USA > New Jersey > Historical and genealogical miscellany : early settlers of New Jersey and their descendants, Vol. III > Part 36
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He receipted, Apr. 29, 1749, for Co-7-6, legacy from his brother Jonathan's estate, as Samuel Holmes, Jr.
Issue
120 Joseph Holmes; married Nelly Schenck.
121 Lydia Holmes; married Col. Jarrat Stillwell; had family.
122 Stout Holmes, born May 27, 1756; died Jan. 27, 1817; married, first, Elizabeth Pintard; second, Mary Ogborne.
123 Jonathan Holmes; died Nov. 16, 1814; married Anna Schenck, born June 14, 1766; no issue.
124 Parmela Holmes; married John Stillwell; had family.
J25 John S. Holmes, born Nov. 29, 1762; died Aug. 15, 1821; married Saralı Hen- drickson.
126 Catharine Holmes; married, license Sep. 9, 1780, Ruloef Hagerman, and later was the wife of Nathan Stout, as per will of her brother, Jonathan Holmes. 127 Samuel Holmes, born Aug. 14, 1766; died Feb. 14, 1844; married Sarah Holmes. 128 Elisha Holmes, born Feb. 17, 1769; died Feb. 13, 1792.
129 Mary Holmes
71 (CAPT.) JOHN HOLMES, son of Jonathan Holmes, 19, born July 27, 1730; died, Mch. 26, 1804, aged 75, 7, 29; unmarried; elsewhere died Aug. 26; buried on Jos. Holmes' farm, Holmdel.
Among some old papers once belonging to this Capt. John Holmes, is one headed:
"We the subscribers do voluntarily inlist ourselves in the Company of Capt. John Holmes in the township . of Middle Town in the county of Monmouth under the command of Colonell George Taylor and do promise to obey our officers in such duty as they shall appoint us. as witness our hands this 6th day of Sep 1775 Cornelius Covenhoven ist Lieutenant, "etc. This paper is signed by 12 men bearing office and some 48 privates. A number of these names not appearing on any published list of Revolutionary soldiers it is possible that some of the signers became disaffected when Col. George Taylor did and that Capt. John Holmes then raised another company, as another paper is headed-"Return of Pay Due to Capt. John Holmes Company Under Col. Daniel Hendrickson of New Jersey Monmouth County Militia from the Time of their Marching to the 22 Day of Nov. 1776 Inclusive Dated Browns point Middletown." The names on this list are, with few exceptions, different from those on the first list.
There is also a letter dated 2-11th mo., 1770, from one of his kinsmen, in Newport, Rhode Island, mentioning the relations there, which shows to what a late date the Rhode Island and Monmouth Co. branches of the Holmes family kept up their intercourse.
1791, Jan. 25. In his will; proved Apl. 3, 1804, he conveyed his estate to his nephews and nieces, the children of Samuel Holmes, 70, and of Sarah Throckmorton, 68, and to Rebecca Bachelder, daughter of his sister Rebecca, 72, viz:
334
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY
To Samuel Holmes
John Holmes Jonathan Holmes Joseph Holmes Elisha Holmes Stout Holmes
O
Sons of my brother Samuel Holmes.
To James Throckmorton, (eldest son) Holmes Throckmorton Children of my sister Sarah Throckmorton, widow of John Throckmorton.
Rebecca Large Sarah
To Lydia Stillwell Parmela Stillwell Daughters of my brother Samuel Holmes. Catherine Hegermon
To Rebecca Bachelder, daughter of my sister Rebecca.
Executors: Cousins, Joseph, John and Jonathan Holmes.
72 REBECCA IIOLMES, daughter of Jonathan Holmes, 19, born Mich. 4, 1734; died June 24, 1757; married, 1756, Gisbert Tice, her own cousin.
Issue
Rebecca Holmes Tice, who, according to the will of Capt. John Holmes, is called Rebecca Bachelder.
73 SAMUEL HOLMES, son of Joseph Holmes, 27, probably had: Issue 130 Samuel Holmes, Jr.
131 Richard Holmes
74 OBADIAH HOLMES, son of Joseph Holmes, 27, married Susanna du Puy. Issue
132 Joseph Holmes, born May 26, 1723.
133 Susanna Holmes, born May 30, 1725.
134 Johannes Holmes, born "18 Juny," 1727.
75 JOSEPH HOLMES, son of Joseph Holmes, 27, resided upon Staten Island. 1723. He was one of the sponsors at the baptism of Joseph Holmes, 132.
Records of Dutch Church, Staten Island.
1758 and 1759. He was Captain of Richmond Co., militia.
1756, Aug. 3. In his will, calling himself Joseph Holmes, Sr., he mentions: Wife, Sarah Holmes
Son, Joseph Holmes
Daughter, Ann
Issue
135 Joseph Holmes 136 Ann Holmes
78 JONATHAN HOLMES, son of Jonathan Holmes, 33, married, in 1729, Ann Domi- nick, of Long Island.
Jonathan Holmes and his wife, Ann, were members of the Presbyterian Church, at Green- wich, and contributed largely towards building the old brick meeting house at that place in 1735.
335
HOLMES OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
Ile, 78, and his son, Abijah, 143, lie buried in the ancient cemetery of that place. (Shourd.)
Issue
137 Mary Holmes, born 16, somo., 1731.
138 Susanna Holmes, born 3, Timo., 1733.
139 Jonathan Holmes, born 14, 4mo., 1735.
140 Eunice Holmes, born 9, gmo., 1736.
J41 Phebe Holmes, born 23, 2mo., 1738.
142 Anna Holmes, born 23, Iomo., 1739.
143 Abijah Holmes, born 3, 4mo., 1741.
144 Rachel Holmes, born 14, Imo., 1750.
All died minors, save Abijah and Phebe.
79 DANIEL HOLMES, son of Jonathan Holmes, 53, baptized Apr. 9, 1721; married, 1752, Leah, daughter of James and Margaret (Newbold) Bowne, born 1736; died Mch. 15, 1813; buried in Baptist Churchyard, at Holmdel, N. J.
The lands of Obadiah Holmes, So, fell to his brother, Daniel, and wife, Leah, daughter of James Bowne, which he sold to Joseph Holmes, Nov. 18, 1764. Witness: John Holmes, Jr.
Issue
145 Jonathan Holmes
146 James Holmes; married Margaret Kearney.
147 Philip Holmes, born May 1, 1770; died Dec. 26, 1810.
148 William Holmes, born Feb. 24, 1778; died Jan. 30, 1807 ; married . . . in Holmdel Baptist Churchyard.
. ; buried
149 Catharine IIolmes, born Nov. 18, 1765; died May 1, 1838; married John Stouten- borough.
150 Leah Holmes; married John Lockwood.
151 Jane Holmes
152 Mary Holmes; married John P. Johnston.
80 OBADIAH HOLMES, son of Jonathan Holmes, 53, baptized Oct. 28, 1716; died 1752. He resided at Freehold.
He was a tanner by trade. Some of his account books are among the "Cherry Hall papers," dated 1747 to 1752, being mostly notes of shoes sold and repaired for the people in the vicinity of Freehold.
1752, Oct. 17. Administration was granted upon his estate to his brother, Jos. Holmes.
In the proceedings the deceased is spoken of as "Obadiah Holmes, Jr., late of Freehold." W'm Holmes became surety for the administrator in the sum of £1500. Joseph Holmes, Jr., and William Holmes both signed their names.
1753, Jan. 15. Inventory of his persoal estate amounted to £609.17.2.
81 JOSEPH HOLMES, son of Jonathan Holmes, 53, died 1763 ; married Sarah, daughter of james and Mary (Holmes) Mott, born Jan. 1736.
He was at the time of his death, in business in partnership with his brother-in-law; James Mott, Jr., New York City.
Joseph Holmes married Sarah Mott in June, 1752. The following is probably the bill for the materials of his wedding clothes.
336
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY
"New York Apr" 25th 1752. Mr Jofeph Holmes Bot of Jona" & Jo" Holmes
@: 29/3
£7-6 3
8 yds silk sagreen to suit
7/6
3- 0-0
5 Sheap Skins to Line the Britehes
1/6
4-0
I pr hair cloths
2/
3-0
4 yds Lining for the Lining of the Back of ye Coat & Vest
6-0
172 yds Buckrum
2/
3-0
2 yds Wadden
1/6
3-0
4 Doz Buttons
1/2
4-8
3 Doz Vest do
7ª
I-9
I oz silk
5-0
S Stieks silken hair twist
6ª
4-0
I oz thread
0-9
7 yds Lining
6/6
2- 5-6
I pr Cotton Stockins
15-0
I pr Worsted Do
10-0
£15-16-5
Cherry Hall Papers.
1763, Jan. 10. Holmes and Mott, of the City of New York, Merchants, purchased of Lambert Garrison, of the same place, Mariner, the sloop Industry of eighty tons, for £326.
"Shrofeberry Sept 14, 1;63." Sarah Holmes requests that administration be granted on the estate of her deceased husband, Joseph Holmes, to her father James Mott and her brother James Mott, Jr.
1763, Sep. 22. James Mott and James Mott, Jr., qualified as administrators of the estate of Joseph Holmes, late of Monmouth Co., who died intestate, with Obadiah Holmes, Jr., as surety on their bond.
1763, Oct. 12. Inventory of the personal estate of Joseph Holmes, late of Shrewsbury, amounted to. £1704.13.4. plus £291.15.4. Among the items mentioned in it were:
Silver tankard, spoon and other silver £17.7.0.
A Silver "wach' I2.0.0.
Issue
153 James Mott Holmes; died, unmarried, Jan. 17, 1806. He is said to have "re- sided in the South and West, where he died."
154 Asher Holmes
155 John Holmes
82 JONATHAN HOLMES, son of Jonathan Holmes, 53, was a merchant, in New York, in 1752.
Among the New York Marriage Licenses is that of Jonathan Holmes and Sarah Potter, 28 July, 1758, which may be this Jonathan, as there are mentions of the Potters in his letters, and some of his family lived at Forked River, where the Potters were numerous. As he was living in New York as early as 1752, his marriage would be likely to be recorded there.
Mr. James Mott, Merchant, in Woodbridge, N. J., received, Mch. 1, 1761, a letter from Jonathan Holmes, Merchant, in New York, who signed himself "Cozen," and added to his business letter :
"P. S. There is an acet just come to Town from Philadelphia that Brigdier General Monckton is Gov- ernour of this province & that his Commission is now on its way here from there. J. H."
In a letter from Jonathan Hoimes dated Aug. 17, 1763, he says:
"The day before yesterday we had the Mallencolley event of our Little babes dying, last night it was inter'd, it was five weeks cld."
5 yds. fine Broad Cloth for suit
40
175 yds Clased Linnen
337
HOLMES OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
83 JOHN HOLMES, son of Jonathan Holmes, 53, married, license Aug. 3, 1764, Cathar- ine Brown, who after his death married Thomas Wright.
1752. He was in business with his brother Jonathan.
1762, July 20. Ile had a mill at Forked River, where he resided, and his house was raided during the Revolution.
Issue
156 William Holmes; married Mary Robins.
157 John Holmes; married Catharine Lanc.
15S Jonathan Holmes; married Hannah Shaddock.
159 Huldah Holmes; married Daniel Williams.
160 Catharine Holmes; married Mr. Martine.
161 Mary Holmes
84 WILLIAM HOLMES, son of Jonathan Holmes, 53, died in 1776.
Administration upon his estate was granted Feb. 28, 1776, to Daniel Holmes, with Dan! Van Mater, as surety. Bond £3000. They were all probably residents of Freehold; at least Van Mater was.
95 JOSEPH HOLMES, Esq., son of Joseph Holmes, 54, born Dec. 31, 1736; died, Aug. 31, 1809, act. 72, 8, o; married Phoebe Wardell, born 1736; died, Feb. 25, 1786, aet. 49, 6, o. Both buried at Yellow Meeting House.
1775-1776. Joseph Holmes was a member of the Council of Safety.
1777-1779. He was a member of the Legislative Council of New Jersey.
Epitaph of Joseph Holmes, Esq., in the Yellow Meeting House Yard.
"He was honest, benevolent & friendly. He took an early and decided part in the Revolution which achieved the independence of our country. He was early a member of the provincial congress & of the Legis- lature of New Jersey in which important offices his conduct was uniformly marked by strict regard to the principles of virtue, liberty & patriotism."
1809, July 20. Will of Joseph Holmes of Upper Freehold; proved Sep. 16, 1809, mentioned: Baptist Church, of Upper Freehold, $300., [{300?]
Nephew, Joseph Holmes
Charles Holmes, my nephew's son.
Mary Ann Holmes Elizabeth Holmes
Deborah, daughter of John Holmes.
Phebe Sexton, my niece.
Issue 162 Phebe Wardell Holmes; died young.
96 JONATHAN HOLMES, son of Joseph Holmes, 54, born Dec. 24, 1738; died, Aug. 4, 1777, aged 38, 8, 2; married Lydia, daughter of John and Sarah (Holmes) Throckmorton, of Hunterdon Co., born 1746; died, Feb. 14, 1783, aged 38 years. Both are buried in the Yellow Meeting House Yard.
He was a Captain in the Revolution, and died from exposure.
Issue 163 Elizabeth Holmes, born Nov. 27, 1768; died Dec. 2.4, 1834; married, Nov. 24, 1791, Samuel T., son of Peter Garrets and Alice (Longstreet) Wyckoff, born Dec. 27, 1765; died May 17, 1824.
12
338
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY
164 Joseph Hoimes, born Apl. 1, 1772; died July 16, 1815; married Mary Brucre, born Mch. 3, 1774; died June 28, 1833.
165 John Holmes, born 1775.
166 Sarah Holmes, born 1775; died 1800; married Clayton Erle.
167 Alice Holmes, born 1776; died, Mch. 16, 1790, aged 14, 3, 2. Buried in Yellow Meeting House Yard.
97 JOHN HOLMES, son of Joseph Holmes, 54, born 1744; died 1783; married Deborah leonard, born 1750; died, May 6, 1811, aged 64, 6, 24; buried at Yellow Meeting House.
1808, May 31. Will of Deborah Holmes, of Upper Freehold; proved May 19, 1812, men- tioned:
Daughter, Deborah L. Holmes
Grand-daughter, Eliza HI. Ellis
Son, John Holmes
Issue
168 Elizabeth Holmes, born Jan. 2, 1775; married Rowland Ellis, merchant. 169 Mary Holmes, born Oct. 29, 1777; died, 1778, Jan. 11, aged 9 months.
170 Joseph Holmes, born, Aug. 21, 1778; married Ann Lowrie.
17I Alice Holmes, born June IS, 1780; died, 1802, Oct. 5, aged 22, 3, 17.
172 John L. Holmes, born July 10, 1782; married Rachel, daughter of Solomon Combs. Mary Ann Ellis, born Aug. 20, 1793; died Feb. 12, 1795. All of this record is taken from Mrs. Rue's bible.
98 OBADIAII HOLMES, son of Samuel Holmes, 57, died intestate and without issuc, June 16, 1787, about 8 a.m., aged 54, 8, 21 [Bible Record].
1745/6, Jan. 6. Indenture between John Holmes, of Middletown, yeoman, and Obadialı, son of Samuel Holmes, Saddler, of same place, with the approval of his said father.
Obadiah Holmes owned land on Matawan Creek. Part passed to his brother, James, one of the heirs-at-law.
1807, MIch. 25. Helena Penington sold for $50 her 1/10 of this and another piece of land which came to her as heir of her father, James.
99 SARAH HOLMES, daughter of Samuel Holmes, 57, married Joseph Saltar. She died, January, 1757, as per deed of her son, William, Mich. 30, 1807, to John Taylor. This son, William Saltar, was living Mch. 25, 1Sio, as per deed.
Sarah, daughter of Samuel Holmes, of Middletown, Saddler, with consent of her father, for £7, paid by her father for her "she being yet within the years of minority," bought land of John Holmes, of Middletown.
101 JAMES HOLMES, son of Samuel Holmes, 57, born Jan. 31, 1738/9; died, intestate; Nov. 23, 1769; married, June 2, 1765, Hclena, daughter of John Lawrence, son of Elisha, son of William.
Scots Chester, Oct. 18, 1764.
James Holmes, a legatce of James Holmes, Esq', wrote a letter to Mr. James Mott, of Middletown, in which he mentioned that his deceased father suffered with fits and made legal papers which may, in consequence, be invalid. He further mentioned his uncle, Obadiah Holmes.
339
HOLMES OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
James Holmes was a New York Merchant; bought land, at Middletown Point, Sept. 23, 1749, which passed to only daughter, Helena, who sold it in 1807.
Mr Asher Holmes At Scots Chester
Per Capt Brown
New York Apr 16-1766
Dear Brother
[After acknowledging receipt of letter and discussing personal accounts says]
Your letters from the suns of liberty is not so sperited as we could wish but it is better than none. There is now a flying report that the Packet is below but I put no confidence in it-We are in doubt whether the act will be repealed or not, there is wagers laid about it. However if the Parlement wont repeal it we must, so Keep our heart up. My wife is well and joins me love to you all. My particular Respects [to] my Mother I am your effece Brother JAMES HOLMES
P. S. I have given Jon [?] Meloyd a small acct for you to regulat
New York Augt 28th 1767.
Dear Brother
I Received yours, and have got a hat and have got it 714 as the hatter tells me that 7 is a Small hat, and I know you ware a hat about my Sise. You want to know, my affair with Mr. James Mott jun' When Ger- shom went to the weft Indies he told me he wafs to Pay twenty Eight Pound, for his Brother and Defired Me to Do it, when James Mott wafs In town we Looked over our Accounts and found a Small Ballance In our hands Befides a wach that Gershom took of Jofeph Holmes @ 14 Pound, which he sayd he thought they would allow me Sometime to Pay it James Mott Got some small orders on Me In all More than anough to Pay that Sum and then I agreed to Do it, after that agreement, Before he went out of town he Drew out of my hands £11-12-6 In Cash and Immediately Sent for Sundry Goods, to Amount of More than that, I Should have Paid the Money Notwithstanding, had Remitance Come home from Sundry Plans, but None came, which wafs a Great Disappointment to me, In that case and Many Others, Uncle Mott wrote to me and I aniwered his Letter, which he Shew's to his son James. James wafs much offended it seems By his Letter to me, he thought I Might have Paid that and advance the Money for the Goods he wanted as I Supofe; I think I Dont Do My Self Justice if I advance Money for My Coufens, and hurt my Bufinefs By Doing it he has Sence wrote to Me In a Much Curler [cooler] Style, and I have anfwered his Letters all at one, I have Not heart from him Since, I am your Eff Brother JAMES HOLMES
Issue
173 Helena Holmes (only child); married Edward Pennington of Philadelphia, Pa., merchant; both living as per deed, 1807.
102 ASHIER HOLMES, son of Samuel Holmes, 57, born Feb. 22, 1740; died, June 26, 1808, aet. 68, 4, 4; married, 1770, Sarah, daughter of John and Hope (Taylor) Watson; born Mch. 21, 1740; died, Friday, Sept. 11, 1830, "half past 12 o'clock in the Morning, " act. 90, 5, 20. Both are buried in Baptist Yard, Holmdel. His death occurred, says another record: "Mon- day, the 20th June, 1808, about 2 o'clock in the Morning, aged 68 years, 4 months & 4 days." He lived on the plantation called Scotschester.
He was a prominent man in affairs, and an eminent land surveyor.
1774, June 6. He was appointed member of Committee of Township of Freehold.
1774, Dec. 10. Member of Committee of Observation and Inspection for Freehold. 1776. Sheriff.
1776, Nov. 28. He was Ist. Major, Ist. Reg., Monmouth Militia.
Commission of Asher Holmes to be Ist. Major in Company whereof Nathaniel Scudder is Colonel, Nov. 28, 1776. Cherry IJall Papers.
He was one of the "suns of liberty," in 1776, as recorded in a letter from his brother, James, of that date.
340
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY
1778, Mch. 27. He was Colone! Ist. Reg., Monmouth Militia.
His commission as Colonel, was burned in the store house fire, in Brooklyn, Mch. 1892. It was dated as per pay rolls about May or June, 1778.
1778. First signer of agreement to make retaliation upon refugee loyalists bent on plunder. 1779, Oct. 9. Colonel of Regiment; State troops.
178o, June 7. Colonel of battalion; State troops.
1782, Apr. 14. Appointed with Gen. Forman to wait on Gen. Washington with papers concerning the execution of Capt. Huddy. He was present at the Battles of Germantown. Princeton, Trenton and Monmouth, and was in command at the taking of the privateer brig "Brittania" near Shoal Harbor, Dec. 30, 1779; also at the capture of the "Poleacre," and in 1783, of the schooner "Funetur."
1786-SS. Member of Legislative Council of New Jersey.
1771, Nov. 11. Asher Holmes, of F'reehold, bought slave "Pegg and her child Jack" for £68 York.
To him were directed, on Apr. 5. 1777, warrants signed by Wil: Livingstone, Presd of the Council of Safety for the arrest of James Grover, Esq., of Middletown, John Taylor, Esq., of Middletown and John Lawrence of Upper Frechold, Esq.
He left quite an interesting collection of letters of the period of the Revolution written by Gov. Livingston, Robert Morris, Gen. David Forman, John Neilson, Nathaniel Scudder, Col. · Hendrickson and others.
At the time of his death he was in correspondence with the Government authorities in regard to the office of Surveyor-General.
Colin Asher Holmes Freehold. Monmouth June 6th, 1781
Sir Agreeable to your Orders I went to Genl. Formans the Monday following after I saw you at this place, to pay him the money for the Ozenbergs, which he refused to take, and says that he will not take a farthing of it unlefs he is allowed the Depreciation, therefore Should be glad to know what I must Do in the Matter. from your obdt Servent HENDRICK VOORHEES.
To Colin. Asher Holmes.
Cherry HIall Papers.
Dear Sir,
Friendship Induces me to let you know I am well wishing this may find you and your good family in the same situation. Various has been my fortune since I saw you but as it has pleased God to blefs me with a continuation of Life & Health I should be ungratful if I were not thankful, you may Possibly have heard of the Misfortune of the Vefsel I was to have gone out in and as that Prevents me from going this winter I hope to see you before long. If anything should happen that I do not I would wish if any Continental Troops should be stationed in Monmouth you would move it to the Commanding Officer to station some of them at this place as it might be advantageous to themselves, & very serviceable in having an awe on a set of Vagabonds that Lurks about here and is too much countenanced by some of the inhabitants.
Please to give my best respects and Love to MIrs Holmes & all the family and accept the same from your sincere friend
ANDREW BROWN
Toms River Jan. 25, 1779
P. S. if any opportunity offers please to let my sisters know Billy and myself are both well. To Coll Asher Holmes In Freehold
Capna Wolcott
341
HOLMES OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
COPPY OF A LETTER TO CAPN HANKINSON
Sir, the Day of Our Last Regimental Training your Son Thomas Hankinson gave me a paper, which on Examining appears to be an acct of Dear Skins Boaght by My Brother Elisha Holmes, of James Chamberlain, to the Amount of 50' -- Dated Novemb' 20'h 1782 to Be paid the first Day of May following -- My Brother acknowledges Himself Indebted to James Chamberlain for the above Sum As you have Received above five Hundred points of my money for which I now Have your Receipts, and as I never have Had a Title or any- thing to show for my Share in the Saltworks Built on the plantation formerly Newlord nor could obtain Salt sufficient to Salt my porage Except what I paid at Dear Rate for, and you and Comp" Have had the total use of the works I Now Demand the Intereft of my money, or Rent for a Share with a proper Acct How my money has been Layd Out if I have any Right in Sd Works; if Not pay me my money with the Intereft Due thercon and as I Have an undoubted Right Either for Intereft of my money or Rent If you'll answer Chamber- lain's Demand for the above Sum I will give you Cr for that Sum an answer in which way will oblige Your Humb Servt
A. HOLMES
[Original owned by Mr. Jonathan Holmes, grandson of Col. Asher Holmes.] To Mrs. Sarah Holmes
in Freehold Favoured byl Mr. Logan
Camp on the Mountains Near Perka Omie Creek. 29 miles West from Philadelphia- Ocir. 6th 1777-
Dear Sally the Day Before Yesterday there was a General Engagement. The first part of the Day Was Much in our favour. We drove the Enemy for Some miles, General How Had Given order for his army, to Retreat over School Kill River, but the after part of the Day was unfavourable to us, our Line of Battle was Broke and We Was obliged to Retreat the Battle was Near Jirmantown, the attack was made by Different Divisions in Different Quarters Nearly at the Same time, but the morning being very foggy was much against us, and the Severe firing added to the thickness of the air which prevented our Seeing far, therefore a Great Disadvantage to us .- the Jersey Militia and Red Coats under General Forman & the Mary Land Militia with some Listed troops under General Smallwood was on the Left Wing of the Whole army. We drove the Enemy when we first made the Attack but by the thickness of the fog the Enemy Got into our Rear there- fore had to Change our front and then Retreated untill a proper place, General Mac dugle's Listed Men to the Right of us & General Greens Listed Men then formed to the Left of us, but they all Gave Way Except the Monmouth Militia & General Forman's Red Coats, Stood firm and advanced Upon the British Red Coats Who was at Least three times our Number, to a fence where we made a Stand the fire was very Severe, and the Enemy Ran, they then Brought a field piece to fire on us with Grape Shot but our Monmouth men Stood firm untill their ammunition Was Nearly Expended, and the Enemy advancing Round our Right flank. General Forman then ordered us to Retreat Which We did in pretty Good order, untill our Continental troops Broke & Run a second time and their Running through our men Broke them Entirely-Our Jersey Brigade Suffered very much by storming a Strong Stone House in Jermantown which first Stoped our progress and I Believe Was one Great Cause for Brakeing our Line in that Quarter I have seen Brother John Holmes, Capt. Mtott, Capt. Burrowes and Bostwick, and most of our Monmouth officers who are all well Since the Battle-our army are in Good Spirits, Altho our Duty has been very Severe, the Night before the Battle our men marched all Night & had very Little Sleep the Night after-providence Seems to have protected our Monmouth Militia in a perticular Manner as We have Lost but very few if any killed and Not many Wounded, Although the Enemy Was Within 120 yards of us, in the hotest of the fire & their field firing on us With Grape Shot Great part of the time-I have Escaped without being hurt altho' I was much Expos'd to Enemy's fire- from Your Ever Effectionate --- ASHER HOLMES-
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