USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County, New Jersey > Part 15
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dition of mind to make a distinction be- tween the Americans who sided with the British.
One of the sisters of these two Van- Maters had married a Bainbridge who belonged to an intensely loyal family, and one of their brothers, Joseph, had married a Kearny, a family likewise strong on that side. They were also socially intimate with Col. Elisha Law- rence, the Ex-Sheriff, with Ex-Sheriff John Taylor of Middletown, and other old colonial officials who had sworn allegiance to the king of Great Britain. It was perhaps these social, family and political influences which carried them away from their Dutch kindred into the ranks of the enemy. The same extrav- agant promises of royal approbation, honors and reward, were doubtless made to them, as to other Americans by the British officials and agents to get them to enlist.
At the close of the Revolutionary war they found themselves stripped of all their property, their families broken up and scattered, and themselves exiled from their homes and friends. They went to England, I think, with Col. Elisha Lawrence, in order to get some recognition from the English govern- ment for their services and losses, for, according to Lawrence's affidavit here- inafter printed, he was in London at the same time, and it was evidently made to help Daniel VanMater with his claims against the government. This affidavit is otherwise historically im- portant, because it shows that Colonel Lawrence, with part of all of his com- mand, was in Monmouth as early as December, 1776, arresting prominent and active patriots. At this time the people were disorganized, with many non-committal among them. Lawrence seems to have met with no resistance in capturing the "rebels," as they were called. This, too, helps explain the letter written by Hendrick VanBrunt and others to Governor Livingston of New Jersey, printed on pages 261-3 of "New Jersey Revolutionary correspon- dence." This letter is dated September 15, 1780. In it they write that the cap- tivity of some of them has lasted near- ly four years. This would agree with the time Lawrence says he was in Mon- mouth county taking prisoners, viz., December, 1776. Among the Monmouth officers named in captivity in 1780, we find Major Hendrick VanBrunt, Col. Auke Wyckoff, Capt. Jonathan Holmes. Lieut. James Whitlock, Lieut. Tobias Polhemus, Capt. Jacob Covenhoven, Col. John Smock, Capt. Barnes Smock and Henry Smock. It seems that some of
these men had languished in captivity nearly four years, and it may be that some of them were not exchanged or released until the war closed.
Daniel VanMater and his brother Hendrick, had all their hopes of gov- ernment aid outside of grants of land in Canada, dashed to the ground. Like other American loyalists who had been seduced by the fine and extravagant promises the English are so prone to make, when they need help or favors, they found only coldness and ingrati- tude on the part of the high-caste Englishmen, misnamed "nobility," who acted and spoke for the government, and who really control the government of Great Britain for their class inter- ests. The following extract from the proceedings of the British House of Commons on June 19, 1820, shows what help and reward they got, after sacri- ficing everything. Mr. Williams, one of the members, speaking of the claims of the American loyalists, said: "It is more than 30 years since these claims accrued. Three-fourths of the claim- ants are dead, and many of them died of broken hearts." Mr. Lockhart, an- other member, said, "The American Loyalists have never received any com- pensation for their losses."
Daniel VanMater died in London, England, October 8, 1786, without re- ceiving any compensation except a grant of land in bleak Nova Scotia. I doubt also the truth of the tradition handed down among the VanMaters. that he was buried among the heroes and great men who lie in Westminster Abbey. I think he had lost and suffered enough for the English government, to entitle him to this honorable grave, but he bore a Dutch name, and was a stranger from over the seas, and why should they care to bury his poor corpse when he was no longer of any service to them? In the eyes of the so-called "nobility" or the Brahmin caste of England, he was no better than a dead dog who had fetched and carried for them in his lifetime.
The following papers which belonged to him were probably sent to his chil- dren hy his brother, Hendrick Van- Mater, after his death:
[ Addressed ] "General Burch, Commandant etc .. " [ Endorsed ]
"Referred for inquiry to the police."
S. B.
[ Below] "This matter is one that must be decided after troops are gone."
D. MATHEWS, Mayor.
The above endorsements are in the hand-
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EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
writings of Gen. Burch and Mayor Mathews of New York city.
"General Burch, Commandant of the City of New York, v. v.
The humble memorial of Daniel VanMater most respectfully showeth :
Whereas your humble memorialist hath a cousin in New Jersey, who was brought up in our family, Built a schooner for his own pri- vate use, and she was impressed in the Pro- vincial service in order to carry the cannon and sick to Brunswick. The British took the said schooner and converted her to their own service, where she has remained until lately, and now is in the hands of Captain Nailler, by the name of Schooner Pool. Your humble memorialist claims the said schooner by a deed of gift from under the hand of his cousin Cornelius Covenhoven. Now your humble memorialist prays, as she never was condemn- ed and made a prize to the British, that the General will grant an order that said Captain Nallier shall deliver up the said schooner to your humble memorialist, or show cause why he detains the said Schooner Pool in his pos- session. Your humble memorialist shall be in duty bound to ever pray
DANIEL VAN MATER. May ye 20th, 1783. *
As this claim was returned to him, it appears, they did not or could not re- turn his schooner. Soon after this he must have sailed for England to push his claims there. The following affi- davit shows that he was in London in 1785 :-
AFFIDAVIT OF COL. ELISHA LAWRENCE.
Elisha Lawrence maketh oath that he has known Mr. Daniel VanMater, late of Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, in North America, many years previous to the late rebellion in America. That Mr. VanMater has always shown the strongest attachment to his Majes- ty's Person and Government. That in Decem- ber 1776, this Deponent was ordered into the said County of Monmouth. Mr. VanMater was very active in rendering every assistance to the Troops, and disarming and taking Rebels prisoners. That he with some others took Tunis Vanderveer, a Rebel Captaint of Militia and some Privates and brought them unto this Deponent. That this Deponent as Sheriff of the said County of Monmouth, sold to Mr. VanMater part of the farm he possessed at the commencement of the Rebellion, as will appear by the titles, and is well acquainted with the land, and thinks it was worth about that time at least £8.00 ($40.00) per acre, New York currency. This Deponent is also
* The English army evacuated New York in the month of November, 1783.
+ This is a mistake about Tunis Vanderveer being a rebel captain. He was a sergeant, and lived where his great-great-grandson, David Arthur Vanderveer, now lives in Freehold township. He was a bold, resolute and active patriot. He was in the British prison of New York at the same time Garrett Wyckoff was there. They were released at the same time and came home together, as they were quite near neighbors.
well acquainted with Thomas Leonard and John Longstreet, Esqrs. Thinks them to be good judges of land and particularly acquaint- ed with Mr. VanMater's land, and from their characters, thinks that the greatest credibility may be given to their testimony. And fur- ther saith that Mr. VanMater was esteemed an Honest Man, as far as this Deponent Know- eth. As to the value of Mr. VanMater's mov- able estate the Deponent cannot pretend to say. He Knew he had many Negro Slaves and a considerable stock on his farm of all kinds, and in particular it was a general received opinion that Mr. VanMater's horses were some of the best in the country.
COL. ELISHA LAWRENCE.
London, March 2nd, 1785.
[Endorsed] Copy of Col. Elisha Lawrence'a deposition.
In a letter from Cyrenius VanMater to his brother, Daniel VanMater, dated March 28, 1785, he speaks of the death of "Rike VanMater" about January 1, 1785. On the inside page is a letter ad- dressed to Harry VanMater (Hendrick was his baptismal name). This is also signed "Your Affectionate Brother, Cyrenius VanMater." These letters are folded in the old fashioned way and addressed to
Mr. Daniel VanMater
in London, at Jacob Taylor's
Pimlico, near the Queen's Pallace No. 25.
This would show that Daniel and his youngest brother Henry or Hendrick. were both in England at that time. Another letter is dated at Brooklyn, February 17th, 1786, from Gilbert Van- Mater and addressed to Daniel Van- Mater, London. Gilbert heads the let- ter "Honored Father," and expressed a strong wish that he should return and live with his children. That the sep- aration of so worthy a father "is much felt by your family in general and in particular by your affectionate son, Gilbert VanMater."
In another letter from the same son, dated "Hampstead South, May 26, 1785," he speaks of having returned to farm- ing and is doing well. He begs to be excused from going to England on ac- count of the expense and inconvenience. The letter is directed to "Mr. Daniel VanMater, at Pimlico, London."
In another letter from Gilbert, dated Brooklyn, October 11, 1786, he speaks of living in Brooklyn and in the same business as when his father left. He also speaks of the death of his grand- father, Conover, in New Jersey about two months before from a stroke of the palsy. The letter is addressed to
Daniel VanMater
to be left at the New York coffee house, London by favor of Capt. Townsend.
DANIEL, HENDRICK AND CHRINEYONCE VAN- MATER'S ESTATES CONFISCATED .- DEATH OF FENTON, THE PINE ROBBER.
In the clerk's office of Monmouth county, Book A of Executions, begin- ning in back part of book, is the record of 110 executions against Monmouth county land owners who joined the British army, or were detected going within their lines.
On page 11 of this book is an execu- tion against Daniel VanMater, and on page 31 a similar one against his broth- er, Hendrick VanMater. Under these executions all their real estate was seized and sold to the highest bidders. The following is a true copy of the ex- ecution against Daniel VanMater. They all follow same form.
Monmouth County, ss.
The State of New Jersey to Samuel Forman, Joseph Lawrence, Kenneth Hankinson, and Jacob Wikoff, esqrs, Commissioners duly ap- pointed for the said County, on the part and behalf of said State to take and dispose of, for the use and benefit of the same, the estates of certain Fugitives and offenders in the said County, or to any two or more of them, Greet- ing.
Whereas, lately, that is to say of the term of October, in the Year of Our Lord, seventeen hundred and seventy-nine, in the Court of Common Pleas held at Freehold in and for said county of Monmonth, before the Judges of the same Court, final judgment was had and entered in favor of the said State of New Jer- sey, pursuant to law, against Daniel Van- Mater, late of the Township of Freehold on an Inquisition found against the said Daniel VanMater for joining the Army of the King of Great Britain, and otherwise offending against the form of his allegiance to the said State, etc., and returnable to the said Court, as may fully appear of record. You are therefore commanded and enjoined to sell and dispose of all the estate, Real of what nature or kind soever, belonging to or lately belong- ing to the said Daniel VanMater, within the said County of Monmouth, according to the direction of "An Act for forfeiting to and vesting in the State of New Jersey, the real estate of certain 'Fugitives and Offenders' " made and passed the eleventh day of December, A. D. 1778.
Witness John Anderson, Esq., Judge of the said Court at Freehold af'd, the 22nd of January, A. D., 1779.
By the Court. ANDERSON, C'l'k.
Recorded May 15, 1779.
On pages 76 and 99 of Book A of
Executions are similar writs against Chrineyonce, son of Joseph VanMater, and Sarah Roelofse Schenck, his wife. The first seems to be for going within the British lines and the last for join- ing the King's army.
Chrineyonce, it is said, carried on the mill now known as Taylor's Mills, near the old VanMater homestead, in Atlan- tic township, but they were owned by his father Joseph, who did not die until 1792. He was also interested with his cousin, Daniel VanMater, in the owner- ship of several schooners, which carried hogshead staves, corn meal and flour to the West Indies, and brought back to Perth Amboy or New York, sugar, molasses, rum, wine and other tropical products. The fear of the loss of these vessels and their lucrative trade, may have influenced them in their political stand, thinking the English govern- ment must ultimately win.
The bold and out and out stand taken by these three VanMaters, named in above executions, for the English Crown, and because of their social standing, and the bitter feeling it aroused among their nearest relatives among the Covenhovens, Schencks, Van Dorns, Hendricksons and others, who lived all around them, and could not understand how a true Dutchman of republican antecedents, could take sides with the English King, their course was bitterly condemned. The impression prevails today among the people of Monmouth, that all the Van- Maters were Royalists. This, however, is incorrect and not the fact. Like many other families, they were divided in their allegiance. There were more VanMaters who served faithfully on the American side than on the British, but as the VanMaters are not given to blowing their own trumpet, these pa- triots have been forgotten or over- looked.
For instance, Cornelius VanMater was a captain in the first regiment of Monmouth militia. Benjamin VanMater was a private in Capt. Barnes Smock's artillery company, Chrineyonce, son of Cyrenus VanMater and Abagail Lefferts,
EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
his wife, and Cyrenius, son of Benjamin VanMater and Elizabeth Lane, his wife, served in Capt. Waddel's company. It was through the instrumentality of William VanMater, born June 22, 1760, and a son of Richard VanMater, that the chief of the Pine Robbers was killed.
.
This was no less a person than Lewis Fenton, who for several years had headed those banditti, and perpetrated many robberies, murders, and other crimes. So daring and ferocious had been many of his atrocities, that he had become what in our day is called a "Holy Terror," to the people of Mon- mouth.
On page 351 of Barber & Howe's His. Coll. of N. J. is an account of the death of this Fenton. While generally cor- rect, there are some errors in the de- tails of this narrative, as I have heard the story.
It was not Burk, who helped Fenton rob and beat VanMater, but one DeBow, for Stephen Burk, alias Emmons, with "Zeke Williams" and "Stephen West" had been killed at Wreck Pond Inlet. by a party of militia under Capt. or Major Benjamin Dennis, in January. 1779, and Capt. Dennis had brought their corpses to Freehold for recog- nition, and to secure the reward offered by Governor Livingston. To avenge the death of these three men, Fenton way- laid Capt. Dennis in July, 1779, while traveling from Coryel's Ferry to his home in Shrewsbury, and brutally mur- dered him. Thomas Burk, alias Em- mons, had been hung at Freehold in the summer of 1778.
In August, following the murder of Capt. Dennis, Fenton and his gang mur- dered two aged people, Thomas Farr and his wife, in their own home, not far from the Yellow Meeting House in Upper Freehold township. Wainright, a tax collector, was also found mur- dered about this time on the south side of the Manasquan river. This was also laid to the Fenton gang.
So great was the terror caused by his ferocity, cruelty, and daring, that Governor Livingston about this time. offered a reward of £500 ($2.500) for Fenton, and smaller sums for his abet- tors and followers.
This large reward is evidence of the dread he inspired, and how difficult it was to induce anyone to hunt him down in his pine lairs and swamps. It seems from concurrent testimony that he was a desperate and dangerous man, quick and active as a panther in his move- ments, cunning and deep in his plans, with a coolness and nerve no danger
could shake. Masterful and cruel in his disposition, he exacted unquestion- ing obedience from the half savage denizens of the pine woods, whom he dominated and led.
On the 23rd of September, 1779, Wil- liam VanMater, a lad of some 18 years of age, had been sent by his father on an errand to Longstreet's Mills, in the vicinity of what is now Our House Tavern. He rode there on horseback early in the morning. When within a mile or two of what is now Our House Tavern, but then a dense pine woods, his bridle was suddenly grabbed by John Fenton, a brother of Lewis, who was hidden behind a big pine tree close to the roadside. Lewis Fenton and DeBow then came out of the woods partially intoxicated. They pulled Van Mater off his horse and began to search his pockets, while John Fenton un- buckled and took the saddle off the horse. Finding no money on his person, DeBow began to strike and kick him, and finally knocked him down. Then, picking up his musket which had a bayonet affixed, he made a vicious lunge at his throat, as he lay on the ground. VanMater threw up his arm to fend off the thrust, and the bayonet pierced the fleshy part of his arm. At this moment a wagon with five or six men in it, was seen coming up the road from the direction of the Shark River salt works. The miscreants at once left their victim and retreated into the woods, John Fenton taking the saddle with him.
VanMater, who was young and ac- tive, at once sprang up, leaped on his horse and rode off bareback on a run. After going nearly a mile he stopped, tore off a strip from his shirt and bound up the wound in his arm. It then occurred to him that he had heard that Lee's rangers or light dragoons. were stationed at Freehold to protect the people. Smarting under the indig- nities to which he had been subjected, he at once resolved to ride there, and lodge his complaint against the rob- bers. This he at once did, running his horse all the way to Freehold. He feil in with a sergeant of the rangers to whom he told his story. This man had heard of Governor Livingston's $2,500 reward for Fenton, dead or alive. He at once went to Major Lee and obtained permission to take three of the soldiers and go after Fenton.
A large farm wagon with horses was procured, two harrels were set in front. and a lot of hay was placed in the body. The three soldiers with loaded
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EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
and cocked muskets by their sides, were ordered to lie down behind the barrels, and were covered over with the hay. so that they could not be seen, and were instructed that when they heard the sergeant strike his foot against the barrel, they were to rise up and shoot any person, whom the sergeant had his pistol pointed at. Two bottles filled with applejack were also procured, one the sergeant placed in his pocket; the other he gave to VanMater to carry. He also took off his uniform and dress- ed himself in an old suit borrowed from a farmer. A board was placed across "the two barrels, and, with two loaded pistols under his coat, the sergeant took his seat by VanMater on this
board. The whole rig resembled the usual teams or wagons of the farmers going after salt to the Shark River salt works. VanMater was directed to drive to the place where the robbers had attacked him. They reached the spot early in the afternoon but found no one there.
The sergeant then ordered VanMater to drive on a slow walk down the road leading to the Shark River salt works. This he did, and when they had gone about two miles, a hoarse call came from the woods to "Halt." Out strode the robber chief, a cocked rifle in one hand and a big horse pistol in the other, and another in his belt. He was still under the influence of liquor and more reckless than usual. Addressing Van- Mater with a vile oath, said "After the licking you got, how dare you show your rabbit face around here?" Then, noticing the barrels, he asked "Have you got any rum in them bar'ls?" "I have got some in a bottle," replied VanMater. "Hand it out dam quick, then," commanded Fenton, "or I'll blow your head off." The young man passed the bottle to him; he put his pistol back in his belt, let the butt of his rifle drop to the ground, and seizing the bottle. raised it to his mouth. As the rum gurgled down his throat, the sergeant gave the signal, and fired his pistol at the broad breast of the desperado, who was only three or four feet from him. The ball struck him and he turned half around, letting the bottle fall, and made an effort to raise his rifle, At this moment the three soldiers, who had risen, fired, blowing off the top of his head. A few seconds later, the report of a gun was heard off in the woods. Thinking it was a signal, and that the gang might attack them from the thickets, they threw the corpse of the robber into the wagon and started back on a run towards the Court House.
They reached there without any moles- tation; and great was the rejoicing when the news of Fenton's death went over the county. I suppose Governor Livingston paid the $2,500 reward to these soldiers for killing Fenton. There ought to be records in the State House at Trenton to show this and who they were. It would be interesting to know their names.
At all events William VanMater did more for the people of Monmouth when he effected the slaying of this arch fiend of the pines than his three cousins ever did for the Royal sde. The many stories told generation after generation about the three VanMaters who joined the army of King George, and fought against their own kinsmen, has also added to the popular belief, that the whole family were the worst kind of Tories.
Such tales grow and are exaggerated each generation. Great injustice and wrong has in this way been done to the VanMaters, who, as a rule, have been conscientious and honorable men, and have contributed much by their industry and ability, to the agricul- tural progress of Monmouth county, particularly in introducing blooded and fast horses and other stock.
As a great writer has said:
"Rashly, nor oft-times truly, doth man pass judgment on his brother ;
For he seeth not the springs of the heart, nor heareth the reasons of the mind.
And the World is not wiser than of old, when justice was meted by the sword.
When the spear avenged the wrong, and the lot decided the right.
When the footsteps of blinded innocence were tracked by burning ploughshares
And the still condemning water delivered up the wizard to the stake ;
For we wait, like the sage of Salamis, to see what the end will be,
Fixing the right or the wrong, by the issues of failure or success.
Judge not of things hy their events ; neither of character by providence ;
And count not a man more evil, because he is more unfortunate
For the blessing of a little covenant, lie not in the sunshine of prosperity,
But pain and chastisement, the rather show the wise Father's love."
Now I have seen an account, coming from the patriotie side, of a raid into Monmouth county, by a part of the brigade under Cortland Sknner. The three VanMaters served under him and were probably in this raid. This ac- count says: "It is acknowledged in their favor that they behaved remark -
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EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.
ably well to the persons of our people." There was a wide difference between these regular troops under reputable officers, and the whale boatmen from Long Island, the mongrel crew from the Refugee camp on Sandy Hook, and the bandits of the pines.
This story is given as an item of news fresh from Monmouth county, in the issue of the New Jersey Gazette of June 27, 1781. (See files of this news- paper in the State Library):
"On Thursday last a body of 1,000 men, New Levies, British, and foreign troops, under command of Cortland Skinner, made an incursion into Mon- mouth county. They arrived at Pleas- ant Valley about 11 o'clock a. m. The militia by this time were beginning to collect, and a pretty severe skirmishing was kept up the remainder of the day, in which our people behaved with great spirit.
"They began their retreat about sun- down, and made no halt till they got to Garrett's Hill, where they continued during the night. During the night one of our gallant officers made a descent upon them and rescued a number of stolen sheep.
"The next day they embarked again. They have taken off 40 cattle, 60 sheep, with loss of one man killed, and a number deserted. Their loss in wounded is unknown.
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