History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 8

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 8
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 8

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+ Minutes of the Provincial Congress and Committee of Safety, 1775- 76, p. 108.

egates from the several counties of the province as- sembled on Tuesday, the 23d of May, at Trenton, where, on the following day, they organized as " The Provincial Congress of New Jersey" by electing Hendrick Fisher president, Jonathan D. Sergeant secretary, and William Paterson and Frederick Fre- linghuysen assistant secretaries. Samuel Tucker was afterwards elected vice-president. It thus appears that all the principal officers of this first Provincial Congress were residents of Somerset County, except- ing the vice-president, who was of Hunterdon.

The number of delegates in attendance was eighty- seven. Those representing Hunterdon County were Samuel Tucker, John Mehelm, John Hart, John Stout, Jasper Smith, Thomas Lowry, Charles Stewart, Daniel Hunt, Ralph Hart, Jacob Jennings, Richard Stevens, John Stevens, Jr., Thomas Stout, Thomas Jones, and John Basset. The delegates attending from Somerset were Hendrick Fisher, John Roy, Peter Schenck, Abraham Van Nest, Enos Kelsey, Jonathan D. Sergeant, Frederick Frelinghuysen, and William Paterson. Another delegate who had been elected for Somerset, Nathaniel Airs (or Ayers), did not attend. Four of the deputies from Hunterdon and Somerset-viz., Messrs. Tucker and Mehelm of the former county, and Fisher and Roy of the latter -were also members of the Colonial Assembly of New Jersey for 1775.

The Provincial Congress remained in session at

# The record of the meeting at which the Somerset County delegates were elected is as follows :

" Pursuant to notice given by the Chairman of the Committee of Cor- respondence for the County of Somerset in New Jersey, the Freeholders of the County met at the Court-House the 11th day of May, 1775, Hend- rick Fisher, Esq., chosen chairman, Frederick Frelinghuysen clerk.

"1. Resolved, That the several steps taken by the British Ministry to enslave the American Colonies, and especially the late alarming hostili- ties commenced by the Troops under General Gage, against the inhabi- tants of Massachusetts Bay loudly call on the people of' this Province to determine what part they will act in this situation of affairs; and that we therefore readily consent to elect Deputies for a Provincial Congress to meet at Trenton, on Tuesday, the 23d inst., agreeable to the advice and direction of the Provincial Committee of Correspondonco.

"2. Resolved, That the number of Deputies shall be nine, aud that they shall be chosen by ballot.

" Adjourned for an hour.

" Four o'clock the people re-assembled.

" Ilendrick Fisher, John Roy, Esquires, Mr. Froderick Frelinghnysen, Mr. Enos Kelsey, Peter Schenck, Jonathan D. Sergeant, Nathaniel Airs, William Paterson, and Abraham Van Nest, Esquires, are appointed Dep- uties for this County, who, or any five of them, are hereby empowored to meet the Deputies from the other Counties in Provincial Congress at Trenton, on Tuesday, the 23d instant, and to agree to all such measures as shall be judged necessary for the preservation of our constitutional rights and privileges.

" Resolved, That the Deputies for this County bo instructed, and they are hereby instructed, to join with the deputies from the other Counties in forming such plan for the Militia of this Province as to them shall seom proper; and wo heartily agree to arm and support such a number of men as they shall order to be raised in this County.

" Resolved, That this Connty will pay the expenses of their Deputies who shall attend the Congress.

" Resolved, That Messrs. Tobine Van Norden, and Daniel Blackford be added to the Committee of Observation for the Township of Bridgewater. " By Order.

" FREDERICK FRELINOHUYSEN,

" Clerk."

HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES IN THE REVOLUTION.

Trenton eleven days. The most important business of the session was consummated on the day of ad- journment in the adoption of " a plan for regulating the Militia of this' Colony" and the passage of "an ordinance for raising a sum of money for the purpose therein mentioned,"-that is to say, for the purpose of organizing and arming the militia troops and pre- paring them for active service when necessary. The preamble and first three sections of the militia bill then passed were as follows:

"The Congress, taking foto consideration the cruel and arbitrary measures adopted and pursued by the British Parliament and presont ministry for the purpose of anbjugnting the American Colonies to the most abject sorvitude, and Iwing apprehensive that all pacific measures for the redress of our grievances will prove ineffectual, do think it highly necessary that the Inhabitants of this Province be forthwith properly artued and disciplined for defending the cause of American freedom. And further considering that, to answer this desirable end, It is requisite that such persons be Intrusted with the command of the Militin as can be confiden in by the people, and aro truly zealous in support of our just rights and privileges, do recommend und advise that the good people of this Province honceforward strictly observe the following rules und regu- lationn, until this Congress shall make further order thereio :

" Jat. That one or more companies, as the case may require, be inime- diately formed in each Township or Corporation, and, to this end, that the several Committees in this Province do, as soon as may be, acquaint themselves with the number of male inhabitants in their respective dis- tricta, from the age of sixteen to fitty, who are capable of bearing arms; and thereupon form them into companies, consisting as near as may be of olghty men ench ; which companies so formed shall, each by itself, as- semble and choose, by plurality of voices, four persons among them- selves, of suficient substance and capacity for Its officers,-namely, Que captain, two Hontenants, and an ensign.

"2d. That the officers no chosen appoint for their respective compa- nies fit persona to be sergeants, corporale, and druthers.

"30. That as soon as the companies are so formed the officers of such a number of companies os shall by them be judged proper to form n regi- mont do assemble and choose one colonel, one Heutenant-colonel, Q major, and an wljutant for each regiment."

The remaining five sections were devoted to the minor details of the plan of militia organization. The closing paragraph is as follows: " The Congress, taking into consideration the spirited exertions of the counties of Morris, Sussex, and Somerset in the raising of minute-men, do approve of, and thank them for, their zeal in the common cause, and will take the same into further consideration at their next meeting"; showing that bodies of minute-men had already been raised in the counties named. A minute- men organization was also formed in Hunterdon at about the same time.

The following resolutions of a meeting in Itills- borough township show the form in which action was taken in enrolling the militia in Somerset County. They are interesting as being the only memoranda referring to this carly period of the action of the people in defense of their liberties. The original was found accidentally among some old papers on a book- stand in New York.

" At a meeting of the principal Freeholders, and Officers of Militla, of the Township of Hillsborough, County of Somerset and I'rovince of New Jersey, hield this 3d of May, 1775, at the house of Garret Garretson, it was agreed us follows,-viz. :

"Ist. That the Companies of Militia this day assembled here do choose officers for their respective Companies.

"2. That the officers so devised shall choose officers for a Company of

Minute-Mon, who are to beat up for volunteers to raise sald Company, to consist of 60 men, who are to be exercised twice per week, and to bo ready at a minute's warning to march in defense of the Ilberty of our country.

"3d. That the men so voluntarily enlisting in sald Company shall receive one shilling and sixpence for every part of a day they are em- ployed in being exercised by any of their officers, and the officers in pro- portion.

" 4th. That in case said Company shall march In defense of their coun- try, the Captain to receive six shillings, the Ist Lieut. five shillings, tho 2d Ment. four shillings, and each of the Inferior officers, three shillings, all Proc. per day; with provisions and ammunition, and to those who are able, Arins; all the above money to be raised by tax on the lohabi- tanta of said Township, in the same manner the Provincial Taxes aro raised.

" 5th. In pursuance of the first article of the above agreement, tho Companies here assembled choose the following gentlemen their officers, -viz. :

" For the Hillsborough Company .- John Ten Eyck, Capt .; Peter D. Vroom, Lient. : Jacobus Quick, 2d Lieut.

" For the Millstone Company .- Hendrick Probasco, Capt .; John Smock, Ist Liout. ; Casparus Van Nostrand, 2d Lieut.

" For the Shannick Company .- William Ver Bryck, Capt. ; Roelif Petor- son, let Lient. ; Cornelius Peterson, 2d Lieut.

" For the Company of Grenadiers,-Cornelius Lott, Capt. ; John Bennet, Liout. ; Cornelius Von Derveer, 2dl Lieut. ; Garret Garrison, 3d Lieut.

" 6th, The above officers procooded, according to the authority given them in the second article, to the choice of officers for the Company of Minute-Men, when the following men were unanimously chosen : For Capt., Cornelius Lott; for Ist Lieut., John Nevius ; for 2d Liout., Garret R. Garrison.

" 7th. The officers of the Militia and the Committee of Observation are desired to meet together and appoint a Committee to provide the above Company with Arms nud Ammunition.

" Muy 16, 1775 .- The Officers of the Militia and the Committee of Ob- servation, having met, unanimously chose Hendrick Van Middlesworth, Conrad Ten Eyck, nud Direk Low, to provide ammunition for suid Com- pany, and urms for those that'nro not able to buy for themselves, and tho nforesuld gentlemen ure desired to tako £10 Proc in money on the credit of the Township, to buy 140 pounds powder, 120 pounds lead, and 210 flints; and if the sall Company should be called to march lo defense of their country, If not provided for, then the aforesaid Hendrick Van Mid- dlesworth, Conrad Ton Eyck, and Dirck Low are to find provisions on the credit of the township ns ubovo said.

" It is further agreed that the above agreement shall be subject to such alterations und additions as the Provincial Congress shall think proper. " By order of the Assembly.

"JOHN DASTIST DUMONT, Chairman, " PETER D. VROOM, C'lerk."

We give a list of the members of Capt. P. D. Vroom's company, enrolled after the above action ; it is evidently not complete, but it contains all now re- coverable : Jacobus Amerman, Albert Amerman, John Amerman, Thomas Auten, John Brokaw (lieu- tenant, killed*), Abraham Brokaw, Peter Brokaw (corporal), George Brokaw, Jacobus Bergen (cor- poral), Jacob Cook, Jacob W. Cook, Jacobus Cor- show, Bergun Coevert (fiter), Thomas Coevert (cor- poral), Peter Ditmas, Nicholas Dubois, Peter J. Dumont, Thomas Dwere, Jacobus Dubois, Minne Dubois (sergeant), William Griggs, Augustus HIarts- hough, Harmon A. Hoagland, Lucas Hoagland, Peter Hoagland, Direk Huff, Abram Low, Peter Leyster, Hugh MeAllum, Hendrick Post (sergeant), Peter Perlee, Thomas Skillman, Joakim Quick (ensign), Peter Quick (sergeant ), Abram Stryker, Jonathan Spader, Albert Stothoff, Benjamin Taylor (sergeant ), Willett Taylor, Abraham Taylor, Abraham Van Ars-

· Battle of Germantown, Oct. 1, 1775.

HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

dalen (sergeant), John Van Arsdale, Garrett Van Ars- dale, John Van Dyck, William Van Dyck, Andrew Van Middlesworth (sergeant), Tunis Van Middles- worth, Jacobus Van Nuyse, Coert Van Waggoner, Jacobus Voorhees, Rynier Veghte (lieutenant, Sec- ond Battalion; captain ditto), Peter Voorhees, Peter Vroom, Jacob Winter (corporal), Peter Winter, Coert Van Voorhees.

" At a meeting of the Committee of the Township of Hillsborough held at the house of Garret Garretsou, the 3d day of July, 1775, it was unanimously agreed that the boundaries of the Company called Millstone Company are as follows,-viz: Beginning at the mouth of Millstone River, thence along the said river to ibe house of Geretie Cordetry, tben along her westward bound to and still continuing westwardly to the house of Court Van Vorehase, then westwardly to a small brook, and thence down the said brook to the Amwell Road, then westwardly along the said road till it comes to the 2 rod road that leads to Millstone road, continuing along said road, thence along Millstone Road to Raritan Bridge, thence along the Raritan River to the place of beginning. "PETER D. VROOM."

The " ordinance," also passed on the last day of the session, and having for its object the raising of funds, principally for the purpose of carrying out the pro- visions of the militia bill, recited and declared that :

" Whereas, It has hecome absolutely necessary, in the present dangerous and extraordinary state of public affairs, in which the usual resources of government appear to be insufficient for the safety of the people, and in which the good people of this Province have therefore thought proper to choose Deputies in this present Congress, that a fund be provided for the use of the Province: We the said Deputies being persuaded that every iobabitant is willing and desirous to contribute his proportion of money for so important a purpose, do, pursuant to the powers intrusted to us hy the people, resolve and direct that the sum of Ten Thousand Pounds, Proclamation Money, be immediately apportioned and raised for the use aforesaid; the same to be apportioned laid out and disposed of in such manner as hereinafter is directed."

The amounts to be raised under this ordinance by the several connties of the province were apportioned to them as follows : Bergen, £664 8s. d. ; Burlington, £1071 138. 4d .; Cape May, £166 188. 0d .; Cumber- land, £385 68. 8d .; Essex, £742 188. 0d .; Gloucester, £763 28. 8d .; Hunterdon, £1363 16s. 8d .; Middlesex, £872 68. 8d .; Monmouth, £1069 28. 8d .; Morris, £723 88. Od .; Salem, £679 12s. 0d .; Somerset, £904 28. 0d .; Sussex, £593 5s. 4d.

Other sections of the ordinance pointed out the manner of assessing and collecting the tax, and pro- vided that when the amount collected in a county should be received by the county collector, he should pay the same over to the county committee, "to be disposed of by them in such manner as they in their discretion shall think most proper" to meet expenses arising from the exigencies of the times. After the adoption of these measures for the public safety it was by the Congress

" Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Daniel Innt, Mr. Fro- linghuysen, Mr. I. Pearson, Mr. Dunhum, Mr. Schureman, Mr. John Hart, Mr. Borden, Mr. Deare, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Schenck, Mr. Ralph Hart, and Mr. Heard, or any three of them, in conjunction with the President or Vice-President, bo a Committee of Correspondence, with power to con- vene this Congress."

Of the fourteen members composing this committee, seven were of the counties of Hunterdon and Somer-

set,-viz., Messrs. Fisher, Tucker, Hunt, Freling- huysen, Schenck, and the two Harts. Immediately after the appointment of the Committee of Corres- pondence the Congress adjourned, June 3, 1775.

It is a rather remarkable fact in the history of this Provincial Congress of New Jersey that, although one of its first acts was to declare that its members had "assembled with the profoundest veneration for the person and family of His Sacred Majesty George III., firmly professing all due allegiance to his rightful authority and government,"* the close of its first ses- sion was marked by the adoption of the most vigorous measures in preparation for armed resistance to that sovereign's authority.

Two weeks from the day on which the Congress of New Jersey closed its session at Trenton, a force of British regulars moved from Boston to Charlestown, and marched in splendid order and perfect confidence up the acclivity of Bunker Hill to attack the slight defenses of the patriot force that stood waiting for them in silence upon the summit. Twice were the scarlet lines hurled back in disorder down the slope, but as often did they re-form and return to the assault. Their third charge was successful; the provincial forces, undismayed, but with empty muskets and car- tridge-boxes, were at last forced from their position, and the soldiers of the king carried and held the blood-soaked crest. This event-the battle of Bunker Hill-is as well known and conspicuous in history as that of Marathon or Waterloo, and it was more im- portant in its results than either. Just before its occurrence Gen. George Washington had been ap- pointedt by the Continental Congresst commander- in-chief of the forces of the United Colonies, and immediately afterwards he assumed command of the army at Cambridge and disposed his thin lines to encircle the British forces in the town of Boston.

In less than a week after the memorable battle in Charlestown, the startling news had been received in Philadelphia, and was known in every township of New Jersey. In this alarming state of affairs the general Committee of Correspondence of the Province, exercising the powers intrusted to them, called a second session of the Provincial Congress, which body accordingly convened at Trenton on the 5th of August following. Eighty-three members were in attendance. Those of Somerset County were the same as at the previous session, except that Nathaniel Eyers,¿ who had been elected with the other delegates at the county-meeting of the 11th of May, was now present, in place of John Roy, who had attended the first session. The Hunterdon County deputies were

* Minutes of the Provincial Congress and Council of Safety, 1775-76, P. 171. + Juno 15, 1775.

# The Continental Congress had convoned in Philadelphia on the 10th of Muy, 1775.

¿ Elsowhere found spelled Airs and Ayors.

HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES IN THE REVOLUTION.

the same as at the May session, except that Abraham into regiments and battalions, and the number of Bonnell and Joseph Beavers were present in place of Jacob Jennings and John Basset.

each of these organizations to be appointed to the several counties ; established the order of their prece- The Congress at this session adopted a number of measures for promoting the public safety, the princi- pal of which were a resolution to provide for the col- lection of the ten thousand pounds tax ordered at the May and June session, and a resolution " for further regulating the Militia, etc.," the first named being the first business that was attended to after the opening dence ; prescribed the manner in which they were to be raised, armed, and governed ; provided for the col- lection of fines from " all effective men between the ages of sixteen and fifty who shall refuse to enroll themselves and bear arms," or who, being enrolled, should absent themselves from the muster, and di- rected how such fines should be applied. The troops of the session. It appears that many obstacles had ; directed to be raised and organized were to be equal been encountered in the collection of the tax, and that in a great number of instances payment had been avoided or refused. The Congress therefore (Aug. 5, 1775) resolved :* to about twenty-six regiments, apportioned to the dif- ferent counties as follows: The militia of Bergen County to compose one regiment ; of Essex, two regi- ments or four battalions; of Middlesex, two regi- "I. That the several persons appointed in pursuance of the ordinance of this Congress in their last session to collect the quotas of the several Townships, do pay the money by them collected to the County Collector on or before the tenth dny of September next; and If any persons within their respective districts shall have refused payment, that in such case they do mako and deliver in a list of names of the delinquents to their several Committees, together with their receipts and vouchers for the niney which they shall have paid to the aforesald County Collectors. ments; of Monmouth, three regiments ; of Morris and Sussex, each two regiments and one battalion; of Burlington, two regiments and a company of rangers ; of Gloucester, three battalions; of Salem, one regi- ment ; of Cumberland, two battalions; of Cape May, one battalion; of Somerset, two regiments; and of Hunterdon, four regiments. And it was provided " that the precedeney of rank in the militia shall take place in the following order : 1. Essex; 2. Sa- lem ; 3. Gloucester; 4. Morris; 5. Sussex; 6. Cape " 3. Resolved, That the respective Committees in this Colony do return 10 the Provincial Congress at their next session copies of the several Associations signed in their districts, ngreenblo to the former order of this Congress, together with the names of those who have signed tho snIno. May; 7. Monmouth; 8. Somerset; 9. Bergen ; 10. Cumberland; 11. Middlesex; 12. Ilunterdon ; 13. Burlington; and that, when there may be more than one regiment or battalion in a county, the precedency shall be determined by the county committee, accord- ing to their former seniority."

" 2. Resolved, That the several Committees do furnish the Provincial Congress at their next session with the names of all such persons within their districts as shall have refused to sign the Association recommended in the last Congress, or ono of a similni nature, and of all such as shoil * Invo refused to pay their respective appointments.

" 4. Resolved, That the Assessora and Collectors appointed to npportion and collect the said money do receive such reward for their labor and trouble thorein as the Assessors and Collectors aro by law ontitled to for nascesing and collecting the provincial taxes.

" 5. Resolved, That in ense any part of the sum of ten thousand Pounds, by the said ordinance directed to be raised, shall from the event of public affairs be found to bo unnecessary for the purposes thereby in- tended ; in such case the surpins be paid by the several County Commit- trew into the hands of the County Collectors appointed by act of As- sembly, to ho by them applied towards discharging the quotus of such Counties in the public taxes of the Province.

" 6. Resolved, That the several Committees to whom the disposal of the wdd money was, by the ordinance of the Inst session, Intrusted, do account to the Provincial Congress for their several disbursements, and the uses to which they may have been applied."

In adopting "the plan for further regulating the Militia, etc.," the Congress

" Resolved, 1. That the several County or (where there is no County) the Township Committees do transmit the names of all the Militin Off- cers chosen within their respective Districts to the I'ruvincinl Congress, or to the Committee of Safety, to be by them conunir-toned, agreeable to the directions of the Continental Congress.

" Resolved, 2. That all officers nhovo the rank of n Captain, not nlrendy chosen or appointed, pursuant to an ordinance of this Congress made at their Inat session, bo appointed by the Congress or, during their rocese, by the Committoo of Safety.

" Resolved, 3. That where the Inhabitants of different Townships have been embodied Into one Company, Battalion, or Regiment, before the 20th day of June Just, it is not the Intention of this l'ongreat that they should bo dissolved, provided they govorn themselves according to the rules and directions of the same."

Ten resolutions succeeding these above quoted di- rected the organization of the militia of the province

* Vide Minutes Provincial Congress and Council of Safety, 1775-76, p. 184.

Besides providing for the organization and arming of the militia, as above mentioned, the Congress re- solved :

" That for the purpose of effectually carrying into execution the recommendation of the Continental Congress respecting the appoint- mont of minute-men, four thousand able-bodied effective men be en- Hated and enrolled in the several counties in this Province, under off- cors to be appointed and commisdoned by this Congress or Committee of Safety, who ahnl hold themselves in constant readiness, on the shortest notice, to march to any placo where their assistance may be required for the defense of this or any neighboring colony."

These " minute-men" were to be enlisted for a term of four months, at the end of which time they were to be "relieved, unless upon actual service." They were given precedence of rank over the common mi- litia of the province, and whenever called into actual service were " to receive the like pay as the Continen- tal Army, and be furnished with camp-equipage and provisions ; and also be provided for, if wounded and disabled in the service of their country." Their otli- vers were to be nominated by the several county com- mitteés, or (in counties having no general committee) by the township committees jointly, "with assurance that as soon as their companies are completed, they shall receive commissions from the Provincial Con- gress, or the Committee of Safety." The organiza- tion of the " minute-men" was directed to be made in companies of sixty-four men each, including oth- rers, these companies to be formed into ten battalions

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 8

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