USA > New Jersey > Minutes of the Council of Safety of the state of New Jersey > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
Daniel Grandine 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 Daniel Grandine did accordingly enter into Recog- nizance, with Aaron Van Clief, 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 of the Good Behaviour, & was thereupon dismissed.
Adjd till ToMorrow Morns 9 O'clock.
Thursday, April 24. 1.777 .
Met pursuant to adjournment.
Present His Excellency the Governor
Mr Elmer Mr Hart
M' Scudder Mr Combes
M' Paterson M' Camp.
Samuel Knott appeared before the Board, and was examined relative to the Conduct of Henry Wetherby, Samuel Wright, Stephen Wist, Nathan Allen, and others, and his Examination reduced to Writing and Subscribed and Sworn to by the said Samuel Knott.
William Sands, and Samuel Knott were called in and ex- amined touching the Conduct of Obadiah King, of the County of Burlington, who was apprehended for making use of Ex- pressions,
D
34
pressions, which tend to encourage Disaffection, and to raise Tumults and Disorders in the State
Ordered, That the said Obadiah King be brought before the Board.
Obadiah King appeared before the Board, and being ex- amined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance as established by the Legislature of the State and was thereupon dismissed.
James Bell was called before the Board, the Accusation against him read in his Presence, and being examined relative to the same, was ordered to withdraw.
Adjd till 3 O'clock P. M.
Met pursuant to adjournment.
Agreed, that three blank Commissions be sent to Lt Col Vandike, to be filled up with the Names of the Officers Elected by the Princeton Company of Militia, and that the said Col be directed to make returns thereof.
Thomas Cleayton and Jonathan Burge were called before the Board, and examined, and took and subscribed the Oaths to the State, whereupon they were dismissed.
Nathan Sutton, David Heslip and Benjamin Jones were ordered before the Board, and being examined, took and Sub- scribed the Oaths to the State, and were thereupon dismissed.
George Applegate of the County of Burlington, appeared before the Board, and delivered up the Protection given him by the Enemy, which he was hitherto prevented from Doing on the Score of Indisposition, and took and Subscribed the Oaths to the State, as established by the Legislature.
David Walker and John Carson were ordered before the Board, and it appearing that they belong to the State of Penn- sylvania, the board advised his Excellency to write to M' President Wharton on the Occasion, inclosing the Charge against them, and that they be sent down to Philada as soon as possible.
Wm Grandine was called before the Board, and being ex- amined, the Oaths to Government were tendered to him, which he refused to take, and requested Time in Order to provide Sureties for his Appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the County of Monmouth &c, and the Board granted his Request.
James Bell & Cornelius Cleayton were ordered before the Board, and being examined, took and subscribed the Oaths to the State, and were thereupon dismissed.
William Lippincott and Stephen Harvey were ordered before the
------
.
1
35
1764890
the Board, and being Examined, took and Subscribed the Oaths to the State, and were thereupon dismissed.
Adj'd till Tomorrow mors 9 O'clock.
Friday April 25th 1.777
Met pursuant to Adjournment
Present, as before.
Thomas Bennet, Jeremiah Bennet, Joseph Bennet & The- ophilus Bennet were ordered before the Board and being Ex- amined took and Subscribed the Oaths to the State, and were thereupon dismissed.
William Tice was ordered before the Board, the Accusation against him read in his Presence, and being heard and examined relative to the Same, was ordered to withdraw.
Simeon Badcock was called before the Board, and examined, & 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 General Quarter Sessions of the Peace &c, And the Said Simeon Badcock did accordingly enter into Recognizance, with Daniel Grandine and John Van Mater, his Sureties 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 of the good Behaviour and was thereupon dismissed.
William Smith was called before the Board, the Charge against him read, and he heard and examined relative to the Same, and then ordered to withdraw.
2
William Grandine appeared before the Board, and entered into Recognizance with Daniel Grandine and Tallman Smith, 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 & of the good Behaviour; and was thereupon dismissed.
Robert Hartshorne and Essek Hartshorne appeared before the Board, pursuant to citation, on the score of being danger- ous & disaffected to the present Governmt. Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths to the State were tendered to them, which they refused to take; the Board then called upon them to enter into Recognizances with Surety, for their appearance at the next Court of Gen' Sessions, of the Peace in & for the County of Monmouth, which they also refused,-Whereupon they were ordered to with draw.
Adjourned till 3 O'clock P. M.
Met
36
Met pursuant to adjournment.
Robert Hartshorne & Esseck Hartshorne were again- called before the Board, and refused either to take Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths to the State, or to be bound with sufficient Sureties for their appearance at the next Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for the County of Mon- mouth &c, Whereupon Ordered, That Warrants of Committ be issued against the said Robert Hartshorne and Essek Harts- horne directed to the keeper of the Gaol in Monmouth for re- fusing to take the Affirmations & to find Sureties as required by Law.
Thomas Kerney was called before the Board, the Accusation against him read in his Presence, and being heard and exam- ined relative to the Same was ordered to withdraw.
Amariah Farnsworth appeared before the Board, took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State and thereupon was discharged.
Thomas Kerney appeared before the Board and entered into Recognizance, with Peter Imlay and John Van Mater of the County of Monmouth, his Sureties, in £300 each, before the Governor & Council, for his appearance at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer and General Gaol Delivery to be held in the said County of Monmouth, then and there to answer for mali- ciously and advisedly reviling & speaking contemptuously of the honourable Congress of the United States of North America, and of the Measures adopted by the said Congress, and for maliciously and advisedly Saying and doing Things encourag- ing Disaffection, & manifestly tending to raise Tumults and Disorders in the State of New Jersey aforesaid and to Such other Charge as shall, on Behalf of the said State, be objected against the said Thomas Kerney, and in the mean Time to be of the Peace & of the good Behaviour; and was thereupon dis- missed,-
Stephen Hedges appeared before the Board pursuant to Cita- tion, on the Score of being dangerous and disaffected to the present Government, and being one of the People called Quakers, took Affirmations to the Effect of the Oaths to the State, and was thereupon dismissed.
Henry Wetherby was called before the Board, the Charge exhibited against him under Oath was read in his Hearing, and he examined relative to the Same, and then ordered to with draw.
Mr Camp had leave of absence.
Adj'd till ToMorrow morn" 8 O'clock.
Saturday
-
37
Met according to adj".
Saturday April 26th 1777
Present, His Excellency the Governor
Mr Elmer Mr Scudder Mr Paterson
M' Hart
M' Combes
Ordered, That William Tice and William Smith appear before the Board,
William Tice and William Smith were again examined and heard and were dismissed on taking and Subscribing the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State.
Richard Wilson appeared before the Board and entered into Recognizance, with Edward Taylor Esq' 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 of the Good Behaviour and was thereupon dis- missed.
William McMurray of the County of Monmouth, appeared before the Board, and took and Subscribed the Oaths of Abju- ration and Allegiance to the State.
Daniel Hendrickson, who was summoned to appear as a Per- son suspected of being disaffected and dangerous to the present Government, did accordingly attend, and on Examination acknowledged that he had recd a Protection from the Enemy, which he refused to give up when demanded by the Board. Whereupon the Oaths to the State were tendered to the said · Hendrickson, who refused to take the same, but was ready, with his Surety, to enter into Recognizance, &c, And the said Daniel Hendrickson did accordingly enter into Recognizance with Edward Taylor Esq' 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 Mon- mouth and in the meanTime to be of the Peace, and of the Good Behaviour, and was thereupon dismissed.
1
John Cotterell appeared before the Board, was examined and took and subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration and Alleg- iance to the State & was thereupon dismissed.
Abraham Smith of Monmouth appeared before the Board, was examined, delivered up his Protection, and was dismissed on taking and subscribing the Oaths of Abjuration and Alleg- iance to the State.
Isaac
38
Isaac Sharp of Monmouth appeared before the Board, was examined, delivered up his Protection, and was dismissed on taking and subscribing the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State.
Joseph Burdge was called before the Board, and being ex- amined, took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State and was thereupon dismissed.
Henry Wetherby appeared before the Board, and entered into Recognizance with Abraham Smith, Wm Smith and Isaac Sharp his Sureties in £300 Each before the Governor and Council, for his Appearance at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol. delivery to be held in the County of Monmouth, then and there to answer for advisedly & wit- tingly, by Speech Writing, open Deed and Act, maintaining and defending the Authority, Jurisdiction and Power of the King of Great Britain in and over the State of New Jersey, and for maliciously and advisedly saying and doing Things en- couraging Disaffection, and manifestly tending to raise Tumults and Disorders in the said State, and to such other Charge as shall, on Behalf of the said State, be objected against the said Henry Wetherby, and in the meanTime to be of the Peace and of the good Behaviour, and was thereupon dismissed.
Adja till 3 O'clock P.M.
Met pursuant to Adjt
Daniel Williams was called before the Board, examined & ordered to withdraw.
Daniel Williams again appeared before the Board, & was dismissed on taking and subscribing the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State.
Adj'd till Monday, 3 O'clock P. M.
Monday, April 28th 1.777
Met pursuant to Adjt
Present His Excellency the Governor. Mr Elmer Mr Combes
Mr Paterson
There not being a Quorum to proceed to Business, adjourned till To-Morrow morn" 9 O'clock.
Tuesday
.
39
Tuesday April 29th 1.777
Met pursuant to adjournment.
Present His Excellency the Governor Mr Ehmer M' Combes Mr Paterson M' Camp
There not being yet a Quorum, adjourned till 11 O'clock A. M.
Met pursuant to adjt Present-as before.
There not being Members sufficient to make a Board adjourned till 3 O'clock P. M.
Met pursuant to adjournment .
Present His Excellency the Governor
M' Elmer Mr Combes
Mr Scudder
Mr Camp
Mr Paterson
Col Bowes Reed, agreeable to his Warrt sent to this Place, John Blackwell under guard.
Ordered, That Subpoenas be issued to cite, Joseph Campion, Isaac Merit, and William Norton to appear before the Board at 10 O'clock ToMorrow to bear Testimony against John Black- well.
His Excellency was pleased to lay before the Board, a Letter from Elisha Boudinot Esqr of Date the 18th Instant, informing that he was obliged to decline the office of Secretary which this Board had conferred upon him.
A Petition from sundry officers and others, Inhabitants of the Town of New Ark, in the County of Essex, was read, setting forth, That a number of the Officers belonging to the Militia of the said Town were Either dead, or by submitting to the Enemy, were disqualified from acting, and praying that certain Persons recommended in the said Petition might be commissioned, as there was the most pressing Call for having the Militia Officered without Delay.
Agreed, That this Board has not Competency and Jurisdic- tion respecting the Subject Matter of the said Petition, and that the same be referred to the Legislature.
William
40
William Halfpenny, who was sent to this Place by General Putnam, was ordered before the Board, examined and dismissed on delivering up the Protection he received from the Enemy, and taking the Oaths to the State.
William Butler Linch, who was apprehended and sent to this Place by Order of General Putnam, was brought before the Board & Examined, and dismissed on taking and subscribing the Oaths to the State.
Lary Johnston, Thomas Gohem, and Daniel Dancer, who were apprehended by Major Scudder and sent to Princeton & from thence to this Place under guard by General Putnam, were ordered into Custody in the Guard-Room, until the Board can hear the Charge against them, and examine Witnesses respecting the same.
His Excellency was pleased to lay before the Board, a Letter from Gen' Putnam, inclosing a Letter from Major Scudder, respecting the said Lary Johnston, Thomas Gohem and Daniel Dancer.
Jacob Dancer was called before the Board, the Charge ex- hibited against him under Oath was read, and he examined relative to the same ; and then remanded to Prison.
Ordered That Subpoenas be issued to cite John Anderson and Thomas Smith to appear before the Board, and bear Testimony against Stephen Flood.
Adjourned till ToMorrow Morns 9 O'clock.
Wednesday, April 30th, 1.777
Met pursuant to adjournment.
Present, as before,
David Burton appeared before the Board, & was examined touching the Conduct of Alexander Willson, and such his Examination reduced to Writing, and subscribed and sworn to by the said Burton.
Isaac Meait, who was cited as a Witness, sent his son who appeared & informed the Board, that his Father was indisposed and could not attend.
Joseph Campion appeared before the Board, pursuant to Citation, and was examined touching the behaviour of John Blackwell, and such his Examination reduced to Writing, and subscribed and affirmed to by the said Joseph Campion.
William Norton appeared before the Board and was ex- amined respecting the Charge against John Blackwell; but his Testimony not being material, it was not reduced to Writing.
Ordered That Subpoenas be made out & served upon John Wright,
41
Wright, James Wells, and a certain Man commonly called English Thomas, to appear before the Board at 10 O'clock A.M. ToMorrow, and bear Testimony against John Blackwell.
Ordered, That a Warrant be issued to bring before this Board, Alexander Willson, of Upper Freehold in the County of Monmouth.
Adjd till 3 O'clock P.M.
Met pursuant to adjournment.
Daniel Dancer was ordered before the Board and examined and then remanded to Prison.
Ordered, That a Warrt of Commitmt be issued agt Jacob Dancer charged with High Treason, and directed to the Keeper of the Gaol at Burlington.
Thomas Goheen & Lawrence Johnston were ordered before the Board, and it appearing that they belong to the State of Pennsylvania, the Board advised his Excellency to write to M' President Wharton, inclosing the Charge against them, and that they be sent to Philada as soon as possible.
Adj'd till 9 O'clock ToMorrow morns.
Thursday, May 1st 1.777
Met pursuant to Adjt.
Present, as before.
John Jolley of the County of Burlington and one of the Prisoners sent to this Place by the Council of Safety of Penn- sylvania, was ordered before the Board, examined and dismissed on taking and subscribing the Oaths of Abjuration and Alleg- iance to the State.
John Wright appeared before the Board, pursuant to Cita- tion, and was examined respecting the Charge exhibited against John Blackwell, and such his Examination reduced to Writing and subscribed and Affirmed to by the said John Wright.
James Wills appeared according to Citation, and was ex- amined respecting the Charge against John Blackwell ; but as his Testimony was immaterial it was not reduced to Writing.
Alexander Willson was brought before the Board, the Charge exhibited against him under Oath was read and he ex- amined relative to the same, and then ordered to with draw.
John Blackwell was ordered before the Board, the Charge against him read, and he heard relative to the same, and then remanded to Prison.
Ordered, That a Warrt of Commitment be awarded against John Blackwell, charged with High Treason, and directed to the keeper of the Gaol at Burlington.
Thomas
E
-
42
Thomas Maddock, commonly called English Tom, appeared before the Board, pursuant to Citation, and was examined re- specting the charge against John Blackwell ; but as his Testi- mony was immaterial, it was not reduced to Writing.
Elias Hollman of the County of Monmouth, appeared before the Board and took & subscribed the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State.
Adjourned till 3 O'clock P. M.
Met pursuant to Adjournment.
M' Boudinot attended as Secretary and took his seat accordingly
The Governor laid before the Board a letter from Elias Boudinot Esq' Commissary of Prisoners, requesting an account of the disbursments & expences of this state in favor of the several Prisoners taken from the king of Great Britain, and also a return of such Prisoners as are now confined in this State.
Agreed, That as this Board has not jurisdiction in the mat- ter, it be referred to the Legislature.
Ordered, That a Warrt of Commitment be awarded against Alexander Willson, charged with advisedly & maliciously saying and doing Things encouraging Disaffection, & mani- festly tending to raise Tumults and Disorders in the State, the said Warrt was directed to the keeper of the Gaol at Bur- lington,
Ordered, That the sum of Thirteen Pounds, seventeen shil- lings & sixPence be paid to Thomas Powel for his Services as Doorkeeper to this Board from the 26th March to the 1st May inclusive.
His Excellency was pleased to sign the following Certifi- cates-To John Combs Esq' for the sum of Sixteen Pounds ten shillings proclamation Money for twenty seven Days at- tendance at this Board.
To Nathaniel Scudder Esqr for the sum of Twenty four Pounds like Money for Forty Days attendance at this Board.
To Theophilus Elmore Esq', for the sum of Thirteen Pounds sixteen shillings like Money for twenty three Days like attend- ance.
To Benjamin Manning Esq" for the sum of Eighteen Pounds like Money for Thirty Days like attendance.
To Caleb Camp Esq' for the sum of Fifteen Pounds twelve shillings like Money for Twenty six Days like attendance.
To John . Hart Esq' for the sum of Nine Pounds twelve shil- lings like Money for Sixteen days like attendance.
Haddonfield,
4.
43
Haddonfield, May 10th 1.777
The Governor and Members of the Council of Safety met.
Present. His Excellency the Governor
M' Syınmes
Mr Combs
M' Elmer M' Camp
Mr Scudder
Mr Weatherby
M' Hart
Mr Manning
Peter Obart, Francis Letts & William Lake Prisoners appre- hended by Major John Taylor in Consequence of Orders from General Putnam, and conducted under Guard to this Place, were brought before the Board & examined, and there appear- ing no Evidence against them sufficient to continue their Con- finement, they severally took the Oaths of Abjuration and Allegiance to the State & were discharged.
The Council adjourned till Monday next.
Monday, May 12th 1.777
The Council met according to adjt.
Present. His Excellency the Governor. M' Symmes Mr Paterson
M' Elmer M' Scudder
M' Condict
M' Dick
A memorial was presented by Can't John Dennis, of the Township of Shrewsbury in the County of Monmouth, request- ing the Council to take Cognizance of the Cases of two Negroes the property of Peter Parker & John Slocum of the Township Afsd who were sometime in February last taken Prisoners by the Memorialist on Suspicion of their having been in Arms, & aiding to the Enemy &e, & afterwards sent to Philadelphia where they have been confined ever since, & further seting forth that the Masters of the said Negroes are desirous of having the Matter heard & decided upon by this Board.
The Council taking the Matter into Consideration, called Capt Dennis before them, & having obtained what Information he was able to communicate, appointed Wednesday the 21st Inst, for sª Parker & Slocum to attend before this Board, of which Capta Dennis was desired to inform them.
A
44
A Sergeant's Guard, detatched by Major John Taylor at Cranberry in the County of Middlesex, arrived with a Prisoner taken by a Party of Horsemen near the Enemy's lines at Bruns wic, and by Order delivered him to the standing guard in this Place. A Letter was at the same Time delivered to his Excellency giving Information that although sd Prisoner has assumed the name of John Brown, yet his real name is John Lee; that he formerly lived in Philadelphia and had lately in- troduced a number of Recruits into Brunswic, for the Purpose of joining the British Army, which he had confessed to Major Taylor.
Two Persons vizt
Thompson & Hall were called in & examined respecting the sd Prisoner, but as their Evidence amounted to Nothing very interesting, it was not committed to writing,
Adjourned till 6 O'clock P. M.
Met according to Adjournment
John Brown alias John Lee was ordered before the Board, and after an Examination remanded to Prison.
Capt" Timothy Shaler delivered to the Council two prisoners namely John Martin & William Cowen taken in a Prize, who were ordered into Confinement.
The Council adjourned till tomorrow Morning 11 o'clock.
Tuesday, May 13th
The Council met according to Adjt.
Present His Excellency the Governor
M' Elmer, M' Camp
Mr Condict,
Mr Manning
M' Scudder,
A Letter was laid by his Excellency before this Board from the Secretary of the Board of War, inclosing some Resolutions of Congress respecting Capt Gamble & Doct' Stapleton at Princeton who are suspected of being concerned in unwarrant- able Practices against the United States of America, & re- questing that His Excellency would enquire into the Conduct of those persons, & transmit the Result of such enquiries to Congress.
His Excellency consented to make immediate Application to some Persons in or near Princeton to procure every necessary Proof
45
Proof and Information.
Subpoenas were ordered to be issued for Marshall Isaac Kay, Major William Ellis & Capt James Tallman citing them to appear before this Board, to give Testimony against sundry Persons suspected of Disaffection & MalPractices against this State.
The Council adjourned till tomorrow morning 10 O'clock.
May 14th.
The Council met according to adjournment.
Present. His Excellency the Governor.
Mr Condict Mr Mehelm
M' Elmer
M' Wetherby
Mr Scudder
M' Manning
Mr Camp
M' Isaac Kay appeared before the Board and was examined, touching the conduct & suspicious Behaviour of John Hench- man Esq" but as his Information was not founded upon his own personal Knowledge, his Testimony was not reduced to writing.
A subpoena was ordered to be issued for John Sparks Esq" to appear before this Board to give Evidence against sd John Henchman Esqr.
John Martin and William Cowen the two Prisoners delivered to the Council by Capt Shaler, were brought before the Board and as they did not choose to enter on board an American armed vessel, they were remanded to the Guard House untill Appli- cation can be made to the Board of War concerning the Dis- position of them.
The Council adjourned till tomorrow 11 O'clock A. M.
Thursday May 15th 1.777
Met according to adjournment
Present. His Excellency the Governor M' Elmer Mr Camp.
M' Scudder Mr Manning
M' Condict
M' Combes
Major William Ellis, appeared before the Council, and was interrogated
46
interrogated as to the suspicious Conduct of John Henchman Esq', but as his Testimony was founded upon Information chiefly, it was not reduced to writing.
Peter Young & Henry Mourisson two of the Prisoners sent down from General Heard were called before the Board, and very particularly examined touching their own Designs and that of their Accomplices. It clearly appeared from their own Confessions that they were, when apprehended, on their way towards the British Army in Company which Richard Stagg (who was the Person that persuaded them to go off) Francis Mourisson & Ezekiel Wood, who all three made their Escape ; they were remanded to Confinement. Peter Young declared that Jacob Hilar and his son Nicholas, Abraham Tiers, John Welcher, Thomas Welcher, Silas Roberts, one Losan & one Tuthill were gone off to the enemy.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.