaud Kearny, removed to


4


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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1776


TO BE LET.


MTHE House near the Market in Perth Amboy, wherein Thomas Bartow1 now dwells, with the Barn and Garden, and between eight and nine Acres of Mow- ing Ground ; the Premises to be entered upon immedi- ately, or as soon as is convenient for the Renter, and the Lease to continue from thence to the first of April come twelve Months, or longer if so agreed. Any Person inclining to take the Lease, had best view the Premises, and may have Part or the Whole of the Mowing-Ground, as shall be chosen .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 4, 1776.


THE Publick are desired to take Notice, That a FERRY is now established from Moore's Landing to New-York, or any Part of the Island, by MICHAEL TEAZER, who has good Boats and careful Hands : He also Keeps a House of Entertainment, where the best of Usage may be had for Man and Horse. It is situate about five Miles above Weyhack-Ferry, and opposite Oliver Burdet's .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 4, 1776.


Newark, where his grandson, Philip (father of Major-General Philip Kearny), inherited the venerable mansion, still standing on Belleville avenue, just north of Fourth avenue .- Whitehead's Perth Amboy, 90-91 ; Proceedings N. J. Historical Society, May, 1880, pp. 19-25; Personal and Military History of Philip Kearny, by John Watts De Peyster, New York, 1869, pp. 27-8, 32 .- W. N.


1 Thomas Bartow was an aged Loyalist, who lived in Amboy prior to the Revolu- tionary War. He had held many offices under the Crown, such as Clerk of the Supreme Court and of the Chancery Court, Clerk of the Provincial Assembly and Sur- veyor-General of the Eastern Division of New Jersey. He removed to Philadelphia, and died in 1780 at Bethlehem, Pa. See Whitehead's Early History of Perth Amboy, p. 138.


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Hanover, Committee Chamber, Feb. 5, 1776. NANIAS HALSEY1 being brought before the Com-


A mittee on complaint, and upon hearing the evi- dences, we judge he is guilty of vilifying and discouraging the measures pursued for the redress of our grievances, and has defamed the officers in the Conti- nental service, for which we judge him to be an enemy to his country, and desire all persons to break off trading with him, agreeable to the rules of the Congress; and that this be published in the public prints.


By order of the Committee, MATTHIAS BURNET,2 Chairman.


-New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 4, 1776.


To be sold at private sale,


A Valuable house and lot of about three acres, at Somerset court-house, in New-Jersey, eight miles from New-Brunswick, and two miles from Peter Schenck's, Esq ; the house is two stories high, consists of four rooms on a floor, with two large entries, four fire places and a cellar under the whole, with five apart- ments ; a kitchen with bed rooms for servants. Also a well of good water at the door; a stable, chair-house, and other out-houses, formerly belonging to William Thomson, attorney at law, deceased. The title is indis- putable. Any person inclined to purchase the same immediately, may know the terms on applying to Wil- liam Van Doren, now living on the premises .- New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 4, 1776.


1 Ananias Halsey was a son of Recompense Halsey, and lived at what is now called Afton. His home, which was a hotel before and probably during the war, is indicated on one of Erskine's maps, made in 1780 for the use of Washington. He died in 1787 .- E. D. H.


2 Matthias Burnet was Chairman of the Hanover Township Committee, Morris county N. J.


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To BE SOLD,


A LL the personal Estate of the late Dr. Lewis John- stone,1 of the City of Perth-Amboy, consisting of Negroes both Men and Women ; a Stock of very fine Cattle, Houshold Furniture, Plate, Farmer's Uten- sils, &c.


ALso the Farm whereon he lived, situate in the City of Perth-Amboy aforesaid, containing about One hundred and Ninety-six Acres, on which are two very good Tene- ments conveniently and pleasantly situated on Rariton River, where great Plenty of the best of Oysters and Clams are to be had ; good Gardens with a choice Collec- tion of Fruit, are joining to each of the Tenements, with good Barns and other convenient Buildings. It is pro- posed to sell these Tenements, either separately with a sufficient Quantity of Land, or together, as may be most suitable.


ALSO about Five Hundred and Fifty Acres, opposite Perth-Amboy, adjoining the Land of John Stevens, Esq, and the River Rariton. This Land is remarkable well timber'd, and so situated that the Timber and Firewood can be very easily transported to New-York ; the most distant Part of it being not more than two Miles from a convenient Landing. There is on it about 60 Acres of cleared Land, whereon is a House and well built Barn, and a young bearing Orchard of Two Hundred Apple Trees grafted with the best Fruit. The improv'd Part with Timber Land sufficient to accommodate a Farm and Twelve Acres of very good Salt Meadow, will be sold separate; the rest of it in Lots as may be most. suitable. .


1 Doctor Lewis Johnstone was a celebrated physician in Amboy, N. J. His father, John Johnstone, also a physician, was at one time Mayor of New York and a mem- ber of Governor Burnet's Council. The son studied his profession in Leyden, Hol- land, and enjoyed the highest reputation for his skill. He died November 22d, 1773. See Whitehead's Early History of Perth Amboy, p. 69, et seq., and American Historical Register, September, 1894, p. 44.


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Whoever inclines to purchase any or either of the above Articles, may apply to the Subscribers, and know the Terms. And whatever of the above Estate may re- main unsold, on the second Tuesday in April next, will on that Day be exposed to Sale at public Vendue, in Perth-Amboy aforesaid.


JAMES PARKER, 1 - JOHN SMYTH,2 Executors. HEATHCOTE JOHNSTON3


-New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 4, 1776.


To be sold at public Vendue,


At Ross-HALL near New-Brunswick, on the second Day of April next,


A


LL the valuable Stock of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Hogs, Farming Utensils, Negroes, and the Times of three


young Scotch indented Servant Lads, and two do. Girls, each of which has about 7 years to serve. A Chariot and Pair of very noble Horses, which one of the Negro Men drives well. The Terms will be made known at the Time and Place of Sale.


All Persons who have any Demands on the Estate of


1 James Parker was a Captain in the provincial service in 1746 on the northern frontier. After this campaign he settled in New York City, and then removed to Perth Amboy, N. J. Here he became a Councillor to the Royal Governor, Mayor of Amboy, and in April, 1775, he was elected a delegate to the Provincial Congress. He however did not attend their meetings, but removed to Bethlehem, Hunterdon county, where he remained until the war was over, and then returned to his estate at Amboy. He was confined at Morristown for some time for supposed loyalty to the Crown, but having retained a strict neutrality he was soon released and his property escaped confiscation. He died October 4th, 1797, at the age of seventy-two. See Whitehead's Early History of Perth Amboy, p. 133.




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