USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the revolutionary history of the state of New Jersey, Vol. IV > Part 42
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reprisal for a rebel justice Freeman, a Constable and a Collector, who had been taken by the refugees, and are now prisoners in this city.
Wood Contract.
A NY Person who is willing to furnish the Barrack- Master General with Wood for the Use of his Majesty's Troops, to be delivered either in this city, or at the different Posts upon the island of New-York, or Paulus Hook, are requested to send their Proposals in writing, to his Office, No. 985, Water-Street .- Persons having Vessels, by employing them in bringing Wood to New-York, will meet with every suitable Encouragement, and be paid their Money immediately upon the delivery of the Wood.
New-York, July 12th, 1780.
-The Royal Gazette, No. 402, August 5, 1780.
NEW-YORK, August 7.
We are told there are few or none of the Continental Army from Newark to Amboy, or in the Vicinity of East- Jersey : They having been called away by General Wash- ington, who we hear has crossed Hudson's River, at King's Ferry, and is now in the Neighbourhood of the White Plains, about 30 Miles from this City .- The New-York Gazette: and the Weekly Mercury, No. 1503, August 7, 1780.
It is reported that another party was sent from Staten Island last week for the express purpose of assassinating his Excellency our Governor. Ought not such bloody measures to be retaliated upon the enemy ?- The Pennsyl- vania Gazette, August 9, 1780.
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Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in Morristown, dated June 23, 1780. (Two o'clock, P. M.)
"The Commander in Chief has for several days past been extending the left wing of our army towards the north, so as to prevent the enemy from out flanking him with their right.
"This morning early General Knyphausen with thirteen regiments, consisting of about 5000 regular troops exclu- sive of New Levies, advanced upon our right which was commanded by Major General Green. The progress of the enemy was slow, at least six hours moving from the Point to Springfield, did but little mischief on their march. When they arrived, were checked by the spirited conduct of a few Continentals and some Militia, who gave them so warm a reception they thought proper to halt and burn every house, except two or three in the town of Springfield.
"Six o'clock P. M. The enemy retired to Elizabeth Town, 11 o'clock their main body are at the Point below the town.
"Twenty-fourth. It is reported that Clinton is gone up the North-river, with all the force he can make, exclusive of Knyphausen's division, and it is thought by some he will soon join.
"The loss of the killed and wounded on both sides must be very considerable. Col. Angel's and Col. Dayton's regi- ments have suffered much, a Capt. Thompson of Col. Lamb's regiment is killed; further particulars I have not yet been able to obtain, and have no doubt but you will receive authentic information of every important circum- stance, more just and minute than is possible for me to give at this time; however I conclude, that even those im- perfect hints might not be disagreeable."
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CHATHAM, AUGUST 9.
Last week a party from Staten-Island took off Doctor Bloomfield,1 of Woodbridge.
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1 Moses Bloomfield, son of Joseph and Eunice (Dunham) Bloomfield, was b. at Woodbridge, December 4th, 1729; he m. 1st, Sarah, b. 1733. dau. of Robert and Phebe (Baldwin) Ogden; she d. October 25th, 1773; he m. 2d, the widow of Dr. Samuel Ward. It is not known where he studied medicine, but he soon achieved a reputation for skill in his pro- fession. He was one of the original members of the New Jersey Medical Society, organized July 23d, 1766. and his name as secretary is appended to notices of meetings of the society, October 4th, 1767, and March 23d, 1768. He was prominent and influential in promoting the welfare of the society. He was named as a trustee in the charter of the First Presby- terian Church, in the township of Woodbridge, granted by Governor Jona- than Belcher, September 8th, 1756. The "Meeting House Green" was sur- veyed, at his request, August 8th, 1784. In the charter of the Free Schools in the town of Woodbridge, granted by Governor Franklin, June 24th, 1769, Moses Bloomfield is named as one of the trustees. In the charter granted by Governor Franklin, December 22d, 1773, for incorpo- rating "The New Jersey Society for the Better Support of the Widows and Education of the Children of Deceased Presbyterian Ministers in Communion with the Present Established Church of Scotland," Moses Bloomfield was named as one of the incorporators. His name is appended to a set of resolutions adopted by the "Freeholders and Freemen" of Woodbridge, July 23d, 1770, affirming allegiance to King George, but de- claring their adherence to the Non-Importation Agreement, until the British ministry should make "ample Confession of their Crime" in in- fringing upon the "natural Privileges of our happy Constitution," pre- viously enjoyed by the colonists. Nevertheless, when there appeared in the same paper that published these resolves, and immediately following them, an advertisement plainly threatening the merchants who violated the agreement with tar and feathers, he wrote to the paper disclaiming for the Sons of Liberty of Woodbridge all responsibility for said adver- tisement, and declared that the "respectable Freeholders and Freemen of Woodbridge (acting as a Body) never did, nor ever will do, or cause to be done, any Thing inconsistent with Law or Liberty." He was appointed a justice of the peace and Judge of Middlesex county, September 19th, 1776, and was again appointed justice of the peace of the county, June 5th, 1787. He was clerk of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the county, 1773-1784, and frequently served as moderator of the town meet- ings. His name is signed, as secretary, to a letter sent by the Wood- bridge committee, May 1st, 1775, to the several patriotic committees of Massachusetts, thanking them for the "noble stand" they had made. Among the deputies elected by Middlesex county to the convention of New Jersey, which met at Burlington, June 10th. 1776, and which adopted the first constitution of the State, July 2d, 1776, was Moses Bloomfield, but his name seldom appears in the minutes, indicating that for some reason he was not regular in attendance-probably because of service in the field, for on August 21st, 1776, he was appointed one of a committee of four members to audit bills approved by the convention,
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Last week a party of our troops took, near the Eng- lish-Neighbourhood, four of the enemy's light-horse, and killed one of their riders.
By his Excellency the GOVERNOR .- The militia of this state is ordered to hold itself in readiness to march on the shortest notice.
and on the same day that body ordered paid "to Dr. Moses Bloomfield five pounds, eleven shillings and five pence, in full of his account of medicines and attendance on Capt. Neal's Artillery Company," which was encamped at Perth Amboy during the summer. On May 14th, 1777, he was commissioned Hospital Surgeon of the Continental Army, and Hos- pital Physician and Surgeon, October 6th, 1780. He was at the hospital in Princeton, in October, 1778. He resigned December 13th, 1780. He was elected a member of the Assembly from Middlesex county in 1784. He died at Woodbridge, August 14th, 1791, and his tombstone stands in the Presbyterian churchyard in that town. In an obituary notice of his death, in the New Jersey Journal, August 31st, 1791, a correspondent writes : "He maintained an eminent character as a scholar, a physician, a gentleman and a Christian. In the early part of his life, he became acquainted with men as well as books. When his assistance as a physi- cian was called for by the public, he cheerfully stepped forward and served with faithfulness and reputation as senior physician and surgeon until near the close of the war, when he retired to private life of his own accord. As a physician he was skillful, attentive and successful ; easy and familiar in his manners and address ; he was benevolent and liberal to the poor without ostentation, religious without bigotry, never ashamed to own in any company that he was a Christian ; nor would he neglect his duty to God or to his fellowmen on any account whatever. His last illness, which lasted more than two years, he bore with an uncommon Christian patience and fortitude .. In his death the State has lost a worthy citizen, and the Presbyterian Church an important member." Dr. Wickes says : "He was a man of fine appearance and of more than ordi- nary culture and ability, and was considered one of the best physicians of his day." His residence is thought to have been the old Bloomfield home- stead, which, in 1873, was occupied by George C. Hance. His children (all by his first wife) were :
i. Joseph Bloomfield, b. October 18th, 1753 ; m. Mary McIlvaine, dau. of Dr. William McIlvaine. She d. 1818; he d. October 3d, 1825. He served in the army during the Revolution, and was afterwards Attorney- General and then Governor. "He died without issue, so far as known.
ii. Samuel, b. February 14th, 1756 ; m. Abigail Ellis; he d. November 25th, 1806. He was a physician ; settled at Colestown, Gloucester county. Children : Sarah Ogden, b. 1781; d. 1794; two sons are said to have survived him, and to have lost their lives in the War of 1812.
iii. Ann, m. 1st, John G. Wall ; 2d, James Paton.
iv. Nancy, b. February, 1762; d. September 5th, 1764.
v. Hannalı, b. 1763; m. James Giles ; d. 1823.
vi. Isaac, b. June, 1764; d. January 16th, 1768.
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ITHE subscribers being appointed by the Quartermaster- General to ascertain the quantity of timber or fuel, taken by the army last campaign, or while in winter quarters, where the same hath not been already done, do hereby inform the public they are to have a meeting at Morris Town next Tuesday, where those who have business are desired to apply ; or if there are any at a distance who have business that comes within the above description, they may apply to either of the subscribers separately for direc- tion. JOHN N. CUMMING.
August 8, 1780. JAMES CALDWELL. ELEAZER LINDELEY.
I N obedience to a precept to me directed, publick notice is hereby given that a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery will be held at Morris Town, in and for the county of Morris, on Tuesday the 22d instant, whereof all officers and others concerned are to take notice at their peril, and govern themselves accord- ingly.
GIVEN under my hand this 8th day of August 1780. RICHARD JOHNSON, High Sheriff of Morris County.
W HEREAS the subscriber having been lately accused by some evil-minded persons of going over to the enemy, and obtaining a quantity of counterfeit con- tinental money, and of circulating the same: He hereby challenges mankind, let them be either friend or foe, to support the charge or any part thereof.
EPHRAIM MARSH, jun.
Elizabeth Town, August 8, 1780.
-The New-Jersey Journal,, Vol. II., Numb. LXXVII., August 9, 1780.
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For the NEW JERSEY GAZETTE.
Mr. COLLINS,
No part of the system for conducting the Quartermaster-General's department, adopted the 15th of last month, is of more importance, will give more satisfaction, or be attended with more salutary conse- quences, than that general regulation, comprehensive of all the de- partments, which discontinues the issues of rations from the publick stores after the first instant, to any person whatsoever, except such as are in camp or attached to and serving with the army.
All reformations are difficult : No person who has become in the least acquainted with the improper consumption of the publick provi- sions, forage, and other articles, in every quarter of the country, will be surprised at the artifices we may expect to see practiced to defeat this regulation, and to have a custom continued which is very con- venient to many individuals ; no matter what expense it creates to the community, or what deficiencies it causes in the subsistence of the soldiery.
I ever thought the furnishing of rations to persons employed at posts and places throughout the country, and not attached to and moving with the army, the most destructive policy, and have seen it produce the most serious mischiefs. It is a little unaccountable how. it was introduced, there being no kind of necessity for it, and no example of it in any other country. Every one knows that an army must be supplied by means of publick stores and magazines; it is plainly impracticable for them to produce their own necessaries. But this is not the case with those employed at posts, stations, and places not in camp or the vicinity. If it is said that money without rations cannot support persons in this predicament; I answer it is a shallow prejudice taken up without thought. Cannot wages be so calculated as to include pay and what would procure a ration per day? Do the Commissaries or others buy these rations of provisions, forage, fuel or anything else without money, and cannot the proper proportion of this money be applied in paying wages to the equivalent? If it is enquired, Where is the difference? I answer, a saving to the publick of two thirds of the expenditures for rations issued throughout the country ; and give me leave to observe this is very far from being a trifle. Com- pute the wages of purchasing and of transportation ; add wastage and casualties ; and consider loose and erroneus issuing which may some- times happen ; and then decide whether a ration would not be bought at market for one third of what it costs to furnish it from the publick stores. If two thirds were saved, and the numbers of these people properly reduced, the payment of adequate wages to the necessary remainder would be practicable. The inconvenience of the thing would be found very small on the experiment, a very few extraordinary cases excepted.
But a deciding reason in favour of this measure, and which alone would be sufficient were every other wanting, is, that the custom of issuing rations at this, that, the other, and every place throughout the
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country has been a principal cause of the wants and sufferings of the army. Large supplies of provisions, forage, and every necessary article have been purchased, but they have been drawn away and absorbed on the communication, before they reached camp. Hundreds in every quarter, many of them doing little, many nothing at all, have abounded, while the officer and soldier, fighting the battles of his country in heat and cold, fatigue and danger, has been literally desti- tute. It is notorious that in times of the greatest extremity, when every kind of means has been resorted to, when the farmers have given up the sustenance of their families for the use of the army, I do not mention the forage of their stocks, the supplies have been shamefully diverted into another channel. These things ought not to have been; I trust we have at length come to the end of them. Every one is now fully convinced that in order to furnish the army these drains must be stopped. Were they kept open, there is no alternative but the army must go without. No country on the face of the earth could long support expenditures and consumptions similar to ours for a few years past. Place things on a proper footing and the rest will be easy.
The exception in favour of waggoners; the discretionary powers given to the Board of War, the Commander in Chief of the army, and commanding officers of a separate army, in particular and extraor- dinary cases, no reasonable man can object to; the necessity of these is obvious.
I will make one farther remark. The patients in the hospitals are well understood to be part of the army; but there are some few persons actually and daily attending in the hospitals and taking care of the sick, who may not have it in their power to derive subsistence from any other source than the publick stores. Where a case is indispensable, it will doubtless be attended to; but if the descrip- tions be not exact, abuses will probably continue, and it seems they have not been scarcer in this than in other departments.
These remarks are submitted to the general sense of the com- munity, who are best judges of their propriety.
August 3, 1780.
SILENTIO.
CHATHAM, August 2.
Last week one Steel, a horse thief, of Morris county, having some time since been taken, was under guard, when attempting to make his escape received the reward due to his demerit, by being shot thro' the body by the centinel.
We hear that two brigades of light infantry of the con- tinental army, consisting of near 2000 men, are now at the White Plains, under the command of the Marquis de la Fayette.
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We hear from Philadelphia, that Col. Pickering, late member of the Hon. Board of War, is appointed Quarter- master-General of the United States, in the room of Gen- eral Green, whose resignation has been accepted by Con- gress.
On Friday last the Mercury in Farenheit's thermometer stood at noon at 87 1 -- 2, and on Sunday last at the same time of day at S8; the glass hanging in a open entry.
To be sold at private sale for hard money,
A Certain LOT of GROUND, two rod front and ten rod deep, situate in Trenton, nearly opposite Mr. Stephen Low- rey's office, on which is lately erected a neat two story frame dwelling house, 27 by 20 feet, with a cellar under the whole; a chairhouse adjoining, and a well of water in the yard. A store has usually been kept in said house, and in a good stand for that purpose. Any person inclining to purchase may view the premises, and know the terms from the subscriber living thereon.
Aug. 9.
JAMES CUMMINGS.
N. B. Said Cummings can give a good title; and the purchaser may enter on said place before winter.
TO BE SOLD,
By the SUBSCRIBER,
A LOT of excellent good LAND, containing ten acres, a young bearing orchard of near two hundred apple trees of the best kind of fruit; a good frame house with four rooms on a floor, a good cellar under the same ; a well of excellent water close by the house. It is pleas- antly situated, adjoining the great road leading from Mor-
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ristown to Easttown, in the township of Roxbury and county of Morris, near Mr. Douglass's tavern, Black river ; and very suitable for a merchant or mechanick. A good title will be given for the same. Any gentleman inclining to purchase, may know the terms by applying to Moses Esty, near said place; or the subscriber in, Trenton.
Aug. 1.
ALEXANDER CALHOUN.
Taken up by the subscriber in Veal-town, the 1st of June, a BAY HORSE, branded with a W. on the near buttock. Any person proving property and paying charges, may have him from me.
June 29, 1780.
JAMES BOYLAN.
Taken up by the subscriber at Morris-town about the beginning of July last, a GREY HORSE, between 14 and 15 hands high, eight or nine years old, marked A R on the near buttock. The owner is desired to come, prove prop- erty, pay charges and take him away.
JOSEPH LEWIS, I. M.
C AME to the plantation of Capt. Pancoast, in Mans- field, Burlington county, a likely BROWN MARE, sup- posed to be strayed or stolen, has a white spot on each side of her back made by the saddle, trots and canters well; supposed to be ten or twelve years old. The owner is desired to come, prove property, pay charges, and take her away, or she will be sold according to law by me
WILLIAM BAILY.
June 17, 1780.
The Price of this Gazette is 2s6, paid in Produce, or 3s9 hard Cash, or the exchange thereof in Continental Money at the time of payment per Quarter.
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Writing Paper,
OF DIFFERENT QUALITIES, TO BE SOLD, Wholesale or Retail, for CASH, By the Printer hereof. -N. J. Gazette, Vol. III., No. 137, Aug. 9, 1780.
Mr. RIVINGTON.
I am one of those who constantly read your paper, in doing which the other day, I could not avoid taking notice of a letter that had been written by Mr. Benjamin Brown, Deputy Quarter Master General to Commissary Caldwell, about the restitution of property to the un- happy sufferers on Staten Island when Lord Sterling made a predatory visit there. Since that I found in a house in Elizabeth Town, when a part of the British army was last in the Jerseys, the following letter, which I will subjoin; by that it will plainly evince to the world how far his Lordship was moved by the partial distresses of some poor families, whom he suffered remorselessly to be stripped of the few comforts of life in that inclement season of the year.
Dear Sir, Feb. 3, 1780.
I received your's of the 1st instant, and in answer thereto, I must confess, some qualms of conscience rankle my very soul. I am at a loss whether to comply with your requisitions in the first instance, or after deliberate thought to give you my total rejection of them. Could you believe it, my good Sir, possible, that the only man engaged in the American cause against our enemy, enobled by birth,1 and who. bears so high a military rank and reputation among us, should issue an order to me for the collecting and restoring all the property to the
1 Lord Stirling.
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several owners plundered on Staten Island, yet I am free to declare that very nobleman was the first who put his own seal upon some of the said plunder to be retained as his property.
This shameless procedure is such a gross violation of faith, so in- jurious to the honour and dignity of the independent states of Amer- ica, and so derogatory to the character and name of his Lordship, par- ticularly after the solemn representation to the General of the equity of his designs, that I will venture so far to presage from it, when- ever his Lordship may at any subsequent period be employed as the Commander of any military enterprize, the most inauspicious conse- quences will arise from it.
This will be delivered into your own hands I will pledge my honour, but for heaven's sake let me enjoin inviolable secrecy, and I request also that this may be instantly destroyed when read.
I am, my dear Sir, Your obedient Servant,
JAMES . CALDWELL.1
Benj. Brown, Esq: D. Q. M. G.
-The Royal Gazette, No. 403, August 9, 1780.
From the PENNSYLVANIA PACKET,
AUGUST 1, 1780.
HEAD-QUARTERS, (Bergen County) July 26, 1780.
H AVING received information that there were consider- able numbers of cattle and horses on Bergen neck,
within reach of the enemy, and having reason to sus- pect that they meant shortly to draw all supplies of that kind within their lines, I detached Brigadier General Wayne on the 20th, with the first and second Pennsylvania brigades with four pieces of artillery attached to them, and Col. Moyland's regiment of dragoons to bring them off. I had it also in contemplation, to attempt at the same time,
1 This letter is so unlike the courageous Caldwell, as to suggest the conclusion that it is a forgery.
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the destruction of a Block-house erected at Bull's ferry, which served the purpose of covering the enemy's wood cut- ters, and giving security to a body of Refugees, by whom it was garrisoned, and who committed depredations upon the well affected inhabitants for many miles round.
General Wayne having disposed of his troops in such a manner as to guard the different landing places on the Ber- gen shore, upon which the enemy might throw over troops from York Island to intercept his retreat, and having sent down his Cavalry to execute the business of driving off the stock, proceeded with the first, second and tenth regiments, and the artillery to the Block house, which he found sur- rounded by an abattis and stockade. He for some time tried the effect of his field pieces upon it, but tho' the fire was kept up for an hour, they were found too light to pene- trate the logs of which it was constructed. The troops, during this time, being galled by a constant fire from the loop holes of the house, and seeing no chance of making a breach with cannon, those of the first and second regiments, notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the officers to restrain them, rushed through the abattis, to the foot of the stock- ade, with a view of forcing an entrance, which was found impracticable. This act of intemperate valour was the cause of the loss we sustained, and which amounted in the whole to three officers wounded, 15 non-commissioned and privates killed, and 46 non commissioned and privates wounded .- The wounded officers are, Lieutenants Ham- mond and Crawford, of the first, and Lieutenant D'Hart, of the second, the last since dead. I cannot but mention his death with regret, as he was a young gentleman of amiable qualities, and who promised fair to be serviceable to his country.
The Dragoons, in the mean time, drove off the stock which were found on the Neck; the sloops and wood boats in the dock near the Block-house were burnt, and the few people on board them made prisoners.
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