Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. IV, Part 37

Author: Stryker, William S. (William Scudder), 1838-1900; Lee, Francis Bazley, 1869-1914; Nelson, William, 1847-1914; Scott, Austin, 1848-1922; New Jersey Historical Society
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Trenton, N.J. : J.L. Murphy Pub. Co., printers, [etc.]
Number of Pages: 762


USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. IV > Part 37


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If it has required the loss of more than four hundred men, to make two sudden and unexpected marches of eight miles into the country, guarded by three or four hundred regular troops in addition to the natural strength of its inhabitants, and to hold this space of country ten or twelve hours at a time, what must be your force to make a final conquest of fifteen or sixteen hundred miles, and to preserve the same .- I now leave you to that hour


32


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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780


which must produce reflections, and to those feelings which the cries of innocent blood, and the remembrance of the blackest crimes, must raise; and most sincerely wishing that I may soon meet you arm to arm.


I am your's, &c.


A CITIZEN.


Essex-County, June 27, 1780.


N. B. My next shall contain an address to my fellow sufferers, and brave defenders of the American cause.


For the NEW-JERSEY JOURNAL.


Mr. PRINTER,


M R. Rivington, according to his usual practice, has in- serted in his Gazette, of the 29th ult. under the signature of one of my sex, the grossest falsehoods respecting what happened to Colonel Gordon near Gov- ernor Livingston's house, that ever entered into the heart of man. Almost every syllable of that publication is a most villainous lie. There was not a single musket fired from behind the Governor's house nor fields; nor was it the Colonel who was wounded that had the rose in the morning, but a Colonel Wormb, a Hessian officer, who asked leave to pick one as he was on his horse. This, Mr. Printer, you may depend on as a fact, and it is in the power both of Colonel Gordon and Colonel Wormb to con- firm my words.


I am your humble servant, CLARINDA.1


To be exchanged for Indian Corn,


A QUANTITY of excellent nails ; also to be exchanged for any kind of country produce, or sold for conti- nental money, a quantity of good rum, indigo, and lace, at the place where John Ramsey formerly lived, at Bottle-Hill.


1 Probably some friend of Miss Susan Livingston.


499


NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.


1780]


S TRAYED or stolen from the subscriber, a sorrel HORSE, about 14 hands high, a natural pacer, with several white feet, a scrip of white in the face. He strayed when the army lay in the Short-Hills .- Any per- son who shall take up said horse, and inform the Printer, shall be reasonably rewarded. JOHN NOYES.


C YAME to the plantation of the subscriber, near Chat- ham, about the 10th of June, ten sheep, two of which are rams, and one has a bell on; they are marked with a crop off the left ear, and a swallow fork the right, with a halfpenny the upper side .- The owner is desired to come, prove property, pay charges, and take them away. PAUL DAY.


Fifty Dollars Reward.


L


OST, on Saturday last, out of the pocket of the sub- scriber, the case of a silver watch .- Whoever finds it, and will convey it to Silas Hand or Thomas Gardner, at Bottle-Hill, shall have the above reward, or the weight of it in silver.


W HEREAS my wife AFFE has eloped time after time from my bed and board; and, in a fellonious manner, taken my effects and some hard money, and writings to a very considerable amount: This is therefore to forewarn all persons not to trade with or harbour her, as I am determined not to pay no debts of her contracting from the date hereof.


NICHOLAS MUNDY.


Piscataway, June 30, 1780.


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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.


[1780


To be Sold at VENDUE,


H


On Monday the 17th instant, at the late dwelling-house of Stephen Crane, Esq; deceased, in Elizabeth Town; ORSES, cows, hogs, and sundry household furniture too tedious to enumerate.


N.B. All those indebted to said estate are desired to settle the same immediately with the subscriber; and all those who have any demands are desired to bring in their accounts for payment.


STEPHEN CRANE, Administrator.


For the NEW-JERSEY JOURNAL.


And they cried the sword of the Lord and of Gideon. JUDGES vii. 20.


R


OUSE! my dear countrymen, rouse! the Philistians are upon you ;- life liberty and every other thing in this world worth enjoying are at stake ; they have both eyes put out who do not see it; a flourishing village in our vicinity within a few days reduced to ashes ;- a house for God reared and built with much labor and expence totaly destroyed by villains. Who can behold such desola- tion without some virtuous and proper resentment; and foreseeing their own turn may be approaching ? For if men are grown so callous that they do not feel for others, yet there are few but what feel for themselves; and those who will not now exert themselves have scarce virtue enough to be selfish, and are unworthy of membership, or even of enjoying property in any well meaning and civilized community. Something must be done, or this part of the country is undone; and as it is no crime to see it, so it is an instance of true patriotism to warn you of it. Were we now at the present juncture of affairs to hold our peace, and not cry the sword of the Lord and Gideon,


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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.


1780]


the sword of the Lord and Washington the very stones might cry out. We are to look to God in a way of holy trust, fervent prayer, and use our greatest efforts. Pray- ing to God without useing the means he has appointed is a presuming upon God; using means without praying and crying to him is a denial of him; therefore what God has joined together let not man put asunder. Now is the time to be ready to give a merciless foe the warmest and most effectual reception, should they have the impudence and fool hardiness, after the repulse and loss they met with and sustained, to venture another such an ex- cursion. Rise! Rise! to a man, and go forth on the next alarm; men of the best characters must go forth, and not leave the burthen on a few; 'tis mean, dastardly, and inequitable to refuse. Do not say we are clear from it by law, or have given something to hire a substitute; what, will you do more, when your country is on fire, and dying by your side, then what the law obliges you ? The Tories come that length, and what do you more than others, more than Tories; how are you better, or deserve more praise ? It can be no just excuse on such occasions, that a man is fifty or turned of fifty, when perhaps there is no part of his life from the cradle to the grave, when he could be more useful as a soldier, or better qualified to take the field. The age of sixty, nay seventy years, ought not to apologize for a man in such emergencies, so long as he is able to follow the plough, and his daily em- ployment at home. Some who have shewed themselves very forward, or at least very talkative, in the beginning of our troubles, but have now disappeared, should come out of their lurking holes, at such times, and fly to arms; and not like apostates in religion, reflect such indignity and reproach upon the glorious cause they once seemed so warmly to espouse. Ministers especially, who are pray- ing for the salvation of their country, and animating others from the pulpit to rush on, should no longer con- tinue only to harrangue at the salutary distance of many


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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780


miles from the scene of action and seat of danger; or as some, make their appearance, bustle, and be noisy, crouding others forward, keeping on the ground of safety themselves; but on hearing the alarm guns, snatch their arms, mingle with their respective congregations, show, by their example, how interesting and important the de- fence then to be made; encourage and council the men, suppress rudeness and every kind of impiety that may rise to view; and, as they have opportunity, solemnly pray to the Lord of Hosts, the God of armies, that he would guide, protect, and succeed them. This would be to act in character. Such conduct would doubtless be attended with the most salutary effects. The country would soon be a live. Men would be ashamed to sneak. The enemy thrown into the utmost panic; when, from every height, from every advantageous stand and post, there were not only the roar of musquetry, but the united cry of camp and country, church and state, clergy and laiety, the sword of the Lord and Gideon, the sword of the Lord and Wash- ington. To which let all the people say amen.


A REPUBLICAN. -The New-Jersey Journal, Vol. II., Numb. LXXIII, July 12, 1780.


The SENTIMENTS of a LADY in NEW-JERSEY.


THE war carried on by the British nation against my native country cannot fail to excite in the human and virtuous mind sentiments very unfavourable to the authors and instruments of such a variety of complicated evils and misfortunes as we have suffered in the course of it.


The contest, begun on their part without principle, has been prosecuted without humanity. Devoid of those sen- timents and that conduct which do so much honour to the civilized nations of Europe even in time of war; they have thrown off all restraint, and fully displayed in their


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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.


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military operations in this part of the world the true characteristics of their country-a fierce and barbarous spirit, resisting, contrary to the common rule, the ordinary effects which refinement of manners and a high degree of polish usually have on the minds of men in softening them to humanity, constitutes their real character.


Was I unconnected with America by ties of friendship or blood, was I not attached by that love of one's country which is inherent in some degree in every breast, and par- takes of the nature of that instinctive affection which we bear to our parents and kindred; was I situated in a distant part of the world, unagitated by the incidents of the day, which are the more interesting the nigher we are to the scene of war, the bare recital of their un- just claims, their cruleties and their crimes would fill my soul with horror, and I should regard them not only as unprovoked aggressors, but as enemies by principle and example to mankind in general.


But as if it were not enough unjustly to spill the blood of our countrymen, to lay waste the fields, to destroy our dwellings and even the houses consecrated and set apart for the worship of the Supreme Being, they have desolated the aged and unprotected, and even waged war against our sex. Who that has heard of the burning of Charles- town in New-England,-of the wanton destruction of Nor- folk and Falmouth,-of their wasting the fine improve- ments in the environs of Philadelphia,-of the tragical death of Miss M'Crea, torn from her house, murdered and scalped by a band of savages hired and set on by British emissaries,-of the melancholy fate of Mrs. Cald- well, put to death in her own house in the late incursion of the enemy,-and the general havock which at this moment marks their footsteps in their route through a part of this state-but would wish to avert from them- selves, their kindred, their property, and their country in general, so heavy misfortunes.


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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION.


[1780


These are truths sufficiently affecting to touch with pity and compassion even hearts hard as marble, and cannot fail to make a deep and lasting impression in the minds of all.


These feelings and these sentiments have been particu- larly manifested by the Ladies of Philadelphia in their lib- eral contributions of money towards rendering the situation of the soldiery of the continental army more convenient and comfortable. It is to this class of men we more im- mediately owe our defence and protection; they have born the weight of the war, and met danger in every quarter; and what is higher praise, they have with Roman courage and perseverance suffered the extremes of heat and cold, the attacks of hunger, and the pain of long fatiguing marches through parts before unexplored by armies, and which had scarcely ever before born the print of human feet.


It was enough for these brave men to reflect they were engaged in the best and most glorious of all causes, that of defending the rights and liberties of their country, to induce them to behave with so much resolution and fortitude. Their many sufferings so cheerfully under- gone, highly merit our gratitude and sincere thanks, and claim all the assistance we can afford their distresses. If we have it not in our power to do from the double motive of religion and a love of liberty, what some Ladies of the highest rank in the Court of France every day per- form from motives of religion only in the hospitals of the sick and diseased, let us animate one another to con- tribute from our purses in proportion to our circumstances towards the support and comfort of the brave men who are fighting and suffering for us in the field. We ought to do this if we deserve to keep the enemy from our borders, if we wish that there may not be occasion to call forth our husbands, our children, and our dearest friends, to risque their lives again in our defence. I can truly


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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.


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say that I have experienced the most heart-rending anxi- eties when my relations and friends have been called upon as free citizens to march against the enemy; and the pangs I have suffered on such occasions have made it easy for me to give credit to the account we have in the his- tory of ancient Rome of the two matrons who died for joy, one at the gate of the city, the other at her own house, at the sight of their sons who returned in safety after the battle at the Lake of Thrasymene :- When I say this I mean only to express the feelings of a woman, my sentiments being ever in favour of that spirit which my countrymen have so often manifested when their services have been required.


PRINCETON, July 5, 1780.


Yesterday being the anniversary of the declaration of Independence, the President and Faculty of the College, with the students, the officers and soldiers of the army and militia, and other inhabitants, assembled at six o'clock, afternoon, when thirteen guns were fired; before each of which one of the following sentiments was pub- lickly read by Major Egbert, and after it the whole company gave three cheers, in testimony of their approba- tion.


1. The United States of America-May they prosper and flourish to the latest ages.


2. The Congress-May that body always preserve the dignity, the integrity, and the power necessary to govern so great a republic.


3. The Kings of France and Spain, and all our allies- May they be rewarded for their friendly aid to America.


4. General Washington-May he ever vanquish the enemies of America, and live to enjoy the honours of a grateful country.


5. The army of the United States-Blessings crown


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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780


their bravery, and may Providence reward, and their country never forget, their great and generous services.


6. Our brethren and countrymen in captivity-May they support their fortitude in that unhappy state, and be speedily restored to us by an equitable exchange.


7. General Lincoln and the garrison of Charles-Town -Thanks to them for their gallant defence-May they never, like General Burgoyne, experience a cruel ingrati- tude because they wanted success.


8. General Gates and the southern army-May Caro- lina, like Saratoga, see British confidence raised by un- deserved success, humbled by the same leader.


9. The Liberties and Independence of America-May they be for-ever secured from the hands of oppression and tyrrany.


10. The Confederation of the United States-May it be compleated upon just and lasting principles, so that no divisions may ever disturb the happy union.


11: May Virtue, the sure basis of free governments, ever be the cement and support of the American union.


12. The Governor, Assembly, and Judges of New-Jer- sey-May they always have that wisdom and integrity that is necessary to make us happy citizens, and this State distinguished in the confederacy.


13. May this destructive war speedily terminate in a lasting and honourable peace.


Afterwards the company adjourned to the College Hall, where a discourse was delivered by the President, in which he considered, 1. The importance and necessity of Inde- pendence at the time it was declared; 2. The events of Providence in the course of the contest; and, 3. The duty of all ranks in the present crisis. After sunset the college and town were illuminated, and the whole was concluded with the greatest good order.


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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.


1780]


TRENTON, JULY 12.


The 4th instant being the anniversary of American Independency, the same was announced in this town by a discharge of thirteen pieces of cannon at twelve o'clock. A number of the Gentlemen of the town repaired to the Thirteen Stars, where a handsome dinner was provided ; after which the following toasts were drank :-


1. The United States of America.


2. Independency.


3. The Congress.


4. General Washington and the Army.


5. The Governor and State of New-Jersey.


6. The King of France.


7. The King of Spain.


8. The New-Jersey Militia.


9. A successful Campaign.


10. A speedy arrival of the French Fleet.


11. The Friends of America in Great-Britain and Ire- land.


12. Doctor Franklin.


13. Paul Jones.


The whole was conducted with that cheerfulness, good order and decency, which should ever characterize the Freemen of America.


A few days ago died, of the wounds he received in nobly fighting in defence of his country, NATHANIEL FITZ-RANDOLPH, Esq. late of Woodbridge, in this state.


This Gentleman's zeal and activity, joined with the most intrepid bravery, had long rendered him obnoxious to the vindicitive rage and cruelty of a British enemy, who has stained the pages of modern history with in- delible marks of inhuman barbarity and savage cruelty. Twice he fell into their ruthless hands, and suffered all


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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780


the tortures of long confinement in the provost-guard at New-York; from whence he had lately been delivered.


Last Friday Robert Pomeroy was executed at Burling- ton, pursuant to his sentence.


Five Hundred Pounds Reward.


W HEREAS the store of the subscriber was attempted to be set on fire, last night, by some villain or vil- lains, by putting a lighted match under the bottom of the back door. Whoever detects the incendiary or incen- diaries, or gives me information thereof, so that he or they be convicted of the fact, shall receive the above reward. July 11, 1780. ANTHONY MARAGUIER.


MARY EAST having removed to this town, begs leave to inform the Publick that she practices Midwifry, and has been favoured with great success in thirty years experi- ence in Albany, in the state of New-York. She will with alacrity attend the calls of those women who will please to favour her with their custom, and is to be met with at the Brewery, next door below Mr. Potts's, in Trenton.


July 12, 1780.


TO BE SOLD,


THE HOUSE in which the subscriber now lives, situ- ated in the healthy and agreeable village of Princeton.


The house is a large, neat, convenient, well finished brick building, with every conveniency of stores, stables, garden, &c. &c. to render it perfectly agreeable either for a merchant or private gentleman. For particulars enquire of the Printer hereof, or the subscriber at Princeton.


July 10th, 1780.


ENOS KELSEY.


,


509


NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.


1780]


TO BE SOLD,


1


By the Subscriber, in Readington,


ITWO STILLS, that have been in use but one season, one of one hundred and one, and the other of thirty- one gallons.


Also a likely large breeding MARE with a likely suck- ing Colt, to be sold or exchanged for a good riding horse. JOHN MEHELM.


Hunterdon county, July 1, 1780.


Four Hundred Dollars Reward.


M


ADE his escape on Monday the 3d instant, from the subscriber, a new Negro Man, that can scarcely speak a word of English, about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, who was confined in Trenton gaol, and is advertised to be sold on Thursday the 27th of July instant; had on and took with him two tow shirts, one pair leather breeches, a white flannel jacket, an old blue cloth jacket, old shoes, and a leather furred cap. Whoever takes up said Negro and secures him so that I can get him again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by


JOSHUA CORSHON, Sheriff. Amwell, July 5, 1780.


TO BE SOLD.


A STRONG, handsome NEGRO WENCH, nineteen years old, with a beautiful female child six months old, both very healthy ; the wench has been used to cook for a genteel family, can sew, spin, and do every kind of house- work; has had the small pox and measles, is very honest and sober. The purchaser will have a satisfactory as-


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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780


surance of her character, and that she is sold for no fault but merely for want of employ.


The lowest price £. 100 York currency or an equivalent. Enquire of the Printer.


July 1, 1780.


Freights taken by William Richards and Thomas Ashmore.


To and from TRENTON and PHILADELPHIA.


SOLDIERS, 1s3, Iron potts, 30s; Bar iron, 18s; Pig iron, 15s; Hogshead heading, 22s6; Pipe staves, 33s ;


Inch board and scantling, 20s; Barrel staves, 12s; Stone ware, 18d in the pound; Earthen ware, ditto; Large crates of ware, 7s6; and smaller in proportion; Wooden ware, 18d in the pound; Bran and shorts, 7d per bushel ; Dutch fans, 2s6; Cotton, according to the bale; Bundles of deer skins, 3s; Bullocks hides, 9d; Bullocks horns, 4d 1-2 per dozen ; Boxes window glass, 3s; one half, do. 1s6; Scythes, 9d; Bolts of oznabrigs or duck, 1s6; Passen- gers, 2s6; Hogshead of sugar, 11s3; do. rum and mo- lasses, 7s6; do. tobacco, 10s; do. of lime, 6s; do. of beef and pork, 1s6; do. of cyder, 6s6; Tierces of rum and molasses, 3s9; do. of flax seed, 3s3; do. of sugar, 5s7 1-2; do. of rice, 3s6; Pipes of wine, 11s3; half do. 5s10 1-2; quarter do. 3s; Barrel of beef and pork, 1s6; do. of apples, 1s; Cask of gammons, 3s6; Single barrel from Philadelphia to Trenton, 2s3; All sorts of grain, 4d per bushel; Salt, per ditto, 4d 1-2; Trunks, bales, cases and boxes, with bags, &c. agreeable to size and weight; Chest of tea, 11s3; Boxes of soap, candles, and chocolate, 1s6; Bundles of leather, 3s6; bricks, 15s; Reams of paper, 2d 3-4. All freight for the publick agreeable to contract.


The above freights are settled for the exchange at sixty for one.


July 4, 1780.


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NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.


1780]


P UBLICK notice is hereby given, that on the 28th day of February, 1778, the underwritten did take out of the New-Jersey Loan-Office at Bordentown, two Certificates of five hundred dollars each, No. 218 and 219, countersigned Jos. Borden, L. O.1 And on the 26th of June 1778 when the enemy were marching from Phila- delphia to New-York, a party of the British troops did take a pocket-book from the subscribers wife, in which were the above mentioned certificates.


HENDERICK SMOCK.


Monmouth, New-Jersey, June 26, 1780.


-N. J. Gazette, Vol. III, No. 133, July 12, 1780.


Trenton, New-Jersey, July 11, 1780.


SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD.


STOLEN yesterday from the Subscriber, a black HORSE four years old, about fourteen hands and an half high, low in flesh, paces, trots and canters, but most natural to the pace, has one white hind foot, is somewhat goose rumped and not handsome in his hinder parts, and remarkably sprightly when not fatigued: The said horse was stolen by a certain John Rees, a Welshman, some- what elderly, has lost one eye, and has been struck with the palsey, which seems to affect his speech a little; stoops in his walk, has a down look, and poorly clad, and is much given to drinking and smoaking.


Whoever takes up said horse and thief, so that the owner may get the horse again, and the thief brought to justice, shall be entitled to the above reward, or FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS for the horse only, and all reasonable charges paid by JACOB BENNINGHOVE,


1 Loan officer. For an account of the Borden family, see New Jersey Archives, 24 : 651.


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NEW JERSEY IN THE REVOLUTION. [1780


tobacconist, in Philadelphia, or by the Subscriber, in Trenton,


JOHN REYNOLDS.


N. B. It is supposed he is gone to Lancaster or Balti- more, as he seems to be acquainted in both places, and was seen on the road to Philadelphia .- The Pennsyl- vania Packet July 13 1780.


Extracts from Rebel Papers.


CHATHAM, July 12.


Congress resolved, on the 28th ult. That the principal of all loans, that have been made to these United States, shall finally be discharged; by paying the full current value of the bills when loaned, which payments shall be made in Spanish milled dollars, or the current exchange thereof in other money, at the time of payment :


That the value of the bills when loaned, shall be ascer- tained for the purpose abovementioned, by computing thereon a progressive rate of depreciation, commencing with the first day of September, 1777, and continuing to the eighteenth day of March, 1780, in geometrical pro- portion to the time, from period to period, as hereafter stated, assuming the depreciation at the several periods to be as follows viz.


On the first day of March, 1778, one dollar and three quarters of a dollar of the said bills, for one Spanish milled dollar; on the first of September, 1778, as four the former for one of the latter; on the first of March, 1779, as ten of the former for one of the latter; on the first day of September, 1779, as eighteen of the former for one of the latter; and on the eighteenth day of March, 1780, as forty of the former for one of the latter :




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