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 60
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The first courthouse in Somerset co. stood about 12 rods W. of the old bridge in Millstone. In the latter part of Nov. 1779, a party of British troops, under Lieut. Col. Simcoe, of the Queen's American Rangers, landed near Amboy, from New York, and pro- ceeded thence into this county, burnt some stores at Bound Brook, 18 boats at Van Veghten's bridge, the church at Raritan, and the courthouse at this place. On their return, they were attacked by a party of Americans in the vicinity of New Brunswick. Col. Simcoe's horse was shot near De Mot's tavern, about 2 miles west from that city, and both horse and rider came to the ground. A militiaman was in the act of piercing Simcoe through the body, when his bayonet was knocked up by James Schureman, (see page 313,) and he was taken prisoner. Among their pursuers was Capt. G. P. Voorhies, of the 1st Jersey regiment, a very brave man, who having, in his ardor, got ahead of his comrades, the enemy turned upon him. In attempting to leap a fence on George's road, at the end of the town lane, a mile SW. of New Brunswick, his horse caught and hung on the rails. The British, on coming up, hacked him terribly with their swords, and he was brought into the town by his comrades, on a feather bed, groaning and senseless : he died in a few hours. The militia in pursuit killed three, and took six prisoners, ere the enemy arrived at South Amboy ; and had not their retreat been covered by a large body of troops, who landed
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from ships previous to their embarkation, the whole of them would have fallen into their hands. Dr. Ryker, Mr. John Polhemus, with several others, were made prisoners by the covering party of the enemy.
The following is Lieut. Col. Simcoe's account of this expedition, as given in his Military Journal :
On the 25th of October, by 8 o'clock at night, the detachment, which had been detailed, marched to Billop's Point, where they were to embark. - That the enterprise might be effectually concealed, Lt. Col. Simcoe described a man, as a rebel spy, to be on the island, and endeavoring to escape to New Jersey : a great reward was offered for taking him, and the militia of the island were watching all the places where it was possible for any man to go from, in order to apprehend him. The batteaux and boats, which were appointed to be at Billop's Point so as to pass the whole over by twelve o'clock at night, did not arrive till three o'clock in the morning. No time was lost. The infantry of the Queen's Rangers were landed : they am- buscaded every avenue to the town. The cavalry followed as fast as pos- sible. As soon as it was formed, Lt. Col. Simcoe called together the offi- cers : he told them of his plan,-" that he meant to burn the boats at Van Vacter's bridge, and, crossing the Raritan at Hillsborough, to return by the road to Brunswick, and, making a circuit to avoid that place as soon as he came near it, to discover himself when beyond it, on the heights where the Grenadier Redoubt stood while the British troops were cantoned there, and where the Queen's Rangers afterward had been encamped ; and to entice the militia, if possible, to follow him into an ambuscade which the infantry would lay for them at South river bridge." Maj. Armstrong was instructed to re-embark as soon as the cavalry marched, and to land on the opposite side of the Raritan, at South Amboy. He was then, with the utmost dis- patch and silence, to proceed to South river bridge, 6 m. from South Am- boy, where he was to ambuscade himself, without passing the bridge or taking it up. A smaller creek falls into this river on the South Amboy side : into the peninsula formed by these streams, Lieut. Col. Simcoe hoped to allure the Jersey militia. In case of accident, Maj. Armstrong was de- sired to give credit to any messenger who should give him the parole of " Clinton and Montrose." It was daybreak before the cavalry left Amboy. The procuring of guides had been by Sir Henry Clinton intrusted to Briga- dier Skinner : he either did not or could not obtain them ; for but one was found who knew perfectly the crossroad he meant to take, to avoid the main road from Somerset-courthouse, or Hillsborough, to Brunswick. Capt. Sandford formed the advance guard, the Huzzars followed, and Stuart's men were in the rear,-making, in the whole, about eighty. A Justice Crow was soon overtaken : Lieut. Col. Simcoe accosted him roughly, called him "Tory," nor seemed to believe his excuses when, in the American idiom for courtship, he said " he had only been sparking," but sent him to the rear guard, who, being Americans, easily comprehended their instruc- tions, and kept up the justice's belief that the party was a detachment from Washington's army. Many plantations were now passed by, the inhabit- ants of which were up, and whom the party accosted with friendly saluta- tions. . At Quibbletown, Lieut. Col. Simcoe had just quitted the advance guard to speak to Lieut. Stuart, when, from a public-house on the turn of the road, some people came out with knapsacks on their shoulders, bearing the appearance of a rebel guard. Capt. Sandford did not see them till he
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had passed by, when, checking his horse to give notice, the huzzars were reduced to a momentary halt opposite the house. Perceiving the supposed guard, they threw themselves off their horses, sword in hand, and entered the house. Lieut. Co !. Simcoe instantly made them remount ; but they were afraid to discover some thousand pounds of paper money which had been taken from a passenger, the master of a privateer,-nor could he stay to search for it. He told the man "that he would be answerable to give him his money that night at Brunswick, where he should quarter,"-ex. claimed aloud to his party, " that these were not the Tories they were in search of, although they had knapsacks,"-and told the country people who were assembling around, "that a party of Tories had made their escape from Sullivan's army, and were trying to get into Staten Island, as Iliff (who had been defeated near this very spot, taken, and executed) had for- merly done ; and that he was sent to intercept them." 'The sight of Justice Crow would, probably, have aided in deceiving the inhabitants ; but, unfor- tunately, a man personally knew Lieut. Col. Simcoe, and an express was sent to Gov. Livingston, then at Brunswick, as soon as the party marched. It was now conducted by a country lad whom they fell in with, and to whom Capt. Sandford (being dressed in red, and without his cloak) had been intro- duced as a French officer. He gave information, that the greater part of the boats had been sent on to Washington's camp, but that eighteen were at Van Vacter's bridge, and that their horses were at a farm about a mile from it. He led the party to an old camp of Washington's, above Bound Brook. Lieut. Col. Simcoe's instructions were, to burn these huts, if possible, in order to give as wide an alarm to the Jerseys as he could. He found it im- practicable to do so,-they not being joined in ranges, nor built of very combustible materials. He proceeded without delay to Bound Brook, from whence he intended to carry off Col. Moyland ; but he was not at Mr. Van- horn's. Two officers who had been ill were there : their paroles were taken, and they were ordered to mark " sick quarters" over the room door they inhabited, which was done; and Mr. Vanhorn was informed that the party was the advance guard of the left column of the army, which was commanded by Gen. Birch, who meant to quarter that night at his house,- and that Sir H. Clinton was in full march for Morristown, with the army. The party proceeded to Van Vacter's bridge. Lieut. Col. Simcoe found 18 new flat-boats, upon carriages : they were full of water. He was deter- mined effectually to destroy them. Combustibles had been applied for, and he received, in consequence, a few port-fires : every huzzar had a hand- grenade, and several hatchets were brought with the party. The timbers of the boats were cut through : they were filled with straw and railing, and some grenades being fastened in them, they were set on fire. Forty minutes were employed in this business. The country began to assemble in their rear ; and, as Lieut. Col. Simcoe went to the Dutch meeting,-where the harness, and some stores, were reported to be,-a rifle-shot was fired at him from the opposite bank of the river. This house, with a magazine of forage, was now consumed,-the commissary and his people being made prisoners. The party proceeded to Somerset Courthouse, or Hillsborough. Lieut. Col. Simcoe told the prisoners not to be alarmed, that he would give them their paroles before he left the Jerseys ; but he could not help heavily lament- ing to the officers with him, the sinister events which prevented him from being at Van Vacter's bridge some hours sooner,-as it would have been very feasible to have drawn off the flat-boats to the South river, instead of destroying them. He proceeded to Somerset Courthouse. Three loyalists
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who were prisoners there, were liberated. One of them was a dreadful spectacle : he. appeared to have been almost starved, and was chained to the floor. The soldiers wished, and it was permitted, to burn the court- house. It was unconnected with any other building, and, by its flames, showed on which side of the Raritan he was, and would, most probably, operate to assemble the neighborhood of Brunswick at its bridge, to prevent him from returning by that road. The party proceeded toward Brunswick. Alarm guns were now heard, and some shots were fired at the rear,-par- ticularly by one person, who, as it afterward appeared, (being out a shoot- ing, and hearing of the incursion,) had sent word to Gov. Livingston, who was at Brunswick, that he would follow the party at a distance, and every now and then give a shot, that he might know which way they directed their march. Passing by some houses, Lieut. Col. Simcoe told the women to inform four or five people who were pursuing the rear, " that if they fired another shot, he would burn every house which he passed." A man or two were now slightly wounded. As the party approached Brunswick, Lieut. Col. Simcoe began to be anxious for the cross-road diverging from it into the Princetown road, which he meant to pursue, and which having once arrived at, he himself knew the by-ways to the heights he wished to attain, where having frequently done duty, he was minutely acquainted with every ad- vantage and circumstance of the ground. His guide was perfectly confident that he was not yet arrived at it; and Lieut. Col. Simcoe was in earnest conversation with him, and making the necessary inquiries, when a shot, at some little distance, discovered there was a party in the front. He imme- diately galloped thither ; and he sent back Wright, his orderly sergeant, to acquaint Capt. Sandford " that the shot had not been fired at the party,"_ when, on the right at some distance, he saw the rail fence (which was very high on both sides of the narrow road between two woods) somewhat broken down, and a man or two near it, when, putting his horse on the canter, he joined the advance men of the Huzzars, determining to pass through this opening, so as to avoid every ambuscade that might be laid for him, or at- tack, upon more equal terms, Col. Lee, (whom he understood to be in the neighborhood, and apprehended might be opposed to him,) or any other party ; when he saw some men concealed behind logs and bushes, between him and the opening he meant to pass through, and he heard the words " Now, now," and found himself, when he recovered his senses, prisoner with the enemy, his horse being killed with five bullets, and himself stunned by the violence of his fall.
Col. Lee, the celebrated commandant of the Virginia Lighthorse, thus speaks, in his memoirs, of the skill displayed in this affair :
This enterprise was considered, by both armies, among the handsomest exploits of the war. Simcoe executed completely his object, (then deemed very important,) and traversed the country from Elizabethtown Point to South Amboy, 55 miles, in the course of the night and morning,-passing through a most hostile region of armed citizens-necessarily skirting Bruns- wick, a military station-proceeding not more than 8 or 9 miles from the legion of Lee, his last point of danger, and which became increased from the debilitated condition to which his troops were reduced by previous fa- tigue. What is very extraordinary, Lieut. Col. Simcoe, being obliged to feed once in the course of the night, stopped at a depot of forage collected for the continental army, assumed the character of Lee's cavalry, waked
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up the commissary about midnight, drew the customary allowance of forage, and gave the usual vouchers, signing the name of the legion quarter-master, without being discovered by the American forage commissary or his assist- ants. The dress of both corps was the same-green coatees and leather breeches ; yet the success of the stratagem was astonishing.
The Frelinghuysen Mansion.
The above is a view of the mansion in Millstone, which was the residence of the late Hon. Frederick Frelinghuysen. It was acci- dentally destroyed by fire a few months after the drawing was taken for this work. The annexed biographical sketch was furnished by a friend. It is very brief, and by no means does justice to the sub- ject of it ; but it is the best that could be obtained at this late day, as all his cotemporaries, those who knew much of his revolutionary history, are no more.
FREDERICK FRELINGHUYSEN was born on the 13th April, 1753, and died 13th April, 1804, aged 51 years. When only 22 years old, and in 1775, he was sent by New Jersey to the continental congress ; which place he resigned* in 1777. He was next a captain of a corps
* The following is a copy of a letter from Mr. Frelinghuysen to the speaker of the House of Assembly of New Jersey, giving his reasons for not wishing to serve any longer in Congress. It is full of the spirit of '76, patriotic and unassuming.
SIR :- Agreeable to the appointment of the legislature, I repaired to Philadelphia in the month of January last, and have since that time attended Congress until the public business intrusted to my care in the county of Somerset rendered my absence unavoid- able.
It is needless for me to remind the honorable legislature, that I did with great reluc- tance accept of the appointment of a delegate for this state in Congress. I was then sufficiently sensible that the trust was too important for my years and abilities. I am now fully convinced that I should do injustice to my country did I not decline that service.
In doing this I am conscious to myself that I am merely actuated by motives for the public good, well knowing that whatever may be my abilities, they will be useless to the state in the supreme council of the nation, and that the other appointment with which the legislature of New Jersey have been pleased to honor me in the county of Somerset, is more than sufficient to employ my whole attention.
I might add some other circumstances which render my situation here peculiarly disagreeable, but I fear the evils which might arise from my opening myself on this sub- ject, would more than counterbalance any good it might probably answer. I trust, how.
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of artillery, a volunteer company to the congress, for one year. He was at the battles of Trenton and Monmouth. He afterward ac- tively engaged in the war as a colonel in the militia of his native county of Somerset. In 1793, after repeatedly receiving the testi- monials of public confidence in various state and county offices, he was chosen to a seat in the Senate of the United States, and contin- ued in that station until domestic bereavements, and the claims of his family, constrained him to resign in 1796. In the western ex- pedition, he was selected by the commander-in-chief to the com- mand as major-general of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania troops. He stood among the first at the bar of New Jersey, as a civilian. He died beloved and lamented by his country and friends, and left for his children the rich legacy of a life unsullied by a stain, and that had abounded in benevolence and usefulness. He was the son of the Rev. Mr. John Frelinghuysen, who had died many years be- fore him, and who was, with four brothers, all ministers of the gos- pel, the descendant of the Rev. Theodorus J. Frelinghuysen, a de- voted minister, who came last from Holland in 1720, and preached the gospel in the counties of Somerset, Middlesex, and Hunterdon, in the state of New Jersey. His labors were greatly blessed to the conversion of many souls to God. His son John was settled at Raritan in New Jersey ; his son Theodorus at Albany in New York. The other three sons died soon after they had entered upon their ministry. Gen. Frelinghuysen left three sons, John, Frederick, and Theodore, of whom only the last-named survives, and is now the chancellor of the University of New York.
The following epitaph is copied from a monument in the family, burying-ground near Millstone :
Entombed beneath this stone lie the remains of the Honorable FREDERICK FRELING- HUYSEN, Esq., Major-General of the military forces, and Representative in the General Assembly of this his native state. Endowed by nature with superior talents, he was be- loved by his country. From his youth he was intrusted with her most important con cerns. Until his death, he never disappointed her hopes. At the bar he was eloquent in the Senate he was wise, in the field he was brave. Candid, generous, and just, he was ardent in his friendships, constant to his friends. The patron and protector of hon- orable merit, he gave his hand to the young, his counsel to the middle aged, his support to him who was feeble in years. To perpetuate his memory his children have raised
ever, the representatives from New Jersey will not think it impertinent in one who has faithfully endeavored to serve his country to declare to them, that the interests of Arner- ica loudly call on them for extraordinary vigilance.
I shall say nothing respecting the amazing expense of attending at Congress, and my inability to support it ; I am determined not to complain until the last farthing of my little fortune is spent in the service of my country, and then perhaps I shall have the consolation to see poverty esteemed as the characteristic of an honest man.
I conclude with observing, I am particularly moved to wish for a release from the ap- pointment, as it has been hinted to me that my colleague, Mr. Fell, is exceedingly un- easy that he is so often left alone to manage the weighty affairs of state, and that he has even expressed himself with warmth and temper on the subject in his letters to the legis- lature. I shall only say, that I am ready at all times to give an account of my conduct to those who appointed me.
I trust the legislature will take into consideration and gratify my request, of being ex cused from further attendance at Congress.
I am, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
The Hon. CALEB CAMP, Esq.
FRED. FRELINGHUYSEN.
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this monument, a frail memorial of their veneration for his virtues, and of their grief for the loss of so excellent a father. He died on the 13th of April, 1804, aged 51 years.
MONTGOMERY.
This township is about 8 miles long, 5 wide, and is bounded N. by Hillsborough, S. by Princeton, Mercer co., E. by Franklin, and W. by Hopewell, Mercer co. The soil is fertile, and surface on the S. and NW. hilly, elsewhere generally undulating. There are in Montgomery 7 stores, 1 fulling-m., 1 woollen-fac., 1 tannery, 3 grist-m., 3 saw-m .; cap. in manufac. $5,800 ; 7 schools, 212 scho- lars. Pop. 1,482.
Harlingen is a pleasant village, 9 miles from Somerville, and 8 from Princeton ; it contains 2 stores, a tavern, several mechanic shops, about 20 dwellings, and a Reformed Dutch church, in which worship a large congregation. Blawenburg contains a store, about 12 dwellings, and a Reformed Dutch church. Stoutsberg, partly in Hopewell township, contains 1 store and 8 or 10 dwell- ings. Rocky Hill, on the Millstone river and Delaware and Rari- tan canal, 14 miles from Somerville and 4 from Princeton, contains a store, tavern, a grist, a saw and a fulling mill, and about 20 dwellings.
General Washington wrote his farewell address to the American army, Nov. 2, 1783, at a dwelling now standing in Rocky Hill, at that time the residence of Judge Berrian. Congress was then in session at Princeton, and the President addressed him in a com- plimentary manner. The following remarks are extracted from Sparks' Life of Washington.
To this address Washington replied in the presence of Congress, and then retired. A house was provided for him at Rocky Hill, where he resided, holding conference from time to time with committees and members of Congress, and giving counsel on such subjects as were referred to his consideration.
A large part of the officers and soldiers had been permitted during the summer to retire from the army on furlough, and Congress issued a proclamation on the 18th of October, discharging them from further service, and all others who had been engaged to serve during the war. The army was thus in effect disbanded. A small force only was retained, consisting of such troops as had been enlisted for a definite time, till the peace establishment should be organized.
This proclamation was followed by Washington's farewell address to the army, a performance not less admirable in its principles and objects than his circular to the States. To his cordial and affectionate thanks for the devotedness of the officers and soldiers to him through the war, and for the manner in which they had discharged their duty, he adds seasonable advice as to their conduct in resuming the character of private citizens, and in contributing to the support of civil government. 'Let it be known and remembered,' said he, 'that the reputation of the federal armies is established, beyond the reach of malevolence ; and let the consciousness of their achievements and fame still incite the men who composed them to honorable actions ; under the persuasion that the private virtues of economy, prudence, and industry, will not be less amiable in civil life, than the more splendid qualities of valor, perseverance, and enterprise, were in the field. Every one may rest assured, that much, very much of the future happiness of the officers and men will depend upon the wise and manly conduct which shall be adopted by them, when they are mingled with the great body of the community. And although the General has so frequently given it as his opinion in the most public and explicit manner, that unless the principles of the Federal Government were properly supported, and the powers of the Union increased, the honor, dignity, and justice of the nation would be lost forever ; yet he cannot help repeating, on this occasion, so inter-
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esting a sentiment, and leaving as his last injunction to every officer and every soldier who may view the subject in the same serious point of light, to add his best endeavors to those of his worthy fellow-citizens toward effecting these great and valuable purposes, on which our very existence as a nation so materially depends.'
It was at this period that Dunlap, the painter, then a mere youth, was a guest of Mr. Van Horne, a gentleman then residing in this vicinity. He has left us some interesting reminiscences of Wash- ington, which are given with great simplicity and naturalness. He says :
Before I left Princeton for Rocky-hill, I saw, for the first time, the man of whom all men spoke-whom all wished to see. It was accidental. It was a picture. No painter could have grouped a company of military horsemen better, or selected a background better suited for effect. As I walked on the road leading from Princeton to Trenton, alone, for I ever loved solitary rambles, ascending a hill, suddenly appeared a brilliant troop of cavaliers, mounting and gaining the summit in my front. The clear autumnal sky behind them equally relieved the dark blue uniforms, the buff facings, and glittering military appendages. All were gallantly mounted-all were tall and graceful, but one towered above the rest, and I doubted not an instant that I saw the beloved hero. I lifted my hat as I saw that his eye was turned to me, and instantly every hat was raised and every eye was fixed on me. They passed on, and I turned and gazed as at a passing. vision. I had seen him. Although all my life used to the " pride, pomp, and circum- stance of glorious war"-to the gay and gallant Englishmen, the tartan'd Scott, and the embroidered German of every military grade; I still think the old blue and buff of Washington and his aids, their cocked hats worn side-long, with the union cockade, their whole equipment as seen at that moment, was the most martial of any thing I ever saw.
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