USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 40
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 40
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 40
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1846 .- George Harris, John Our, Juhu B. King, George Somder, Houry Sheppard, WilFata Bl. w, Gideon I. Matthews, Lott Miller.
Under the Nu Con titution.
1848 .- Sorley china, Greenwich.
1×49,- Jurarl Stritten, Maurley kiver.
1:50 .- There. Ware, aton Cruel ; Lease West, Nathan Sheppard, Hope- well; Willian. R. Parvia, Lewis Wonhaff, Deethelt; Jeremiah Bemfood, Ista Cennet Tarde; Sammel Sloan, Powne; Juice Ward, Joel s. BelIneou, Martin Madden, Mamice Piver; Heer li.
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535
GENERAL HISTORY.
Foster, Allis E. Hughes, Bulgeton; George Harris, Franklin Devereans, ( handy.
181-Philip Fithis, con Crock; Lewis W. Toulimun, Greenwich ;
Jacob Johnson, Jeremiah Stratton, Isaiah Dunlap, Thomas Hill, , 1556 -Isaac B. Pare, Bacon B. Hutchinson, Ist Wapi, Budgetou ; Mirit Ninth Richards, Millville; Ithan Love, Daniel R. Mur. The- ophilus G. Courson, Pi wne; John Carter, William Bevan, Brilge- ton.
1:52 .- Charles Bonhaus, Hopewell; Leonard Lawrence, William D. Barrett, Fairfield.
1553,-Seeley Shute, Greenwich ; James H. Husted, Deerfield; Daniel Harris, Maurice River: Philip Dare, Isuse Whitiker, Bridgetan. 1654 .- Samuel Wills, John Hartman, Maurice River.
135 .- William T. Sheppard, Slow Creek ; Namnet C. Fathian, Green- wich ; Willi'm H. Parvin, MIfied Davis, Pourhell; Jamu's Campbell, Jr., del Westcott, Fairfield; Samuel Sloan, Downe; Joel S. Robin- son, Warren Thompson, Elvy D. Tice, Maurice Hver; Arti- E. Hughes, Robert M. 11 of, Bridgeton : Daniel M. Woudruf, Genge Harris, Colausey.
Ist-Benjanun C. We t, Stow Creek ; Luc West, Theophilus P. Davis, Hopewell ; Jacob Juhtson, Eloridge G. Met long, Asbury Chester, John W. Potter, Millville : Junes Carlisle, Maurice River ; Joint Carter, James S. Tlpimas, Bridgeton.
1.537 .- William D. Barrett, Leonard Lawrence, FairGeht ; Ethan Love, Theophilus G. C .Doften, Samuel Curb. Donne.
1858 .- Wilinon Paron, Greenwich ; John >. Ware, Cohnisuy
1859 .- David'S Cilnano, Slow Creek ; Daniel Harris, Mamia River. 1460 .- Seeley shute, Jond:i.an Y. I. Aming, Greenwich ; J.r1 Westcott, Dr. B. Rush Rit-puan, l'airfi-11 ; San.url sloun, Powse; Arti- I .. Hughes, Phineas Smith, Jeremiah H. Lupton, Bralgeben ; Joel S. Robinson, Seth G. Sharp, Andrew Smith, Maurice Hiver; Daniel M. Woodrul, John S. Ware, Tohausey.
1:41 -- Benjamin ( Wrat, Davil S. Gilman, Stow Creek ; Jarman A. Pavia, Alfred lloluca, Hoj wrH ; Lewis V'. Mruff, Richard Irel unet, Isaac Sharpless, George Woodford, Perruel ; John W. Putter, MHI. ville ; Pantel K. Moore, lowne ; John Carter, Elijah Smith, James Stiloz, Bridgetun.
1862 .- Alfred Davis, Perfield! : William D. Birrett, Jomiss Campbell, Jr., L'airfell; Theophilus G. Comptoir, Ethin Love, Samuel Cobb, Downe; Bacon B. Hutchinson, Bridgeton.
1853 .- Ileery fiiyard, Hopewell, Roin rt T. Whitaker, Puitheld; Jonas C. Chew, lowne ; Nathan shaw, Maurice Kivel.
1404 .- Daniel Harry, Muchle Hove ; Aluz R. Hough, Landis. 1905,- - Souley State, Jonathan Y. Leamegy, Greenwich; John S. Wood- rua, Deerfield; Jonathan Word, & fort 1. Which ", Fain 1 ; Daniel K. Morte, Downe; Gorge W. Finlaw, !"t Ward, Mener (. Haap, Je oph Borden, 21 War 1, Daniel M. We Iran, El Say , 3l Ward, Bridgeton; J -1 S. R.Minst., Andrew Smith, Ephraim P. Sharp, Maurice Kiver.
1:00 .- Jurman A. Davis, Hopewell ; Jacob Johnson, Izt Ward, Richard S. In land, 20 Ward, John Hurtmin, 1-1 Wurd, Milvilt .. ; Buon b, Hutchinson, James Woods, Ist Ward, Bridgeton : J. h. W. Potter. Landis; Benjamin F. Swing, Miarles S. Tyler, Stow ('rek.
Ist .- John Carter, Jet Ward, Boleston; Ephraim B. Davis, John S. Woodruff, Deerfield ; Samuel Cola, Ethan Love, S'il Y. Sharp, Downe; L. Q. C. Whitaker, Fairhe Id; Robert C. Sykes, LamHis ; James M. Wells, 24 Ward, Melville.
1-68 -Artis E. Hughes, 1.t Ward, Bridgeton ; Stillinan A. Eaton, Lau- Jis.
INGS .- Wallace Taylor, 21 Ward, Beidzet.vn ; George W. Cele, Deerfield; Henry Hilynudl, Hopewell; Daniel Hartis, Manrice Elver.
leiv .- William Orr, Howto; Jonathan Wool, Robert T. Whitaker, Fair- b+1.1; Jonathan Y. Leaming, Greenwich ; ( a+b. M. Bennett, Istdie ; Joel S. Robinson, Ephatta chary, Matrice Hiver.
11. - Bacon B. Hatchin. 11, I har B. Dire, 1st War ), Thomas G. Inun, Ad Ward, Bridgeton; Ad men Cion, Fairfield ; Jarman A. Dar. I gewell; A. J. Maltbury, John W. Potter, JJones Loughran, Lan- Jis. George Wouford, Ist Wart, Richard S. Ireland, 24 Ward, Miliville ; Benjamin F Swing, barlf S. Gifman, stow U're.k.
1822 .- Alphone Wo druff, Har Ward, Dariiv, l'razeur, 2C Ward, Bridge- ton ; George W. Cole, Deerfield : Samo.el Cobb, s. th Y. sharp .. .. hu Compact, Dowpe; Dr. B. Rust. Bat-mau. Furdie ;! ; R. borti. spher, I'll mm R huwell, Indis; Charles H. Stowann, Maurice River.
1-74 .. . Ileburd ST. Barbier. Ist Wat 1, Wallace Taylor, 21 Wart, Jeremiah
175. Dr. Cesera K. Butcher, Downe; Jonathan Wood, William R.
Wallington, Fairfield; Jonathan Y. LAing, Greenwich ; Heury iliyard, Hojew.si; Joel $. Robiron. Manrien River : Samuel C. Martin, David E ss. 2J Wird, Mi'sile , John S. Vuil. Commercial.
Y. Bateman, Fandell; Joseph M. Campion, Ilspowell; William 1:ussell, Jaume . Loughran, Christian Kemeror, Landis ; Julm Hart. Daran, 1-t Warl. Hichard S. Ireland, MI Ward. Millville; Reo, As.In F. Swing, Bylend E. Davis, Slow Creek.
1:71 .- Alphonse W paraf, Ist Wird, Levi Haines, 2d Ward, John T. Dare, SI Wat, Brulgrtun : Dr. Charles C. Phillips, Deerfielt ; br. A. P. Glanden. Downo; Jamas M. Newcomb, Fairfield; Joseph Mason, Johan W. Potter, Landry : Charles H. Stownian, Maurice Hiver ; Isnich E. Johnson, G. G. Medlong, 1st Ward, John W. Now . lin, samuel Str rmietz, J. Dayton Wallen, 21 Ward, John B. Fan- u'na, 3 Ward, Millville; George M. Chester, Saunel Cobb, Samael Slaun. Dr. Charles Butcher, Commercial.
1878 .- George G. Green, 21 Ward, Bridgeton; Jechtel Westcott, Fait- feld: Allows, Brown, Landi -.
15:0 .- William ft. Trenchard, Ist Watt, Charles G. Myers, 2d Wurd, Jeremiah Il. Lupton, Daniel Ginerlock, David F. Garrison, Sd Wand, Bridgeton : Sanmel M1 For, Deerfeld; Heury E-bon, Lindis; Daniel Harris, Maurice River; George Wwolford, Ist Ward, Mill- ville.
1 ...- William F. Dathell, Downo ; Jchiet Westcott, Jonathan Wood, Fairfield : Jonathan Y. Leaming, trecuwich ; Juruman A. Dwie, Hopewell ; Joel S. Robinson, Maurice Hiver : Belford MI. Bonham, Stow Creek ; Dr. Geo:go E. Bat Ler, Commercial.
1. 1 .- Charles R. Carnes, Isaac B Pave, Ist Ward, Michaol Bynick, 24 Ward, Britgeton : Albert P. Esteman, T'afrhell; Joseph MI. Comp- ton, Hopewell ; William Russell, William H. Loppy, Allro S. Brown, Landis; Horner T'. Bickley, Man. ne River : James M. Wells, Henry C. Reeves, John 1. Miller, 21 Ward, Alexander Gillian, at Ward, Millville ; Jeremiah B. Kces, Sp.w Creek ; Joseph B. Wilson, Com- mercial.
ISS2-Charles Gandy, John Smalley, 1-t Ward, Francie P. Ri' y. 25 Want, Bridge:on; Charles C. Philfigos, Deerhebt; Jacob W. Ante, Downe; Manty : L'm., Fairfield; Henry Eten, Jorarb Muson, Lomlis; Cho! - H. Siowman, Maurice River; I-tinh E. Johnson, Jet Ward, Juin J. Miller, Richard Ireland, El Ward, John R. Tan. 1Ing. 31 Wart, Maliville; Ebenezer D. Woodruff, Stow Frenk ; S.m .- Be' Colade, Jos ; I. E. Wilson, Dr. George E. Butcher, Commercial.
1. - Jolin E. Pare, 31 Wurd, Bridgeton: Theoptimus G. Colipi., Commorelal : Chezles M. Hunt, 1st Ward, John Kellost, E Wert. Xiihille.
CHAPTER LXXXV.
TIMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE REVOLUTION.
THE inhabitants of Cumberland County joined i heartily in the resistance to taxation without repre- sentation which led to the Revolutionary war. In the last Assembly which met under the colonial government, the members from this county, John Sheppard, of Greenwich, and Theophilus Ebser, ai Fairfield, nunted with the greater part of their fellow. members in a strenuous opposition to all measures detrimental to the rights of the people of this culony. The first General Congres of the colonies, which met in Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1774, signed an association pledging themselves not to import or me any goods or merchandise from: Great Britain, por any Cast India tea from any part of the world after the first day of the next March, and recommended all tre people to sign the ......
The Parli: ment of Great Britain, after -triving t enforce the stamp act and other taxes upon the colo- ni-ts for several years, bad. in 1770, repeated all of
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530
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
the duties except that on tea, and in order to make take care of the same until the committee of the that tax more palatable had taken off the export duty county was chosen. The general committee then withdrew. in order to consider what should be done in the affair, and came to the following resolution., viz .: That this committee being ignorant of the principles on which the said tea was imported, or whence it came, and not being able to get informa- tion thereof, by reason of the importer's absence, do think it best to have it privately stored, and agree to meet at ten o'clock to-morrow, in order to take eatr of the same. of twelve per cent. from the East India Company, and allowed them to bring it to this country upon payment of an import duty of three per cent. They hoped by thus cheapening the price of tea nine per cent. to bribe the Americans to pay the small import duty, and thus acknowledge the right of the British government to tax them without their consent. In pursnance of this plan the East India Company sent large quantities of tea to this country. The reception it met with in Boston, in December, 1773, is well known. New York. Philadelphia, Annapolis, Ports- mouth, and other places all refused to allow any tea to be landed. Greenwich at this time had a consid- crable trade with the West Indies and ports along the coast.
" Accordingly they mct the next day, and found to their surprise that the tea had been destroyed by per- sons unknown the night before, at the time the com- mittee were sitting at Bridgetown, whereupon the committee further entered into the resolutions fol- lowing :
About Dec. 12 to 14, 1774, the brig "Greyhound," " 1st. That we entirely disapprove of the destroying of the above-mentioned tea, it being entirely contrary to our resolves. Capt. Allen, came irto the Cohansey with a quantity of tea, said to be shipped at Rotterdam. It is prob- able that it did not come direct from there, but was "2dl. That we will not conceal nor protect fiom justice any of the perpetrators of the above fact." a quantity taken from a larger cargo, and sent here for a market. It was secretly landed at Greenwich, The above is the official necount of the affair, taken fruin the minutes of the county committee, signed by Thomas Ewing, their clerk, and published in Dun- and stored in the cellar of a store-hon-e standing on the market square, and occupied by Dan Bowen. The inhabitants of Greenwich becoming aware of it. ' lap's Pennsylvania Pocket, printed at Philadelphia, appointed a temporary committee of five to take care of it until the county committee should be chosen.
A general meeting of the inhabitants of the county of Cumberland having been called for the purpose of carrying out the recommendations of the Continental Congre -- , as mentioned above, it was " held at Bridge- town on Thursday, the 22d day of December, 1774. The articles of association entered into by the Conti- nentel Congress being publicly read, were unani- mously approved; whereupon it was resolved that a committee of thirty-five persons be appointed to carry the same into execution throughout the county. The following person- were chosen, viz. :
Abraham Jones.
Thomas Daniel.
Jonathan Sinith.
Thomas Maske!l. Ephraim farris. Silas Newcomb.
William Aul.
Ephraim Secley.
I-auc Preston.
Daniel Fimer.
Samnel Lenke.
Junatlan Ayres.
Mark Ryley. John Buck.
Elijah Hand.
Davil Bowen.
Ezekiel Fuster.
Joshua Brick, Esquires. John W'le aton.
Benjamin Milford.
Jonathan Lore. John Terry. Gideon Henton.
Abijan Holines. Thomas Brown. Jurl Fithian.
Richard Way.
Daniel Maskelt.
John Laning.
Juhtı Gibbon.
Thomas Ewing.
Micba. 1 Hushell.
" As soon as the committee were chosen they were publicly informed that a quantity of tea had been secretly landed at Greenwich, and that the inhab- itants of that town had taken the alarm, and had closen a pro tempore committee of five persons to . le :: Ephraim Newcomb, Abraham Sheppant, and
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Monday, Jan. 9, 1775, and also published in the Pean- xyleania Journal. Rev. Philip Vickers Fithian, who resided at Greenwich, and who is said to have been one of the party who destroyed the tea, gives us, ir a few words recorded in his journal on the next day after the occurrence, a vivid picture of the affair, and of the feelings of the people concerning it. Under the date of " Friday, 23," he says, " Last night the Tea was, by a number of persons in disguise, taken ont of the House & consumed with fire. Violent & different are the words about this uncommon Manou- vre among the Inhabitants. Some rave, some curse & condenin, some try to reason ; many are glad the Tea is destroyed, but almost all disapprove the Man- ner of the destruction."
The resolutions probably expressed the sentiments of the committee as to the destruction of the tea, their plan probably being to require the importer to take it away again. The object of the resolutions seems to have been to clear the committee of responsibility for the aet, since they had taken jurisdiction of the tea the day before. Some of them doubtless secretly favored and advised the act; indeed, two of the com- mittee, including the clerk, are said to have been of the number who burned it.
Disguised as Indians, the party early in the even- ing broke open the store-house, took out the boxes of tea, and burned them on the open square. Thi- Market Square is now a short street called Market Lane. The names of many of the persons engaged in this bald act are involved in some doubt. Alexander Moore, Jr., Henry Seeles, Richard Harrell, Joel Mil-
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Joseph Sheppard.
Joseph Newconılı.
Joshua Ewing.
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537
GENERAL IHISTORY.
"Ta- Newcomb were sued by the owners, and without 1 .tht were there. According to the recollection of ' Gon. Ebenezer Elmer, in his later years, David Fier- 60;, Stephen Pierson, Silas Whittaker, Timothy Eimer. Andrew Hunter, Jr., Philip V. Fithian. Clarence Parvin, John Hunt, Lewis Howell, Henry Stacks, James Ewing, Thomas Ewing, Joel Fithian, Joslah Seeley, and Ebenezer Elmer himself were also of the party. Most of these lived in Greenwich and Hopewell, and some of them in Fairfield and at Bridgeton.
This list is probably not entirely correct. It is not probable that Philip V. Fithian, if he had taken part in it, would have written in his own private journal without recording something that would have at least hinted at his participation in it. The names given by Ebenezer Elmer were furnished to Robert G. John- son for his "History of Salem County," when Gen. Eliner was about eighty-seven years of age, and the failing memory incident to his advanced age, together with the length of time that had elapsed, over sixty years, the disguise of the participants, and the secrecy maintained at the time as to their names probably explains the fact that Seeley, Miller, Sheppard, and the two Neweombs, against whom suits were insti- tuted, are not mentioned by him. Henry Stacks was said to have tied up his pantaloons around his ankles and to have filled them with tea, which he carried home to his family. The late Judge L. Q. C. Elmer, son of Gen. Ebenezer Elmer, remembers him in his boyhood, and that he was called "Tea Stacks" from the circumstances. The deed was doubtless planned at the meeting to choose the county committee, where the bold spirits who executed it had the chance to arrange their plan of action to be carried out the same night. The daring and hazardous nature of it i- better understood when we remember that even the county committee, which was organized to resist the tyrannical acts of the mother-country, felt themselves ronstrained to at least publicly disavow the net. The feelings of the people were, however, thoroughly en- listed in opposition to the measures of the royal au- thorities. Cumberland County may well be proud of the fact that upon her soil and among her citizens were found those who dared to defy the power of the British government, and to express in this bold way their determination to resist oppression, even to an armed resistance, if necessary. This constitutes the only justification for this unlawful destruction of private property.
A mistake as to the date of the burning of the tea existed for many years, and has been repeated in all accounts of this affair published previous to 1871, tir date having been given as Thursday, November 221, instead of December 220. This error arose through a misunderstanding of the journal of Jir. l'ithian, which, after some entries in November, goes on to record events in December without giving the month, but only the day of it and the day of the
week, as in the entry of the 23d. above quoted. The venerable Dr. Euoch Fithian, as he informed the writer, furnished the date for the account of it pub- lished in Johnson's " History of Salem County" on the supposed authority of this journal. He has since noticed his mistake, so that now all the origi- nal sources of information agree as to the date. All the sureceding publications derived their information from Johnson's history and have repeated that error.
At the April term of the Supreme Court in 1775 a suit in trespass was commenced by John Duffield and" Stacey Hepburn, the owners of the tea, against Mil- ler, Sheppard, and the two Newcombs for six hundred poand- damages, and also a like suit against Moore, Seeley, and Richard Howell. Joseph Bloomfield, who re-ided at Bridgeton, appeared for the defend- ants, and the plaintit's, being non-residents, were or- dered to file security for costs. Money was raised by subscription for the defense, and Jonathan D. Ser- geant, of Philadelphia, and others were retained. The plaintiff's were represented by Joseph Reed, of Philadelphia, and Pettit, of Burlington. The rule for security for costs was repeated at the November term, and in default thereof nonsuits were entered at the April term, 1776; at May term, security having been tiled, the nonsuits were set aside and the ac- tions revived. But they were short-lived ; the over- throw of the royal authority and displacement of the royal judges two months later ended the proceedings, and no further reference to them appears on the minutes of the court after that at Slay term.
An attempt was also made to have the actors in the burning indicted. Chief Justice Frederick Smyth pre- sided at the term of the Court of Over and Terminer for Cumberland County held next after the burning, in May, 1775. Ebenezer Elmer, who had taken part in the affair, enters in his journal, under date of May 25th, "Came up to Bridge just before Court, being Supreme Court. Judge Smith gave very Large Charge to the Grand Jury Concerning the times, & the burning of the Tea the fall before. But the Jury | Came in without doing anything, & Court broke up." Judge Emyth sent them out a second time, but with no result. Jonathan Elmer, a brother of Ebenezer, was sheriff, and had summoned a jury of Whigs, the foreman of which was another brother, Daniel Elmer. All of the jury probably knew more about the burn- ing than the judge did, and their sympathies were with the patriotic tea burners. Sheriff Elmer's term expired in June, and Governor Franklin appointed as his successor David Bowen, who was supposed to be more friendly to the royal canse. Under the date of September 5th, Ebenezer Elmer records, " 'Twas expected, as Sheriff Bowen had got a Jury of Tories, we Should be indited for Burning Tea & Taking Wheaton, but they could not make out, but made out a presentment. Court broke up." This endel all proceedings concerning the matter. This brave act is a rich legacy to our county of the spirit and
533
IIISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
determination of those early patriots. As such the centennial anniversary of it was celebrated with great enthusiasm on Nov. 25 and 26, 1574. There being no suitable place at Greenwich, the celebration was held in the West Jersey Railroad depot at Bridgeton, the largest building in South Jersey, the whole of which was granted by the railroad company for that purpose. Among the features of interest were a Washington partor, a relic-room filled with articles and documents of great interest, many of them dating back to the first settlement of the county. Thirteen tables, band- somely trimmed, represente.l the different townships and wards of the county. The opening address was made by Joel Parker, Governor of the State, and he was followed by Hon. Thomas H. Dudley, United State- Centennial Commissioner from New Jersey, while Gratula's Seventh Regiment Band of New York furnished the music. Excursion trains were run on all the railroads, and an immense throng of people were present, the number on the last evening being estimated at not less than eight thousand, completely filling the large depot. Over two thousand dollars were realized from the celebration, which was invested in United States Centennial Commission stock, and after the close of the great Centennial celebration in Philadelphia, and the winding up of its financial affairs, the money returned on the stock hell by this county was invested in two handsome drinking foun- tains, one of which now stands in front of the court- house, and the other on South Laurel Street, near Com- meree, in the city of Bridgeton.
At a meeting of the county committee, March 6, 1775, Silas Newermb, a member of the committee, acknowledged that he had violated the third article of the association, and had drunk tea in his family since March 1st, and that he was determined to per- sist in the practice. After trying in vain to convince him of his error the committee resolved to enforce the eleventh article of the association, and to break off' dealings with him, which resolves they published in the Pennsylvania Ledyer of April 1st. This action, together with the breaking out of hostilities at Lex- ington on April 18th, altered his mind, and on May 11th he made a written acknowledgment of his error, . and promised to adhere to the association, which the committee also published, with their acceptance of the same. Ile became a stanch Whig, and was colonel of the First Battalion of Cumberland militia and also in the Continental army, and afterwards brigadier- general of the militia, and was frequently in active service.
The Provincial Congress on Aug. 12, 1775, ordered a new election for members of that body, and of the " May 1:th. Mustering st br. Ewing's [at Greenwich], where offers wriechen. Daniel Mankell, Capt .; Dr. Thomas Ewing & Balls Wa! leg. Lieuts. ; Reuben Dare, Ensian. [Thing two companies were formed from the une first formed on the 3d.] county committees, to be held on September 21st, and also ordered an immediate election of Township Com- mittees of Observation and Correspondence, with " May lich In the afternoon was n County Merting to choose De'e. power to transact the business referred to them by , gates for the County to meet at Trentown, 22% instant, for which 1. S. Fithlan, D :. J nathan] Elmet, Int. [Thomas Ewing were chosen.
the Continental and Provincial Congresses and the county committee. In pursuance of this direction
the several townships of Cumberland, on September: 14th, chose the following as township committees:
Greenwich-Dr. Thomas Ewing, Jo.han Ewing. Thomas Maskeli
Hopewell-Jort Fithian, Jonathan Bowen, Azariah Moore, Wili a . Biggs, Ephraim Mhalls.
Slow Creek -John Gibiban, Ebenezer Howell, John Whenton.
Deerfield-John Westcott, Ephraim Seeley, Recommence Leaker, Jury Barns, Constant Pech.
Fairfield-Joseph Sheppard, Ephraim Harris, Esn., Timothy Eller. David Westcott.
Downe and Maurice River are not given. On the 21st the county met and chose two delegates by poll. Theophilus Eher and Jonathan Ayars, Esq., and the following county committee :
Greenwich-Suvuel Ewing. The other two not given.
Hopewell-Jonathan Bowen, Joel Fithian, Reuben Jarnau. Stow Creek -John Wheaton, Wilham Keksy.
Derfi-Id-Ephraim Seeley, Sungel Ogden, Esq , Noah Hurris. Fairfield-Philip sheppard, Capt. Harris, Ephraim Harris, E-q.
Downe-Joseph Newcomb, Jonadab Sheppard, Willing Low.
Maurice Hiver-Jushua Brick, Esq., Derick Peterson, Jonathan smith.
This committee chose Thomas Harris as chairman, and on September 30th they applied to the Conti- nental Congress for a supply of powder to defend the county from any British ships which might enter the bay, foraging for provisions. After the overthrow uf the royal authority the county committees exercised large powers, arresting and imprisoning those hostile to the cause of the patriots on their simple order, and! doing other aets outside of the ordinary processes of law. After the adoption of the State Constitution. July 2, 1776, and the incoming of Whig officials under it, they ceased to exist. Born of the necessities of the hour, all the public officers being appointees of the royal Governor, they did their work well; and when, through their instrumentality, a more perma- nent authority was called into existence, they sauk back into the ranks of the people who had created them.
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