USA > New Jersey > Historical collections of the state of New Jersey : containing a general collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, etc. relating to its history and antiquities, with geographical desciptions of every township in the state. > Part 39
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t Some years after this battle, several skeletons and coffins were discovered, where the waters of the river washed the bank, at the southwest part of the town; and many per- sons supposed that the Hessians killed in this engagement were buried there. But it is ascertained that the place mentioned was the ground where the soldiers and others, who died in the barracks and hospital at Whitehall, were buried
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his prisoners up to the eight-mile (or McKonkey's) ferry ; and be- fore night, all were safely landed on the western shore of the Dela- ware. But Mr. Muirheid (mentioned above) said that Gen. W. would not suffer a man to cross, more than was necessary, until all the prisoners were over. The Americans lost 2 privates killed, and 2 were frozen to death. The late Mr. Richard Scudder informed the writer, that the night after the taking of the Hessians, sev- eral of the American soldiers, worn down and poorly clad, and having suffered much from the cold, stayed at his father's house, which is about 2 miles below the ferry; that several of them were very sick in the night, and that two or three died. Might not these have been the persons referred to in history as having frozen to death ?
The next day, the British that were at Princeton marched on to Trenton in pursuit of the American army, and went up the Scotch road as far as Mr. Benjamin Clark's, now Edward S. Mellvain's, Esq., and inquired which route Gen. Washington had taken; and being informed that he had gone with his prisoners up the River road, they compelled their son, John Clark, a lad of 12 years, to guide them across to Birmingham : (some of the American soldiers were at this time in Clark's house.) His mother, with true Spartan courage, unwilling to trust her son with the enemy, pursued the British and got him released. Soon after, the British, finding Wash- ington had crossed the Delaware, returned to Princeton.
BATTLE OF ASSUNPINK.
It has been a matter of surprise to many, that the Battle of As- sunpink, or Trenton bridge, should be passed over so lightly by most historians of the revolution. On the result of this action, appa- rently, in a great degree, was suspended the fate of American in- dependence. It is probable that more than twice the number of British troops were killed, than either at the battles of Trenton or Princeton. The first account of the action, here given, is from an officer present in the engagement. It was published in the " Con- necticut Journal," Jan. 22d, 1777.
Immediately after the taking of the Hessians at Trenton, on the 26th ult., our army retreated over the Delaware, and remained there for several days, and then returned and took possession of Trenton, where they remained quiet until Thursday, the 2d inst. ; at, which time, the enemy having col- lected a large force at Princeton, marched down in a body of 4,000 or 5,000, to attack our people at Trenton. Through Trenton there runs a small riv- er, over which there is a small bridge. Gen. Washington, aware of the enemy's approach, drew his army (about equal to the enemy) over that bridge, in order to have the advantage of the said river, and of the higher ground on the farther side. Not long before sunset, the enemy marched into Trenton ; and after reconnoitering our situation, drew up in solid column in order to force the aforesaid bridge, which they attempted to do with great vigor at three several times, and were as often broken by our artillery and obliged to retreat and give over the attempt, after suffering great loss, sup-
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posed at least one hundred and fifty killed. By this time, night came on, and Gen. Washington ordered fires to be kindled and every thing disposed of for the night. But after all was quiet he ordered a silent retreat, drew off his army to the right, marched all night in a round-about road, and next morning ar. rived with his army at Princeton. All this was done without any know. ledge of the enemy, who, in the morning, were in the utmost confusion, not knowing which way our army had gone until the firing at Princeton gave them information.
The following account of the battle of Assunpink is given as re- lated by an eye-witness, and published in the Princeton Whig, Nov. 4th, 1842.
When the army under Washington, in the year '76, retreated over the Delaware, I was with them. At that time there remained in Jersey only a small company of riflemen, hiding themselves between New Brunswick and Princeton. Doubtless, when Washington reached the Pennsylvania side of the river, he expected to be so reinforced as to enable him effectually to pre- vent the British from reaching Philadelphia. But in this he was disappoint. ed. Finding that he must achieve victory with what men he had, and so restore confidence to his countrymen, it was then that the daring plan was laid to recross the river, break the enemy's line of communication, threaten their depot at New Brunswick, and thus prevent their advancing to Phila- delphia ; which was only delayed until the river should be bridged by the ice. But Washington anticipated them. I was not with the troops who crossed to the capture of the Hessians. It was in the midst of a December storin, that I helped to re-establish the troops and prisoners on the Pennsyl- vania shore. The weather cleared cold, and in a few days we crossed on the ice to Trenton. Shortly afterward a thaw commenced which rendered the river impassable, and consequently the situation of the army extremely critical.
In the morning of the day on which the battle of the Assunpink was fought, I, with several others, was detached under the command of Capt. Longstreet. with orders to collect as many men as we could in the country between Princeton, Cranbury, and Rhode Hall, and then unite ourselves with the company of riflemen who had remained in that neighborhood. We left Trenton by the nearest road to Princeton, and advanced nearly to the Shabbaconk, (a small brook near Trenton,) when we were met by a little negro on horseback, galloping down the hill, who called to us that the British army was before us. One of our party ran a little way up the hill. and jumped upon the fence, from whence he beheld the British army, within less than half a mile of us. And now commenced a race for Trenton. We fortunately escaped capture ; yet the enemy were so near, that before we crossed the bridge over the Assunpink, some of our troops on the Trenton side of the creek, with a field-piece, motioned to us to get out of the street while they fired at the British at the upper end of it. Not being on duty, .we had nothing to do but choose our position and view the battle.
Washington's army was drawn up on the east side of the Assunpink, with its left on the Delaware river, and its right extending a considerable way up the mill-pond, along the face of the hill where the factories now stand. The troops were placed one above the other, so that they appeared to cover the whole slope from bottom to top, which brought a great many muskets within shot of the bridge. Within 70 or 80 yards of the bridge, and directly in
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front of, and in the road, as many pieces of artillery as could be managed were stationed. We took our station on the high ground behind the right, where we had a fair view of our line, as far as the curve of the hill would permit, the bridge and street beyond being in full view. The British did not delay the attack. They were formed in two columns, the one marching down Green-street to carry the bridge, and the other down Main-street to ford the creek, near where the lower bridge now stands. From the nature of the ground, and being on the left, this attack (simultaneous with the one on the bridge) I was not able to see. It was repelled ; and eye-witnesses say that the creek was nearly filled with their dead. The other column moved slowly down the street, with their choicest troops in front. When within about 60 yards of the bridge they raised a shout, and rushed to the charge. It was then that our men poured upon them from musketry and artillery a shower of bullets, under which however they continued to ad- vance, though their speed was diminished ; and as the column reached the bridge, it moved slower and slower until the head of it was gradually pressed nearly over, when our fire became so destructive that they broke their ranks and fled. It was then that our army raised a shout, and such a shout I have never since heard ; by what signal or word of command, I know not. The line was more than a mile in length, and from the nature of the ground the extremes were not in sight of each other, yet they shouted as one man. The British column halted instantly ; the officers restored the ranks, and again they rushed to the bridge ; and again was the shower of bullets poured upon them with redoubled fury. This time the column broke before it reached the centre of the bridge, and their retreat was again followed by the same hearty shout from our line. They returned the third time to the charge, but it was in vain. We shouted after them again, but they had enough of it. It is strange that no account of the loss of the English was ever pub- lished ; but from what I saw, it must have been great.
"The readers of Marshall's Life of Washington will remember the peculiar and cordial welcome of the Father of his country at Tren- ton, 12 years after his memorable achievements there, while on his way from Mt. Vernon to the inauguration in New York. In addi- tion to the usual martial display, the ladies of the place erected a rich rural arch over the Assunpink, with appropriate devices, and bearing this inscription :
THE DEFENDER OF THE MOTHERS WILL BE THE PROTECTOR OF THE DAUGHTERS.
"The General was met here by a company of matrons leading their daughters dressed in white, with baskets of flowers, and sing- ing these lines, written for the occasion by Gov. Howell :
Welcome, mighty Chief, once more, Welcome to this grateful shore; Now no mercenary foe Aims again the fatal blow, Aims at THEE the fatal blow.
Virgins fair and matrons grave,
Those thy conquering arms did save,
Build for thec triumphal bowers : Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers,
Strew your Hero's way with flowers ;
and at the last line the flowers were strewed before him. On pass- ing the arch, as the choir began the song, the general turned his horse's head toward them, took off his hat, and listened, it is said,
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with the deepest emotion. After receiving the salutations of the citizens, he handed the following note to the Rev. J. F. Armstrong ; for the publication of which we are indebted to the Trenton State Gazette.
GENERAL WASHINGTON cannot leave this place without expressing his acknowledg. ment to the matrons and young ladies who received him in so novel and grateful a man- ner at the triumphal arch in Trenton, and for the exquisite sensation he experienced in that affecting moment. The astonishing contrast between his former and actual situation at the same spot, the elegant taste with which it was adorned for the present occasion, and the innocent appearance of the white-robed choir who met him with the gratulatory song, have made such impressions upon his remembrance as, he assures them, will never be effaced.
TRENTON, April 21st, 1789.
"This note, brief and graceful, depicting most vividly the whole scene and its impressions, was read to the ladies of Trenton, called together for the purpose, at the house of Judge Smith. It was then deposited in the hands of Mrs. Smith. At the death of the Judge it passed into the hands of his adopted daughter, Miss Lydia Imlay, who preserved it with the care due to its origin and associations, until shortly before her death, when she gave it, as a valued lega- cy, to the late Chief-justice Ewing. By his care it was placed in a handsome frame, and it is now preserved by his family as a most precious relic.
"The arch was preserved on the premises of the Misses Barnes, in Warren-st., near the Episcopal church, until 1824, when it was placed in front of the state-house to grace the reception of Gen. Lafayette, on his way to the assembly-room, where he was ad- dressed by the mayor, Robert McNeely, Esq., and exchanged con- gratulations with the citizens. The remains of the arch are now · in the possession of Dr. Francis A. Ewing, of this city. Mr. Ben- jamin A. Disbrow has made several elegant boxes and other small articles, which are inlaid from a part of the wood of the arch."
The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the Presbyterian and Episcopal graveyards :-
In memory of the Rev. DAVID COWELL, born in Dorchester, (Massachusetts,) 1704; graduated in Harvard College, Cambridge, N. E., 1732; ordained at Trenton, 1736; died the 1st December, statis 56, 1760. A man of penetrating wit, solid judgment, strong memory, yet of great modesty, piety, and benevolence.
Beneath this stone lies the body of the Rev. ELIHU SPENCER, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian church in Trenton, and one of the trustees of the College of New Jersey, who departed this life on the 27th of Dec., 1784, in the 64th year of his age. Possessed of fine genius, of great vivacity, and of eminent and active piety, his merits as a minis- ter, and as a man, stand above the reach of flattery. Having long edified the church by his talents and example, and finished his course with joy, he fell asleep full of faith, and waiting for the hope of all saints.
Sacred to the memory of the Rev. JAMES FRANCIS ARMSTRONG, 30 ycars pastor of the church at Trenton, in union with the church at Maidenhead. Born in Maryland, of pious parents, he received the elements of his classical education under the Rev. John , Blair, finished his collegiate studies in the College of New Jersey, under the Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, and was licensed to preach the gospel in the ycar 1777. An ardent patriot, he served through the War of Independence as chaplain. In 1790, he was chosen a trustee of the College of New Jersey. A warm and constant friend, a devout Christian,
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a tender husband and parent, steady in his attendance on the judicatories of the church. Throughout life, he was distinguished as a fervent and affectionate minister of the gos- pel, and resigned his soul to his Creator and Redeemer, on the 19th of January, 1816. " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." Amen ! even so come, Lord Jesus.
Sacred to the memory of Gen. JOHN BEATTY, born Dec. 10th, 1749, died May 30th, 1826. Educated as a physician, he early became distinguished for benevolence, assi- duity, and skill. In the War of Independence, in important military stations, he faith- fully served his country. By the public voice, he was called to the discharge of eminent civil offices. In the state and national legislature repeatedly a representative, and al- ways active and influential. For many years, a ruling elder of this church. In every walk of life, amiable, honorable, and useful. He crowned the virtues of the man, the patriotism of the soldier, and the sagacity of the statesman, by the pure piety and sin- cere religion of the devout and humble Christian.
Under this marble rest the mortal remains of CHARLES EWING, LL. D., Chief-justice of the state of New Jersey. In intellect, vigorous and discriminating ; in industry, as- siduous and persevering ; in integrity, pure and incorruptible ; in manners, affable, dig- nified, and polished ; in morals, spotless. A profound jurist and upright magistrate ; an accomplished scholar and patron of literature and science ; the advocate and supporter of benevolent institutions, he won, in an eminent degree, the respect, love, and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Happy in his domestic relations, home was the theatre of his most endearing virtues, and the sphere in which he loved to move. He reverenced the doctrines, and practised the precepts of the Christian religion. In the vigor of his men- tal and bodily powers, surrounded by blessings, cheered by the approbation of his fellow- men, with an extended prospect of service and usefulness before him, he was attacked with a violent disease, which suddenly terminated his life on the 5th day of August, A. D. 1832, in the 53d year of his age.
This stone covers the remains of Dr. NICHOLAS BELLEVILLE, born and educated in France. For 50 years, an inhabitant of this city. A patriot, warmly attached to the principles of liberty ; a physician, eminently learned and successful ; a man of scrupu- lous and unblemished integrity. On the 17th day of Dec., 1831, at the age of 79 years, he closed a life of honor and usefulness, by all respected, esteemed, and lamented.
Sacred to the memory of the Hon. DAVID BREARLY, Lieutenant colonel in the army of the United States, a member of the state and federal conventions, nine years Chief-jus- ' tice of New Jersey. As a soldier, he was cool, determined, and brave ; as a judge, in- telligent and upright ; as a citizen, an early, decided, and faithful patriot ; in private and social life, irreproachable. He died much regretted 16th Aug., 1790, in the 45th year of his age.
In memory of the Rev. WILLIAM FRAZER, of St. Michael's church, Trenton, and St. Andrew's, Amwell, who departed this life the 6th day of July, 1795, aged 52 years. If gentle and inoffensive manners, benevolence, and meekness, can secure the good-will of man, as certainly as sincere piety will recommend to the favor of God, then has Frazer joined the inhabitants of heaven, and not left an enemy on earth.
In memory of HENRY WADDELL, D. D., rector of St. Michael's church, Trenton, who departed this life 20th Jan., 1811, in the 66th year of his age. A faithful and affection- ate pastor, a sincere and zealous Christian, an amiable and honest man : his body is bu- ried in peace, but his soul shall live for evermore.
Sacred to the memory of Gen. JONATHAN RHEA, who died Feb. 3d, 1815, aged 56 years, 10 mo., 22 days. Early distinguished as a firm defender of his country, in our former eventful contest with Great Britain, Gen. Rhea at an early age embarked in the military service of the United States, and served with zeal and fidelity during the whole revolu- tionary war, as an officer in the New Jersey line of the continental army. At the return of peace, he practised many years at the bar of this state, where his integrity and sound judgment were highly esteemed and respected. To those who had the happiness of be- ing connected with him, by the tender tics of domestic life, he was endeared by a most exemplary performance in the interesting scenes portrayed in the character of father, hus. band, master, and friend. We have hope to believe that, from the toilsome vicissitudes
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of this life, he has winged his flight to enjoy, in the mansions of eternal rest, the rewards prepared for the righteous.
He loved his friends with such a warmth of heart, So dear of interest, so devoid of art, Such generous freedom, such unshaken zeal, No words can speak it, oui our tongues can tell.
Sacred to the memory of Gen. ZACHARIAH ROSSELL, who was born in Mount Holly, Nov. 14th, A. D. 1788, and died in the city of Trenton, July 21st, 1842. Early distin- guished by virtuous patriotism, he entered the American army at the commencement of the war with Great Britain, 1812. Having served his country gallantly and faithfully, he retired to private life when peace was declared. He was soon after elected to the of- fice of clerk of the supreme court of New Jersey, the duties of which he discharged with singular fidelity till his death. The steadfast friend to the unfortunate, the benevolent and enterprising citizen, the affectionate husband and fond parent, none have lived more respected, or died more lamented. "So teach us to number our days that we may ap- ply our hearts to wisdom."
WEST WINDSOR.
West Windsor is 9 m. long, with an average breadth of 5 m. ; bounded NW. by Princeton, NE. by South Brunswick, Middlesex co., SE. by East Windsor, and W. by Hamilton and Lawrence. The railroad from Jersey City to Camden, and the Delaware and Raritan canal, pass through the northern part of the township. Its surface is generally level, soil well cultivated, and produces abun- dantly grain and grass. It has 2 grist-m., I saw-m. ; cap. in manu- fac. $6,620; 3 schools, 87 scholars. Pop. 1,536.
Edinburg, Williamsburg, Clarks Store, and Dutch Neck, are localities in the township ; at the latter is a Presbyterian church.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY was first formed in 1682, since which its boun- daries have undergone considerable alteration. It is about 24 miles long, 12 broad, and is bounded N. by Essex co .; E. by Staten Isl- and sound and Raritan bay; SE. by Monmouth co .; SW. by Mercer co., and W. by Somerset co. It is watered by Raritan river and its tributaries. The surface is level, and the soil varies from light sand to heavy clay, and in many places is susceptible of the highest cultivation. Lime has been advantageously used as a ma- nure within the last five years. Large quantities of pine and oak wood have been cut and transported to the New York market from the SE. part of the county. The railroad from Jersey City to Bor- dentown, and the Camden and Amboy railroad, pass through the county ; the Delaware and Raritan canal commences in the coun
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ty, and leaves it on the western boundary. It is divided into seven townships, viz :
Perth Amboy, North Brunswick,
South Amboy, South Brunswick,
The population in 1840, was 21,894.
Monroe, Woodbridge,
Piscataway.
PERTH AMBOY.
Perth Amboy township and city is situated at the head of Raritan hay, at the confluence of Raritan river and Staten Island sound. 'The township comprises 2,577 acres of land. Population 1,303. The city was incorporated under the proprietary and royal govern- ments ; its present charter, embracing the provisions of the prior ones, was granted in 1784.
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View of Perth Amboy from Staten Island.
The above is an eastern view of Perth Amboy City, as seen from Staten Island. The Presbyterian church and the Academy appear on the left, and the Baptist church on the right of the engraving. The Episcopal church, a brick structure, is beautifully situated on the bank rising from the bay, in the southern part of the place: the Methodist church is in the northern part. There are in the place « male academy, in high repute; a large lock-factory, a stone ware pottery, and a fire-brick manufactory ; the Lehigh Coal company have an extensive depot for coal. The city or village consists of about 140 dwellings, situated 14 miles from Sandy Hook, 25 from New York, 10 from New Brunswick, and 36 from Trenton. The port or harbor is considered one of the best on the continent, and is easily approached from the sea. Perth Amboy City is a port of entry, and its collection district comprehends all that part of East New Jersey south of Elizabethtown, excepting the district of Little
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Egg Harbor : New Brunswick and Middletown Point are ports of delivery only.
The favorable site of Perth Amboy for a town was early noticed by the agents of the East Jersey proprietors. The proprietors state in their published account, that it is their intention, "if the Lord permit, with all convenient speed to erect and build one principal town, which, by reason of situation, must in all probability be the most considerable for merchandise, trade, and fishing in those parts. It is designed to be placed on a neck or point of rich land called Ambo Point, lying on Raritan river, and pointing to Sandy Hook bay, and near adjacent to the place where ships in that great har- bor commonly ride at anchor." They follow up their description with their proposals for building the town, commencing with an as- sertion that "Ambo Point is a sweet, wholesome and delightful place.',
" The selection of the site for a town was probably the work of Gov. Carteret. The spot was reserved by him for the proprietors on granting the lands to the Woodbridge as- sociates in 1669, in lieu of the seventh part of each tract, which according to the con- cession was to be allotted to them. This point, when first men- tioned in the East Jersey records, bears the name of Ompoge, probably a generic appel- lation ; and we are warranted in believing Ambo, by which it was designated at the time of settlement, to be a corruption of the first. It was the intention of the proprietors to have called their town Perth, in compliment to the Earl of Perth. one of their asso- ciates, and it was so called for some time, but from speaking of the location, and using the Indian word Ambo, (gradually corrupted to Amboy,) instead of the English one, Point, ' Perth Amboy' became at last the name of the place."
" The Point at this period must have been truly beautiful. The grass is represented as growing luxuriantly, the forest trees as distributed in groups, diversifying the land scape with light and shade, and all nature wearing the fresh aspect of a new creation. William Penn, on taking a view of the land, ' said he had never seen such before in his life.' In the proprietors' proposals for building the town, they state their intention, by God's assistance, to erect each a house upon the Point, which they promised should 'stand in an orderly manner, according to the best and most convenient model.' Sam- uel Groome, one of the proprietaries and surveyor-general, made an examination of the harbor, and sounded the channel all the way to Sandy Hook, finding ' in no place,' he says in his report, 'less than three fathom at high water, in ordinary tides four or five or six fathom, except in one place.' He laid out the contemplated city into one hundred and fifty lots, sent home a draught of it, and indulged in many pleasing anticipations of the growth and prosperity of the place, which he did not live to realize, as he died in 1683, leaving on the stocks unfinished the first vessel of any size built in East Jersey. In a letter of Groome's, dated August, 1683, we are told that three of the proprietors' houses were completed, and others ready to go up ; they were ' ten feet betwixt joint and joint,' having a double chimney made of sticks and clay. He complains that ' workinen are scarce, and many of them are base.' The proprietors gave particular direction that the houses should not be ' crowded upon one another,' which is supposed to be the reason why we find them so scattered at the present day."
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