USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. IV > Part 31
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"At the earnest request of an officer of the new levies and with some difficulty, the body was suffered to be car- ried to a small house in the neighbourhood, and Mr. Cald- well's dwelling house immediately set on fire, and every- thing belonging to him consumed together. The only comfort arising to this afflicted family is, that the wretch
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who served as the executioner of this murdered lady (who from her excellent character deserved a better fate) did his business so effectually, that she lost her life without distress or pain. Thus it is that even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruelty. This melancholy affair, with their cruel burnings, has raised the resentment of the whole country to the highest pitch, they are ready almost to swear an everlasting enmity to the very name of a Briton. So far is this cruelty and devastation terrifying to submission, that it rouses the most timid to feats of desperate heroism.
"A most worthy man, who has for more than four years past devoted himself to the service of his country, is thus left with nine small children, destitute of even a shift of cloaths to comfort them. Many of the inhabitants are in a similar situation; some widows, some aged, some infirm.
"So many have suffered and are daily suffering among us, that it is impossible any thing considerable can be done for them here, more than to provide for their present necessities. Shall I beg in behalf of these worthy tho' unfortunate fellow citizens, suffering in the common cause, that you will exert yourself among your acquaintance to afford them some relief. The difficulty of obtaining linen, cloaths &c. &c. is insurmountable among us. A small pit- tance saved from your luxuries will rejoice the hearts of our desponding brethren, and engage others to step forth with firmness to oppose the foes of America and mankind.
"It wounds the heart of the brave and venturous citizen, to behold the piteous, heart-rending sufferings of the widows, children and dependants, of those who have nobly fought the battles of our country, and bled in her right- eous cause, while those who fly from the appearances of danger are rioting in the spoils of those, who bear the heat and burden of the day.
"I know your generous heart will bear a part with the afflictions of every sufferer in so glorious a cause, and your
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benevolent hands will be ready to exert themselves to obtain the relief that may be in your power.
"But to return, the enemy, being opposed by a regi- ment of Col. Dayton's and such militia as could be sud- denly collected, made a slow advance, till they came to a bridge at the entrance of Springfield, where the militia had an old iron 4 pound field piece, which they used to such purpose, that the enemy were drove back for some considerable distance.
Being thus encouraged, Col. Dayton's regiment and the militia together, pressed upon them, and killed and wounded many of them; the general estimate is about 100. As our people were reinforced they gained firmness, and at night the enemy had secured no farther than Con- necticut Farms. In the night, having received an express from Gen. Clinton in South Carolina, they immediately began retreat, and by 10 o'clock on Thursday they had gained Elizabeth-Town-Point, from whence they sent off all their waggons, a part of their artillery, and some of their cavalry. Previous to this Lord Stirling, with Gen- eral Hand's brigade and the militia, was detached close on their rear, and between Elizabeth-Town and the Point had a very severe skirmish-some loss on both sides. Never did troops behave better than ours. The militia behaved beyond anything that could have been expected. The Con- tinental officers gave them the greatest credit. It is said the enemy had been persuaded that after the taking of Charlestown the militia would all submit, and the Con- tinental troops would desert. It seems as if the militia had known these suggestions. Never did they so univer- sally turn out on such short notice, and never with better spirits. I left this morning, at least 2000 of them below the mountains, and more flocking down continually: Col. Dayton deserves the greatest credit, as does all his officers, who behaved unexceptionally.
"The enemy were all day yesterday manœuvering to bring on a general engagement, and General Washington
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trying to draw them from their strong possession on the Point, where it was impossible to attack them to ad- vantage. Both have failed and General Washington hath drawn back the main body above Springfield to refresh them, as they were exceedingly fatigued, with two days and two nights lying on their arms. Every thing has been carried on with great propriety, and we are in hopes their gentry will be obliged to retire, notwithstanding their san- guine expectations. Gen. Knyphausen it is said, brought over his carriage, expecting to have considerable use for
it. There is a brigade left to watch their motions at Elizabeth-Town, with a number of the militia. They are in such force, that I am clear of opinion they intend to penetrate the country, and from some hints that have dropped, they have Pennsylvania in their eye, if they can beat General Washington.
"I would give you many more particulars, but I am wearied beyond measure with the fatigue of three days ride, and no rest at night, and I write in pain.
"P. S. I forgot to mention a circumstance relative to Mrs. Caldwell's death, that is very striking. Some of the soldiers attacked a young lady about three miles from Mr. Caldwell's house, and one of them presenting a fixed bayonet to her breast, swore he would kill her, for that she was the wife of Mr. Caldwell. He was with diffi- culty prevented from putting his threats into execution by a young officer who knew the lady, and swore to him that she was not the wife of Mr. Caldwell or any other person. This was previous to her murder. And on their retreat from Connecticut Farms, a soldier bragged at Elizabeth- Town that he had shot this unhappy lady."
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Princeton, May 23, 1780.
FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD.
A Mulatto Slave, who it is supposed has been seduced to undertake to carry letters or intelligence into New- York, ran away from the subscriber, and took off with him a dark bay horse, 6 years old 14 and a half hands high, with two white feet and a blaze, and is a natural trotter. The Slave is near 6 feet high, strong and well made; had on, and took with him, a variety of cloaths, but those he will most probably wear are, a suit of super- fine mixt broad cloth, a new red great cloth, white stock- ings, half boots, a black velvet stock and a beaver hat, but little worn. He appears to be 40 odd years of age, speaks good English, reads and writes a tolerable hand, and is a decent and well behaved ingenious fellow, capable of a variety of works. His name is Michael Hoy but may go by some other, and it is probable he may travel as a ser- vant to a white man who is supposed to have gone off with him, and as such may change his address. He went off in the night of the 20th instant. Five Hundred Dollars will be given, and all charges paid for securing the slave and the horse, or Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars, for either, paid by
GEORGE MORGAN.1
P. S. A deep blood bay mare, with a black mane and tail was stolen the same night the above mentioned slave went off, supposed by him or his accomplice. She has a short dock and a lump, that looks like a wind-gall or small wen, on the hindermoost part of one of her thighs. She is half blooded, pretty old, trots, and is with foal. Six Hundred Dollars will be paid by the Rev. Mr. Smith of
1 Colonel George Morgan, born at Philadelphia, 1741 or 1742, was a gal- lant officer and a cultured gentleman who bought "Prospect near Prince- ton," April 1st, 1779, and resided there until 1804, when he removed to Western Pennsylvania, where he died in 1810.
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this town to the person who shall return the mare and con- vict the thief, or Three Hundred Dollars for the mare alone.
-- The Pennsylvania Gazette, June 14, 1780.
Evesham, Burlington county, June 12, 1780.
Strayed or Stolen, on the 10th instant from the sub- scriber's plantation, a dark brown Horse, 4 years old, paces and trots, a blaize in his face, bit near hind foot white, with a lump on his left shoulder, occasioned by the trace. Whoever takes up said horse and thief, so that the owner may have his horse again, and the felon convicted, shall have EIGHT HUNDRED Dollars for both, or FIVE HUNDRED Dollars reward, for the horse only, and rea sonable charges paid by JACOB AUSTIN.
TO BE SOLD.
Six Hundred Acres of Land situate about three miles below Oldman's Creek, in Penn's Neck, Salem county, in West New Jersey, the greatest part of which is swamp, well timbered, and within a mile of a good landing on the river Delaware.
Four hundred acres of marsh situate on Hope Creek, below Alloway's Creek in Salem county, aforesaid, bounded by the said river Delaware.
And eleven hundred acres of Land, situate on Passaick River, about 6 miles from Morris-Town, and 22 from Elizabeth Town. This Tract has a large quantity of tim- ber on it and the greatest part is capable of being made into excellent meadow. For terms apply to
PETER MILLER.
-The Pennsylvania Journal, June 14, 1780.
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CHATHAM, JUNE 14.
Last night sennight, between 11 and 12 o'clock, a body of the enemy commanded by General Kniphausen in per- son, landed at Elizabeth Town Point, who being timely discovered by our guards, gave the troops that were in town, commanded by Col. Dayton,1 an opportunity to as- semble, but, on reconnoitering them, our force was found inadequate for an attack, of course a retreat became indis- pensable, which was performed in good order, with the enemy in their rear, until they arrived at Connecticut Farms, where they fell in with the Jersey brigade, and being joined by a few militia, they posted themselves on an advantageous piece of ground, thinking it advisable to check the advance of the enemy, which, with singular bravery, they effectually did, and annoyed them consider- ably, driving them back some distance. They then brought up some field pieces, which played briskly, but happily without any effect. Our people kept them here about two hours until they were reinforced by the second division, which had landed some time after the first, and had marched up hastily. The enemy then gained that ground, though not without considerable loss on their side, and some wounded on ours. Their advance after that was very tardy, yet they seemed to show an inclination to possess themselves of Springfield, until we gave them a few shot from a piece of cannon, not without some effect, which obliged them again to retreat, and the day was spent in continual skirmishing, by which the enemy suffered amaz- ingly, we having, since their retreat, found forty or fifty of their dead, which they had secretly buried; among the number, it is said, was a son of Count Donop, who has met the fate of his hapless father.
' Col. Elias Dayton, of the 3d New Jersey Regiment. See New Jersey Archives, 2d Series, 1:78; Hatfield's History of Elizabeth, 651; Pro- ceedings New Jersey Historical Society, 1st Series, 9 : 175-192.
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As soon as they came to Connecticut Farms, seven miles from the place of their landing, they began the exercise of their awful cruelty. They first set fire to the house of Deacon Wade, and then to the Presbyterian church; but soon advancing to the house of the Rev. Mr. Caldwell, they had an opportunity of reaching the summit of that cruelty after which they have been climbing for so many years. Mr. Caldwell could not remove his property, nor all his family. His amiable wife, with a babe of eight months, and one of three years old, with the housekeeper and a little maid, were left. Mrs. Caldwell having dressed her- self, and put her house in order, retired with those into a back room, which was so situated that she was entirely secured against transient shot from either party, should they dispute the ground near the house, which happened not to be the case. The babe was in the arms of the house- keeper, the other child the mother held by the hand, all sitting upon the side of the bed, when one of the bar- barians advancing round the house, took the advantage of a small space, through which the room was accessable, and fired two balls into that amiable lady, so well directed that they ended her life in a moment .* This horrid deed appears the more cruel in the eyes of all who knew the lovely person, the sweet temper, and the not only inoffen- sive but benevolent life of that dear mother of nine chil- dren now living, the eldest of which is but just turned six- teen. From some circumstances this appears not to have been the act of one rash inconsiderate villain, but the effect of deliberate orders given previous to their coming
* Never did religion produce a more complete triumph than in this virtuous woman. Her constitution was, by nature, feeble and delicate, and her mind ornamented more with tender than robust passions; yet such was her full confidence in the unerring wisdom and perfect rectitude of the divine conduct ;- such the full assurance of her hope, that the approach of such an enemy, with the terrors of war, could neither cloud her countenance, nor ruffle her mind to the last moment. Long since had she gained complete victory over the king of terrors, and only wished to live for the good of others, and in particular that she might impress her image upon her lovely offspring as they advanced in life. These benevo- lent views were now terminated by the British murderers.
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to the place, that she should be murdered .- She was stripped of part of her clothes, but her corps was pre- served from the flames by two or three of the enemy whose humanity was not yet extinct. This was a murder without provocation, and most opposite to humanity; for although her husband has uniformly defended the American cause, yet he has not only avoided cruelty himself, but used his utmost endeavours to prevent it being done by others; and as to herself, one would have thought her sweet appear- ance, and amiable life, would have protected her from even British or Tory cruelty. Not satiated by this horrid deed, after stripping the house they set fire to it and eleven more dwelling-houses in the neighbourhood, with the out- houses, &c.
Thus has British cruelty been led to perfection by the hirelings of Hesse. Six widows are burnt out; some very aged, and others with small families; and almost all the houses in the neighbourhood which were not burnt, were torn to pieces, and entirely plundered.
Consider Americans! what you have to expect from such enemies, and what you have to do! If the tribes of Israel rose as one man to revenge the cruelty offered an individual of no good character, (Judges xix.) what ought to be our conduct when the fairest innocence is no protec- tion; when the condition of widowhood, attended with age, or a large offspring, is no defence.
The militia, on this occasion, turned out more expe- ditiously, and fought more bravely than ever known before. In the night the enemy retired to Elizabeth Town Point, where they were followed by the militia and a detachment from the army, who bravely attacked their advanced parties, and took about twenty prisoners on this occasion.
From what we can collect from the inhabitants of the Farms, many of whose houses were filled with their wounded, they must have suffered considerably. General Sterling had his thigh broke.
Their brutality to some women in the Farms would
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make even Savages blush; and we are informed, from undoubted authority, that the same line of conduct has been pursued in Elizabeth Town toward some of the first characters.
The loss sustained the first day, by the Jersey brigade, was 1 Ensign and six rank and file killed; 4 Subalterns and 30 rank and file wounded; and 12 missing. A return of the killed and wounded of the militia we have not ob- tained.
We have taken about fifty prisoners; and several de- serters have come in .- They still remain at Elizabeth Town and the Point.
Extract of a letter from Pumpton, dated May 6.
"Last Friday sennight two waggons belonging to Mr. Gamble, Commissary, &c. on their way from Fish Kill to Morris Town, were stopped in Smith's Clove by a party of the enemy from New York, and robbed of most part of whatever was valuable in them. In one of them was a trunk of hats for some officers in our army ;- one trunk of books and cloathing belonging to Capt. Garanger of the artillery ;- and another very large trunk of valuable cloath- ign of every kind, together with a collection of books, &c. the property of Samuel Witham Stockton, Esq;1 of this state, who arrived about six months ago from Holland. After the trunks were broke open, and emptied, they were left, with a considerable number of books and some trifling articles in the woods w[h]ere the robbery was committed- A few days ago the two last mentioned gentlemen, with a party of continental troops, scoured the Mountains in that quarter, and searched all the disaffected houses in the neighbourhood of the clove, suspected of harbouring those infamous refugee robbers, but met with little success in
1 For notices of Samuel Witham Stockton, see New Jersey Archives, 25: 470; 2d Series, 3 : 109, 415.
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making any important discoveries. Instead of the enemy's discouraging these villians, I am informed they stimulate and endeavour to protect them from the immediate punish- ment due to their crimes, by putting commissions into their pockets as officers, thereby providing against an accidental capture."
S TRAYED or stolen out of the pasture of the subscriber, on Saturday night the 10th inst. a large light bay horse, fifteen hands and a half high, six or seven years old, a thin blaze down his face, black list along his back, three white feet, his right fore hoof much injured, and a swelling on the same knee, a natural trotter .- Whoever takes up said horse, and will give information so that he may be had again, or will bring him to the place of the late Capt. Robert Troup, at Hanover, or to the Printer of this paper, shall be generously rewarded by
ABRAHAM VAN GELDER.
Hanover, June 14, 1780.
Five Hundred Dollars Reward.
S YTRAYED or stolen from the subscriber in Hanover, on the night of the 8th instant, a likely dun horse, 141/2 hands high, trots and canters well, has a white strip down his face, with a scar in the same on the end of his nose; black mane and tail, mane laying the near side ; a black list along his back, and shod all round. Whoever will take up said horse and thief, if stolen, shall have the above reward; and Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars for the horse only, and all reasonable charges paid, on giving notice or delivering him to the subscriber, or to Mr. John Cobb in Troy, in Hanover township.
NATHANIEL MOSS.
Troy, June 14, 1780.
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TRAYED or stolen the night of the 7th inst. from the farm of the subscriber, a sorrel horse, 4 years old, in common working order, about fourteen hands and a half high, up headed, with a switch tail and never was docked; blaze in his face, and think some of his feet white. One Hundred Dollars reward for the horse, and Two Hun- dred for the thief. Any gentleman delivering said horse to the subscriber in Morris Town, shall be entitled to the above reward; if farther off than ten miles from said Town, all reasonable charges also, by
JACOB ARNOLD.1
N OTICE is hereby given to all persons indebted to the estate of Robert Gould, Esq; late of Pequanack, de- ceased, to settle their accounts in two months from the date hereof; also those that have any demands on said estate are desired to exhibit their accounts to the subscribers that they may be settled.
JACOB GOULD, ABRAHAM GOULD. Executors.
June 14, 1780.
1 Col. Jacob Arnold was a son of Samuel Arnold, who came from Con- necticut in 1730, and settled in Washington Valley, three miles northwest of Morristown, where be bought 300 acres of land from William and Richard Penn. He married Phebe Ford, October 16th, 1748. His son Jacob was born December 14th, 1749; he married first, Elizabeth Tuthill, of Morris county, October 1st, 1770 ; she died May 9th, 1803 ; he married second, Sarah H. Nixon, December 26th, 1807 ; she was born October 1st, 1783 ; died July 29th, 1846. He died March 1st, 1827. Before the Revolu- tion he was associated in partnership with Thomas Kinney, at one time Sheriff of Morris county, a large landowner, and landlord of a tavern on the north side of the public green in Morristown. Arnold was captain of a troop of Light Horse at the beginning of the Revolution, and likewise succeeded Kinney in the proprietorship of the tavern mentioned, which, for a century, was known in local history as Arnold's tavern. It was in that building that Washington had his headquarters during the winter of 1776-7, after the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In 1886 it was about to be demolished, to make way for a modern building, but was bought by Mrs. Julia Keese Colles, who thought it a pity to sacrifice such a relic of the Revolution, and she had it removed to the Colles estate, on Mt. Kemble avenue, where it has been remodeled for All Souls' Hospital. The rooms occupied by Washington are preserved intact. See "History of the Arnold Tavern, Morristown, N. J.," by Philip H. Hoffman, Morristown, 1903.
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By His Excellency the Governor.
A GENERAL Court-Martial of the state, whereof Col. John Neilson was President, having been ordered by the Governor for the trial of Col. Sylvanus Seely,1 on the 27th day of April last, on the following charges against him while commanding the State Regi- ment in Elizabeth Town, in the latter end of the year 1779, viz.
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1. That he suffered goods and merchandize to be landed from the encmy's flag-boat within our lines, thereby permitting an illicit trade to be carried on between the inhabitants of this state and the enemy.
2. That he suffered those who came with a flag, some of whom were fugitives from this state, frequently to tarry all night on shore without any necessity, giving them an opportunity to hold conferences with the disaffected inhabitants, to gain intelligence, transact commercial affairs, and promote desertions from our troops.
3. That he partook in this illicit trade himself, having goods taken out of the flag-boat and carried to his quarters.
4. That, of his own authority, he gave permission to persons to go to the enemy, either to stay with them or return ; and also gave permits to persons of suspected characters to pass his guards, who carried provisions to the enemy.
5. That he authorized privates in the regiment to exercise command, and to rank and draw pay as officers, contrary to the constitution of the state, the law for raising the said regiment, to the damage and expence of the state.
And the said Court having met and proceeded to the trial of the said Col. Seely, upon the several charges afore- said, pronounced their sentence or judgment, by which they unanimously declare, "That the said Col. S. Seely, "is not guilty of any one or more of the said charges, "but, on the contrary, that during his command at Eliza- "beth Town, he is entitled to the character of a good
1 Sylvanus Seeley was commissioned Captain of Colonel Martin's Bat- talion, Heard's Brigade, June 14th, 1776; Captain Eastern Battalion, Morris county ; First Major of same, May 23d, 1777; Colonel, same, November 13th, 1777. He was Colonel, State Troops. He is mentioned in the Minutes of the Council of Safety, in December, 1777, as Colonel.
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"soldier, a vigilant officer, and faithful citizen, and as "such deserves the gratitude of his country;" which sen- tence or judgment I do approve of and confirm.
WIL. LIVINGSTON.
Trenton, May 27, 1780.
To be SOLD at private SALE,
A NEGRO WENCH and two children; the wench is twenty-two years old, the oldest child is between four and five, and the youngest between two and three ; they are sold for no fault, but the want of employ. Any person wanting to purchase may apply to the subscriber at Lamington, within half a mile of the meeting-house. They will be sold for a reasonable price.
CORTLAND VANAUSDOL.
S
YHOULD a family (only man and wife) of good repute for their honesty and care, be destitute of a living, by being near the line of the enemy, and is willing to live with a small family, in a good neighbourhood, to take charge of such domestic employment as should be found necessary for a country life, particularly to act in the sta- tion of a coachman, to have the care of two horses, two cows, and a garden: They shall have a small dwelling- house to themselves, and such wages or perquisites as the times will admit of. Inquire of the Printer.
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