History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 117

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224

USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 117
USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 117

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The plundering of their horses and cattle entailed severe losses upon the people of Middlesex, the num- ber carried away or killed within its limits having been nearly eighteen hundred; and the affidavits accompanying the inventories reveal that in many cases this particular business was inspired or con- ducted by "refugees" and " Tories," who knew just where to lay their hands on the most valuable and serviceable animals, and who could thus wreak their revenge or retaliate their wrongs on their old neigh- bors or acquaintances. The enormous destruction of fencing and of growing or gathered crops was another noteworthy feature. In numerous cases not a panel of fence was left, the grain and hay were all carried off or destroyed, fruit-trees and orchards were hacked down, woodland was ravaged, and the most thrifty farm converted into a ruin of desolation. To aggravate the indignities which were heaped upon them, our people were often " pressed" by the British into the work of carting away the property and val- uables of their friends and neighbors. Numerous cases of this kind are interspersed over the old record we are considering. It sometimes happened that plundered articles and even captives were "held to ransom" by the British, or more probably by the mercenaries in their employment, though it generally happened that they contrived to carry away both the plunder and the money also by which it might have been redeemed. Thus John Ross, of Woodbridge, was robbed of "1 new Oyster craft and 3 oyster tongs by a British armed boat," but he was afterwards allowed to ransom it by the payment of six pounds. Daniel Dunn, of Piscataway, whose mare was taken Dec. 1, 1776, and kept till Aug. 1, 1777, was allowed to redeem her on paying two pounds five shillings. 31

And John Noe, of Woodbridge, who besides having his horse stolen was himself stolen, records that " he gave £6 ransom money for to let him go wheu taken a prisoner in January, 1777."

A clear notion of the character of these inventories, their exhibition of the honest exactitude of our an- cestors, and their illustration of the food, dress, household goods, and manner of life of the times can be best gained from an inspection of their curi- ous and precise details. As specimens I have made a literal transcript in the appendix1 to this paper of five different inventories, exhibiting the losses sus- tained by as many different and representative classes, of a prosperous mechanic, a well-to-do farmer, a wealthy merchant, a "lone woman," who was either a widow or a spinster, and of a gentleman of the old school. The last mentioned is the inventory of Mr. Ennis Graham, who lived near Bound Brook. He was not living when the appraisement was made, and his inventory was presented by his sister, who was his executrix. Her affidavit is so characteristic of the sex, and affords so graphic a picture of the time, that I repeat it in this place, as follows :

" MIDDLESEX COUNTY, &8. Personally appeared before ns the apprais- ere Elizabeth Graham and being duly Sworn deposeth and Saith that the Articles innumarated in this Inventory was taken from Ennis Gra- ham lo the best of this Deponents Knowledge and behalf, in tha follow- iog manner, that is to say : On the 24 of December 1776 their came to the house of the said Eunis Graham, then living near Boundbrouk in the County of Middlesex, three British Soldiers, in appearance, And de- manded of this said Ens Graham his watch which they took and rode off with, in the presence of this Deponent.

" That on or about the fifth of said month being the day a large body of Hessiane marched through Boundbrook on their way to Trenton or Pennyton A negro Fellow named Oliver the property of sd Enª Graham either went off to or was carried off by the Enemy or thair Adherents.

" That on the Evening of the 19th of said December thar came to the house of tha Said En' Graham, A party of British Soldiere called the Queen's Rangers, and Sundry Tory Refugees, commanded as they in- formed this deponent by one George H. Fisher, where besides abusing Sundries of the Family to the great endangering of their lives, they dug np in the Barn of the said En Grahanı (where the said Eunis Gram and this deponent had buried it) & Cheel or Box in which was contained the Cash, Plate, Watches and Jewelry &c mentioned in this said Inventory under the date of the 19th of December. That this deponent Saw them take Some of the things out of the box and put sowie in their pockete. And upon this Deponents importuning them not to take the things away, the above named George H. Fisher Damind the British Soldiers and ordered them to run this Deponent thro' with their Bayonets if She did not go into the House; npon which two of the Said Soldiers came and pushed with their Bayonets the said Deponent ont of the Barn, and drove the said Deponent and the said Ennis Graham into the House, and there stood with their Bayonets fixed close to the breast of this Depo- nent and of the Said Ennie Graham for a considerable time, till there was a Gun fired by the party at the Barn, upon which the said Soldiers went ont of the house, and the party at the Barn also went away. And when they were out of sight this deponent and the said Ennis Graham went to the barn and found the box which contained the Articles men- tioned nuder the 19th of Decr, entirely emptied and the property taken away. That ov or about the 23d of the said December the sd Ennis Gra- ham went from home to go to Brunswick to try if he could not recover some of his property, and as he was passing the Street there came up to him a British Soldier and Demanded his horse saying an Officer had seut him for it. Mr Graham went with the Soldier to the Officer who insisted upon having the Horse, Saying it looked like a good Strong Horse, and they wanted it for his Majestys Service. M' Graham remonstrated that he was a good way from home and could not walk it, he replied his

1 Omitted here on account of lack of space.

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

Majesties Service could not be retarded for any excuses, and then pointed to en old worn ont Horse (a mere Skeleton) and told him he might take that, perhaps it might carry him home. Mr Grahau finding there was no alternative took him, but as Soon as he got on his back the horse fell down with him, he however brought him home, where he died 800u after. This account this deponent had from the Suid Enuis Graham at his return, and verily believes it to be true.

" And this Depouent further declares that neither she nor the said Ennis Graham to her Knowledge or belief never received any Kind of satisfaction for any of the Articles Mentioned in thie Said Inventory (excepting as herein excepted) and further this Deponent saith uot.

"Sworn the 4th of Oct: 1782

" ELIZ GRAHAM

before me BENJN MANNING Appr."

A large proportion of those whose inventories. are preserved in this record of damages served as officers or soldiers in the patriot armies during the Revolu- tionary war, and with their relatives and friends seem to have been specially selected for spoliation by the British. In order that this may be made apparent, that the substantial character of the men who com- posed the Revolutionary armies may be seen, and that the names of these patriotic men may be pre- served, together with some record of their services and losses, I present a list of nearly two hundred of those whose inventories are given in this old manu- script and who served in a military capacity, with such brief particulars of their services and references to their losses as I have been able to gather which are noteworthy for their peculiarity.

William Applegate, of New Brunswick, was a pri- vate in the Middlesex milltia early in the war, and afterward in Capt. Voorhees' company of the Third Regiment of State troops. Notable among the things of which he was despoiled were " 2 Barrels of Bohea tea, about 100 pounds each," and "} Bbl. of Sugar, 100 1b.," besides damages to his house and fence. Mr. Applegate was an active officer of the Presbyterian Church at New Brunswick.

Samuel Ayres and Jacob Ayres, both of Woodbridge, were privates in the Middlesex militia. They escaped quite lightly, the losses of the former being chiefly cattle, sheep, and hay, and of the latter various arti- cles of female apparel, prominent among which were " 1 black Calamanco Cloak lined, new," and "1 Scar- let Cloak, part worn."

Reuben Ayres, of Woodbridge, served as a private in Capt. Asher F. Randolph's company of State troops. His barn was destroyed, his horses carried off, also a "good Gun," and other considerable losses.

Simon Addis, of New Brunswick, was first a lieuten- ant and afterward a captain in the Middlesex militia. The enemy rewarded his patriotism by running off his " three Milch Cows."

John Arnold, of Piscataway, was a private in the Middlesex militia. Apparently he was not in active service when he was pillaged, since the enemy carried off' his " Gun, Cartouch Box, and Bayonet," together with a " pair of holsters and a sword," besides a fine " four year old Sorrel Mare," valued at .£30.

Robert Armstrong, of South Brunswick, was a pri- vate in the Middlesex militia, and also records the loss of "a good gun, worth £4."

Joseph Brown, of Piscataway, was a private in Capt. Reuben Randolph's company of Middlesex militia. He was robbed of a number of small articles, mostly clothing and household utensils. Also "1 Small Bible, six shillings."

James Bishop, of Piscataway, served first as a pri- vate in the Middlesex militia, and afterward in the same capacity in the Continental army. Among his losings he records " 2 Guns and accoutrements."

John Brown, of Woodbridge, was a private in the Middlesex militia. The enemy visited him six times, and plundered him at each visit. Among his losses he recites thirty-one cattle, three horses, and a large number of sheep. In his inventory he states that the enemy killed " I calf of yr old & past & wounded 2," evincing that their destruction of his property was to a certain extent wanton.

Solomon Brecount, of Woodbridge, who was a pri- vate in Capt. Asher F. Randolph's company of State troops, was plundered on three separate occasions. The enemy stole his horses, destroyed his apple or- chard of fifty trees, and burnt his fencing.

Daniel Brecount, of Woodbridge, was a private in the Middlesex militia, was visited twice, and each time robbed of a horse.

Moses Bloomfield, of Woodbridge, was a private in Capt. Asher F. Randolph's company of State troops, who was greatly harassed by the enemy. He was plundered at five different times, robbed of ten cattle and seven horses, and his property laid waste. Among his losses he recounts the astounding item of "32 shirts, part homespun and part bought linen," to- gether with such articles of finery as "2 pr. of Silver Shoe Buckles, a pair of Silver Knee buckles, a Silver Stock buckle, and 3 large new Silver Spoons." The enemy also despoiled his neighbor, James Bonny, who was a captain in the Middlesex militia, of " 4 Silver tea-spoons."

Ezekiel Bloomfield, of Woodbridge, was a private in the Middlesex militia, and was twice visited by the British and their adherents, when he was pillaged of . his horses, cattle, hogs, and poultry ; his windows and doors were broken, the weather-boards stripped off his house, his fencing and hay were destroyed, and his trusty "gun" appropriated.

Cornelius Baker, of Woodbridge, was another long- suffering private in the Middlesex militia. Besides his horses, hogs, sheep, and poultry, he chronicles among numerous other things the loss of "A new pair of Velvet Breeches," and "a pair of boots almost new," "3 Large Silver Shoe Buckles and 1 do. Knce buckle," together with "40 Galls. of Rum, Brandy, and Gin," and " £10 in cash, greatest part hard."

Jonathan Bloomfield, of Woodbridge, was a private in the Middlesex militia, as was also Thomas Bloom- field, of the same place. They were plundered on several different occasions, of horses, cattle, crops, and household goods.

Alexander Cotheal, of Woodbridge, was a private

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MIDDLESEX COUNTY IN THE REVOLUTION.

in the Middlesex militia. The enemy carried off his cattle, sheep, and hogs, robbed him even of his "2 beds and bedding," and burned his dwelling-house and barn.

Isaac Cotheal, of Woodbridge, was a private in Capt. Marsh's company of light-horse, and a much aggrieved patriot. He was not only himself taken prisoner near his home, April 19, 1777, but in July of that year his schooner of "about 42 tons bur- then, loaded with pork, flower, and butter," with his " negro boy 12 years of age £50," were carried off; and the rapacious maranders also stole his silver watch, which he assures us was "good and cost £8 108.," a " new pare of Leather Britches," and " 6 pare of An- keen and Drillin D° new," "a dozen of Shirts new," "6 Wastcoats Ankeen and Striped Silk, good," and "2 Coats, 1 Ankeen and 1 Cloth." From all which it would seem that this worthy patriot was careful of his personal appearance, at least in the matter of his attire.

Ephraim Compton, of Woodbridge, was a private in the Middlesex militia, and paid dearly for it. He was literally despoiled of everything. His inventory consists of over one hundred entries, and comprises his crops, horses, and cattle, his household and farm- ing utensils, his bedding, and his own and his wife's clothing. Among the items are " 2 Common Bibles, 1 Testament, and 1 Psalm Book." So that he was bereft of even these sources of consolation. Only his buildings were spared.

Gabriel Compton, of Woodbridge, was a still greater sufferer. He was a private in the Middlesex militia. His dwelling-house, " Large Dutch Barn," corn-crib, and cider-mill were burned to ashes, and a clean sweep made of his crops, cattle, horses, fencing, wagons, clothing, and household and farming uten- sils. He seems to have been literally stripped of everything. He makes special mention of " A silver hilted sword, musket, and bayonet," of "1 worked pocketbook with £9 cash in it," and of "1 ditto with 20/ hard money and 8 Dollars paper in it."

Samuel Crow, of Woodbridge, was successively a captain in the First Regiment of Middlesex, first major and lieutenant-colonel in the same. His prop- erty was twice visited by the enemy and relieved of a number of articles of little value.

Joseph Crowell, of Woodbridge, was first a private in the Middlesex troop of light-horse and then in the Continental army. He was plundered on three different occasions, principally of horses and cattle.

Edward Crowell, of Woodbridge, was a private in the Middlesex militia, and came off with compara- tively light loss, having been plundered of a horse only.

Jeremiah Clarkson, of Woodbridge, was first a private in the Middlesex militia, then in Capt. Asher F. Randolph's company of State troops, and lastly in the Continental army. He laments the loss of " a fine mare 6 years old, near 15 hands high."

Stephen Cutler, of Woodbridge, a private in the Middlesex militia, was plundered twice, each time of articles of small value.

David Chambers, of South Brunswick, captain in the Third Middlesex Regiment, was plundered of articles of slight value.

John Chamberlain, of Windsor, is one of the few who are dignified in the "Record of Damages" by the title "Esquire." Nevertheless he was only a private in the Middlesex militia. He was twice plun- dered, the first time of " £8 1. in hard money, 1 Silver Watch good," and " 1 good 4 Horse Waggon." The second time he chronicled the loss of " £1000 Conti- mental Money," appraised at £15 138. 4d., " 3 Silver Shoe Buckles, & 3 do. Stock do," " } doz. Teaspoons & 3 pr. do Sleeve-buttons," besides " 1 Gun and Bayonet & 1 lb. of powder, and 1 or 2 lbs. of shot and 2 powder horns." He also reports the loss of twenty -one shirts, and hence, possibly, his appellative of " Esquire."

John Conger, of Woodbridge, was a private in the Middlesex militia, and was several times a victim to British rapacity or thirst. He is another of those upon whom was conferred the rare title " Esquire," although there is no evidence that he was the distin- guished owner of as many shirts as his brother patriot Chamberlain. Evidently he was a well-to-do person, since he had stored in his cellar "4 Hhds. of Cider, Pipe Madeira Wine, 10 Galls. Brandy, 7 Galls. Ja- maica Spirits, } Barrel of Cherry Rum, and } of a Bar- rel of Porter." These were sufficiently patrician be- longings, certainly, to cause him to be dubbed " Es- quire," unless he derived the title from the exercise of the then important and highly respectable function of an inn-keeper. Be this as it may, the enemy imbibed or carried away his liquors, and then gave evidence of their potency by destroying his barn, damaging his house, tearing down and burning the fencing on his garden and farm, and finally by smashing fifty panes of glass in his windows. There can be little doubt that his liquors were good, judging by their effect upon his unwelcome visitors.

Dugal Campbell, of Woodbridge, was a private in the Middlesex militia. Among the articles of which he was plundered were his hay and cattle, and "1 Gun and bayonet and Cartridge-box, 2 Knapsacks, and 2 Canteens."

Samuel Compton, of Woodbridge, was a private in the Middlesex militia, and suffered severely from the enemy. They burned his "Grist-mill, Dwelling- House & Barn, worth £355," together with 1022 pan- els of fence, and cut down "8 acres of good Wood and Timber ; also 50 bearing Apple-trees."

There were ten of the Drake family in the military service of their country in various capacities. They all escaped the ravages of the enemy with the excep- tion of George and Ephraim, both of Piscataway, who were robbed of their horses, cattle, and household goods generally.

Elijah Disbrow, of South Amboy, was a private in

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

Capt. Morgan's company, Second Regiment, of Mid- dlesex. He lost " Two Skiffs, one a new large Skiff, the other a small one."

The Dunn family seem to have been specially selected by the enemy for their attentions, no less than eleven of them having been plundered ont of fif- teen who were soldiers in the patriot army. Among these were the following :

Daniel Dunn, of Piscataway, a private in the Mid- dlesex militia, presents a long list of sundries stolen, including the rare luxury for those times of "1 Set of China Tea-Cups and Saucers, & a large China bowl, £10."

Benjamin Dunn, of Piscataway, a private in the Middlesex militia, was a heavy sufferer, his inven- tory footing up over £700. Besides his horses, many head of cattle, and a great store of grain and hay carried off, "650 Trees and Saplings cut down," "200 acres of land mowed and pastured," "Firewood ent and drawed for 2 large fires and one small one for 5 months," and 5378 rails and stakes destroyed, he re- counts the loss of "1 Stout Negro Man, 30 years of age, £100," "1 Large Looking-Glass, 3 by 2 feet, broke, £8," his "Gun, Cartouch box, Bayonet, and 3 Cutlasses," and his valuable library, consisting of two books, "Salman's Gazetteer and Harry."

Hugh Dunn, of Piscataway, was a captain in the First Middlesex Regiment, and was twice spoliated, principally of his "stock," grain, and household goods. Though he was not despoiled of his stout negro man, as was the case with Benjamin, he pa- thetically bewails the loss of a "New Coat for my Negro," as doubtless also did that sable chattel. Be- sides he lias an item of "Wood for One fire for a picket of 25 men for 5 months £5," showing that his farm was the point at or near which the British out- posts were quartered.

John Dunn, of Piscataway, was first a major in Col. Heard's battalion of "minute-men," afterwards a major in Col. Samuel Forman's battalion of " De- tached Militia," and subsequently first major of the First Middlesex Regiment. He was plundered of his horses, grain, farming utensils, household goods, etc., to the extent of £313 58. 5d. Among his losses he enumerates "£18 in Continental Cash," "1 Clock without the case, of the best kind, £30," and "1 Do. with the Case £16."

Jeremiah Dunn, of Piscataway, a private in the Middlesex militia, was robbed of his horses, cattle, crops, etc., to the amount of £113 3d. But Micajah Dunn, of the same place, who was a lieutenant-colonel in the First Middlesex Regiment, did not suffer in proportion to his superior rank, his entire loss being a horse, two guns, one great-coat, and a pair of shoes.

The Dunhams were generous contributors to the cause of independence, fifteen of their number having served in the army in various capacities, and nine having been spoliated by the enemy. Among thesc last were the following :

Azariah Dunham, of New Brunswick. Before the war he was a civil engineer, and was largely employed in that capacity by private parties, the Legislature, and other public bodies. In May, 1775, he was elected a member of the Colonial Assembly, and during that year proceeded to the city of New York to confer with other patriotic delegates from the sister colonies as to the measures to be adopted for the preservation of their menaced liberties. He was a member of the first Provincial Congress of New Jersey in 1775-76, and was appointed by that body one of the "Committee of Safety," which exercised extraordinary powers in its recess. As a member of the Provincial Congress he served on numerous im- portant committees, and drafted and reported various weighty measures. Among these were " a resolution respecting apprehending deserters from the Conti- nental troops," an "ordinance to compel payment of a tax of £10,000 from such persons as have refused to pay the same," an ordinance premitting £30,000 of credit," and an ordinance for the " manufacture and purchase of saltpetre." In 1775-76 he was ap- pointed to review and muster in the troops raised in the province, and was made one of the committee to adjust and settle the accounts of powder furnished to Earl Stirling by Somerset, Brunswick, Woodbridge, and Elizabethtown. In 1776 he was lieutenant- colonel of the Second Battalion Middlesex militia, but resigned from it to devote himself to the duties of "superintendent of purchases" for the province, of commissioner to raise troops, and a commissioner to sign bills of credit for the Eastern Department of New Jersey, positions to which he had been elected by the Provincial Congress, and which he filled till the close of the war. Before the enemy occupied New Brunswick he had been able to remove his plate and valuables to the Ford mansion at Morristown (his wife was Mary Ford); but one of the British officers was quartered in his house, and he was plundered of household goods to the value of £218. His father, Rev. Jonathan Dunham, a venerable man of eighty, residing in Piscataway, was also plnndered to the amount of £80.

Elisha, Jonathan, Josiah, and John Dunham, of Woodbridge, and David, David, Jr., and Samuel Dunham, of Piscataway, were all of them privates in the Middlesex militia, and experienced the tender mercies of the British. The three last named had their houses and barns burned after having been first pillaged, their grain, etc., carried off, and twenty-five thousand rails and stakes destroyed, footing up for the three an aggregate loss of about £1000.

William Davison, of South Brunswick, was a ser- geant in Capt. Morgan's company of the Second Mid- dlesex Militia, and was plundered of two horses and a wagon, the latter of which he assures us was "as good as new."

Cornelius Dehart, of South Brunswick, was a private in the Middlesex militia. He was visited by a

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foraging party of the enemy, who stole his " seed wheat and rye," and after their virtuous perform- ances warmed themselves over a good fire made of his " rail fence."

James Debow, of South Brunswick, was a captain in the Middlesex militia. His losses were not heavy, but still comprised his cattle, swine, and clothing, besides a general destruction of his windows and shutters.

Jonathan Deare, of Princeton, at the outset was first major of the First Middlesex Regiment and subsequently its lieutenant-colonel. He resigned in March, 1778, having been elected collector of customs for the Eastern District of New Jersey. He was a prominent lawyer. The enemy made a full sweep of his household goods and his orchards and cellars. Among the former were a "number of law and other books value of £40," and among the latter "1 hamper of wine in bottles, 6 Dozen," some of his pillagers evidently having been of a studious and others of a convivial turn of mind.

William Evans, of New Brunswick, a private in the Middlesex militia, was twice visited and relieved of sundry luxuries, among which were " I Set of Cups and Saucers best quality," "Cash in silver 12/6, and in Continental money 40/," a "pair of gold locket sleeve-buttons and a gold finger-ring," and " several fine books," the authors not named.

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 117

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts Number of Pages: 1224

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224