USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. III > Part 45
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became general, and the whites found themselves in a complete ambus- cade. About fifty of their men became separated from the main body, and were not in the fight, in which only about ninety of the Americans were engaged. The Indians who had crossed the river were ordered by Brandt to return, and promptly fell in upon the rear of the whites. These were so completely overpowered that toward sunset the survivors fled in all directions. Colonel Tusten, who was a surgeon, remained behind, dressing the wounds of his injured comrades, seventeen of whom were under his care behind a cliff. There he was killed while discharg- ing this humane duty. Of those actually engaged in the battle, forty- four or forty-five were killed. Colonel Benjamin Tusten was a prac- ticing physician of the town of Goshen, where his father, who removed from Southold, Long Island, had settled in 1746. Young Tusten studied medicine with various physicians, there being no medical school at that time, and in the course of his studies spent a year with Dr. William Burnet, at Newark, N. J., where he became acquainted with a Miss Brown, and at the age of twenty-eight married her. He was commissioned lieu- tenant-colonel of the Goshen Regiment of Militia, February 28, 1776, and re-commissioned February 26, 1778. In 1777 he was appointed surrogate of Orange county, which office he held when killed at Minisink. Some time after the battle thirty-three widows of the killed, who belonged to the Presbyterian Congregation at Goshen, set out for the battlefield on horseback to gather the remains of their dead, but found the way utterly impracticable. They then hired a guide to go on and secure the remains, but he was never heard from afterwards. In 1820, Dr. David R. Arnell published a sketch of Colonel Tusten, who was killed at the battle, and this awoke a new interest in the matter, and led to the appointment of a committee to gather up the bones. On July 22, 1822, these ghastly relics were buried in the Presbyterian chuchyard in Goshen, and Colonel Hathorn, then eighty years of age, laid the cornerstone of a monument to commemorate the dead. Dr. James R. Wilson delivered an ad- dress on the occasion, in which he gave an account of the battle, com- piled from the recollections of the survivors and local tradition. His account has been accepted and closely followed by all later writers. It is published in full in the "History of Orange County," by S. W. Eager, Newburgh, 1846-7, pages 494-9. It was estimated that at least 15,000 people were present at the ceremonies. In 1861, the old monument hav- ing became much defaced, a new one was erected, which was dedicated on July 22, 1862. This stands in the Presbyterian churchyard at Goshen, and is of marble, suitably inscribed and adorned, and bears the names of forty-four of the killed. Among them were Daniel Talmage, Stephen Mead and Nathan Wade, certainly, and six or eight more, probably from Sussex county. Goshen is one of the court house towns of Orange county, New York, and is an important station on the Erie railroad, forty or fifty miles northwest of Paterson. The site of the Battle of Minisink is to be seen from the Erie railroad trains, a few miles west of Port Jervis, New York, which is located at the junction of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. See Eager's "Orange County," as cited, 491-499 ; "Battles of the United States by Sea and Land," by Henry B. Dawson, New York, 1860, II., 528 ; Lossing's "Field Book of the Amer- ican Revolution," II., 101; "Life of Colonel Joseph Brandt," by W. L. Stone, I., 415 ; Gordon's "History of the American Revolution," III., 312; "N. Y. Col. Docs.," XV., 291, 292, 542; "N. Y. in the Revolution as Colony and State," by James A. Roberts, Comptroller, 2d ed., Albany, 1898, 161; "First Sussex Centenary," Newark, 1853; "History of the Minnesink Region," by Charles E. Stickney, Middletown, N. Y., 1867, 91.
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Pittsgrove, Salem county, Aug. 13, 1779.
Whereas my wife Margaret hath (through the advice of her friends at Hardingtown) eloped from my bed and board, and refuses to come and live with me again, there- fore all persons are forbid to purchase any of my goods from her, or trust her upon my account. And all persons about Hardingtown are forbid to harbour her at their peril. BENJAMIN BROWN. -The Pennsylvania Evening Post, August 30, 1779.
The following accounts have been brought to us from the rebel country-That a large detachment of their troops, under Messieurs Clinton and Poor, on the March to join Gen. Sullivan, had fallen into an ambush concerted by Capt. Joseph Brant, and were totally defeated; and that of the Elizabeth-Town brigade of General Maxwell, which consisted of 320, upwards of 200 had been killed or wounded; tis said the latter met with their fate on the Wyoming side .- The Royal Gazette, No. 305, September 1,1779.
To be SOLD by PUBLIC VENDUE, on Tuesday, the seventh day this instant September.
A Small Tract of Land, of sixty acres, to be sold in LOTS, a very suitable place for any kind of tradesmen, or any man in public business, situated on Oldman's Creek, near the Lower Bridge, known by the name of Duell's Landing, in the township of Upper Penn's Neck and county of Salem; joining lands of Ezekiel Wright, Dean Simkins, Joseph Dean, and others. The vendue to begin at ten o'clock on said day ; where attendance will be given, and conditions made known by
JACOB WRIGHT.
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Philadelphia, August 21, 1779.
Whereas a certain person, who calls himself Doctor JOHN HUNT, made his escape from me out of Bruns- wick goal, in the county of Middlesex, and state of New- Jersey, on account of horse-stealing, and since has been in gaol in the city of Philadelphia, there discharged from confinement by a number of villains, associates of his, on the 19th instant; Any person apprehending the said HUNT, and securing him in any gaol on the continent of America and giving me information thereof, shall receive EIGHTY DOLLARS Reward, paid by JOHN VAN- KIRK, late Sheriff of said county and state. The above fellow goes some times by the name of John Whitmore and John Campbell .- The Pennsylvania Gazette, Septem- ber 1, 1779.
0 N the 4th inst. the electors of the county of Somerset, met at the courthouse. A member for assembly being chosen, the present situation of our national affairs was opened to them; upon which they unanimously agreed, and immediately appointed a committee of twelve, for the county; directing and empowering them to cor- respond with any other committee or committees, in this or in any of the United States, and to prevent, by every lawful means, the farther depreciation of our currency, without exercising any of the powers which constitution- ally belong to the legislative or executive departments of the government of this state; and also directed and re- quested, that committees be chosen by, and for the respect- ive townships in this county, to aid and assist the county committee, in any matters which may be found necessary in the execution of their trust.
The county committee being met for the purposes of their appointment, and considering the obvious face of our national affairs, they cannot help lamenting the train of calamities which the rapid and unnatural depreciation of our currency, has brought upon us. It appears manifest
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to them, that this depreciation (from whatever source it may have originated, and by whatever means carried on) is the chief cause of many of our present calamities: It has caused an enormous nominal debt to the nation, in so short a time, and a sad embarrassment to the government of this empire, in carrying on the war with vigour, to secure to us a safe and honourable peace, while our re- sources are ample and sufficient : It has protracted this war, with all its horrors and calamities; and withal, has opened the sluices to luxury and extravagance, while it has involved thousands of honest and industrious citizens in ruinous and lamentable circumstances. Therefore,
1. Resolved, That every person owing allegiance to these states, is in duty bound to avoid, prevent, and oppose, an evil so destructive to the publick weal.
2. Resolved, That the general interest of a free and independent people is best secured and promoted by good, wholesome, and known laws, enacted by the people's legal representatives, and executed with vigour and spirit.
3. Resolved, That our happy constitution furnishes the legislative and executive departments of government with ample powers to prevent and remedy any evils destructive to the state; and that it is their indispensable duty to exercise these powers with prudence and vigour, for such valuable purposes.
4. Resolved, That it is the privilege and duty of the free citizens of this state, at any time they may judge it necessary, to instruct or petition their representatives, for the redress of grievances, and the enacting of necessary and wholesome laws for the community.
5. Resolved, That this committee will exert themselves in supporting the civil magistrates, in the due execution of the laws, against forestallers, monopolizers, and extor- tioners ; persons who are to be considered as the bane of civil society; and also those against profanity and vice, the procuring causes of all our calamities.
6. Resolved, That the present emergency of our publick
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affairs, claims the most serious attention of the good citi- zens of this state, to some salutary and general measures, for preventing the progress of evils manifestly calculated to injure the common interest of this united empire; and therefore, this committee humbly conceives,
1. That a general meeting of persons appointed for that purpose, by the different county committees or the counties themselves, within this state, to consult and agree upon some measures to be generally pursued, and if necessary, to petition the legislature, may prove to be of publick utility ; and therefore, humbly presume to desire and re- quest, that such persons may be appointed and directed to meet at Princeton, on Wednesday the 15th of September next .- This committee intends to deputise some from among themselves, then and there to consult as aforesaid, such as shall choose to meet as aforesaid.
2. They also conceive, that persons who pretend love to their country, ought now to shew it, by resolutely avoiding, discountenancing, and opposing, as much as possible, all farther depreciation of our currency; and therefore,
.This committee warmly recommends, and most earnestly requests, that every one who has beef, grain or any articles absolutely necessary for the support of our gallant army, for sale, will not dispose of them to any person or persons who make it their business to purchase these articles, and sell them again for the use of the publick, at an advanced price, to the evident detriment of the community.
After having unanimously agreed to the above resolu- tions, and some directions to the respective town com- mittees, they adjourned until Friday the 3d of September next; then to meet at Abraham Van Neste's, Esq., at 10 o'clock in the forenoon.
By order of the committee,
JACOB R. HARDENBERGH, Chairman.1
Done at Raritan, August 13, 1779.
1 For a notice of the Rev. Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, see N. J. Archives, Second Series, II., 116. .
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New-Brunswick, August 7, 1779.
A GREEABLE to an advertisement, the inhabitants of the North Ward of the city of New-Brunswick, in the county of Middlesex, met at the market-house in the said city, and came to the following determination, viz.
To appoint a committee for the purpose of taking the sentiments of the inhabitants of the aforesaid ward, and putting their directions into execution; the following per- sons were accordingly chosen, Col. John Neilson, Mr. Wil- liam Vanduisen, Mr. William Harrison, Mr. Henry Guest, Mr. Peter Farmer, Mr. Jasper Farmer and John Piatt, Esq.
It was unanimously agreed that the inhabitants of the North Ward of Brunswick, being anxiously concerned about the depreciated state of the continental money, de- clare they are ready and willing to exert themselves to the utmost of their power to carry into execution any system of regulation for appreciating its value, that may be adopted by the legislature of this state, in conjunction with the other states; and that the committee now chosen by them do immediately prepare a memorial, addressed to the Honourable Council and General Assembly of this state, and have it signed by the inhabitants of the country as generally as possible, containing this their resolution, praying them to make speedy application to the Honour- able the Continental Congress to recommend in persuasive terms a general plan to be adopted by all the states in union, for the above purpose: And they are likewise directed to publish the proceedings of this meeting, re- . questing the other counties to adopt similar application. By order of the meeting,
WILLIAM HARRISON, Chairman.,
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TRENTON, SEPTEMBER 1.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Raritan, dated August 26, 1779.
"A letter I just now received from Col. Taylor at Eliza- beth-Town, informs me, that "there are a number of vessels "arrived at Sandy-Hook, said to be a part of Admiral "Arbuthnot's fleet. England will be mad till it is ruined."
The prisoners taken at Paulus-Hook are arrived at Philadelphia, and safely lodged in the New-Gaol.
Gen. James Clinton's army, we hear, have joined Major- General Sullivan at Tioga; from whence the whole body are to move into the midst of the Indian country, in order to chastise the deluded Savages and Tories, for their un- provoked, wanton and cruel depredations on our innocent and defenceless frontiers.
Died on the 15th ult. the Honourable ABRAHAM VAN NESTE, Esq. member of Council for the county of Som- erset.
Yesterday arrived in the Delaware, a ship from Jamaica, bound to New-York, with 120 hogsheads of Jamaica spirits. On her passage, three men and a boy rose, and confined the rest of the hands; by which means she was brought into the Deleware.
By a person directly from New-York we learn, that on Wednesday last Admiral Arbuthnot's fleet arrived at that place, consisting of 70 sail, among which are two 74's, and five frigates; the remainder transports, with about 3000 troops, 1000 of whom are said to be Hessians, 1000 Highlanders, the remainder British newly raised. This fleet, we hear, has brought an immense quantity of British goods.
The same person informs, that Lord Cornwallis is pre- paring for an expedition to the southward; in which all the troops now at New-York, save a garrison, are to be employed.
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Monday last PETER BREWER, of Allentown, died, being upwards of 100 years of age.
At a meeting of the committee of the county of Burling- ton, at the Blackhorse, on the 30th inst.
It was unanimously resolved, That the regulations of the prices fixed upon by a former setting of this committee, bearing date the 21st day of July last, be continued until altered by this or a future committee.
The committee adjourned until Monday the 13th of September next, to meet at Mountholly,
Aug. 30. PETER TALLMAN, Chairman.
Stephen Lowrey, in Trenton,
Will give the highest price for the following articles, viz.
B ills of exchange on the Commissioners of the United States at Paris; a quantity of best white oak pipe staves and heading delivered either at Philadelphia or some landing near Trenton; a few barrels merchant- able pork ; a quantity of hogs lard and bees-wax.
Two Hundred Dollars Reward.
S TRAYED or stolen out of the pasture of the subscriber, living in Roxbury, Morris county, on the night of the. 27th instant, a black Stallion, about 15 hands high, slim built, with a short blaze in the forehead; hath a thin mane and tail, a white spot in his near eye, and has neither brand nor ear mark; trots chiefly, but can pace a little, and canters; is part blooded, and about five years old. Also, a Light Brown Mare, about 14 hands high, paces and trots, but is naturally a pacer; hath a small star in the forehead, one white hind foot, and has neither
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brand nor ear-mark; she is somewhat flat-sided, goes low before, and is about five years old.
Whoever takes up and secures said horse and mare, so that the owner may have them again, shall have One Hun- dred Dollars, or Fifty Dollars for either of them, and One Hundred Dollars for the thief, so that he may be brought to justice, paid by me,
Aug. 31.
HENRY BURNET.
W ILL be sold, at publick vendue, in Pitt's-Town, on Saturday the 11th of September next, a consider-
ble number of CAST HORSES, belonging to, the United States.
The sale will begin precisely at ten o'clock in the morn- ing.
FURMAN YARD.
Pitt's-Town, Aug. 28, 1779.
To be sold, on Monday the 6th of September inst. at publick vendue, good working horses and breeding mares, among which is one good carriage horse; milch cows, four or five yoke of oxen, sheep, and a number of store cattle in good order.
The sale to begin at the house of the subscriber near Trenton, at ten o'clock on said day, when attendance will be given, and conditions made known by
GEORGE BEATY.
Hacket's-Town, August 21, 1779.
W HEREAS Garret Rapaljie, among other places, hath lately advertised for sale the grist-mill at Hacket's- town, and old saw-mill and dwelling house in the possession of George Allen-These are to caution all persons against buying the above mills and dwelling-house, or any of them, of the said Garret Rapaljie, the title not being vested in him, but solely. and absolutely in the sub- scriber.
JAMES LITTEL.
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To be sold at vendue, on Monday the 6th of September, at the house of the subscriber in the township of Dover and county of Monmouth, viz. Two hundred acres of pine land, well timbered, about 2 miles below Tom's river bridge, 50 head of cattle, 40 sheep, 6 horses, 10 hogs and 8 negroes; a set of blacksmith's tools, 200 bushels of wheat and rye, 20 acres Indian corn, a quantity of tann'd leather and tar; a variety of farming utensils and household goods too tedious to mention. Same time will be let, a valuable plantation with a great quantity of fresh and salt meadows; a grist-mill and saw-mill, with plenty of timber; a valuable fishery, with 400 acres of land: All may be entered on immediately. For terms apply to the subscriber, on the premises,
Aug. 18, 1779.
JOHN ATTIN.
Somerset county, State of New-Jersey. W HEREAS inquisitions have been found, and final judg- ment entered thereon, in the county of Middlesex, in favour of the state of New-Jersey, against George Stainforth and Alexander Watson, both of the county of Middlesex-Notice is hereby given that there will be sold at publick vendue, on Monday the 4th day of October next, at the house of Brook Farmer, in Princeton, a piece of land, situate, lying and being in the western precinct of said county, near Princeton, joining lands of Aaron Longstreet and others, late the property of said George Stainforth, containing about 30 or 40 acres. Also will be sold on said day and place aforesaid, one other tract or parcel of land situate near Princeton, in the west- ern precinct of said county of Somerset, joining Stoney- brook, John Johnson, Esq. and Robert Stockton; late the property of Joseph Stockton, containing 60 acres; the greatest part thereof will make good meadow. Also will be sold on Wednesday the 6th of said month, at the house of the widow Hernon, innkeeper, at Boundbrook, a lot of land, the quantity of acres yet unknown ; whereon are one
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thousand bearing apple-trees of good fruit; late the prop- erty of Alexander Watson. The vendues to begin each day at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, where the conditions will be made known, and attendance given by
1 Commis-
JACOB BERGEN, HENDRICK WILSON, - sioners. Aug. 27.
P Somerset county, State of New-Jersey. UBLICK notice is hereby given to all persons who have any claim, interest or demand in or upon the estates of the following fugitives and offenders, against whom inquisition hath been found, and final judgment entered thereon in favour of the state of New-Jersey, Richard Cochran, William Burton, Joseph Stockton, Charles Roberts, William Drake, Benjamin Worth, John Harris, John Smith, David White, John Compton, Ber- nardus Legrange, George Howard and Richard Stockton, to exhibit their accounts fairly stated in writing, to the judges of the court of Common Pleas for the aforesaid county within 12 months from the date hereof, or in the vacation to any two of them.
JACOB BERGEN, - Commis- sioners.
HENDRICK WILSON,
Aug. 24, 1779.
N. B. All persons who are yet in arrears for lands or goods bought at the sales of confiscated estates, are desired to make immediate payment to the commissioners afore- said.
TO BE SOLD,
A Likely MARE, six years old, with a sucking colt ; they are at Mr. John Stevens's, near Trenton.
-The New-Jersey Gazette, Vol. II., No. 88, Sept. 1, 1779.
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To be SOLD by Public Vendue
At the Forks of Little Egg-harbour, on the twenty-third day of September inst.
The armed cutter INTREPID, lately from New York, captured by the sloop Argo and brigantine Saratoga, with her guns and appurtenances. She is an exceeding fine vessel of about one hundred and ten tons, well fitted for a five months cruize, and is reputed to be the swiftest sailing vessel in America. She mounts ten very neat double forti- fied 4 pounders, four cohorns, and six swivels; she has also a large number of muskets, pistols, cutlasses, hand- cuffs, thumb-screws, &c. and is furnished with a compleat medicine chest, two sets of capital and one set of trepanning instruments, together with a very good collection of medical and chirurgical books. The books, medicines and instru- ments will be sold separately. The cutter may be fitted to go to sea in a very short time.
At the same time and place will be sold, the prize brig- antine CHANCE, lately from London, bound to New York, with her appurtenances, and cargo consisting of bread, beef, pork, flour, oatmeal, butter, oil, vinegar, &c. She is a very fine brig of about two hundred tons burthen, and exceedingly well found.
-The Pennsylvania Packet, September 4, 1779.
General Washington's head quarters are at Moores house, near West Point; Baylor's light horse are at Pompton, and Lee's at Paramus; the latter is under arrest for his con- duct at Powles-Hook. Young Col. Fell1 has an hundred men at Hackinsack with guards at New-Bridge, &c. On Tuesday the 24th ult. the Indians made their appearance within twelve miles of Sussex Court-house, which occa-
1 See N. J. Archives, Second Series, I., 55, 456.
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sioned the militia to be ordered out, seventy of whom marched, and pursued them until they were surrounded and cut off, three excepted, one of whom had his arm broke; fifteen officers of this detachment are lost.
Accounts received yesterday from New-Jersey mention a confirmation of Mr. Maxwell's Elizabeth-town brigade having been terribly maul'd by Joseph and his Brethren,1 with this addition, that the brigade was cut to pieces. -The Royal Gazette, No. 306, September 4, 1779.
To be SOLD at public vendue, on Thursday the ninth inst. at the Forks of Little Egg Harbour, the SLOOP Recovery, with her cargo, consisting of twenty hogsheads of molasses, and twenty hogsheads of sugar of the first quality.
Also at the same time will be SOLD the SLOOP Nancy, and her cargo of rice, tar, turpentine, and lumber.
And on Saturday, the eleventh inst. will be SOLD at col. Nicholas Stillwell's2 at Cape May, the Schooner Henry and her cargo, consisting of twenty hogsheads of sugar, twenty hogsheads of melasses, 2000 lb. of cotton, and a» quantity of coffee.
By order of the court of admiralty.
Joseph Potts, marshal. -Pennsylvania Evening Post, September 5, 1779.
To THE PUBLIC.
RY the resolutions of Congress, June 22, published in this paper No. 24, we see they are sensible of the obligations, from policy and justice, which bind them to maintain the credit of the money emitted by their authority. This, it is hoped, will silence those dirty scrib-
1 Colonel Joseph Brandt, the Mohawk chief, and his Indians.
2 For a notice of Colonel Stillwell, see New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, I., 138.
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blers who were for wiping off the Continental debt with the unjust spunge of fifteen or twenty for one; and would persuade us that Congress had as little regard to justice as themselves. It will recover our confidence from the shock occasioned by those false apprehensions, and give as good faith in a square dollar as a round one.
But still we must be sensible it is not in the power of Congress to hold the value of money where it now is, much less to raise it to the place from whence it fell, unless they can obtain supplies equal to the expence of the war, with- out striking more money. To procure this by tax alone is now impracticable: That mode is too slow-the supply cannot come in time-and, perhaps, a tax so large might be at present inexpedient : A loan of twenty million of dol- lars is therefore now proposed; and to make it more con- venient subscriptions are opened in every county. It may be useful for persons to subscribe before they can pay the money, because the sooner Congress can be informed that the loan will be made up, the sooner they can stop the money press, that infallible depreciator. Those who can subscribe ten thousand dollars, agreeable to the 5th resolu- tion, will have the advantage of drawing interest upon one . half of it a considerable time before it is paid .- And every subscriber, by the 6th resolution, has the privilege of continuing his money in the funds 'till it is as good as when he put it in, with the probability that he will receive it out much better. But if our money should depreciate farther than at present, by the 8th resolution, the annual interest is to be increased in proportion.
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