USA > New Jersey > Minutes of the Council of Safety of the state of New Jersey > Part 2
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Samuel Burling entered into Recognizance with William Smith his surety in £300 Each, before the Governor and Council, for his Appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Burlington, and in the meanTime to be of Good Behaviour & was there- upon dismissed,-
Thomas P. Hewlings entered into Recognizance with Abra- ham Hewlings his Surety in £300 Each, before the Governor and Council, for his Appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Burlington, and in the meantime to be of good Behaviour, and was there- upon dismised.
Daniel Ellis entered into Recognizance with Wm Smith, his Surety, in £300 Each, &c as above.
Colin Campbell entered into Recognizance with Abraham Hewlings his Surety, in £300 Each, &c, as above.
Adj'd till 3 O'clock in the afternoon.
Met according to Adjt
Ordered, That Michael Mount be cited to be and appear before the Board as a Witness agt Jesse Woodward.
John Cleayton, Green Cooke, and Samuel Odell, Persons apprehended & sent to Philada, were ordered before the Board, and, being examined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as Established by the Legislature of this state and were thereupon dismissed.
Nathan Allen, who was apprehended & sent to Philada, was ordered before the Board, and examined, and being one of the People called Quakers, took Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths of the State, and was accordingly discharged.
Robert Ellison, of Sussex, was brought before the Board, & Examined touching the Plot & Combination in Sussex, and Notes taken of his Examination.
Adj'd till ToMw Morn" 9 O'clock.
Saturday,
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Saturday, April 12th 1.777.
The Council met, Present, as before.
M' Camp appeared in Council & took his seat at the Board- William Imlay was examined as a Witness against Richard Robbins & Jesse Woodward.
Mr Savage laid before the Board a Resolution of Congress in the Words following vizt
In Congress April 8. 1.777
" Resolved that it be recommended to the Governor & " Council of Safety of New Jersey not to call into the field " such part of their Militia not exceeding Forty as are neces- " sarily Employed in the Salt Works now erecting in their "State by the Governor of Pennsylvania, provided it be not " inconsistent with the laws of that State- Extract from the Minutes. Charles Thomson, Secy."
To which the Board returned the following answer at the Bottom of the said Extract-
" The Exemption above recommended is inconsistent with " the Militia Law of this State, but if the Government of Penn- " sylvania will carry on the said Works with Inhabitants of " their own Commonwealth, care shall be taken to have them " exempted as above, (tho' they will also be liable to be called " into the field by the said Act as it now stands, as becoming " by their residence here, subjects of this State to that purpose " Wil. Livingston."
Isaac Imlay appeared before the Board & was examined. The said Imlay entered into Recognizance before Mr Justice Symmes for his Appearance at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery of the County of Mon- mouth, as a Witness agst Jessee Woodward.
Samuel Lippencut was discharged after taking the Oaths of Abjuration & Allegiance,
Agreed, That his Excellency remit M' Ephraim Philips Sherif of Burlington, the sum of Fourteen pounds five shil- lings on account.
The Board appointed Elisha Boudinot Esq' their Secretary & desired his Excellency the Governor to acquaint him of the appointment.
Adjourned to 9 O'clock next Monday.
Monday,
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Monday, 14th April 1.777 .
The Board met according to adjournment,
Present His Excellency the Governor
M' Symmes M' Camp
M' Paterson
M' Manning
Mr Dick M' Combes
His Excellency laid before the Board a letter from Joseph Leonard of the 10th Instant excusing his appearance before the Board agreeable to his Summons, on Account of his being confined by the Rash & Fever.
Ordered, That Richard R. Crow be examined.
It appearing to the Board that the said Crow has been an officer in the Service of his Britannic Majesty, & is desirous of returning to Ireland his native country,
Agreed That said Crow have leave to return to his family near Cheesquakes in the County of Middlesex & have from the date hereof fourteen days allowed him to settle his affairs & apply to the nearest General Officer of the United States for a Flag to go into the Enemy's Lines.
His Excellency was pleased to lay before the Board a petition from John Duyckinck, which was read; Setting forth, That the Petitioner has been confined in the State Prison at Philada since the 10th of Feb'y last, and praying that he may have a Hearing as early as may be convenient.
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Agreed, That his Excellency the Governor be advised to write to his Excellency Gen' Washington on the subject matter of the said Petition ; as the Board are given to understand, That the said Petitioner was apprehended by order of Gen1 Washington, or some of the General Officers in the Continental Army ; and are at a loss to determine, until some Charge be exhibited, whether the Offence be cognizable before this Board.
Adj'd till 3 O'clock in the afternoon. Met according to adjt.
George Mount was brought before the Board for Examin- ation, & on hearing Capt Stillwell to whose Company he belongs, as a private, on the occasion of his being committed, & as to his character in favor of the American Cause, the Board on his taking the Oaths of Allegiance & Abjuration, discharged him from his confinement.
Cornelius Williamson, Joseph Thatcher, Morrice Wurts, and Timothy Lake, apprehended by Order of General Heard, were sent
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sent to this Place under Guard, and committed to Prison until the Board have Time to hear them, and examine Witnesses.
William Grover who was apprehended by Order of General Putnam, was ordered before the Board, and examined, and be- ing one of the People called Quakers, took Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths to the State, and was thereupon dismissed.
Aaron Robins Brower, who was apprehended by Col Ran- dolph, and sent to Philada, was ordered before the Board and being examined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as established by the Legislature and was thereupon dis- missed.
George Brown, who was apprehended on the score of being dangerous to the present Government, appeared before the Board, and took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as es- tablished by the Legislature and was thereupon dismissed.
Adjourned till tomorrow morning 9 O'clock,
Tuesday, April 15th 1.777
The Council Met.
Present. His Excellency the Governor.
M' Scudder Mª Combes
M' Symmes
Mr Camp
M' Paterson
Mr Manning
M' Dick.
Pursuant to Certificate of Election the following Persons, to wit, Joseph Weaver, Capt", William Dobbins 1st Lt, Henry Howel 2nd Lt and Abraham Parker Ensign, were duly Com- · missioned as Officers in the Manner af'sd, in the first Company of Militia in the second Battalion in the County of Burlington whereof Thos Reynolds Esq' is Colonel.
Robert Allison and Jacob Cummins, Inhabitants of the County of Sussex, and apprehended & sent to this Place on the Score of being dangerous, to the present Government, &c., were called before the Board, and took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance, as Established by the Legislature, and entered into Recognizance, being mutually Surety for Each other, in £500 each before M' Justice Symmes, for their Appearance at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer to be held in the County of Sussex and in the mean time to be of the Peace and good Behaviour, and were thereupon dismissed.
Joseph Haight was called before the Board & examined respecting the Conduct of John Laurence Sent and his Recog- nizance
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nizance taken by M' Justice Symmes, for his Appearance as a Witness at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer for the County of Monmouth.
The Governor having applied, by Advice of the Council of Safety, to Capt" Arnold of Morris, for two of the Light Horse of his Company, to attend the Council for the carrying Dis- patches, guarding Prisoners, &c, Capt" Arnold accordingly sent two Light Horsemen, but having agreed with them for 20sj a Day, without any Direction for that Purpose, the Board conceived it too expensive to keep them, in their Service, at that Rate, and therefore agreed to dismiss them after paying them the Sum promised by Capt" Arnold from the time they left Home till they can return-amounting to £10.
Jesse Woodward was called before the Board, and informed of the Charge exhibited against him under Oath, and being heard respecting the same was ordered to withdraw.
David Condict Esqr was Elected Lt Col, and Samuel Hayes Esq' Major of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment of Foot Militia in the County of Essex, whereof Philip Van Cortlandt is Colonel.
Adj'd till 3 o'clock P.M.
Met according to Adjournment.
Agreed, That a warrant issue to Co' Bowes Reed to appre- hend John Blackwell, which was issued accordingly returnable on or before the 29th of April instant.
Ordered That a Warrant of Commitment be issued against Jesse Woodward, charged with High Treason directed to the Gaoler of Sussex.
Lewis Bastedo was examined as a witness against Thomas Fowler, and the same reduced into writing.
Richard Smith of Burlington was cited to appear before the Board, as a Person suspected of being disaffected, and danger- ous to the present Government &c.
Adj'd till ToM' Morn" 9 O'clock.
Wednesday 16 April 1.777
Met according to Adjournment.
Ordered, That a Mittimus issue to the Gaoler at Freehold to receive into his custody Edmund Williams of Monmouth for refusing the Affirmation to the Effect of the Oaths of Abjura- tion & Allegiance & giving security for his appearance at the Sessions, pursuant to Law.
John Taylor Esq' was called in and examined.
Ordered, That the said John Taylor be committed to the Gaol,
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Gaol, of Burlington, for maintaining the Authority of the King of Great Britain within this State.
Stephen Tallman was called in & examined.
John Laurence of Monmouth was called in & examined.
Ordered, That he be committed for High Treason against the State.
Adjd till 3 O'clock P. M.
Met according to Adjt
Ordered, That Warrants of Commitment be issued against Thomas Fowler charged with High Treason, and with making an Assault upon one Lewis Bastedo, with an intent to murder .- The said Warrant to be directed to the Gaoler of Sussex. The Assault was committed in the County of Burlington, the High Treason in Monmouth.
John Williams Jun", William Throp, and Francis Doyle, Persons apprehended and sent to Phila were ordered before the Board and being Examined took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as established by the Legislature of the State, and were thereupon dismissed.
Daniel Laurence was brought before the Board, and being examined was ordered to withdraw.
Joseph Lawrence Jun' of Monmouth, who was apprehended and sent to Philadelphia, was ordered before the Board and examined, and being one of the People called Quakers, took Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths to the State, and was thereupon dismissed.
Stephen Tallman appeared before the Board, and entered into Recognizance with Tallman Smith, his Surety, in £300 Each, before the Governor and Council for his appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Monmouth, and in the meantime to be of the Peace and Good Behaviour, and was thereupon dismissed.
Col Dick had leave of Absence,
Adjourned till tomorrow Morn" 9 O'clock.
Thursday April 17th 1.777
The Council Met,
Present. His Excellency the Governor.
M' Scudder Mr Coombes M' Camp M' Manning.
M' Symmes Mª Paterson
Lewis
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Lewis Ellison appeared before the Board, was examined, and being one of the People called Quakers, took Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths to the State and was thereupon dis- missed.
His Excellency laid before the Board a letter from General Washington of yesterday's date, (in answer to one from the Governor to the General) containing a state of Col. Duycknick's case, & the reason of his being apprehended by the General's order, & sent to Philadelphia, whereupon the Board were una- nimously of opinion that the Collo comes properly under the military Jurisdiction,
Ordered, That Co' Duyckinck be acquainted with the above resolution,
Ordered, That a warrt of Commitment be issued against Jacob Goodwin charged with High Treason, &c, directed to the Gaoler of the County of Sussex,
Richard Robins was called before the Board, and informed of the Charge exhibited against him, under Oath, and being heard respecting the Same was ordered to withdraw.
Daniel Laurence was again ordered before the Board; and refusing to take the Oaths to Government, was indulged till To- Morrow in order to find Sureties &c.
Benjamin Helme was called in and examined by the Board, & also Richard Smith of Burlington.
Agreed, That thirty two blank Commissions be delivered to Col Freelynhuysen for the Captains & subalterns of his Bat- talion, to be filled up by him according to the Election of the respective Companies, & that he make return thereof to the Governor.
Richard Smith entered into Recognizance with Abraham Hewlings in £300 for his appearance at the Quarter Sessions &c & was thereupon discharged-
Benjamin Helme entered into the like Recognizance & was discharged.
Ordered, that a Warrant of Commitment be issued against Richard Robins charged with high Treason &c; directed to the Gaoler of the County of Sussex.
Adjourned till 3 O'clock P.M.
Met according to adjourmt Present, as before.
Lewis Bestedo was examined as a Witness against Richard Robins & his deposition taken in writing.
M' Elmer appeared in Council & took his seat at the Board. The Council ordered the Sum of one pound ten shillings to be
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be paid to Lewis Bestedo for two Days service of himself and horse.
Adjourned till tomorrow Morning 9 O'clock.
Friday, April 18th 1.777
The Council met,
Present, His Excellency the Governor
M' Scudder
M' Coombes
M' Symmes
Mr Camp
Mr Elmer
M' Manning
Mr Paterson
Ordered, That Timothy Lake appear before the Board.
Anthony Wooley & John Wooley took the Oaths of Abjura- tion & Allegiance & were discharged, Amos Morris the like-
The Board then appointed the Field officers for the first Battalion of Cumberland Militia, vizt
Elijah Hand, Co1. Samuel Ogden, Lieut Co1. Dick Paterson, 1st Major.
And their Commissions were issued accordingly.
Captain Wooley was Examined against Richard Jeffrey.
Nathan Sutton was examined, & then Jeffrey & Sutton were ordered to withdraw.
Henry Weatherbey was called in and examined.
M' Speaker appeared in Council & took his seat at the Board.
Co1 Symmes had leave of absence.
Timothy Lake of Kingwood, a Prisoner, sent to the Council of Safety by General Heard, was called in and Examined.
The Council then adjourned till 3 O'clock P. M.
Met according to adjournment.
John Severn a Prisoner was called in and having been exam- ined was discharged upon taking the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance according to a Law of the State.
A Number of Subpoenas & Summonses were issued for a number of Evidences & disaffected Persons.
The Council. then adjourned till 9 O'clock tomorrow morn- ing.
Saturday
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Saturday April 19th
Council met according to adjournment
Present His Excellency the Governour
Mr Scudder
Mr Combs
Mr Patterson
M' Manning
Mr Elmer,
M' Camp
Mr Hart
William Lippincot was called into Council Chamber, and after being examined was ordered to withdraw.
Henry Weatherby was again called before the Board, and after making some further Confessions was ordered to with- draw.
Daniel Laurence appeared before the Board, and entered in- to Recognizance with William Laurence and John Van Matter his Sureties in £300 each, before the Governor & Council for his Appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Monmouth, and in the mean- time to be of the Peace and Good Behaviour ; and was there- upon dismissed.
Adj'd till Monday Morn" 10 O'clock.
Monday, April 21st 1.777
The Council met.
Present His Excellency the Governor M' Scudder Mr Camp
M' Elmer M' Manning
Mr Paterson,
Mr Monice Worts, who had been apprehended by order of Gen1 Heard, & sent to this place, was ordered to appear before the Board, and being Examined, took the Oaths to Govern- ment, as established by the Legislature and was thereupon dis- missed.
Several Resolutions of the Honble Congress were read, and ordered to lie on the table for the Perusal and Consideration of the Members.
Adjª till 3 O'clock P. M.
Met
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Met pursuant to adjt.
Nathan Stout Esq' called in and examined touching the con- duct of Joseph Thatcher, John Mildrum and Cornelius Wil- liamson.
Thomas Groom and Joseph Groom were brought before the Board, and being examined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as established by the Legislature and were there- upon dismissed.
Edward Taylor Esq' appeared before the Board, and the Charges exhibited against him under Oath being read in his Presence, & he being heard in his Defence was ordered to with- draw.
Edward Taylor Esq' was again called in, and refusing to take the Oaths, but being willing to be bound with Sureties, for his appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Ses- sions, of the Peace for the County of Monmouth; the Board gave him Time to provide Sureties for the Purpose aforesaid.
Adj'd till ToMorrow morn" 9 O'clock.
Tuesday, April 22nd 1.777
The Council met, According to adjt.
Present, as before.
Edward Taylor Esq' appeared before the Board and Entered into Recognizance with Joseph Borden and John Imlay Esqrs his Sureties in £300 Each, before the Governor & Council for his Appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Monmouth, and in the mean- time to be of the Peace and Good Behaviour and was there- upon dismissed.
Resolved That his Excelley the Governor write to Gen' Max- well for an exact Return of the four Jersey Battalions Belong- ing to his Brigade, which was done in the words following, to wit,
" Bordentown 22d April 1777
Sir,
In pursuance of a Resolution of Congress of the 14th In- stant, "That it be recommended to the Executive Powers, of " Each of the United States to procure exact Returns of the " Continental Troops, in each, & transmit the same to Congress " without Delay. & requiring all officers and Soldiers of the " continental Army to pay the strictest Regard to the orders of " the
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" the executive powers of the several States touching the " Premises " You are requested by the Governor & Council of this State, with all possible Dispatch to procure & transmit to them exact returns of the four Battalions of the Troops raised in this State in the Service of the United States, belonging to your Brigade
To Brigadier- Gen1 Maxwell,
I am Sir Your most humble Sevt W. L.
Edmund Harris, who was apprehended by General Forman in Virtue of an Order from his Excellency Gen' Washington, and sent to Philada was ordered before the Board, and the Charges exhibited against him, under Oath being read in his Presence, and he being heard relative to the same was ordered to withdraw.
Benjamin Woolley was called before the Board, and being Examined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as established by the Legislature, and was accordingly dis- charged,
Jacob Harvey was called before the Board, and, being ex- amined, took the Oaths as above, &c,
John Riddle, Richard Jeffrey and Daniel Stukey, were brought before the . Board, and being Examined took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as established by the Legislature, and were thereupon dismissed.
M' Hart attended & took his seat at the Board.
William Cooper, and Jedediah Lippincot were called before the Board, and being Examined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance and were thereupon dismissed.
Adja till 3 O'clock P.M.
Met according to Adjt.
M' Symines attended & took his seat in Council.
Cornelius Williamson appeared before the Board, and refus- ing to take the Oaths, but being willing to be bound with Sureties, for his Appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Hunterdon; the Board gave him time till ToMorrow to provide Sureties for the Purpose aforesaid.
Joseph Thatcher appeared before the Board and being ex- amined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State and was thereupon dismissed.
John Meldrum appeared before the Board, and, being ex- amined,
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amined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State and was thereupon dismissed.
M' Combes appeared & took his seat in Council.
Daniel Bancroft appeared before the Board, and being ex- amined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State and was thereupon dismissed
Ordered, That a Warrt of Committ be issued agst Edmund Harris, of Monmouth, charged with High Treason &c,
The Board being informed, that Cornelius Williamson was desirous of appearing before them,
Ordered, That he do attend without Delay.
Cornelius Williamson, appeared before the Board, and ex- pressed his Desire and Willingness to take the Oaths as estab- lished by the Legislature; whereupon the same were tendered to him, which he took, & he was accordingly dismissed.
Timothy Lake was again ordered before the Board, & took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State, where- upon he was discharged,
The examination in Writing and under Oath of the aforesaid Lake was taken relative to the Conduct of Christopher and John Vaught.
Richard Willson was called before the Board, and examined, and on the Oaths being tendered to him, he requested Time to consider of them, or to find Sureties in case he could not take them with a safe Conscience; whereupon the Board indulged him in his Request, and ordered him to withdraw.
M' Manning had leave of absence.
The Board adjourned till tomorrow morning 7 O'clock.
Wednesday 23rd April 1.777
The Board met, pursuant to adjt
Present His Excellency the Governor
M' Hart M' Manning
Co1 Symmes M' Camp
Co1 Scudder M' Combs
Mr Elmer
Mr Paterson
The Resolutions of the Honble Congress of the 14th of this Instant, were again read & considered; and the Board being of Opinion, that it is of the last Importance that this State should complete its Quota of Men without Delay, and that it is impossible
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impossible to effectuate this pressing and necessary Business without the immediate Interference of the Legislature, Re- solved, That it be recommended to the Speaker of the Honble House of Assembly to convene the Members of the Legisla- ture, at Haddonfield, on Wednesday the 7th day of May next and that it be enjoined on the Members to give the most punc- tual Attendance on the day and at the place above ap- pointed
M' Symmes had leave of absence.
The Petition of Edmund Harris, charged with High Treason &c, praying that he might have'leave to reside in some private Dwelling House in Freehold, during his Indisposition, on giv- ing Surety was read and ordered to lie on the table.
Wm Sands was called before the Board, and examined touching the Conduct of Henry Wetherby, and others, and after some Time spent therein, his further Examination post- poned till the Afternoon.
Adjd till 3 O'clock P. M.
The Board met,
Present His Excellency the Governor
Mr Elmer
Mª Hart
Mr Scudder
Mr Combes
M' Paterson
M' Camp
Thomas Forman Esq' appeared before the Board, and was examined relative to the Conduct of Anthony Woodward, John Leonard, Jesse Woodward, William Grover, Ezekiel Forman, Thomas Woodward, (son of Anthony) Robert Thompson, Wm Taylor (son of Wm) and others, and such his Examination re- duced to Writing, and Subscribed and Sworn to by the said Tho® Forman.
The Board again called in Wm Sands, and resumed his Ex- amination relative to Samuel Wright, Henry Wetherby, Wm Smith and Thos Sherman and others, which was reduced to Writing, and Subscribed and Sworn to by the Said Sands.
Wm Sands was also examined touching the Conduct of Thomas Kerney and such Examination reduced to Writing and Subscribed and Sworn to by the said Sands.
John Andrews appeared before the Board, and was ex- amined touching the Conduct of Wu Grover, and others, and his Examination reduced to Writing and Subscribed and Sworn to by the said Andrews.
Richard
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Richard Francis who was Subpoenaed as a Witness, ap- peared before the Board & was examined, but his Testimony not being material, it was not reduced to Writing.
John Van Mater was called before the Board, and examined, and the Oaths to Government being tendered, he refused to take them, but was willing to be bound with Surety, for his Appearance at the next Court of Quarter Sessions &c, And the said John Van Mater did accordingly enter into Recog- nizance, with Edmund Bainbridge, his Surety in £300 Each before the Governor & Council, for his Appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Monmouth, and in the meanTime to be of the Peace and of the Good Behaviour, and was thereupon dis- missed.
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