Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County, New Jersey, Part 16

Author: Beekman, George Crawford. dn
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Freehold, N.J. : Moreau Brothers
Number of Pages: 226


USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County, New Jersey > Part 16


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"Loss on our side, 1 killed, 3 or 4 wounded.


"They burned two houses, but it is acknowledged in their favor that they behaved remarkably well to the persons of our people. By their coming out in such force it was expected their aim was to have penetrated further into the county. To prevent which the militia of the neighboring counties were called upon, and it was truly surprising to see with what spirit and alacrity they flew to arms, and were crowding down from every quarter to the assistance of their brethren on this occasion, when accounts of the hasty retreat of the enemy, rendered their further services unnecessary."


This was evidently a foraging party after beef and mutton from Staten Is- land or New York city, but it was a very strong force for our militia of Middletown township to fight, and com- pel them to retreat.


ESCAPES OF DANIEL AND CHRINEYONCE VAN- MATER, ROYALISTS .- THE PINE ROBBERS OF MONMOUTH.


There are also two stories told of Daniel and Chrineyonce VanMater, re- peated generation after generation, during the long winter evenings around the firesides in many of our farm houses; and these tales have added to the belief that all the VanMaters were devoted Royalists. As has already been stated, Daniel and his brother Hendrick (Harry), were born and raised on the farm, near the Old Scots bury- ing ground, only it Included more of the adjacent lands. These and other lands belonging to them were confis- cated and sold under the executions aforesaid. After serving in the New Jersey Royal Volunteers, or "Greens," a year or two, Daniel became very anx- ious to see his sister Catharine, who was then unmarried and kept things to- gether at the homestead. He accord- ingly came over from Staten Island one night in the fall of 1778, and man- aged to reach his old home undetected. Next day one of the young negroes thoughtlessly mentioned to a patriotic


neighbor that "Mars Dan'l was home." This news flew all over, and along in the afternoon a party of light horse- men surrounded the house and cap- tured Daniel VanMater. He was al- lowed to mount one of his horses, and surrounded by armed horsemen, was escorted to Freehold to be lodged in jail. They reached the court house about dusk, and rode into the yard which was in front, and then inclosed by a stout and high board fence. A sentinel was placed at the gate while they awaited the coming of the sheriff. who happened to be away. Thinking that their prisoner, who still sat on his horse, was entirely safe within this yard, they paid but little attention to him. VanMater gradually walked his horse over close to the court house, so that the whole width of the yard was between him and the front fence. was now quite dark, when VanMater suddenly started his horse on a dead run for the front fence, which is said to have been fully six feet high. His


JOSEPH C. VAN MATER Son of Chrineyonce VanMater and Eleanor VanMater, who freed 100 negro slaves.


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EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.


horse, accustomed to the fox chases of those days, leaped like a deer, and went over that fence like a bird. It was a wonderful jump, and done so quickly in the gloom of evening, that before the light horsemen could recover from their astonishment, the rapid beat of his horse's hoofs was heard on a dead run going down the road, and 'his wild whoop of triumph sounded through the darkness. They knew it was hopeless to follow him on his blooded horse, and so VanMater escaped, and was never afterwards seen in Monmouth county. The whole county rung with his daring jump and escape, and the story has been told over and over down to this day.


Another well authenticated story is told of Chrineyonce VanMater, who is said to have carried on the mills at the place now known as Taylor's Mills, in Atlantic township. He had a slave called Tommy, who was very faithful and of whom he thought a great deal, and made careful provision for his comfortable maintenance in his old age.


A small party of militia was sent to arrest him, but Tommy saw them be- fore they reached the house, and gave him warning when the party was about a quarter of a mile away.


Chrineyonce at once mounted one of his best horses, and started down the road which led to the Refugee camp on Sandy Hook. Among the militia was a resident of Colts Neck, and a bitter personal enemy of Chrineyonce. He was mounted on a very fine and fast horse, and armed with a sabre and pistols.


As soon as the militiamen discovered that their "bird had flown," they start- ed in pursuit, for VanMater was not over a quarter of a mile ahead of them. When they reached Ogbourn's corner without gaining on him they all gave up the chase, except the Colts Neck man, who swore he would have him or his corpse. Brandishing his sabre and striking his horse now and then with the flat side, he kept right on in Van- Mater's track, for he intended to cut him down or shoot him. They passed through Middletown village like a flash, but when VanMater began to mount the high hill, which lies east of the inter- section of the Red Bank road with the road from Middletown to the High- lands, he discovered that his horse was showing signs of distress. Chrineyonce was a large, heavy man, resembling physically his maternal grandfather, and was noted for his great bodily strength, but his great weight was tell- ing on his horse. When he reached the


top of the hill and looked back, he saw his pursuer was now gaining on him, and not over 500 yards behind him, flourishing his sabre and showing in every move his deadly purpose. Just as Chrineyonce passed over the crest of the hill, he met a boy on a fine horse with a bag of meal in front, coming towards him. Riding close up to him he caught him by the collar, and lifted him off of the horse, at the same time lossing off the bag of meal. He at once changed horses and went on a run towards Sandy Hook. When the Colts Neck man reached the top of the hill and saw VanMater skimming away on a fresh horse, he swore many bitter oaths, but gave up the chase. Chriney- once reached Sandy Hook, and from there went to New York and joined Col. Lawrence's battalion of the New Jersey Royal Volunteers, and for this the sec- ond execution on page 99, Book A of Executions, in clerk's office, was per- haps issued against him. His father, however, in his will, made provision that Chrineyonce's children should have what he left, if there was any likeli- hood of confiscation. This last execution was not recorded until February 4, 1784.


Gilbert VanMater seems also to have been on the patriotic side. The follow- ing news item appears in the June 14, 1780, number of the New Jersey Gazette, then printed and published at Trenton, N. J.


Extract from a letter from Monmouth Co. of June 12:


"Ty, with his party of about 20 Blacks and Whites last Friday afternoon, took and carried off Prisoners, Capt. Barnes Smock and Gilbert VanMater, at the same time spiked up the iron four pounder at Cant. Smock's house, but took no ammunition. Two of the artillery horses and two of Capt. Smock's horses were taken off. The above mentioned Ty is a negro who bears the title of Colonel, and commands a motly crew at Sandy Hook."


Although this is a brief notice, it involves quite a long explanation in order to understand it. Tye, who was a mulatto, and a runaway slave, was acquainted with all the bypaths and woods in this part of Monmouth. He had led his men through the woods, and by unfrequented paths, and had taken Capt. Smock by surprise. The spiking of the cannon was to disable the gun and prevent an alarm.


It has often been asked, why the Sandy Hook Marauders and the Pine Robbers passed by the rich and fertile farms around Shrewsbury and Eaton- town villages, so much nearer to them, and went to a more distant region like


EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTIL.


Colts Neck and Pleasant Valley.


The reason was that this was the very heart of Monmouth county, where the most active and resolute patriots lived. Around Shrewsbury they were lukewarm, to say the least. This Pleas- ant Valley region was known among the Tories of Monmouth as the "Hor- nets' Nest," a name given at a later date to the Democracy of the old town- ship of Middletown. Capt. Barnes Smock lived on the farms where Charles Lloyd lived, and the one now owned by the children of John J. Crawford, de- ceased, lying on the north side of Hop Brook and west of the road from Holm- del village to the bridge over this stream. This last farm was afterwards owned and occupied by his son Barnes.


In Stryker's book, "Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolutionary War," he is described as Capt. Barnes Smock of an artillery company. The other Barnes Smock was captain of a light horse company. The last Barnes Smock was often called "Leggy" Barnes on account of his long legs, for he was a man of great size. They were both designated as captains during the Rev- olution. On the tombstone of the last Capt. Barnes Smock in Lefferts-Logan graveyard, his name is inscribed "Col. Barnes J. Smock."


The residence of Capt. Smock near Hop Brook was the rallying place for the Middletown patriots to meet. A circle of about four miles drawn around, with Capt. Smock's dwelling as the center, would take in the greater part of the most active and zealous of the patriots in old Middletown town- ship. This region was well called the "Hornets' Nest," for their stings meant death to the Tories. The four pounder was placed here, and used as a signal gun. On any ordinary day or night, the boom of this cannon could be heard for miles around. The Schancks, Hen- dricksons, VanDorns, Smocks, Hyres, Holmeses, and Covenhovens, through Pleasant Valley could hear it. The Hulsarts, (Hulses), VanKirks, Wyckoffs, DuBoises, VanCleafs, Covenhovens and Schancks who lived in the vicinity of old Brick Church could hear the report.


So the boom went westward among the >Strykers, VanSicklens (Siekles), Wyckoffs, Voorheeses, VanDerveers and Conovers, living through what is now Marlboro township. It went roaring southward to the Scobeyville and Colts Neck neighborhoods, among the Van- Brunts, VanDerveers, Lefferts, Bennetts, VanSutphens, Polhemuses, Conovers and VanSchoicks. The report of this four pounder was a notice to all, that the


enemy was making a raid somewhere in Middletown township. Every man among the associated patriots seized his rifle or musket, swung his powder horn and bullet pouch over his shoulders and often barefooted and in his shirt sleeves would spring on his horse, and ride as fast as the horse could run, over to Capt. Smock's house. Therefore, even in the middle of the night, if a scout brought word to Capt. Smock that the enemy was landing from their boats at Matawan creek, Navesink, Shoal Har- bor creek (now Port Monmouth), or on the Middletown side of the Shrewsbury river, the cannon was fired. In a few minutes, from all around, armed men would come, riding in on horseback, and at once a troop was formed to meet the coming raiders, sometimes by am- bush, and sometimes by a wild tornado charge on horseback. This explains the swiftness with which the many raids of the enemy were met and repulsed, al- though the newspapers of that time do not report one-fourth of the fights, skirmishes, and raids through this part of Monmouth. The rich farms with their cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, and well stocked cellars, smokehouses and barns, constantly attracted the Refu- gees from Sandy Hook, foraging par- ties from Staten Island, the crews from the British transports and men of war in the Lower bay, who craved fresh provisions like chickens, milk, butter, etc., after their long voyage across the ocean, living on salt provisions. The spiking of this four pounder by Tye and his gang was a serious matter, and so was the kidnapping of Capt. Barnes Smock with Gilbert VanMater, who doubtless helped him load and dis- charge this cannon.


The people of this vicinity were well called "Hornets," and Col. Tye knew enough not to bring them about his ears, for he got safely back to Sandy Hook with his two prisoners and four horses. Only two or three years prev- ious the people of this vicinity were slow moving, good natured, kind heart- ed farmers, as many of their descen- dants, who still live on these lands, are today. They had no military training, and knew nothing of war or camp life, but were men of peaceable lives and kindly deeds,


After three years of war had passed these quiet and hospitable farmers had become a stern faced, haggard band of desperate men. In that time many of them had fathers, brothers, or sons. who had starved to death in the British prisons of New York. Others, who had been exchanged, came home emaciated


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EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.


skeletons, and told horrible and ghast- ly tales of Cunningham's brutality, of slow, lingering death, with insults and cruelties superadded to embitter the dying hour. When they heard these things, they thought it was easier to die fighting, than to suffer death by inches amidst such horrors.


Others of them had seen a father, brother, or son suddenly shot down while at work in his field by a hidden assassin in an adjoining thicket. Others again had seen a father, while working near his home to provide for wife and children, suddenly shot down, and then hayonetted before the eyes of his horror-struck wife and terrified children. Others again had come home from the battles of Brandywine, Ger- mantown, or other scenes of conflict. and found their wives and daughters dishonored and gibbering idiots, their stock gone, and often their houses and outbuildings burned to the ground.


While these outrages cannot be charged on the Regulars, British and Royal American troops under honorable officers, yet they can be on many of the whale-boatmen from Long Island, the Refugees on Sandy Hook, and the out- laws of the pines. These wrongs and sufferings had changed the quiet farm- ers of Pleasant Valley, into a band of fierce and desperate men to whom fight- ing became a joy, if he could only kill. and kill, and kill these demons who had wrecked his life. Col. Asher Holmes' regiment was made up prin- cipally of these farmers, and, at the battle of Germantown, they stood and held their ground after the regular troops had twice broke and run. *


* See letter from Col. Asher Holmes to his wife, written after the battle of Germantown, and published in Monmouth Democrat. Asher Holmes was a native of the old township of Middletown, and a farmer by occupation. He was the first sheriff of Monmouth county under our republic, a staunch patriot, a brave man, and a good officer, although he had no mil- itary education or training.


The following extracts are from entries in


This, too, after marching all day and the preceding night, and going into battle without rest or food. The militia of Somerset county, and Monmouth had come under the eyes of General Lafay- ette, and he remarked that "for cool- ness and bravery they exceeded all his expectations of the militia."


But it had required a baptism of fire, misery and wrong for three years, to stir up their quiet blood and easy na- ture, and bring them up to this pitch of savage desperation and wild fury. Gil- bert VanMater and others of this name on the patriotic side had endured and suffered with the rest, and therefore, 1 contradict the current story, which has so long been told, that all the Van- Maters were Royalists.


an old Bible, much dilapidated, mouse eaten, and torn, now in possession of Asher H. Holmes, his great grandson, who resides on the Tylee Schanck homested in Marlboro township:


"John Watson and Hope Taylor, joyned in Bonds of Holy Matrimony ye 15th of Decem- ber, in the year of our Lord, 173 7-8." (1738).


Then follows births of three children by this marriage, but names are torn off. On the next page, (first entry) :


"Asher I olmes and Sarah Watson were mar- ried on Thursday, 21st day of February, 1771." Then follow births of several sons and daughters, and, finally :


"Asher Holmes departed this life June 20, 1808, aged 68 yrs., 4 mo., and 4 da. Sarah Holmes, widow of Asher Holmes, departed this life Sept. 11, 1830."


Then follow two entries, copied from some other records, as follows:


"Sarah Salter, daughter of Samuel Holmes, died January 14, 1757."


"Samuel Holmes departed this life February 20. 1760."


I understand that Col. Asher Holmes is buried in the yard of the Baptist church at Holmdel village, but I have never made a per- sonal examination of this cemetery. Asher Holmes Conover, who owned and occupied a farm in the township of Freehold, about a mile and a half from Old Tennent church, and who died last spring, and his brother, Peter H. Conover, who also owns a farm in this same vicinity, are great grandsons of Col. Asher Holmes.


GARRETT VAN MATER, HIS CHARACTERISTICS AND DISPOSITION.


There is another VanMater, hereto- fore named along with the descendants of Gilbert VanMater and Micha Hen- drickson, his wife, who, I think, de- serves particular notice. This was Gar- rett VanMater, the fourth son of Wil- liam VanMater and Mary Hendrickson, his wife, born during the early part of the present century, and who died at his home -on Chapel Hill, Middletown township, in 1879. He was well known to many people still (1899) living, and familiarly addressed and called Garry VanMater. In his youth, without any advantages of education, save such as could be had in the rough country schools of his boyhood days, he engag- ed in business at Hoboken, N. J. By steady and persistent industry and his natural good judgment, he amassed quite a fortune, according to his modest desires. Instead of spending all the years of his life in piling up dollars, he came back to his native county to enjoy country life, before age had impaired his strength and interest in the world. He purchased a tract of five acres, known as the Cornelius Mount proper- ty, on one of the lofty eminences of that range of hills called the Navesink Highlands, and commanding a magnif- icent view of Raritan Bay, from the cedars of Sandy Hook to the two Am- boys at the mouth of Raritan river. Here, where he could see the mingled glories of earth and sea and sky at one glance, he took up his abode, and lived until the end came in 1879. Garrett VanMater was a domestic man and neg- lected no step which would promote the comfort and welfare of his wife and children. The careful provisions in his will to guard them from the misfor- tunes of life, testify to his care and foresight in this particular. He pos- sessed a logical mind, with the hard, practical sense of the Hendricksons, his mother's people, and the sensitive na- ture and buoyant disposition of the VanMaters. His laugh was hearty, spontaneous and contagious. Any one who ever heard Garry laugh will re- member it. He was fond of argument and reasoned well, for he was a natural debater "wayback from Debaterville." Although no scholar or bookman, he had gathered from actual experience


and treasured up many facts. He was an observant man and understood hu- man nature well. For the mere pleas- ure of argument, he would often take sides contrary to his real convictions. In these wordy tournaments he was very earnest and vehement, and a stranger hearing him, would think some of his opinions highly reprehen- sible. Garry made no distinction be- tween the man in his shirt sleeves and the man who wore a clerical gown. They were all men in his eyes, with their sins, foibles and weaknesses, for he had no bump of veneration. As he was always plainly dressed and looked like a country farmer, people often misjudged him. Country ministers, or some young theologian, fresh from the artificial life and training of a sectar- ian seminary or college, would some- times tackle Garry, upon hearing him make some heterodox remark, as he stood in a crowd on a platform await- ing a train, or in some other public place. Much to Garry's delight, he would call the plain, ignorant old farm- er, as he thought, to book for such un- orthodox opinions. Then the ball would open, much to the entertainment of the bystanders. The clerical champion would strike at Garry with his book knowledge, his cut and dried sectarian learning, and his ipse dixit on eternal damnation. Whereupon, Garry, with his ready wit, shrewd practical sense, and knowledge of the world would give it back, in his high pitched voice, in a way to make all the bystanders roar with laughter. After afew years Garry became known, and none of the min- isters cared to tilt with him. They al- ways had business somewhere else, when Garry wanted to argue with them. The young farmers of Middletown town- ship, who attended the debates at Headden's Corner schoolhouse many years ago, will remember the zest and interest which Garry took in these wordy combats. Although a great deal older than any of them, he seemed a companion, for his heart was always young, and he liked young company. His high spirits, hearty laugh, and the vehemence with which he debated a question, made him the life and soul of this debating society. He served


Lonely grave of Michael Fields, by the side of the public road, near Vanderburg. He was killed in a skirmish with the British near this place on June 28, 1778. Col. Asher Holmes, with a part of his regiment, made an attack on the baggage train, but were repulsed with the loss of this man killed and several wounded. Four of the British soldiers and one drummer boy were killed in the attack. The division of the British army in charge of the baggage train began their march from Freehold at 3 o'clock A. M. on June 28, 1778, and by daylight must have been several miles on their road. Garret Smock, who participated in the attack, stated the above facts to R. C. Smock, his grandson.


Bridge over Hop Brook and mill pond on the road between Marlboro and Brick Church.


Photographed in the summer of 1900 by Mrs. L. H. S. Conover.


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EARLY DUTCH SETTLERS OF MONMOUTH.


occasionally on the grand jury, and made a good juryman, for the "axe- grinders" could never hoodwink or de- ceive him. He loved justice and hated wrong, with all the deep intensity of his nature. Any abuse of even a dumb beast in his presence excited his anger, and he would then express himself in ianguage more forcible than polite, for a spade with him was a spade, and nothing more. There was nothing theatrical, deceitful or subterranean about him. He carried his "heart on his sleeve," as the saying is. Although at times rough in his words, he was truth- ful and faithful to principle and friends. He was hospitable to those he liked, and nothing pleased him more than to have them visit his home. He had a very pleasant and comfortable home. The magnificent view from the rear piazza seemed to harmonize with his broad, lib- eral, and charitable ideas. For the eye could take in at a glance, not only the whole expanse of Raritan Bay, but the lofty hills of Staten Island on the north west, the spires and steeples of New York rising beyond the grim forts at the Narrows, with the White beach and background of green pines of the Long Island shore, stretching away eastward until lost in the Atlantic ocean. Here. seated on his piazza, Garry VanMater passed many hours gazing at this pleas- ant and grand view. The great ocean steamers with their pennants of trail- ing smoke, the ships, schooners, and other vessels with their snowy canvas. coming in from distant lands, or going down to the great ocean, afforded in- exhaustible subjects of thought and speculation to one of his observant and active mind. From the foot of the lofty eminence on which his dwelling stood, the land sloped gradually away to the bay shore, and lay like a picture be- neath his eye. The well cultivated gar- dens, fields and farms, the comfortable farm houses nestling amidst orchards and vineyards, afforded a marked con- trast to the blue water of the bay, and what looked like fairy land beyond. The dock at Port Monmouth, the steam- boat lying by it, taking in the products of this region from a long train of farm wagons, made a scene of anima- tion and life, and just distant enough to lend enchantment to the view. I often think the same ideas must have passed through Garry VanMater's mind, when he gazed on this beautiful and animated scenery, as those expressed by Steadman in "Allce of Monmouth:"


"Ladies in silks and laces, Lunching with lips agleam, Know you aught of the places Yielding such fruit and cream ?


South from your harbor-islands, Glisten the Monmouth hills ; There are the Ocean Highlands, Lowlands, meadows, and rills.


Berries in field and garden, Trees with their fruitage low, Maidens (asking your pardon), Handsome as cities show.


Know you that night and morning, A beautiful water Fay, Cover'd with strange adorning Crosses yon rippling bay ?


Her sides are white and sparkling. She whistles to the shore ; Behind her hair is darkling, And the waters part before.


Lightly the waves she measures, Up to the wharves of the town, There unloading her treasures, Lovingly puts them down.




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