History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 21

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 21
USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 21

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HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

the more effectually to carry their scheme into execu- tion, unanimously appointed Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Dickin- son, Mrs. Forman, and Miss Cadwallader a commit- tee whose duty it was immediately to open a subscrip- tion and correspond with the ladies, hereinafter named, of the different counties throughout the State, request- ing their aid and influence in the several districts," the ladies so named to form a committee to promote subscriptions. The committee for Hunterdon County were Mrs. Vice-President Stevens, Mrs. Judge Smith, Mrs. Charles Cox, Mrs. R. Stevens, Mrs. Hanna, Mrs. Lowery, Mrs. I. Sexton, Mrs. B. Van Cleve, Mrs. Col. Berry, Mrs. Dr. Barnes ; county of Somerset, Lady Stirling, Mrs. Gen. Morris, Mrs. Cel. Martin, Mrs. Attorney-Gen. Paterson, Mrs. R. Stockton.

In the same month (June, 1780) a large force of French troops arrived, under Gen. Count Ro- chambeau, to take the field as auxiliaries of the Americans, and to operate under the orders of Wash- ington, who thereupon projected a joint attack on the British in New York, but afterwards aban- doned the project. On the Hudson the most notable events of the year were the culmination of Arnold's treason and the capture of the unfortunate Maj. Andre. Early in December the American army went into winter quarters.

In the summer of 1781 the American army and its French allies concentrated on the Hudson River, for the purpose, as it was understood, of making a com- bined attack on the British in the city of New York. They remained in the vicinity of Debbs' Ferry for about six weeks, during which time Washington aban- doncd the project (if he ever entertained it seriously) of attacking the city, and resolved instead to move the armies to Virginia to operate against Cornwallis. He, however, concealed his new plan, and wrote letters containing details of his pretended object to move against the city, intending that these should fall into the hands of Sir Henry Clinton. The result was as he had intended it to be. The letters were intercepted and taken to Clinton, who was completely deceived by them, and, continuing to watch the American force on the Hudson, failed to reinforce Cornwallis, as the latter had requested him to do. Meanwhile, Washington completed his preparations, and in the latter part of Angust crossed the Hudson at Verplanck's Point with the American and French armies, and marched rap- idly across New Jersey to Trenton, some of the troops passing through the Ramapo valley and Morristown, and others passing the Ringwood Iron-Works. The French forces took the route by the Hackensack val- ley to Newark and Perth Amboy, at which place they built ovens, constructed boats, collected forage, and made other movements indicating an intention to move on New York; but these were suddenly aban- doned, and the march was resumed to Trenton, where all the forces arrived before Clinton was aware of the significance of the movement. The American columns which took the upper ronte must have moved through

Somerset and Hunterdon, though the points which they passed in their march through these counties are not precisely known.

Crossing the Delaware at Trenton and the neigh- bering ferries in the morning of September 1st, the armies marched on towards Philadelphia, which city they passed through on the 2d, and on the 14th of September reached Williamsburg, Va., from which point Washington and Rochambeau went on board the French flag-ship the "Ville de Paris," in the York River, and there, with the French admiral, Count de Grasse, concerted the plan of the campaign which ended in the surrender of Lord Cornwallis with his army at Yorktown on the 19th of October.

The march of Washington's forces from the Hudson on their way to Yorktown in August, 1781, was the last movement of an army across the territory of Som- erset and Hunterdon Counties during the Revolution- ary conflict, unless we may count as snch the return of the New England and New Jersey troops, a few months later, after the surrender of Cornwallis ren- dered their presence in Virginia no longer necessary. The commander-in-chief, however, passed this way several times afterwards before the close of the war, the most memorable of these visits being made in the autumn of 1783, under the following-named circnin- stances : The preliminary articles of the treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain were signed on the 30th of November, 1782, the treaty to take effect on the 20th of January following. The cessation of hostilities was formally proclaimed on the 19th of April. Then arose the question of how the army could be disbanded in safety, for Congress was without means to pay the soldiers, and there was, ou that account, a general dissatisfaction among both offi- cers and men, and this was accompanied, in some quarters, by open threats of mutiny and violence. A band of Pennsylvania troops who had been discharged at the expiration of their term of service without re- ceiving their full arrears of pay became violent and insubordinate, and in spite of the remonstrances of their officers a body of thent marched from Lancaster to Philadelphia with the avowed purpose of forcing from the Continental Congress (which was then in ses- sion in that city) or from the Executive Council of the State a redress of their grievances. There were only about eighty of the malcontents, but on their arrival in Philadelphia, on the 20th of June, they were joined by other soldiers in the barracks of the city, by which mcans the whole number was increased to about three hundred, and with this augmented force they moved to the State-House, where both the Congress and the Council of the State were assembled. They proceeded at once to place guards at every door, and their leaders sent in a written message to the president and Council of Pennsylvania, to the effect that if their demands were not acceded to within twenty minutes the infuri- ated soldiery would be marched into the building and

WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS, 1783. AT ROCKY HILL, MONTGOMERY TR, SOMERSET Co., N.J.

HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES IN THE REVOLUTION.

let loose upon both bodies. The threat was not, how- ever, carried into execution, and the mutiny was finally quelled. It was more the State Council than Congress that was the object of their resentment, but the mem- bers of Congress considered that their body had been grossly insulted,-having been kept under duress for more than three hours,-and they at once resolved to adjourn from Philadelphia to Princeton, N. J. This was accordingly done, and in pursuance of the resolu- tion they convened in the library-room of Nassau Hall, at Princeton, on the 26th of the same month, and continued there during the remainder of the ses- sion. Some time after the removal to Princeton the president of Congress wrote to Gen. Washington, at Newburg-on-the-Hudson, asking his attendance be- fore that body to consult on the arrangements for peace, the disbandment of the army, and other public concerns. Leaving the army on the Hudson in com- mand of Gen. Knox, he at once repaired to Princeton and reported to Congress, when he was addressed by the president, who congratulated him on the success of the war in which he had acted so prominent and brilliant a part. In this address he said,-

" In other natioas many have performed eminent services for which they have deserved the thanks of the public. But to you, sir, peculiar praise Is due Your services have been essential in acquiring and estab- lishing the freedom and independence of your country. They deserve the grateful acknowledgments of a free and independent nation."

To this address the general made a brief and modest reply, and then retired.

Washington remained in attendance upon Congress until the early part of November, and during this time he occupied as headquarters a house which had been provided for his use at Rocky Hill, in Somerset County, some three or four miles from Princeton.t It was the residence of Judge John Berrien, located on elevated ground about a quarter of a mile east of the river, on the right hand of the road as it ascends from Rocky Hill village to the top of the hill towards Kingston. It is still standing, in much the same con- dition that it was in the days of the Revolution, ex- cepting that a veranda which formerly extended along the entire south side of the building has since been demolished. It belonged to the estate of the late William Cruser for many years, and is now owned by David J. Mount, Esq. The room occupied by Wash- ington as his headquarters and office remains just as he left it, and is kept for inspection by visitors. It was in this room that he received the committees, members of Congress, and other dignitaries in con- ferences on public affairs, and it was also in this room that he wrote his farewell orders and address to the armies of the United States. In that address, which

was issued from the headquarters at Rocky Hill on the 2d of November, 1783, he referred to the procla- mation of Congress of the 18th of October applaud- ing the armies for their virtue, fortitude, and magna- nimity, giving them the thanks of the country for their long and faithful services, and ordering their discharge from service after the 3d of November, and said,-

" It only remains for the commander-in-chief to address hiniself once more, and that for the last time, to the armies of the United States (how- over widely dispersed the individuals who composed thein may be), and to bid them an affectionate, a long, farewell. But before the commander-in- chief takes his final leave of those he holds most dear, he wishes to indulge himself n few moments in calling to mind a slight review of the past ; ho will then take the liberty of exploring with his military friends their fu- ture prospects,-of advising the general line of conduct which. in his opin- ion, onght to be pursued ; and he will conclude the address by expressing the obligation he feels himself under for the spirited nad alle assistance he has experienced from them in the performance of an arduous office. . . . And, being now to conclude these his last public orders, to take his ultimate leave in n short time of the military character, and to bid o final adieu to the armies he has so long had the honor to command, he can only again offer in their behalf his recommendation to their grateful country and his prayers to the God of armies. May ample justice be done them here, and may the choicest of Heaven's favors, both here and hereafter, attend those who, under the Divine auspices, have seenred innumerable bless- ings for others! With these wishes, and this benediction, the com- mander-ju-chief is about to retire from the service. The curtain of sep- aration will soon be drawn, and the military scene, to him, will be closed forever."

THE CURRENCY.

The currency had become largely depreciated. The dollar which in 1777 was worth seven shillings and sixpence, in 1780 passed for only threepence. We have had the use of an old list made as a memoran- dum of this progress of the downfall of the circulating medium, and append it as a curiosity. September, 1777, the Continental dollars passed for seven shil- lings and sixpence; October, ten shillings; Novem- ber, six shillings and threepence; December, five shillings and eightpence; January, 1778, five shil- lings and twopence; February, four shillings and eightpence ; March, four shillings and threepence ; April, three shillings and ninepence; May, three shillings and threepence; June, two shillings and tenpence ; July, two shillings and sixpence; August, two shillings and twopence ; September, one shilling and ten and one-half pence; October, one shilling and seven and one-half pence; November, one shil- ling and fourpence ; December, one shilling and two- pence; January, 1779, one shilling; February, ten and one-half pence ; March, ninepence; April, eight- pence ; May, seven and one-half pence; June, six. and one-third pence; July, sixpence; August, five and one-half pence; September, fivepence ; October, four and one-half pence ; November, fourpence; De- cember, three and one-half pence ; January, 1780, threepence; February, threepence ; March, two and one-half pence ; and up to the 15th of May, 1780, two and one-tenth pence, and then nothing. How tho people managed, in such a state of things, to sell or traffic at all is a mystery, and how the armies were kept in the field is almost a miracle. It is only an-

· When he returned to Nowburg, and thence, upon the evacuation of New York by the British (November 25th), moved bis headquarters to that city.

+ " We have it from tradition that there was assigned to Gen. Wash- Ington while he was in the village [ Princeton], attending upon Congress, a room in A. L. Martin's presont residence."-Hageman's History of Princeton.

HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

other confirmation of the adage, " what is to be done will be done." Robert Morris' immense fortune was often the only confidence which floated the Conti- nental currency and kept the armies in the field.

PATRIOTISM UNDER WAR BURDENS.

The following minutes of a public meeting at Mill- stone, about July, 1779, are interesting as evidence of the pressure of the burdens of the war, and the patri- otic spirit in which it was proposed to meet them :

" At a meeting of the electors of the County of Somerset, pursuant to notice hy advertisement on Thursday, 3d inst., at the Court-House of said county,

" The business of the meeting being introduced and discussed, the fol- lowing resolutions were adopted :

" Whereas, The concurrence of a variety of causes, the bills of credit emitted under authority of the United States in Congress assembled, have greatly depreciated in their value, and in addition to the quantity circu- lating will tend to increase such depreciation ; therefore

" Resolved, That a petition be presented to the Legislature, requesting them to make application to Congress on behalf of this State, that the emission of bills of credit be henceforth discontinued.

" Resolred, That the Legislature be requested to make npplication as aforesaid, that a plan be adopted and recommended for a general limita- tion of prices throughout the United States, according to which such prices may be diminished slowly from the present time or at stated pe- riods and by small differences, until the quantity of money be reduced by taxation to what is necessary for a circulating medium.

" And whereas, Taxation is the most natural and beneficial source from which to derive the supplies necessary for supporting the army and carrying on the war,

" Resolved, That the Legislature be requested to make application as aforesaid that requisitions of taxes be henceforward made on the States for the above purposes; aod that to avoid as far as possible the expense of purchasing in the modes hitherto practiced, and the necessity of such large circulations of money through the public treasury, a just quota of provisions, forage, and other necessaries for the army be laid upon each State in such kind as they are sevorally suited to produce, to be paid in the way of tax at regulated prices by those wbo raise them, while those who do not, pay a fair proportion in money.

" Resolved, That it be expressed to the Legislature as the sense of this meeting that on levying all future taxes and aids for the use of the State and Union in general, the assessments be made according to the value of all property possessed by each individual, it being reasonable that persons should be taxed for their money, their income, the faculty and means of acquiring property, or for any estate whatsoever.

" Whereas, There is great reason to believe that many persons em- ployed in various branches of the public department of the United States are guilty of mismanagement and fraud in the execution of their trust and applying the public money, nnd there heing no ready and regular mode presented by public authority, of which such us are disposed may avail themselves, to furnish the necessary information to those who have the power to correct such abuses and thereby prevent unnecessary in- crease of the public burdens,

" Resolved, That the Legislature be requested to direct some couve- nient and adequate means of collecting und transmitting to Congress, or to such Board or Committee by them appointed as may be adequate in point of jurisdiction, or to the executive power of the State in cases where that is competent, all such authentic evidences and documents as cun be procured, that the guilty may be punished and the faithful ser- vants of the public may be rescued from that indiscriminate consuro wbich the bad und unworthy bring upon all, and that we will exert our utmost endeavors for effecting so landable a purpose.

" Whereus, Virtue and good morals are not only productive of individual happiness, but Imve n great and extensive good effect npon the political state of every government when they are cultivated,

" Resolved, That we will by our example and influence endeavor to promote these, and will look upon it us the course of duty to support and strengthen the nrin of the civil authority in deterting und bringing to deserved punishment all such as are guilty of profanity, immorality, ox- travagance, idleness and dissipation, of extortion, sharping and oppres- sion, and of all such practices as tend to the unjust advantage of individ- uale and detriment of the community.

" Ordered, That a representation nnd petition to the Legislature be drawn up pursuant to these resolutions and signed by the chairman, and that the representatives of this county be requested to lay the same be- fore the respective house.

" Extracted from the minutes of proceedings and published by order. " WM. C. IIASTON, " Chairman."

RECORD OF PROCESSES AGAINST FORFEITED ESTATES IN SOMERSET, 1779.

The following is but a sample of many of the in- quisitions of the courts of both Hunterdon and Som- erset Counties during the Revolutionary period :

" Somerset, to wit. The State of New Jersey to Jacoh Berger, Frederick Frelinghuysen, and Hendrick Willson, commissioners duly appointed for said county on the part and behalf of the said State to take and dis- pose of for the use and benefit of the same, the estates of certain fugitives and offenders in the said county, or to any two or more of them, greet- ing:

" Whereas, Lately, that is to say of the term of Jannary, in the year of onr Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, in the Court of Common Pleas held at Hillsborough, io and for said county of Somerset, before the judges of the same court, find judgment was had and entered io favour of the said State of New Jersey, pursuant to Law, against Rich- ard Compton, Junior, late of the county of Somerset, on ao inquisition found against the said Richard Compton for joining the army of the King of Great Britain & returned to the said court, as may fully ap- pear of record; you are therefore commanded and enjoined to sell and dispose of all and singular the landa, tenements, & Hereditaments held in fee or for term of life, and generally all the estate real, of wbat nature or kind soever, belonging or lately belonging to the said Richard Compton, within the said county of Somerset, according to the direction of an Act for forfeiting to and vesting in the State of New Jersey tbe real estate of certain Fugitives & Offenders, made and passed the eleventh day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight.

" Witness, Peter Schenk, Esqr, Judge of the said Court, at Hillsbor- ough, the first Tuesday of January, in the year of our Lord [one tbou- sand]* seven bundred & seventy-nine.

" By the court,

" FRELINGHUYSEN, " Clk.

" Recorded April 1, 1779."

CHAPTER VII.

HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES IN THE REVOLUTION (Continued).

Continental Troops, First Establishment-Second Establishment-The "Jersey Line"-Recruiting-Officers and Muster-Masters-Regiments raised, and Their Officers-Militia-The Quotas of the Two Counties --- " Minute-Mcn"-Roster of Field- and Staff-Officers-Roster of Rev- olutionnry Soldiers from these Counties, who served in the State Mili- tia, and Continental Army.

TROOPS FURNISHED BY THE TWO COUNTIES DUR- ING THE WAR.

THE first Continental troops of the "Jersey Line," raised in 1775, were two battalions, designated the Eastern and Western, and subsequently the First and Second, Battalions. The First was commanded by Col. William Alexander (Lord Stirling), and, after his promotion to be brigadier-general, by Licut .- Col. William Winds, who was raised to the rank of colo-

* A clerical error.

HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES IN THE REVOLUTION.

nel; the Second by Col. William Maxwell. The following year a third battalion was added, which was placed under the command of Col. Elias Dayton. In the fall of this year (1776) a "second establishment" of troops from New Jersey for the Continental army was made, embracing four battalions, commanded by Cols. Silas Newcomb (succeeded by Col. Matthias Og- den), Isaac Shreve, Elias Dayton, and Ephraim Mar- tin. These formed " Maxwell's Brigade," commanded by Gen. (late colonel ) William Maxwell.

A new arrangement of the American army was ef- fected in 1778, under which, and during the campaign of 1779, the "Jersey Line" embraced three battalions. Feb. 9, 1780, Congress called upon this State for six- teen hundred and twenty men to supply the defi- ciency, in which volunteers were called for, large bounties offered, and recruiting-officers appointed for the several counties, those for Hunterdon and Som- erset being Capt. John Mott and Capt. Nathaniel Porter, the quota of Hunterdon being eighty-four, and of Somerset fifty-four men. The "muster-masters" were Maj. Joseph Brearley for Hunterdon County, and Col. Frederick Frelinghuysen for Somerset. The three regiments thus raised were commanded by Cols. Matthias Ogden, Isaac Shreve, and Elias Dayton, re- speetively. Each regiment contained six companies, and they were commanded as follows :

First Regiment .- Capts. Jonathan Forman, John Flahaven, Giles Mead, Alexander Mitchell, Peter G. , eight companies each, the assignment for Somerset

Voorhees, and John Holmes.

Second Regiment .- Capts. John Hollingshead, John N. Cumming, Samuel Reading, Nathaniel Bowman, Jonathan Phillips, and William Helms.

Third Regiment .- Capts. John Ross, William Gif- ford, Richard Cox, Jeremiah Ballard, Joseph I. . An- derson, and Bateman Lloyd.

Gen. Maxwell continued to command the Jersey Brigade until July, 1780, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Col. Elias Dayton, as senior officer, who commanded the same until the close of the war.

The news of the cessation of hostilities was an- nounced in the camp of the brigade April 19, 1783, and the Jersey Line was discharged November 3d of that year.

MILITIA.

At various times during the war New Jersey, by reason of its being continually exposed to the incur- sions of the British and the ravages of refugees and Indians, found it necessary to embody, as occasion required, a certain quota of volunteers from the mili- tia of the different counties. These men were held liable to duty when needed, not only in this but in aljoining States. These organizations were called "New Jersey Levies," " Five Months' Levies," but most generally designated as "State Troops." Ilun- terdon and Somerset Counties furnished the follow- ing:

Under the act, passed Nov. 27, 1776, for the raising

of four battalions, Somerset sent two companies, Hun- terdon four. Of the battalion, comprising these six companies and two from Sussex, David Chambers was colonel, Jacob West lieutenant-colonel, and Enos Kelsey major.

Under the call of Oct. 9, 1779, for four thousand volunteers to continue in service until Dec. 20, 1779, one regiment of ten companies was raised in Somer- set, Sussex, Morris, and Bergen, and another regiment of equal size in Hunterdon and Burlington Counties. Other calls were made,-viz., June 7th and 14th, for six hundred and twenty-four men cach, whose term was to expire Jan. 1, 1781; and Dec. 26, 1780, for eight hundred and twenty-four men, whose term was to expire Jan. 1, 1782; Dee. 29, 1781, four hundred and twenty-two men, for service until Dec. 15, 1782.

On June 3, 1775, the Provincial Congress of New Jersey passed an act providing a " plan for regulating the militia of the colony." This plan was still further considered and amended Ang. 16, 1775. After that date all officers were ordered to be commissioned by the Provincial Congress or the Committee of Safety. In the assignment then ordered Hunterdon had four and Somerset two regiments, "Minute-men" having been raised in Somerset and two other counties, in obedience to the recommendation of Continental Con- gress, this ordinance [of Ang. 16, 1775] ordered the several counties to furnish them, ranging from one to being five, and for Hunterdon eight companies,-being one-sixth of the number raised in the whole State. These companies of "minute-men" were "held in constant readiness, on the shortest notice, to march to any place where assistance might be required, for the defense of this or any neighboring colony." They were to continue in service four months. Their uni- form was a hunting-frock, similar to that of the ritle- men in the Continental service.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 21

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170