USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 43
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2 Benjamin Smith was born circum 1747, dying at Elizabethtown, 1824. For a long time he held influential positions in the First Presbyterian Church in Trenton, and in Elizabethtown, which latter place became his home about 1814. By his will, Ben- jamin Smith endowed a scholarship in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, in the sum of $2,500 .- History of the Presbyterian Church in Trenton, New Jersey, Hall, 286 .- F. B. L.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
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TO BE SOLD.
Two Negro men, both under thirty, healthy and strong ; one of them a valuable and compleat farmer in all its branches, to which he has been bred from a child, and is very stout. The other a genteel footman and waiter, understands the care of horses well, the manage- ment of a carriage, drives either on the box or as pos- tilion, and in every respect suitable for a genteel family, or single Gentleman, and is fond of farming. Both have had the smallpox. Enquire of Mr. Coxe at Trenton, or of Doctor Redman at Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, January 24, 1776.
All persons indebted to the estate of THOMAS PAT- TERSON, late of Gloucester county, West-New-Jersey, deceased, are requested to pay, and those that have any just demands on said estate are desired to leave them properly proved with the subscriber, in order for adjust- ment.
HENRY LISLE, Administrator.
The indentures of a bound girl, about 9 years of age, to be disposed of for a small premium, to a good place.
To be let, two plantations, adjoining each other, in West-New-Jersey, Gloucester county, about 20 miles from the town of Gloucester ; on one of which is a good bear- ing orchard, both have convenient dwelling-houses, with out-houses, and about 30 acres cleared land. Any person inclining to rent, by applying to said Henry Lisle, in Second street, below the bridge, may know the terms. Security for the payment of the rent will be required.
N. B. Sundry household furniture and children cloaths, . with other wearing apparel, have been clandestinely taken from the plantation on which said Thomas Patter-
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son lately lived, since his death. A handsome reward will be given to the person that will furnish sufficient proof of the fact to convict the offender .- The Pennsyl- vania Journal, February 28, 1776.
Public notice is hereby given to the creditors of the subscriber, an insolvent debtor, confined in the gaol of the county of Hunterdon, in the province of New-Jersey, that they appear pursuant to a rule of the inferior court of Common Pleas, in, and for the said county, before two of the judges of the said court, at the said gaol, on Thurs- day the 28th day of March next, and shew cause, if any they have, why an assignment of the said debtor's estate and effects should not be made, and the said debtor dis- charged, pursuant to the act of Assembly made for the relief of insolvent debtors.
ABNER FERRILL.
Trenton gaol, Feb. 7, 1776.
WANTED IMMEDIATELY
At TRENTON, in NEW-JERSEY, A number of good workmen, who are well acquainted with forging and filing of gun-locks. All those who apply well recom- mended for sobriety, industry and diligence, may expect to meet with great encouragement and good pay, from EBENEZER COWELL1
1 Ebenezer Cowell, a member of a family early settled near Dorchester, Massa- chusetts, was a brother of the Rev. David Cowell, long pastor of the First Pres- byterian Church, in Trenton, during whose incumbency the "Tennent Contro- versy " occurred. Ebenezer appears to have been a blacksmith, especially in the line of locksmithing and gunsmithing. During the Revolution he materially as- sisted the American troops located in and near Trenton by attending to the repair of their guns, employing all the local tradesmen he could in the work, and often advancing considerable sums in their payment. While the British were in Trenton they ransacked his effects. From 1765 to 1775 he acquired large tracts of land, in West Jersey, including a share of a propriety in that division. In 1774 he was a Deputy Surveyor of West Jersey, and in 1782-4 he was of the "Committee of the West Jersey Proprietors." In 1791 he lived in Philadelphia, but he soon returned to Trenton, where he died May 4th, 1799. He was the father of Ebenezer (licensed as an attorney in 1769), Dr. John, Dr. David, Joseph, Robert, Eunice and Sarah Cowell .- History of the Presbyterian Church in Trenton, N. J., Hall, 67, 233, 238 ; Records of Secretary of state and Cowell MSS .- F. B. L.
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N. B. Said Cowell heartily desires to assist in and to the utmost of his power to promote the present most glorious defence of his country, is willing to instruct a number of apprentices in the useful art of making gun- locks, and intends to confine himself to that particular branch of his business, in order that. the provincial army may be provided with such locks as may be depended upon. March 6 .- The Pennsylvania Journal, March 6, 1776.
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TEN DOLLARS REWARD.
Ran away from the subscriber, on the sixth instant (March, 1776) living in New-Hanover township, Burling- ton county, an English servant Man, named Marshall Hall, but calls himself Thomas Marshall. He is about twenty-three years of age, near five feet eight inches high, full-faced, black curl'd hair, and slim legs ; had on when he went away, an old wool hat, brown mixed cloth coat, and waistcoat, light royal ribb'd breeches ragged and greasy, Russia sheeting shirt, one pair blue yarn and a pair of grey worsted hose, old shoes, pinchbeck plated buckles ; by trade a joiner and carpenter : He came from London last fall with Capt. Getshens, and has been in Charlestown, South Carolina. Whoever takes up and secures said servant in any goal, so that his master gets him again, shall receive the above reward, and reason- able charges, by applying to RALPH ALLEN, or to ANDREW CRAIG, in Philadelphia .- The Pennsylvania Journal, March 13, 1776.
TO BE SOLD.
At Mountholly, in the County of Burlington. A Dwelling House in a pleasant Situation, having a large, good Cellar, six square rooms besides entries, in good repair ; -four fire places in three distinct stacks of chimneys. The Lot on which the House stands is about one hundred feet
35
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1776
front, and holding the same width to a run which affords plenty of water the whole Year, containing better than half an acre of ground, with a good large Chaise-house, Pail'd Garden Smoak-house, &c.
Also five lots of Land on the new street, near the Friends new Meeting-house, 100 feet front and about 200 deep, and one Lot on the High street, within a few rods of the above Meeting-house, 80 feet front, and near 200 deep.
Whoever is inclined to purchase any or all of the above mentioned, may apply to MR. PETER SHIRASS, near, or Mr. JOHN BRAINARD,1 living on the Premises. March 21, 1776 .- The Pennsylvania Ledger, March 30, 1776.
TEN DOLLARS REWARD.
Run away from the subscriber, living in Pitts-Grove Township, Salem County, and West New-Jersey, on the evening of the 30th of March ; two indented servant men, the eldest named EDWARD BIRD, about 35 years of age, was born in Boston government, went to England about a year and a half past, and came in a servant last fall ; he is about 5 feet, 5 or 6 inches high, thin visaged, short brown hair, is disabled in his back and limps, walks with difficulty, and rocks very much in his walk ; had on when he went away, a brown homespun short coat, a whitish coloured cloth waist-coat, with horn-buttons on a pair of old leather breeches, some mended, homespun shirt and stockings, an old beaver hat, about three parts worn : He can read and write, and will likely forge a pass, it is expected he will push towards New England, as he pretends he has a wife living there.
The other is named WILLIAM BLACKMOORE, came from the West of England, speaks on that dialect, has been in the country near two years ; about 5 feet S
1 For a sketch of John Brainerd see 1 N. J. Archives, IX., p. 355.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1776]
or 9 inches high, fair complection, light hair, wears it tied behind, is nock-kneed, when he walks carries his feet outward ; he is about 20 years of age, smooth faced ; had on when he went away, a homespun greyish coloured surtout coat, with the skirts cut off, a brown jacket and light linen ditto, a pair of old leather breeches, mended before, a check shirt, blue homespun stockings, a pair of new shoes, brass buckles, one of them broke, a new felt hat, bound with black worsted binding ; stole a pair of buckskin gloves. Whoever takes up said servants and secures them, so that their master can have them again, shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges paid : If the oldest is taken, Four Dollars, and the young one, Six Dollars, paid by me,
ISAAC HARRIS1
N. B. All recruiting officers in the navy and army are requested not to enlist them. All masters of vessels are forbid to carry them off.
Elizabeth-Town, April 2, 1776.
The Trustees of New-Jersey College, are desired to attend at their hall in Princeton, on Wednesday, the 17th inst. at 9 o'clock.
By order of the board, JAMES CALDWELL, clk. -The Pennsylvania Journal, April 10, 1776.
1 Dr. Isaac Harris was born in 1741, spending his early life near Quibbletown, Middlesex county, where he practiced his profession. Circum 1771 he removed to Pittsgrove, where his home and its library attracted students and men prominent in the medical profession. Active in the formation of the State Medical Society, he was the sixth signer to the Instruments of Association. In 1792 he was elected President of the Society, dying in 1808. In 1776, Dr. Harris was commissioned Surgeon in General Newcomb's Brigade, State Troops. Upon his monument in the Presbyterian yard at Daretown are these words : "He sustained for many years the character of an eminent physician, an upright civil magistrate and a faithful elder and deacon in the church of Christ. His piety was exemplary and his death triumphant."-History of Medicine in New Jersey, Wickes, 275 et seq .; History of the Counties of Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland, Cushing & Shephard, 354 .- F. B. L.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1776
Chester-township, Burlington County April 15.
Whereas Elizabeth the wife of me the subscriber, hath, after plundering my house and carrying off sundry move- ables, eloped from my bed and board. These are to forewarn all persons from paying her any money with- out my orders, nor to trust her on my account, as I will pay no debts of her contracting after the date hereof.
ISAAC ATKINSON.
Notice is hereby given to the creditors of JOSEPH MOUNTAIN, now confined in Newtown gaol, in the county of Sussex, West-New-Jersey, that the honorable Judges of the inferior court of common pleas, for said county, hath been pleased to appoint the fifteenth day of April next, for said creditors to meet them there, and shew cause if any they have, why the said Joseph Moun- . tain should not be discharged from his present confine- ment, agreeable to an act of the General Assembly intitled, "An Act for the relief of insolvent debtors."
March 10, 1776. -The Pennsylvania Journal, April 17, 1776.
TO BE SOLD
Fourteen Acres of Good Land, situate in Springfield township, Burlington county, twenty-six miles from Philadelphia, twelve from Burlington, and seven from Mount-Holly, in a village called Julius town. There are on said premises, a handsome two-story dwelling house neatly painted, very pleasantly situated in a healthy part of the country, with good stables, and a large hay loft, a waggon house, smoak house, &c. a good well of water with a pump at the kitchen door, a large garden neatly paled with a variety of fruit trees, a large orchard con- taining 160 apple trees : There is also on said premises
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
1776]
two small dwelling houses that rent for seven pounds per annum.
Any person inclining to view the same and know the terms, may apply to WILLIAM HEWLINGS, Esq., in Burlington, or to the subscriber on the premises.
JAMES SMITH.
N. B. The above place would suit any gentleman chusing to retire from the city.
PHILADELPHIA.
Extract of a letter from an Officer in Cumberland County, West-New-Jersey, May 6, 1776. "This serves to inform you of an alarm we had about 11 o'clock this day, of a party of regulars landing on Fiddle's-Island,1 in Bacon's Neck, about four miles from Greenwich, supposed to be about 30 in number ; shooting down the cattle, taking them on board, &c. whereupon I called the militia to- gether as soon as possible, and upon our appearance, a gun was fired from on board one of the vessels for them to repair on board, which they did with the greatest pre- cipitation. Our men pursued so closely, that we were near taking 3 of them prisoners, one of whom left an excellent musket behind, which we got, with some cart- ridges. They hollowed to our men to go on board the King fisher and they would pay for the beef. It is sup- posed they took off between 20 and 30 cattle, 5 they left dead on the shore, and wounded many others, which, with all the others, we have drove from the water side. They have taken, this morning, a shallop belonging to Daniel Richard's bound from Philadelphia to Morris's river ; but the hands escaped to shore."
' Should be Tindall's Island, upland in the salt marsh, on the north bank of the mouth of Cohansey creek.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1776
By a Gentleman from Greenwich, in Cumberland County, New Jersey, we learn, that on Monday last, about 10 o'clock, a body of men from the pirate ships landed on Tindon's Island, between Cohansey Creek and Stow Creek ; that they shot down and carried off between 20 and 30 cattle from the marsh ; that the militia mustered together as fast as possible, and marched down to engage them, but being discovered from the ships, a signal was given, and the men took to their boats with great pre- cipitation, leaving five dead cattle on the shore ; one of the men was so closely pursued that he dropt his musket, and narrowly escaped being taken. The ships imme- diately weighed anchor and stood up the river .- The Pennsylvania Ledger, May 11, 1776.
New Jersey, May 23, 1776.
FOUR DOLLARS REWARD.
Run-Away on the 20th inst. from the subscriber, living in Chester township, Burlington county, an English Servant Man, named JAMES MORRIS, about 5 feet, S inches high, dark complexion, with dark bushy hair, talks in the West country dialect. Had on and took with him a striped linen jacket with sleeves, a striped home-made ditto without sleeves, a cloth coloured surtout coat, leather breeches, grey stockings, old shoes, a new felt hat, two shirts, one homespun, the other white, took more clothes with him. Whoever takes up and secures said servant in any gaol in this province, shall be entitled to the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by EDMUND HOLLINSHEAD -The Pennsylvania Ledger, May 25, 1776.
1 Should be Tindall's Island. See page 549.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
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Run away from the subscriber living in Woodberry, Gloucester county, New-Jersey, on the 27th instant, (5th month) an apprentice Lad, named JAMES WIGGINS, between seventeen and eighteen years of age, about 4 feet 9 inches high ; is pretty well set, has a fair complexion and a down look; had on and took with him when he went away, a brown cloth coat, with tortise-shell buttons with silver eyes, a sleeveless jacket with the fore parts of red serge, the back parts callimanco, black knit breeches, a half worn fur hat, old shoes, with plated buckles one of which is broke, a pair of blue yarn stockings, one pair of thread ditto, an old fine shirt, two ticklenburg ditto, and a pair of trowsers. Whoever takes up said apprentice and brings him to his master, or secures him in any goal so that he may have him again, if taken within the province, shall have THREE DOLLARS Reward, if out, FOUR DOLLARS, and reasonable charges.
SAMUEL THOMPSON. -The Pennsylvania Ledger, June 1, 1776.
TO THE PUBLIC
Whereas J. F. Davenport,' in the Pennsylvania Gazette, has forwarned all persons from taking an assignment of a Note of Twelve Pounds given by him to the subscriber, declaring it to be surreptitiously gotten : These are there- fore to acquaint the public, that the Note was given by virtue of an award made by four indifferent persons elected and chosen by the said J. F. Davenport, and my- self, to settle all matters in difference between us: And as to his forewarning any person from taking an assign- ment of said note, he might have saved himself the trouble, as I believe that no person that is acquainted with his circumstances would choose to have any thing
1 This was probably Josiah F. Davenport, County Clerk of Gloucester, 1774-1776.
4
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1776
to do with him ; and I am determined to bring an action for the recovery of the money as soon as the said note becomes due.
JOSEPH ARCHER
Burlington County, May 2, 1776. -The Pennsylvania Journal, June 5, 1776.
Sussex County, New-Jersey, May, 1776.
By virtue of a writ to me directed, will be sold by public vendue, on Thursday, the 29th of August next, between the hours of twelve and five o'clock in the after- noon, at the house of Mrs. Jane Allen, in Newton, a valuable plantation, and tract of land, pleasantly situ- ated in the township of Hardiston about one mile from Sharpsborough iron works, and the same distance from Col. Ephraim Martin's, containing about 290 acres, more or less ; now in possession of the widow Northrop. There is on said tract a commodious log-dwelling-house, a frame barn, stables, and a young bearing orchard of apple-trees, &c. more than 60 acres of upland are already cleared, besides 20 acres of meadow in English grass and fit for the scythe. The whole in good fence. The land in gen- eral is clear of rocks and stones and extraordinary good for raising grain of all kinds. About 60 acres more of bog and swamp meadow may easily be made at a small expence ; the former, in its present state, produces yearly a large quantity of wild hay, and when drained, will answer equally well for raising hemp or grass. Late the estate of Benjamin Northrop, deceased ; seized and taken in execution, and to be sold by
ARCHIBALD SEWART, Sheriff. -The Pennsylvania Journal, June 19, 1776.
Lost between Amboy and Bordentown, on the 15th inst. by a wounded Serjeant, on his way from Quebeck
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to Philadelphia, a black leather POCKET-BOOK, con- taining above Forty Continental Dollars, a Recommenda- tion to the Honorable Congress, signed by General Thompson, the Prussian General, and Col. Livingston, with other papers of no use but to the owner, who expects that if any person of liberal principles finds it he will send it to Redmund Byrne, at the Masons and York arms near the crooked Billet wharf; if any of contrary prin- ciples should find it, they will oblige the subscriber, by sending the papers, as above, retaining the money for their trouble.
WILLIAM WHITING
Philadelphia, June 19, 1776.
-The Pennsylvania Ledger, June 22, 1776.
TO BE SOLD,
A Plantation, situate in the township of Amwell, in Hunterdon County, upon the York road about two miles from Coryell's ferry,' containing 130 acres of land, with a dwelling house and barn on it, a good peach and apple orchard of young trees, and about 10 acres of good meadow on it. Whoever inclines to purchase said place may know the terms, by applying to the subscriber in Amwell, about 3 miles from Coryell's ferry.
PETER WILSON.
Amwell, June 21, 1776.
-The Pennsylvania Journal, June 26, 1776.
SIXTEEN DOLLARS REWARD.
Ran away last night from the subscriber living in Gloucester county, Deptford township, two Servants, both about nineteen years of age, about five feet eight inches high. One an Irishman named ROBERT M. FAR- LAND. He had on a felt hat, almost new, two brown-
1 Lambertville.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1776
ish jackets, the upper one with small cuffs, new home- spun shirt and trousers, and good shoes with copper or brass buckles.
The other a Low-Dutchman named PETER DENNY, has black curly hair, pitted with the small pox, and is very surly. He had on an old beaver hat, and lightish . jacket, two new homespun shirts, a pair of trowsers, and good shoes with strings.
Whoever apprehends the said servants, and secures them so that their master gets them again, shall have the above reward, or half for either of them, with reason- able charges if brought home.
JOHN JESSUP' -The Pennsylvania Journal, July 3, 1776.
Absconded on the evening of the 15th day of this instant July from his master Jacob Stille, living near Oldman's Creek in the township of Woolwich in the County of Gloucester, an Irish servant man named Isaac Brown about twenty-seven years of age, born near Springfield in New Jersey, had on and took with him when he went away a new cloth coat of a grave colour, a jacket of the same near a lead colour, with basket buttons thereon, also an under jacket about half worn, of blue and red colar, a pair of dirty leather breeches, with two seams, two new tow and linen shirts, new trow- sers of the same, linen thread stocking, a pair of black leather shoes, he is about five feet ten inches high, who- ever secures the said servant, so that his said master may have him again, if taken within said county THIRTY SHILLINGS reward, if out of the county THREE POUNDS reward by
JACOB STILLE -The Pennsylvania Journal, July 24, 1776.
1 For a sketch of the descendants of John Jessup, see History of the Counties of Glouces- ter, Lalem and Cumberland, Cushing and Shephard, p. 188.
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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
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Extract of a Letter from Camp at Perth-Amboy New-Jersey, July 26, 1776.
" Yesterday afternoon we had a smart cannonading with the enemy, occasioned by four or five shallops com- ing down the sound .- the general directed a small bat- tery mounting two iron four pounders to fire on them, this brought on a heavy firing from the enemy's battery, from an eminence that overlooked ours.
"Captain Moulder, with his two field pieces, was ordered on the shore, but being encamped at some dis- tance, before he could come up the shallops had all nearly past, however, he began a well-directed fire, and though they had got to a considerable distance hulled one of them.
" When the vessels were passed, the firing ceased on both sides. We had the misfortune of loosing one of the Second Battalion, and having another wounded. The young man's name who was killed, is Owens belonging to Captain Weed's company-he was shot right through the heart-the ball, a four pounder, entering his left side, and coming out of his breast ;- this morning he was buried with the honors of war-The other, who is wounded, is one Freeman, a serjeant in Capt. Boyd's company-his wound is not dangerous-the ball having first taken the street, and rebounding struck the upper part of his right thigh, but has not broken the bone .- There was a horse killed which was standing in a waggon near the General's door. The enemy appear to have some very heavy field pieces. They sent some 12 pounders among us. It is surprising they did not do more execution, as there were so many of our people on the bank opposite to them without the least covering.
" The enemy appear to be very strong, and are con- stantly reinforcing, as our troops come in. They are throwing up breast-works along the shore to prevent our landing."-The Pennsylvania Journal, July 31, 1776.
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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1776
RUN-AWAY from the subscriber at Atsionworks,1 in the Province of West-New-Jersey on Wednesday the 31 July 1776, JOHN FISHER an English indented ser- vant. He is sixteen years old, about five feet, four inches high, slender made, small legs, large feet, a little knock- kneed, much mark'd with the small-pox, and has a surly countenance. He had on when he went away, a spotted swanskin Jacket, a pair of Oznabrug trousers, with patches on one of the knees ; it's supposed he took with him a scarlet jacket, and a new ruff-castor hat. Whoever takes up said Servant, and secures him in any Jail, shall receive THREE POUNDS, Reward from
LAWRENCE SALTAR -The Pennsylvania Ledger, August 3, 1776.
Extract of a letter from Brunswick, July 31.
"Our posts which we found almost without any de- fence are now pretty well secured. We have above five thousand troops at the different stations, from Newark- bay round Staten-Island Sound to S. Amboy. Head Quarters are at Amboy city, where our greatest strength lies. The Generals have wished the troops to have been more forward ; nothing would please them more than hastening them along. The strength of the enemy very uncertain. It was generally agreed they had 8000 effec- tive men when we first arrived : Since when a consider- able number of vessels have arrived; it is said 2000 highlanders have joined them,-I do not believe it- they have centinels all round our side of the Island, and the houses and barns all appear to be full. Their chief
1 Atsion lies at the angle of Burlington, Gloucester, and Atlantic counties, and like Batsto, was famous for its bog-iron furnaces. As late as 1831 the furnace made 800 to 900 tons of castings, and the forge from 150 to 200 tons of bar iron annually. This estate of 60,000 acres passed under the control of the Richards family. The causes leading to the decline of the iron industry were similar to those prevailing at Batsto. Three miles from Atsion was the Indian reservation of Edgepelick, and many of the Lenni Lenape, thither removed by the Legislature, were workmen in the Atsion furnace .- F. B. L.
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