USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of the city of Trenton, New Jersey : embracing a period of nearly two hundred years, commencing in 1676, the first settlement of the town, and extending up to the present time, with official records of the population, extent of the town at different periods, its manufactories, church history, and fire department > Part 32
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They issued the following address :
"FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS: We cannot too often recollect the principles which gave rise to the present revolu- tion : principles as pure and dignified as ever actuated a people. As long as they remain, this country cannot be conquered ; the moment they become extinct, we are gone. There has been a time when the infamous traffick and intercourse pointed to in the above association would not have been suffered to exist a week ; we hope to see that time revived. We are all convinced of the pernicious effects produced by it. We see it destroying that simplicity of manners which is the glory of a republican government. We see it poisoning the principles and morals of the community. We see it draining off that money with which we ought to pay our taxes, and without which all the publick movements must stop. We see it increasing the number of our secret enemies, by means of the powerful allurements of gain. That the system of the war is changed from force to cunning, is known to all ; that the latter is the more dangerous, is equally known ; one secret enemy is worse than ten open ones, particu- larly in the present posture of affairs. As friends and fellow citizens, we request your exertions. In times of peace it is com-
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paratively easy to support good order ; in times of publick com- motion, the exertions of every individual are more necessary. Every one can do something ; and every one ought to do all he can. The vigorous and attentive execution of the laws against vagrant and idle people, of the act passed twenty-fourth of June last, to prevent illicit trade and intercourse with the enemy, and of the act of the tenth of June, 1779, to prevent persons travel- ing through the state without the proper passports, seems par- ticularly requisite. This we ought especially to do, and at the same time to leave nothing else undone. The labor is great, but the object is greater. The safety of our country calls loudly upon us. Let us recollect who we are. Let us recolleet what we contend for ; perseverance, prudence, and resolution will insure us success.
" On behalf of the committee.
" ROBERT L. HOOPER, JR. " Trenton, 12th July, 1782."
" The inhabitants of Trenton, and of the country adjoining, will please to meet at the court-house, on Friday the 19th inst., at four o'clock in the afternoon, upon business respecting an association to prevent trade and intercourse with the enemy.
" Pursuant to the above notice, the inhabitants of this place, and the country adjoining, met at the court-house on Friday the 19th instant.
"Samuel Tucker, Esq., was appointed chairman.
" The association to prevent illicit trade and intercourse with the enemy being read and considered, the fourth article was altered to read as follows :
' " We will avoid, as far as possible, all intercourse, communi- cation, and dealings with such as may be concerned in trading with the enemy, or who may be justly suspected of being so concerned.'
" The whole being then unanimously approved, was subscribed by all present.
" A committee of nine was appointed for the purpose of carry- ing the objects of the association into the most effectual execu- tion, to continue two months, and to meet for the first time on Monday, the 22d instant.
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
" The gentlemen elected were Samuel Tucker, William C. Houston, Robert L. Hooper, Jr., Esq., Colonel John Neilson, Mr. Robert Neil, Mr. Benjamin Smith, Captain John Mott, Captain Israel Carl, and Mr. John Reeder.
" The committee were authorized to call a general meeting of the associators, whenever circumstances, in their opinion, render it necessary.
" SAMUEL TUCKER, Chairman."
Monday, July 22d, 1782, the committee met. : Robert Lettis Hooper, Jr., Esq., was appointed chairman.
" Agreed, that such parts of the laws of the state to prevent persons from coming into, or traveling through the same, with- out proper passports, as may appear most immediately necessary, be published in the 'New Jersey Gazette' as soon as possible, to the end that all may be informed thereof.
" Resolved, unanimously, That it is the duty of all, and particu- larly of this committee, and of every associator, to be vigilant and active in putting the laws in execution against suspected persons and others, traveling without proper passports ; in giving information, assistance, and support to those who are vested with proper authority, for restraining and furnishing such as do not pay proper attention to the laws, or encourage, in the remotest degree, directly or indirectly, any trade or intercourse with the enemy; and that the greatest care ought to be taken, on the other hand, to avoid everything inconsistent with prudence, good order, and the vigorous execution of which is the great object of the association.
" By order,
" ROBERT L. HOOPER, Jr., Chairman."
Saturday, the 28th of September, the period for which the committee of the associators were appointed, having expired, a meeting was called by the chairman, at the court-house, at three o'clock in the afternoon of said day, which was adjourned to the next Saturday, October 5th, at which time the committee again met, with Mr. Stacy Potts in the chair, when it was re- solved unanimously, "That we will, to the utmost of our power and influence, discourage the use of all British manufactures
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
whatsoever, except prize goods legally condemned, and encour- age the use of those of such nations as are in. alliance with the United States, and friendly to their cause ; regarding this not only as the best means of putting a total stop to all traffick and intercourse with the enemy, but as a great political duty, and a just tribute of gratitude to those who have given us their assist- ance in the day of our distress.
" Resolved, unanimously, That we look upon a punctual pay- ment of our taxes as one of the best means, under Providence, to put a speedy end to the present war, and disable the enemy from making further attempts upon our liberties; and that we will, to our utmost, promote and further the same.
"Resolved, That the committee first chosen be continued, and in order more fully and certainly to carry the design of this association into effect, that six members be added.
" The following are the names of the members added : Messrs. John Bell, Charles Axford, Jr., Conrad Kotts, Ebenezer Rose, John Howell, and Joseph Tindall.
" By order of the association.
" STACY POTTS, Chairman."
The ratification of the treaty of peace caused the most un- bounded enthusiasm throughout the country. Public meetings were held, bonfires and beacon lights illuminated the heavens from one end of the country to the other. As hostilities had commenced on the 19th of April, 1775, in many places the peace, so happily concluded, was celebrated on the 19th of April, 1783.
At Princeton, the people met in the college hall, where an excellent discourse, suitable to the occasion, was delivered by the venerable Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, to a very numerous audience. Entertainments were prepared at the houses of Mr. Hyer and Mr. Beekman, at three o'clock in the afternoon of that day, at which time the company divided and repaired to each house, and after dinner numerous toasts were drank, and cannon discharged.
At seven o'clock in the evening the houses in the town were splendidly illuminated, in many of which great taste was displayed in the arrangement of the lights.
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
At eight o'clock the infantry company of the town fired thirteen volleys, with great regularity and exactness, after which the company retired, having spent the day with that fes- tivity, decency, and good order which characterize a free and virtuous people.
The thirteenth toast was as follows :
" May the recollection of the 19th of April, 1775, the 4th of July, 1776, and the 3d of February, 1783, prove a terror to tyranny and oppression throughout the world."
On the same day the glorious peace was celebrated at Borden- town, at Colonel Okey Hoagland's, at twelve o'clock. The governor's proclamation was read, after which thirteen cannon were fired, succeeded by three huzzas of the people, with every expression of real joy.
At three o'clock they dined at Colonel Hoagland's, when thirteen toasts were drank, accompanied by the discharge of artillery and small arms.
At seven o'clock in the evening the houses were beautifully illu- minated, more particularly the house and academy of the Rev. Burgis Allison, whose windows were ingeniously decorated with the following transparent paintings :
Ist. The sun, in its meridian splendor, shedding his rays on the segment of a globe comprehending North America, with this motto-" Shine on this Happy Land."
2d. The portrait of His Excellency General Washington, encompassed with thirteen stars, representing the United States of America, with this motto-" Independent, United, and Free," above ; and " Success to our Allies," below.
3d. Peace, represented by implements of husbandry, and a dove with an olive branch; motto-"They shall beat their Swords into Plough-shares, and Spears into Pruning-hooks."
4th, Plenty, represented by two cornucopias of fruit and flowers, the cornu supporting a festoon, two wheat sheaves, and a basket of fruit.
5th. The crown of France, in the middle of three fleur de lis, with this motto-" Long live Louis XVI."
6th. A trophy adorned with British arms, drums, and inverted
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standards ; motto-" The Spoils of our Foes ;" over which was Fame, flying, with a trumpet, and the words, " America shall be Free," issuing from it.
7th. Britannia, sitting in a disconsolate posture, pointing at her broken spear, and saying, (by a label), " Alas ! I've lost America." Mars, standing with his sword extended over her, saying, (per label), "I've Humbled thy Pride."
8th. America, in the figure of an Indian, with his bow and arrow by his side, and the British crown carelessly lying at his feet ; Mercury standing by him, presenting him with a laurel crown, saying, (per label), " The Laurels Thou Hast Won."
The evening closed with a ball for the further entertainment of the ladies.
At New Brunswick, the same day was celebrated ; the morning was ushered in by the display of colors and the ringing of bells.
The foot militia, under Captain Guest, and the artillery, under Captain Supp, paraded the streets and marched to the common, attended by a numerous concourse of citizens. Thirteen can- nons were discharged, followed by the musketry.
Rev. Israel Reed, of the Presbyterian Church, delivered a discourse in the Dutch Church, from Ecclesiastes, vii., 14, "In the day of prosperity be joyful." In the afternoon an en- tertainment was served up at White Hall tavern, and at the house of widow Haffert ; thirteen toasts were drank. At half- past six o'clock the companies retired.
A curious and magnificent bonfire was lighted up in the even- ing, consisting of sixteen tar barrels, supported by separate poles of a great length, all of which being set on fire at the `same in- stant, together with a large quantity of combustibles collected around the tallest pole, really exhibited a splendid and brilliant appearance, which could only be exceeded by the superior taste displayed by the ladies in illuminating the town.
At Cranberry the celebration took place on Tuesday evening, the 15th inst., at the Sign of the Thirteen Stars, present among whom was Rev. Thomas Smith. An elegant entertainment was served up at the house of Mr. Thomas Nixon, of which all pres- ent partook. After the cloth had been removed, the usual num- ber of toasts (thirteen) were drank.
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
On Wednesday, the 16th, the inhabitants of the township of Amwell assembled at Snyder's tavern. At noon thirteen can- nons were discharged, succeeded by the cheers of the people. After dinner the usual number of toasts were drank.
At Woodbridge, New Broomley, Mount Pleasant, and other places similar demonstrations were held.
The celebration at Trenton came off on Tuesday, the 15th of April. His Excellency Governor Livingston, the honorable the vice president of the state, with several members of the legisla- ture, the judges of the Supreme Court, and other magistrates, together with a great number of the inhabitants of the town and vicinity, met about eleven o'clock, at the house of Mr. Wil- liams, from whence they, with the trustees, directors, and stu- dents of the academy, went in procession to the court-house, where the governor's proclamation, declaring a cessation of hos- tilities, was publicly read, after which thirteen cannons were fired, succeeded by the cheers of the people.
At twelve o'clock, divine service was attended, where a dis- course adapted to the occasion was delivered by the Rev. Elihu Spencer, D. D., before a very numerous audience. At three o'clock P. M., his excellency the governor, with a number of the gentlemen of the town, repaired to the house of Mr. Fran- cis Witt, where, as well as at the houses of Mr. Williams and Mr. Cape, entertainments were provided for the occasion. After dinner the following toasts were drank :
I. "The Glorious Peace of the 3d of February, 1783."
2. " The United States of America."
3. " His Most Christian Majesty."
4. " The United Netherlands."
5. " The General and the Army."
6. "General Greene and the Brave Troops under his Com- mand."
7. "The American Commissioners at Paris."
8. " Count de Rochambeau and the French Troops who served in America."
9. " The Marquis de Lafayette, and all such Distinguished Patriots.
IO. " All the Whigs in America."
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
II. "Agriculture, Trade, and Navigation."
12. "The Memory of all those who have lost their Lives in Defence of our Liberties."
13. "The state of New Jersey, may she ever stand distin- guished as a pattern of Virtue, Public Spirit, and Strict Justice to all who have generously supported her in the hour of difficulty."
CHAPTER XXIV.
Every Man a Soldier-To Provide Himself a Musket, and all the Necessary Ammunition-First Organized Military Compa- nies-Names of the Different Military Companies and their Officers, from 1776 to 1870-The Late Rebellion-Number of Men Liable to do Military Duty in the State-Number of Men Sent into the Field-Excess Over all Calls Made by the Ex- ecutive of the United States-Expenses of Fitting Them Out- Soldiers' Children's Home.
P REVIOUS to the American revolution we know but very little of the military of our state-in fact, we can find no state records that there were, previous to that eventful struggle, any organized companies in our city. Every man was consid- ered, under the old English law, as enrolled for military duty.
Under the grants by Berkley and Carteret, in the year 1664, every freeman was " to provide himself a good musket, bore twelve bullets to the pound, with ten pounds of powder, and twenty pounds of bullets, with bandiliers and match convenient." Every able man servant he should carry with him, was to be armed and provided in the same way.
And although the military spirit was fully aroused during the revolution, we cannot learn from the state records that more than two regularly organized military companies existed in Tren- ton, until the year 1806.
The following were called the first battalion, foot militia of Hunterdon county, Isaac Smith, colonel.
The first company here mentioned was organized June 17th, 1776. The officers were John Hunt, captain ; Henry Mershon,
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
first lieutenant ; Ralph Laning, second lieutenant ; Eli Moore, ensign.
The second company was organized June 19th, 1776. Wil- liam Tucker, captain ; John Fitch, first lieutenant ; Isaiah Yard, second lieutenant ; Joseph Clunn, ensign.
Between the years 1806 and 1808, there were five regularly organized military companies in what is now comprised in the city of Trenton ; three of these were in Hunterdon county, north of the creek, and two in Burlington county, south of the creek, although at that time the two sections comprised less than five thousand inhabitants.
In the township of Nottingham, now comprising the third, fourth, and sixth wards of Trenton, was the second company of the second regiment of the first battallion. This company was organized April 26th, 1806. Its officers were Samuel Redman, captain ; John Sutterly, lieutenant, and William Lloyd, ensign. This company, although located in the township of Nottingham, was attached to the Hunterdon militia.
The officers of the third company were Jonathan Stevenson, captain ; William Chambers, lieutenant ; William Hancock, ensign.
The commissions of the officers of this company were dated May 5th, 1806, about two weeks later than those of the second company above mentioned.
On the 24th of May of the same year a company was started north of the creek, called the fifth company of the regiment.
The officers were James J. Wilson, captain ; Samuel T. Bel- lerjeau, lieutenant ; John Hollingshead, ensign.
January 23d, 1807, the Second Light Infantry was started. Its officers were John Beatty, captain ; James Agnew, lieutenant, and Josiah Fithian, ensign.
May 24th, 1808, the third company was started. Its officers were John Sunderland, captain ; Alexander Witherup, lieuten- ant ; Peter Van Cleve, ensign. June 27th of the same year James Agnew, was elected captain ; Josiah Fithian, lieutenant, and Alexander Wright, ensign, of the first company, third regi- ment. December 21st, 1809, Josiah Fithian was commissioned captain ; Alexander Wright, lieutenant, and Israel Fish, ensign.
2 I*
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
A second company, called the Light Infantry, was organized April 6th, 1811. Its officers were Samuel T. Bellerjeau, captain ; Joseph McCulley, lieutenant ; William Sanderson, ensign.
The seventh company was organized February 5th, 1813. Its officers were Archibald McCain, captain ; Joseph Yard, ensign ; and on the 27th of March of the same year Joseph Yard was promoted to a lieutenancy, and Jasper Scott, made ensign.
April 15th, 1814, the Jersey Blues, or eighth company, was organized. The officers were James Wilson, captain ; William Sanderson, lieutenant, and James Hillman, ensign.
August 20th of the same year, the Union Light Infantry was organized. Its officers were Charles Moore, captain ; Samuel T. Bellerjeau, lieutenant, and Thomas McCulley, ensign.
September 19th of the same year, the Phoenix Company was organized. Its officers were Garret Dorset Wall, captain ; Israel Fish, lieutenant, and Daniel Baker, ensign.
March 25th, 1816, the Jersey Blues were organized. The officers at the time of organization were Zachariah Rossell, cap- tain ; afterwards John B. Potts was elected captain ; John Woolley, lieutenant, and William Southwick, ensign. April 29th, Thomas McCully, was elected lieutenant. September 17th, 1817, Thomas McCully was elected captain, and David Hutchinson, lieutenant.
April 19th, 1819, David Hutchinson was elected captain ; An- drew M. McCully, lieutenant, and Jacob Yard, ensign.
June 24th, 1838, the Pike Infantry was organized. Its officers were Samuel Dickinson, captain ; Joseph Witherup, first lieu- tenant ; Richard Brandt, second lieutenant ; Henry C. Boswell, third lieutenant.
December 10th, 1842, the National Guard was organized. The officers were James W. Wall, captain ; Richard Brandt, first lieutenant ; Anthony Rowley, second lieutenant ; David S. An- derson, third lieutenant. June 26th, 1843, Captain Wall re- signed, and Samuel Dickinson was elected captain ; James W. Wall, first lieutenant ; William Napton, second lieutenant, and William H. Rossell, third lieutenant.
December Ist, 1843, the Flying Artillery was organized. Samuel R. Hamilton, captain ; Jacob Kline, first lieutenant ;
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
William Snowden, second lieutenant; William R. McIlvaine, bugler.
December 19th, 1845, Samuel Quicksall was elected third lieutenant of the National Guard.
January 27th, 1846, the Jersey Blues were organized, with William Napton as captain ; Barker Gummere, first lieutenant ; David S. Anderson, second lieutenant ; Samuel Mulford, third lieutenant. April 4th, 1867, Samuel Mulford was transferred to first lieutenant, and Barker Gummere, third lieutenant. April 2Ist, 1848, Samuel Mulford was elected captain ; David S. An- derson, first lieutenant, Charles J. Gummere, second lieutenant ; John W. Neal, second second lieutenant.
January 30th, 1846, Heathcoat J. Disbrow, second lieuten- ant National Guard-June 26th, 1847, first lieutenant ; Samuel Quicksall, second lieutenant ; Emerick Walton, third lieutenant. June 12th, 1848, Sylvester Vansickel, captain ; Samuel B. Scat- tergood, third lieutenant. June Ist, 1849, Samuel McClurg, Jr., second lieutenant.
June 22d, 1848, the Trenton Jersey Blues were organized. Samuel Mulford, captain ; John W. Neal, first lieutenant ; Charles J. Gummere, second lieutenant ; Joseph C. Hill, third lieutenant, who was promoted to second lieutenant. February 27th, 1849, upon the resignation of Charles J. Gummere, when Albert G. Enos was elected second lieutenant, and on June 6th he was promoted to first lieutenant, and Barnet T. Slingerland, third lieutenant, was promoted to first lieutenant ; December 14th, John L. Gordon, second lieutenant, Benjamin M. Ander- son, third lieutenant.
January 10th, 1850, the Washington Artillery was organized, with the following officers : John W. Neal, captain ; Jeremiah R. Wilgus, first lieutenant ; John N. Lindsay, second lieuten- ant; Job M. Bennett, third lieutenant.
January 2Ist, 1850, the South Trenton Rifles were organized. William Napton, captain ; Adolphus Combs, first lieutenant ; Thomas D. Hutchinson, second lieutenant ; Joseph Hill, third lieutenant. September 16th, 1852, Thomas C. Branin, first lieutenant ; Samuel E. Branin, second lieutenant ; John J. Mundy, third lieutenant.
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
November 23d, 1852, the Trenton Irish Volunteers were organ- ized. Hugh McQuade, captain; William Smith, first lieuten- ant; Richard Killian, second lieutenant ; Patrick Redman, third lieutenant. March 23d, 1858, Patrick McMickle, first lieutenant ; Stafford Downey, second lieutenant ; James McCor- mick, third lieutenant.
December Ist, 1852, the Republican Rifles were organized. Simon Kahnweiler, captain ; Joseph Ruellius, first lieutenant ; Martin Dapper, second lieutenant ; Frederick Mauer, third lieu- tenant.
September 7th, 1855, the Trenton Rifles were organized. George P. Fuhrman, captain ; Joseph Ruellius, first lieutenant ; Martin Dapper, second lieutenant ; Frederick Mauer, third lieu- tenant. November 24th, 1854, Martin Dapper, first lieutenant ; Frederick Mauer, second lieutenant ; John Haws, third lieu- tenant. April 30th, 1857, Martin Dapper, captain ; Frederick Mauer, first lieutenant ; John Haws, second lieutenant ; Albert Bentz, third lieutenant. March 25d, 1860, John Haws, first lieutenant ; Henry Thone, second lieutenant ; John Winter, third lieutenant.
March 13th, 1854, the Irish Volunteers were organized. John Gibbons, first lieutenant ; Dugald Frael, second lieutenant ; Pat- rick Martin, third lieutenant.
March 13th, 1854, the Sarsfield Guards were organized. Richard Killian, captain ; Charles Lyons, first lieutenant ; Wil- liam Tyrrell, second lieutenant ; John Gallagher, third lieuten- ant. June 29th, 1857, Charles Harley, captain; William Anglin, third lieutenant.
September 8th, 1854, the Trenton Sarsfield Guards were organized. John Travers, captain ; Charles Lyons, first lieuten- ant ; William Tyrrell, second lieutenant ; John Gallagher, third lieutenant.
September 22d, 1854, the Trenton City Guards were organ- ized. William H. Rossell, captain ; William Halsted, Jr., first lieutenant ; William F. Pitcher, second lieutenant ; William I. Shreve, third lieutenant.
December 12th, 1854, the Stockton Artillery was organized.
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
Sylvester Vansickel, captain ; Heathcoat J. Disbrow, first lieu- tenant.
October 8th, 1855, the Trenton Volunteers were organized. John B. Gribbon, captain ; Anton Muller, first lieutenant ; Pat- rick McMickle, second lieutenant ; William P. Kane, third lieu- tenant. June 29th, 1857, Thomas L. Hanley, third lieutenant.
June Ioth, 1856, the Liberty Rifles were organized. Thomas D. Hutchinson, captain ; Aaron S. Lovett, first lieutenant ; John W. Cook, second lieutenant ; Joseph R. Roberts, third lieuten- ant.
February Ioth, 1858, the Jackson Guards were organized. Charles Harley, captain ; Charles Lyons, first lieutenant ; Thomas Hanley, second lieutenant.
November 30th, 1860, Company A, National Guard, was organized ; William R. Murphy, captain ; Robert C. Belville, first lieutenant ; Joseph Ott, second lieutenant. Captain Mur- phy resigned, and Robert C. Belville was appointed captain, Joseph Ott, first lieutenant, and Charles H. McChesney, second lieutenant. August 27th, 1867, William H. Skirm was elected in the place of Charles H. McChesney, resigned.
Eighty-six members of this company were in the three months' service, under the proclamation of the president of April 15th, 1861-from April 16th to July 16th, 1861. Seventy-two were emergency men of 1863, called out by proclamation of Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, under date of June 17th, 1863. They were in service in Pennsylvania from June 19th to July 19th, 1863, and forty-three were officers in the army, navy, and marine corps of the United States.
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