USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 44
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encampment is said to be on the sea or bay side next to their shipping ; but we have great reason to believe they have a considerable encampment also behind a hill im- mediately opposite Amboy, as in less than half an hour after our fire on the shallops began a large body were seen coming over that hill. I believe they are unin- formed of our numbers, and believe them to be greater than they are ; and are apprehensive of our going over. They have cannon planted along the shore; but con- cealed from our view. In the little affair we had, their fire discovered more than we were aware of. Their shot are 6, 12, and 18 pounders, such were picked up."-The Pennsylvania Journal, August 7, 1776.
All persons indebted to SAMUEL SHAW, Attorney at Law, late of the town of Woodbury, in the county of Gloucester for Costs of Suit, are requested to make im- mediate payment to
JOSEPH ELLIS, Esquire 1 -The Pennsylvania Journal, August 21, 1776.
West-New-Jersey, Batsto, August 27, 1776 FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
Ran away last night from Batsto furnace,2 three servant men, one of them named FRANCIS LAWRANCE PIDGINETT, a Portuguese about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches
1 Joseph Ellis was a prominent citizen of Gloucester county, and from 1781 to 1785, a member of the House of Assembly, and from 1787 to 1794, a member of the Leg- islative Council.
2 Batsto, formerly known as the Forks of the Little Egg Harbor, was once a town of great importance upon the Atlantic-Burlington county line, and was an indus- trial center for the iron, glass, wood, timber and charcoal interests of the "Pines." An iron furnace was established in Batsto 1766, and after various owners, it passed, into the possession of Joseph Ball, a wealthy Philadelphian, its manager, after 1784, being Colonel William Richards, an uncle of Joseph Ball. Under Colonel Rich- ards' management Batsto prospered exceedingly, and upon his death, in 1823, his son, Jesse, succeeded him. The Richards family, in all but name, were manorial lords although their tenure was marked by a sympathetic administration of the great
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high, stoops in his walk, yellow complexion, middling long black hair, brown eyes and chews tobacco : He had on and took with him, one blue short coat, one brown duffil under jacket one pair of light coloured worsted plush breeches, Oznabrig shirt and trowsers, new hat, and old shoes : MATTHEW SHFRONE, a Frenchman, by trade a shoemaker, about 30 years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, dark complexion, black hair tied behind, grey eyes, black beard, and has a scar on the lower part of his left jaw. EMANUEL RODRIGUES, a Spaniard, about 30 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, short black hair, black eyes, and dark complexion. Both Shfrone and Rodrigues took with them the same kind and same coloured clothes as Pidginett.
And the 24th of June, the two following runaways FRANCIS BERRARA, a Spaniard, about 30 years of age, 6 feet, 2 inches high, black hair, brown eyes, thin visage, takes a great quantity of snuff, his fore teeth re- markably wide, and has a down look. The other named JOSEPH RODRIGO but generally goes by the name of JOSEPH, about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, yellow com- plexion, black hair and black eyes. JOSEPH LOVETT a Frenchman who ran away July 14th, is 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, long brown hair, fair complexion, grey eyes, and thin visage ; the three last took with them the same kind and same coloured clothes as Pidginett. Whoever takes up the above runaways, and secures them in any jail, so that their master, JOHN COX, of Philadelphia,
estate. Owing to the introduction of anthracite coal, the opening of the Pennsyl- vania iron mines and the vast industrial changes effected, Batsto slowly died after 1850, and a former population of 1,000 workmen and employees dwindled away to a bare handful. The Richards family removed to Philadelphia and elsewhere. A destructive fire in 1874 burned many of the old buildings, and in 1876, the Batsto tract, embracing 100 square miles, passed under foreclosure proceedings to Joseph Wharton, of Philadelphia. Since that time Mr. Wharton has restored the property to somewhat of its former elegance. A plate containing the dates " 1766, 1786, 1829," is in existence, showing the building and rebuildings of Batsto Furnace. It is now in the possession of B. W. Richards, of Philadelphia .- Daily Union History of Atlantic City and County, Hall, 81 et seq .- F. B. L.
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gets them again, or delivers them at Batsto Furnace shall have the above reward, or Eight Dollars, for each of them, and all reasonable charges.
JOSEPH BALL.1 -The Pennsylvania Journal, September 11, 1776.
THREE POUNDS REWARD.
Ran away, on Friday the 6th September, from the subscriber, living in Pitsgrove, one mile below the Mud Meeting-house, in Salem county, West Jersey, a Mulatto Man named PETER, about 35 years of age, from 5 feet 6 to 7 inches high, stout and well made, is fond of strong liquor, and when drunk very saucy, and talks a great deal of his abilities as a farmer ; he formerly lived with David Franks, Esq., of the city of Philadelphia, and was purchased of him about five years ago by his present master. As he was seen going towards Salem, it is probable he may make for Penn's Neck : He had on and took with him, a light mixt superfine cloth coat and waistcoat, a red hair plush jacket, a white ditto, with a belt before, green calimanco breeches, a Holland shirt three stocks, a pair white cotton stockings, plain, a pair light coloured silk ditto, a pair tow trowsers, one red spotted and one black silk handkerchiefs, a pair of pumps, one of which is patched on the side, square silver shoe buckles, and an old hat. Whoever secures the said fellow in any goal, so that his master may have him
1 Joseph Ball, a near relative of General Washington, was a wealthy Quaker mer- chant of Philadelphia, who besides owning Batsto, had large tracts of land in Penn- sylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. He died intestate in 1820 at the age of 73, six uncles and six aunts inheriting his property. One of these, William Richards, consolidated the interests the others had in Batsto, and became sole owner of that property. A prolonged litigation ensued owing to the absence of any act of Congress enabling an administrator to sell lands in the District of Columbia, from which fact claimants to the property have agitated from time to time alleged interests and rights. In New Jersey the administrators of Joseph Ball were Samuel Richards and Sarah Ball. - Daily Union History of Atlantic City and County, Hall, 451 ; Pamphlet Laws New Jersey, 1824, page 73 .- F. B L.
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again, shall receive the above reward, and reasonable charges if brought home, or to Samuel Purviance and Sons in Philadelphia.
SAMUEL PURVIANCE. -The Pennsylvania Journal, September 13, 1776.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,
That a POCKET BOOK was found on the 13th of this instant between Kings town and Ten Mile run, in New-Jersey, and county of Middlesex; with a SUM of MONEY in it, whoever has lost said book, and can describe the same, may apply to ISAAC CLENDENIN or to William Van Tilboro, at Kings town who will in- form where said Clendenin lives. It is supposed the man was on his way to Philadelphia .- The Pennsylvania Journal, October 2, 1776.
TO BE SOLD,
BY THE SUBSCRIBER
A House and Lot in the town of Haddonfield, in the county of Gloucester, West-Jersey. The house is two story high, has three rooms on a floor, the lot containing two and a quarter acres of land, chief of it excellent, good orchard, for terms apply to JOSEPH ROWAND, living in Colestown, in the aforesaid county .- The Penn- sylvania Journal, October 16, 1776.
Princeton, October 26, 1776.
The Students of the College of New-Jersey, and all who intend to enter there this fall, are desired to take notice, that the Vacation will be up and College Orders begin to take place on Monday the 4th of November. They are also desired to remember, that on Wednesday the 6th the Chambers will be fixed and assigned, so that
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those who do not appear that day will lose all claim from their former possession, unless they have leave of absence previously asked and obtained. The Grammar School will begin at the same time, where boys are taught the Languages, Writing and Arithmetic with the utmost care. -The Pennsylvania Journal, October 23, 1776.
October 30.
All persons indebted to the estate of Benjamin Ches- nutt, of Gloucester county, New-Jersey, deceased are desired to take notice, that if they do'nt discharge the same in a few days, their notes, &c. will be put in suit as the money is wanted to pay off legacies
ISAAC SNOWDEN, Executor.
FOUR POUNDS REWARD.
Strayed away, or Stolen from a stable in Amboy. A BLACK HORSE, about fourteen hands and one inch high, his mane and tail thick and woolly hind legs crooked, one fore leg thicker than the other owing to a strain, but not observable without particular notice ; the horse trots remarkably fast, but is apt to be taken with a lameness in the fore leg. A SADDLE and BRIDLE were also missing about the same time, the stirrups and bridle furniture are silver washed, the saddle quilted, and the saddle-cloth, with green stripes. Whoever will deliver the said horse, saddle and bridle to Mr. Hicks, at Am- boy ; or Mr. Vorhees, at Brunswick ; or Mr. Graham at Elizabeth-Town ; or Mr. William Carson, in Third-street Philadelphia, tavern-keepers, shall receive the above reward. September 27, 1776.
SIX DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber living in Bethlehem township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey.
36
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A Negro Man, named BEN, about three and twenty years old, five feet six inches high, country born, lived lately in the lower parts of Maryland. He is lame in one of his feet. Had on an old hat, an old blue coat, a red jacket and buckskin breeches. Whoever secure said Negro so that the subscriber may have him again, or brings him home shall receive the above reward with reasonable charges paid by
THOMAS SCOTT
N. B. Whoever takes up said NEGRO, is desired to acquaint the subscriber, by advertising him in the Penn- sylvania Journal .- The Pennsylvania Journal, October 30, 1776.
Was left at the house of JOSEPH HAIGHT, in the city of Burlington, New-Jersey, a short time ago, a con- siderable sum of money by some person unknown, the owner by describing the money and the sum, may by applying to the subscriber and paying for this advertise- ment have it again.
JOSEPH HAIGHT.
-The Pennsylvania Journal, November 13, 1776.
PHILADELPHIA.
From New Jersey we learn, that immediately after the surrender of Fort Washington it was determined to evacuate Fort Lee, which was nearly accomplished when the enemy, on Thursday morning last, sent a body of men across the North River 3 or 4 miles above it, which the guard at Fort Lee having notice of, retreated to Hackensack, and from thence to Aquaconack Bridge, when the enemy took possession of the Fort, and we are told, have since sent a party to Hackensack, where they remained when the last accounts came away.
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Extract of a letter from Newark. Nov. 23.
" You have no doubt heard all the particulars of our retreat from Fort Lee to Hackinsack, from Hackinsack to Aquaconack, and from thence to this place. Nothing material has happened in the fighting way: We lost some of our large mortars, part of our cannon and stores at Fort Lee, as well as at Hackinsack. I believe the Generals intend to make a stand at this place, I hope these losses, will rouse the virtue of America, if she does not exert herself now, she deserves not the independence she has declared. I have still hopes of success. I heard a great man say many months ago, that America would not purchase her freedom at so cheap a rate as was imagined-nor is it proper she should, what costs us a little we not value enough."-The Pennsylvania Journal, November 27, 1776.
Extract of a letter from Raritan, (New Jersey) Jan. 23.
Last Monday, a party of Jersey Militia, consisting of about 400 and about 50 of the Pennsylvania Rifle-Men, marched to attack a body of the enemy, consisting of about 600, who were posted at a bridge at Millstone river, near Abraham Vannest's mill, which is two miles from Somerset Court House. In order more effectually to prevent our men from crossing the enemy had placed three field pieces on a hill, about 50 yards from the bridge ; when our men found it impossible to cross there, they went down the river, broke through the ice, waded across the river up to their middles, flanked the enemy, routed them, and took 43 baggage waggons, 104 horses, 115 head of cattle, and about 60 or 70 sheep. We lost 4 or 5 men .- We took 12 prisoners and from the best accounts the enemy had about 24 or 25 killed and wounded. A man who came from Brunswick this after- noon says, the enemy allow that they lost 35 or 36 men,
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but say the rebels lost 300 .- There were not more than 400 of our men crossed the river : The enemy report, that they were attacked by 3000 of General Washington's troops there, and were absolutely certain they were not Militia, they were sure that no Militia would fight in that way .- There has been an engagement to-day, the guns were heard beyond this, but we do not know where it was, nor the event. Our army I believe, are drawing near Brunswick, with an intention to prevent the enemy from getting provisions, if they do so the enemy will be obliged to leave Brunswick. They (the enemy) do not now pretend to send as a foraging party less than 500 or 600 men. The Militia here are in high spirits, and I hope they will continue so."
On Thursday last about 350 Americans attacked a party of about 700 of the enemy near Bonum Town, between Brunswick and Amboy, when our people stand- ing a small brush, retired for want of artillery. It is said we killed a Col. and 20 men, and mortally wounded a Lieut Colonel and 30 or 40 privates.
Extract of a letter from Bordentown, January 4, 1777.
"I am just arrived with Major Mifflin, from an expe- dition in the lower parts of the Jerseys, a place called Monmouth Court-House. We arrived there Thursday evening. We were informed of a party of men consist- ing of about 200, under the command of Col. Morris. We there formed our party (120 in number) in proper order, and intended to attack them in the town about
half an hour before night ; Col. Morris, it seems got notice of our arrival, had his baggage loaded and his men formed to draw off for Middletown, about 18 miles from the Court House ; they accordingly pushed off from town, and got away about half a mile ; we immediately pushed after them, and they halted. We came up about a quarter
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of an hour before night and engaged them ; a very heavy fire was kept up on both sides, and the enemy stood us about eight minutes, then gave way, and retreated pre- cipitately, at this time it was quite dark, and we could not see what loss the enemy suffered. On our side we had none killed. We marched from the field to the town, and lodged there that night. The next morning we sent out a party to the field we had engaged in, and they brought four dead bodies which we buried. We took during the engagement twenty three prisoners, and brought them to this place. We also took seven waggon loads of stores &c. and twelve horses."
A party from Col. Humpton's Regiment, who are stationed in West New Jersey, about the middle of this month, went to Shrewsbury, in Monmouth county, where they took a large quantity of cloth and other stores, col- lected there by a set of tories, who infest that county, many of which were obliged to make a precipitate retreat on board the English men of war .- The Pennsylvania Journal, January 29, 1777.
PHILADELPHIA.
On Sunday last was brought to town fifteen British soldiers, taken within one mile of the west side of Bruns- wick, where the British army are hemed in on all sides.
We hear, that every day, our army, round Brunswick, take prisoners, or receive deserters from the English army in that town.
On Thursday last Col. Parker with 300 men, attacked a large foraging party near Quibble-Town, who had six pieces of cannon. He was obliged by superiority of number to retire with the loss of 7 men ; by a deserter and a prisoner we learn that the enemy lost 25 men, besides a number of wounded.
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On Sunday last six Hessians were taken on this side Brunswick.
Extract of a letter from New-Jersey, January 22, 1777.
"As I have not seen any news-papers or other publica- tions from your city since General Howe's troops came to Trenton, I cannot tell whether the public are informed of the usage the inhabitants met with from them on the road from Fort Lee.
As I live a considerable distance from that part of the colony where they marched through, after General Wash- ington had drove Howe's army to Brunswick, having a considerable number of acquaintances livers on the road between Brunswick and Trenton, I went to see them and am now just returned home, and will give you an ac- count of the usage some people met with from them.
" One afternoon a large number of the British light- horse came to a farmer's house (whose mother, an aged widow woman lay very sick with a fever) and put up for the night.
A Colonel and about a dozen other officers took posses- sion of the parlour and bed-rooms, except the one, where the sick woman lay. After their horses were fed with the hay and grain of the farmer's, in as profuse a man- ner as though it was not worth a farthing, they plundered the cellar of about 50 pounds of sugar 60 pounds of but- ter, a quantity of cheese, hogs fat, candles and meat, not leaving the family an ounce of either; then they killed all the poultry on the plantation, except three chickens, who it is supposed hid themselves, so that in a few hours there was not a mouthful of victuals left in the house for the family to eat ; and although the daughter of the sick woman applyed to the Colonel several times with tears in her eyes, in behalf of the family, and her mother in particular, to prevent his troops plundering and eating
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up all their provisions, yet he did not shew the least in- clination to hinder them .- The evening this Colonel and his officers spent in feasting and drinking, and in the parlour adjoining the sick woman's bed-room, with as much noise as is common for such gentlemen to make in their frolicks; and, although they were told how dis- agreeable it was to the sick woman, yet they did not appear to have the least tenderness or humanity in them, but used the most profane language, damning the rebels (as they called the Americans) for a pack of cowards, and wished they would make a stand and fight them, and they would be as willing their army might consist of a hundred thousand as ten thousand.
They swore they would be in Philadelphia by Christ- mas or in Hell. The rebels they said depended upon God Almighty to fight for them, but give them thirty thousand men and they did not care whether God or the Devil was against them ; and much such was their dis- course through the evening .- The next morning they moved on their march, when the farmer came home and found those free-booters, had drawn off two hogsheads of his Cyder, eat and destroyed all his winter apples, stole several coats, his boots, a table cloth, pillow-cases, towels, silver stock buckle, and several other things; he was obliged to send out to one of his neighbors to beg victuals for his family and poor sick mother. Numbers of other people were used much in the same manner, but I have been thus particular in this account, because the light- horse gentry are said to be the best bred part of the army, and there were no others at this house-they neither offered to buy or pay for any thing. You no doubt have seen or heard of Lord and Gen. Howe's proclamation, published the 30th of November past offering protection to every ones person and estate that would come within sixty days, and sign a declaration that they would not
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take up arms against Great Britain, nor assist those that should. Numbers soon went in, signed and got protec- tion. Soon after the persons appointed to grant protec- tions, required those that applied to make oath of what they were required only to sign by the proclamation, with a long addition to it. People still came in, and in a few days after they were required to bring their arms and deliver up, or no more protections should be granted, so that a number of arms were carried in; but General Washington taking Trenton put a stop to the people going in ;1 however, before that, those who had protec- tions found that they fared no better than those who had none, for they were plundered daily, and numbers of families that I know, who had protections, have had their horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, with the greatest part of their household goods, taken from them by the regu- lars ; and, although they shewed the officers and soldiers, who took them, their protections, they only damned them and their protections too .- The people who live on the road where the regulars passed and re-passed, are much dissatisfied that they took protections, for had they not depended upon that to save their goods from being
1 Upon this occasion General Washington prepared and had circulated, probably by express riders, a "Call to Arms," the existence of which was but recently dis- closed.
This "Call," unquestionably, had a highly stimulating effect upon the Whig cause and was as follows :
' To the Friends of America in the State of New Jersey
" The Army of the American States under my Command, being lately greatly re- inforced, and having again Entered the State of New Jersey, I most warmly request the Militia of Said State at this Important Crisis to Evince their love to their Country, by boldly Stepping forth and defending the Cause of Freedom. The In- habitants may be assured that by a manly and Spirited Conduct they may now relieve their Distressed State from the Depredations of our Enemies,-I have there- fore dispatched Coll Neilson, Majors Taylor, Van Emburgh and Frelinghysen together with some other Gentlemen of your State to call together and Embody your Militia, not doubting but Success will attend their Endeavours. -
"Go: Washington.
" Trentown 21 Decr 1776 " }
-History of Trenton, 1895, Lee, p. 48 .- F. B. L.
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plundered, agreeable to assurance given in the Proclama- tion, they would have moved their most valuable effects back into the country- .
What I have here wrote you may depend upon to be true, as I had it from the sufferers, who are people of veracity, and if you can make any part of it serviceable to the public it may be well."
-The Pennsylvania Journal, February 5, 1777.
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INDEX.
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INDEX.
A.
Abber : Joseph, 179. Abington, 233. Absecon, 38.
Ackerman : Johannes J., 56, 57.
Acquackanonk (Aquacanock), 56 (n.), 218, 273, 316, 326 .- Bridge (now Passaic), 236, 237, 251, 271, 562, 563 .- Church, 218 (n.)-Married in, 251 (n.)
Acts : Colony, for relief of insolvent debt- ors, 12 .- Legislative, 158 (n.)-Of Con- gress, 559 (n.)-State, 409, 490 .- To pun- ish traitors and disaffected persons, 282 .- Of General Assembly, dispose of captured ship, 300 .- Granting passes, 414 .- Procure clothing for New Jersey regiments, 515 .- Recover arrearage of tax, 515 .- Support of government of New Jersey, 515 .- Procure election re- turns, 515 .- Constituting a Council of Safety, 515 .- Regulating prices, 515, 519, 535 .- Regulating militia, 515 .- Con- tinuing Court of Quarter Sessions for Hunterdon county, 515 .- Confirming proceedings of Inferior Court of Com- mon Pleas, 515 .- Revive and continue several courts of justice, 515 .- Empow- ering treasurer to exchange ragged and torn bills, 516 .- Exempt iron and salt workers from militia duty, 516 .- Defraying sundry incidental charges, 516.
Acts : Parliament, Anne, 19 .- George III., 21 .- Prohibiting intercourse with the Colonies, 479. Adair: Robert, 251.
Adams : Jedidiah, 396. Adams: John, 55 (n.), 313 (n.) Addison's Iron-Works, 286. Aditon : Consider, 345.
Adjutant-General : of militia, 170 .- Of New Jersey, 173 (n.), 363 (n.), 541 (n.)- Order to prohibit card playing, 373. Admiral of our navy in exchange, 512. Admiralty : Court of, 300 (n.)-Marshal empowered, 300 .- Meeting of, 448, 529. -Meeting of, at Haddonfield, 354 .- Meeting of, at Allentown, 418 .- Order of, 439 .- Register of, 341 (n.)-Seal of New Jersey, 300 (n.)
Advocates, 300 (n.) Afton, 57 (n.) Agnew : Brigadier-General, 477. Aitken : R., 148.
Albany, N. Y., 41, 65, 77 (n.), 102, 146 (n.), 170 (n.), 182 (n.), 224, 345, 446 .- From Fort George above, 112 .- From Fort Orange, 133 (n.) Alexander : James, 455 (n.)
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