USA > New Jersey > Cape May County > The history of Cape May County, New Jersey : from the aboriginal times to the present day > Part 16
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On October 14, 1777, the second election for members of the Legislature took place and Elijah Hughes was chosen Councillor; Hugh Hathorn, Henry Y. Townsend and Jere- miah Eldredge, assemblymen. Only twelve persons voted. None of these, elected, however, served then, but did in a year or so later.
By act of April 14, 1778, the militia of the southern coun- ties of the State was formed into a brigade.
From the compilation of Adjutant General Stryker and from local sources and genealogies of Cape May families we gather this list of officers and men who served in the Revolution from Cape May county :
John Mackey colonel, resigned March 27, 1778.
196
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
Nicholas Stillwell, Lieutenant Colonel, September 20, 1776, Colonel March 27, 1778, Colonel Regiment of State troops, October 9, 1779, resigned September 23, 1780.
Henry Hand, lieutenant colonel, resigned June 18, 1776.
Enoch Stillwell, Ist Major, September 20, 1776, Lieuten- ant Colonel October 7, 1778, resigned May 23.
-- Eli Eldridge, first major, resigned June 18, 1776.
John Hand, 2nd Major, September 20, 1776, first major March 27, 1778.
Thomas Leaming, adjutant, resigned June 18, 1776.
Nathan Hand, Quartermaster, September 10, 1777.
Eli Elmer, paymaster Cumberland and Cape May, 2nd lieutenant in Western Company of artillery.
Jesse Hand, paymaster.
Memucum Hughes, paymaster, July 6, 1776; commissary same date.
John Cresse, Ist lieutenant Captain Jenkins' company June 7, 1777, captain in the same.
David Edward, Ist lieutenant captain Willetts' company, April 16, 1777.
Salanthial Foster, Captain, May 23, 1777.
Jonathan Jenkins, Captain, June 7, 1777.
Seth Whilldin, captain First Battalion Cavalry; Captain in Col. Somers' Battalion, State troops, Dec. 25, 1776.
Henry Stevens, Captain.
Humphrey Stites, Captain, and Captain in Major Hayes' battalion state troops.
Henry Young Townsend, Captain June 7, 1777.
James Wilietts, Jr., Captain April 16, 1777.
Thomas Stites, Captain.
Henry Ludlam, Ist lieutenant June 7, 1777. Captain Henry Townsend's company, June, 1777.
Robert Parsons, Jr., Ist lieutenant June 7, 1777. Cap- tain Forster's company May 23, 1777.
Amos Cresse, second lieutenant, Captain Jenkins' com- pany June 7, 1777.
Christopher Ludlam, second lieutenant, Captain Town- send's company June 7, 1777.
John Newton, second lieutenant Captain Forster's com- pany, May 23, 1777.
197
CAPE MAY PATRIOTS.
Joseph Wheaton, second lieutenant in Captain Willetts' company, April 16, 1777.
Jacob Cresse, ensign Captain Townsend's company, June, 1777.
David Hand, ensign, Captain Foster's company, May 23, 1777.
Richard Mathews, ensign, Captain Jenkins' Company, June 7, 1777.
Henry Young, ensign, Captain Willetts' company, April 16, 1777.
Joseph Edward, corporal, New Jersey line.
Of the privates the following were probably from this county :
Atkinson, Isaac.
Bran, Joseph, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est. Continental Line.
Brown, Thomas, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est. Continental Line, Captain Holmes' Co., also 2nd Regiment, third Regi- ment.
Campbell, Robert, 3rd Battalion, Ist Est., Captain Gif- ford's Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Est., Continental Line.
Chester, Hiram, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est., Continental Line.
Corson, Cornelius, Captain Willetts' Company.
Corson, Darius, Captain Willetts' Company.
Corson, David, Captain Willetts' Company.
Corson, Jacob, Captain Willetts' Company.
Corson, Jesse, Captain Willetts' Company.
Corson, John, Captain Willetts' Company.
Corson, Levi, Captain Willetts' Company.
Corson, Nicholas, Captain Willetts' Company.
Corson, Parmenas, Captain Willetts' Company.
Corson, Rem, Captain Willetts' Company.
Crafton, John, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est., Continental Line.
Daniels, Jeremiah, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est., Conti- nental Line.
Davis, William, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est. Continental Line.
198
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
Day, Thomas, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est. Continental Line.
Erickson, Moses, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est. Continen- tal Line.
Gamble, Calvin, also State troops.
Godfrey, James, Captain Willetts' Company.
Golden, John, Captain Willetts' Co.
Goldin, Samuel, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est.
Griffings, Moses, Captain Willetts' Company.
Hand, Constantine, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est.
Hand, Cornelius, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est.
Hand, Eleazer, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est.
Hand, Jeremiah.
Hand, Japhet, Captain Willetts' Co.
Hand, Recompense.
Insell, Samuel, Captain Willetts' Co.
Kellony, John.
Kilsey, John, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est.
Lee, Abel, Captain Willetts' Co.
McQuay, John, New Jersey Line.
Plummer, James, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est.
Schillenger, James.
Schull, Daniel
Scott, Thomas, Captain Willetts' Co.
Shaw, John, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est.
Stevens, Stephen, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est.
Swan, Joseph, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est.
Vaneman, Richard, also 2nd Battalion, 2nd Est.
Van Gilder, Abraham, Captain Willetts' Company.
Van Gilder, Isaac, Captain Willetts' Company.
Van Gilder, Jeremiah, Captain Willetts' Company. Van Hook Lawrence.
Willett, Amos, Captain Willietts' Co.
Young, Stephen, Captain Willetts' Company.
Young, Uriah, Captain Willetts' Co.
Captain Nicholas Stillwell was an efficient officer.
Dr. Beesley says: "Capt. Moses Griffing, who married Sarah, a sister of Capt. Stillwell, was taken prisoner by the British towards the close of the war, and placed in the fa- mous, or rather infamous, New Jersey prison ship; that un-
199
CAPE MAY PATRIOTS.
Adying stigma upon the name and fame of Britain, where the dying, the dead, the famished and famishing, were pro- miscuously huddled together. A truthful, yet romantic story could be told of his young wife, who, upon hearing of his unfortunate imprisonment, true to lier plighted vows, and actuated by a heroism which woman's love only can inspire, resolved to visit him and solicit his release, though one hundred miles distant through woods and wilds, marau- ders and tories, or die in the attempt. She mnade the camp of Washington in her route, who put under her charge a British officer of equal rank with her husband. She reached New York in safety, and after a long and painful suspense Sir Henry Clinton yielded to her importunities; her hus- band was exchanged, and both made happy."
Robert Parsons, Jr., was one of the prominent men of liis day. He was born Sept. 17, 1748, was appointed first lieu- tenant in the army June 7, 1777.
He was chosen Captain of the Militia Company, Lower Precinct, and was commissioned as such by Governor Wil- liam Livingston, at Trenton, March 21, 1778. He was also duly elected and commissioned by him Coroner of Cape May county, October 1I, 1785, and October 10, 1786. He was again commissioned Coroner of the county by Govern- or Richard Howell, October 18, 1800, and was appointed by him a Justice of the Peace, November 13, 1800. He was frequently selected with others as an arbitrator to settle dif- ficulties among neighbors, and was frequently given a pow- er of attorney to attend important business for persons who were living at a distance from Cape May. And he was ap- pointed by the Legislature, both Council and Assembly, to be one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for Cape May county, and was commissioned as such by Governor Aaron Ogden, November 5, 1812. He died Nov. 7th, 1822, aged 74 years.
Abijah Reeves, one of three brothers who came to Cape May county from Cumberland, in 1772, was a Revolution- ary soldier. He was born in 1750. He served also in the War of 1812. He died in 1822, and was buried at Cold Spring.
John Grace was another Revolutionary soldier not re-
200
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
corded in the list of General Stryker. He enlisted June 13, 1777, in Captain Samuel Flannagan's Company, Third New Jersey battalion, second establishment. He took part with; the New Jersey Brigade in the campaign in Western Penn- sylvania under General Sullivan against the Six Nations In- dians. He also served in Captain Joseph I. Anderson's com- pany, first regiment New Jersey Continental line, and was. detailed to and served in the New Jersey Light Infantry battalion, Colonel Francis Barber commanding, and was. with the New Jersey troops at the siege of Yorktown, Va.,. and at the battle of Yorktown and surrender of Cornwallis,. on October 19, 1781. He was discharged June 5, 1783, by General Washington. He died April 10, 1835, and was. buried in Union Cemetery, Dennisville.
The incomplete records show him acting in these capa- cities: 1777, fifer; 1778, March, fifer, and 1779, February, fifer.
The Pension office records say he was in the battles of Bennington, Brandywine, Monmouth and Yorktown. In March, May, June and July, 1779, he was a conductor of stores, and in each of these months Quartermaster General John Mitchell sent him in charge of stores to Colonel Hoop- er at Easton. He carried with him during the latter years of his service, a letter written by General Washington to General Gates, saying that John Grace was a scout and could be trusted with any important despatches which might pass between them relative to military affairs.
Henry Young Townsend, captain of the fourth company of Cape May, was born May 7th, 1744. He was a member of the Legislature from 1779 to 1780, and sheriff of the. county from 1774 to 1777. He died May 13th, 1789.
The good services which the New Jersey militia perform- ed in this state are recorded in history. Some of them par- ticipated in the fights and skirmishes at Quinton's Bridge, Hancock's Bridge, Three Rivers, Connecticut Farnis, Van Nest's Mills, and in battles supporting the Continental army at Long Island, Trenton, Assunpink, Princeton, Ger- mantown, Springfield and Monmouth.
Following is a statement of Revolutionary Pensioners on the rolls in 1818 and 1830. In 1833; Jeremiah Leaming, a
201
CAPE MAY PATRIOTS.
member of the Legislative Council from this county, had other Cape May m n pensioned. The statement reads:
"Statement showing the names, rank, of persons resid- ing in Cape May county, who have been inscribed on the pension list, under the act of Congress passed on the 18th of March, 1818:
Joseph Edwards. corporal; annual allowance,$96.00; sum received' $1483.16; served in New Jersey line; placed on roll, August 1, 1821; . age 77.
John Grace, private; annual allowance. $96 00; sum received, 81525 29. served in New Jersey line; placed on roll, June 30, 1818; age 78.
John Magway, or John McQuay, private; annual allowance, $96 00; sum received, $816 87; served in New Jersey Line; placed on roll, September 14, 1820; age 70; died, Februrry 13, 1829.
The following were pensioners under act of June 7, 1832:
John Dickinson, private; annual allowance, $40;00; sum received. $100.00; served in New Jersey militia; placed on roll, June 3, 1833; age, 75
Ebenezer Preston, private; annual allowance, $23.30; sum received, $69 99; served in New Jersey_militia; placed on roll, June 3, 1833 .; age, 84
On October 17, 1777, the Council of Safety, then in ses- sion, passed a resolution, which in part was:
"In consequence of a resolution of Congress of the 31st July last, recommending the executive authority of each State to appoint proper persons to recruit men and appre- hend deserters," each county was made a district, and per- sons were appointed to carry out the suggestion of Con- gress. In Cape May John Hand and James Willetts were appointed and the recruits were to rendezvous at Capt. James Willetts' house.
Before and during the Revolution there were many salt works along the shore of the Province, among them a very extensive one near Townsend Inlet, on the late James Town- send's place, the owner of which, Dr. Harris, incurred the . special ill-will of the British because he furnished gun pow- der to the patriot army. While the British offered a reward. for him and threatened, these works were not, however, il. easy reach of the enemy, and as a consequence not disturb --- ed.
20:
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
Levi Huglingsworth had salt works at Turtle Gut Inlet, in 1777, and Aaron Leaming also had a salt works set up in May this year. John Holmes and Persons Leaming work- ed them. They made five tons of salt that year.
During the Revolution the Delaware was the object of British attack. At the virtual head of navigation lay Phila- delphia with her opulent Quaker warehouses and stores and the fertile farm lands near by. To reach these the river must be ascended and to guard the town and the Delaware shore, New Jersey looked early to naval protection. Cape May and Cumberland being at the entrance to the Bay, they were considered of strategic importance. Armed boats and boatmen under various captains were gathered in the Delaware.
Charles Allen, of Cumberland, who was in charge of arm- ed boat "Gilbert," as well as commanding boatmen on front- iers of Cumberland and Cape May. He was also a Captain of militia.
Nicholas Keen, of Salem, of the armed boat "Friendship" as well as commanding boatmen on frontiers of Cumber- land and Cape May.
There are also mentioned in General Stryker's book the following captains, these names being prominent in Cape May:
Joseph Edwards in charge of Privateer "Luck and For- tune."
Francis Grice in charge of all the flatboats and artillery scows on Delaware.
Hand, in charge of armed boat "Enterprise."
Henry Stevens.
Enoch Stilwell.
Hope Willets in charge of Privateers "Black Jack" and "Luck and Fortune."
Among the list of seamen the following were from Cape May:
Corson, Jacob.
Crawford, Eleazer.
Goldin, John.
Steeelman, -, drowned February 7, 1781, at Egg Harbor Inlet.
203
CAPE MAY PATRIOTS.
Abranıs, Thomas.
Cox, Abram, sloop "Morning Star," taken prisoner Jan- mary, 1778, confined to prison-ships "Judith" New York Harbour.
Edwards, John.
Corson, Darius.
Steelman, Richard.
Stevens, David.
The following is the list of "boatmen on frontier of Cum- berland and Cape May:" Jeremiah Buck, Israel Davis, George Ewing, Ephraim Husted. Joseph Lummis, David Parvin, Jeffrey Parvin, Abraham Philpot, Abijah Preston, Isaac Preston, James Simpson. Buck. Husted, Lummis, Jeffrey Parvin, Phiipot, both Prestons and Simpson, were also private militiamen. George Ewing was a quarter mas- ter sergeant of militia.
By the end of 1777, while the American arms had been .somewhat successful in Northern New York and along the lakes between that State and New Hampshire in keeping the British from forming a chain of communication from Long Island to Canada, the hearts of the patriots in New „Jersey had been made heavy because of the capture of Phila- delphia by the British, and the retirement of the Continen- tal army to Valley Forge. Here Washington and his men passed the terrible winter of 1777-8.
The success of the Army in the North had brought to the patriots the co-operation of France who early in the year made a treaty with the struggling Colonies and soon sent reinforcements to America. The British decided to evac- uate Philadelphia and concentrate all its forces around and in New York City. The local government prepared to re- sist this, and on April 4, 1778, the Cape May men were placed in the Second Brigade of the Continental troops. On
day previous an act was passed by the State Legisla- ture for recruiting four regiments of Jerseymen for the United States Service.
Jonathan Jenkins, of Cape May, was appointed one of the paymasters to raise money for the purpose of the act, and Cape May's share was placed at £600.
As soon as the Winter 1777-8 began to break up and the
204
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
prospects of the British visiting Delaware Bay to attack Philadelphia, the people of Cape May desired to keep their- malitiamen at home to protect them. Accordingly, the fol- lowing petition, prepared by Aaron Leaming, no doubt was circulated and numerously signed, the signing beginning at Cape Island and being presented to each inhabitant along the seashore road until Beesley's Point was reached. The- petition reads:
"To His Excellency William Livingston. Esqr. Governor,. Captain General, and Commander in Chief, in and over the State of New Jersey, &c .:
"The Petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of Cape May- County.
"Humbly Showeth
"That your petitioners, from their Local situation, are' greatly exposed to the incursions of their enemies, who from their ships and vessels of war have landed and often attempt- ed to land; whereby the inhabitants more contigious to the shore might have been robbed of their property, had not the militia interposed for their relief.
"That your petitioners are very apprehensive, as the sea- son is now advancing in which they can cruize along our coast without much danger from the inclemency of the. weather; that they will again infest our shores and do all the- mischief in their power, and the many threats repeatedly ut- tered by the enemy, that they will destroy our salt works, burn our houses, and plunder the country, all tend further" to confirm us, in our apprehensions of danger.
"That the whole of the militia in a collective body are but few, and when one fourth part of those few is on duty abroad our condition is really weak and dangerous; especially as. we cannot speedily obtain assistance from the adjacent- counties.
"Your petitioners do therefore humbly request that it may please your Excellency to take the premises under your consideration and exempt the militia of Cape May from per- forming their tour of duty abroad, and to point out such methods as may enable the inhabitants to keep up a regular- guard or any other measure your Excellency may think: most conducive to safety.
205
CAPE MAY PATRIOTS.
"And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray. xoth March, 1778.
"Aaron Eldredge, Isaac Newton, Ezekiel Eldredge, Thomas Hand, George Taylor, Daniel Crowell, Zebulon .Swaine, Robert Parsons, James Cochran, Salanthiel Foster, Timothy Hand, Ezekiel Hand, Silas Swain, Henry Jones, George Campbell, James Whilldin, Henry Hand, Downs Edmunds, Daniel Smith, Jonan Jenkins, William Yates, Philip Godfrey, Enoch Willets, Isaiah Stites, Joseph Lud- lam, Christopher Leamying, James Godfrey, Shamngar Hewit, Robt. Harris, Elijah Townsend, James Townsend, Benjamin Stites, Jacob Smith, Enoch Smith, Henry Stites, Richard Townsend, John Izard. Thomas Scott, Senr., Thomas Scott, Junr., John Young, John Hunt, Junr., David Hedges, Silvanus Townsend, Junr., Davis Corson, Sila Eldredge, Joseph Corson, James Godfrey, Junr., Jeremiah Vangilder, David Corson, Stephen Young, Jacob Corson, Peter Corson, Uriah Gandy, Rem Corson, Joseph Edwards, Daniel Edwards, Israel Stites, Jesse Corson, Henry Young, Thos. Stites, Jacob Willits, Joshua Garretson, John Baker, John Baker, Arch'd. Hughes, Stephen Young, John Goldin, John Stites, David Townsend, Jacochs Swain, Henry Young Townsend, Reuben Ludlam, John Townsend, Junr."
The following is a list, made on May 8, 1778, of recruits raised out of the Cape May battalion, of which Nicholas. Stillwell was Colonel, and assigned to second battalion, sec- 'ond establishment, and enrolled for war, and called for by the Continental Congress:
Name.
Place of Abode.
Com.
Age.
Thomas Brown,
North Carolina,
27
Thomas Day,
Hattonfield,
Ist
19
Joseph Brau,
Cape May
Ist
17
Moses Erixson,
Cape May,
4th
19
John Crafton,
Cape May,
4th
20
John Kelsey.
Cumberland,
23
Richard Vaneman,
Cumberland
17
Joseph Swan,
Gloucester Co.,
-
27
Stephen Stevens,
Cape May,
25
Robert Camelle
Cumberland,
28
John Shaw,
Cumberland,
36
206
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
Name.
Place of Abcde.
Com.
Age-
Cornelius Hand,
Cape May,
Ist
18:
Jeremiah Daniels,
Cape May,
Ist
Hiram Chester,
Cape May,
Ist
18
Eleazer Hand.
Cape May,
211(1
25.
Constantine Hand.
Cape May,
Ist
19
Samuel Goldin,
Cumberland,
Daniel Scull.
Cumberland,
2nd
45
James Plummer,
Cape May,
211d
21
William Davis,
Cumberland.
22°
Jonathan Jenkins, paymaster and clothier, in his report made on May 25. 1778, to the State, shows that he paid for clothes for these recruits £600, and that he borrowed £500 of the sum from Joseph Eldridge and the remaining £100. from Jesse Hand. The money was about equally distrib- uted and paid to the following men: Thomas Day, John Kelsey, Stephen Stevens, Moses Erixon, Jeremialı Daniels, Constant Hand, Cornelius Hand, Richard Venimon, Hiram Chester, Eleazer Hand, Joseph Brau, Joseph Swan, Thomas: Brown, Robert Cambel. John Crafton. James Plumer, Sam -. uel Goldin, Daniel Schull, William Davis and John Shaw.
The British, however, did not move from Philadelphia until June. Their presence there did not have a depressing effect upon the patriotism of the people of this county as might be expected, because on the 27th of May the follow- ing oath of allegiance was taken to the State government by the following persons:
Oath of Allegiance .- "I do sincerely profess and swear, I do not hold myself bound by allegiance to the King of Great Britain-so help me God. I do sincerely profess and swear, that I do and will bear true faith and allegiance to. the government established in this State, under the author- ity of the people-so help me God. May 27th, 1778.
John Taylor, Thomas Gandy, Levi Hand, John Nickleson, Jacob Crowell,
James Hildreth, Jr.,.
Daniel Cresse.
Samuel Townsend,
Henry Schellenger,
Henry Stevens,
John Baker,
Daniel Johnson,
David Johnson,
Elijah Garretson.
Samuel Peterson,
Daniel Crowell,
Jonathan Townsend, John Foster,
Abner Periman, David Cressee,
Jacob Stites,
George Hollingshead, John Stites, George Taylor,
Zebulon Cressee,
Ellis Hughes,
Aaron Swain,
William Schellenger,
George Campbell,
Aaron Eldredge,
Benjamin Ballenger, Daniel Garetson,
Matthew Whillden,.
CAPE MAY PATRIOTS.
207
Christopher Leaming, Ezekiel Eldredge, Simeon Izard, Humphrey Stites,
John Holmes, Abner Corson,
Stephen Foster, Joshua Garretson,
Peter Corson,
David Corosn,
Constantine Foster,
George Norton,
Joseph Ludlam,
Memucan Hughes,
John Goof,
Richard Stevenson,
James Godfrey, Jr.,
Thomas Hand, David Townsend, John Goldin,
Elijah Shaw, Reuben Swain, Constant Hughes,
John Izard, Jonathan Hildreth,
Jacob Smith, Rem. Corson,
Levi Eldredge,
Jacob Richardson,
David Hildreth,
Ezra Hand,
Jonathan Eldredge,
William Shaw, Josiah Crowell,
Nezer Swain,
Isaac Matthews,
Arthur Cresse,
Ellis Hughes, Jr.,
Absalom Hand,
Uriah Gandy,
Jonathan Leaming."
1
Nathan Hand,
Richard Matthews,
Richard Edmonds, Jesse Hughes.
Lewis Cressee,
Israel Stites,
Jesse Corson,
Gideon Kent,
Silas Swain, Daniel Hewitt,
Philip Godfrey, William Yates, Jeremiah Richardson,
CHAPTER XVI.
THE ENDING AND INDEPENDENCE.
It is handed down to posterity that in the dark days of the Revolution, when the army was barefoot and provisions so exceedingly scarce that the people boiled out, dried and strung large quantities of clams, and transported them to the army. No doubt they were esteemed a luxury by the half-starved soldiery, and substituted in some measure beef and pork.
In the operations of the remainder of 1778 the scene of the conflict was transferred to Northern New Jersey and New York. The battle of Monmouth was fought, and the French fleet had arrived in Long Island Sound to aid the patriots. Jesse Hand began his services this year as a mem- ber of the Legislative Council, and served during the years 1780, 1782 and 1783.
On the 5th of December the New Jersey Legislature passed an act to raise £100,000 for discharging the just debts of the State in an assessment of lands, of which the lands of Cape May could not be valued under £5 per acre, nor over £60. In the levy made upon the counties Cape May's share was £2000.
On the seventh of December, the causeway over Great Cedar Swamp Bridge being out of repair, the Legislature directed repairs to be made in conformity with the act of March 1I, 1774.
The campaign of the year 1779 was barren of important events. In the summer the British infested the coast of Connecticut and captured a few towns there, while about the same time the American army counterbalanced this Connecticut loss by gains of positions at Stony Point, on the Hudson, and the capturing of useful military stores. In the early part of this year the principal events of the war were the gathering of the two armies in the South. The atten-
209
THE ENDING AND INDEPENDENCE.
tion of the residents of Cape May during this year were turned to the water front and coast and frontier defense. During the first half of the year there was not much activity. On June 2 the Legislature ordered that for frontier defense · Cape May should furnish one ensign, one sergeant, one corporal and eighteen privates. They were to receive bounty, subsistence money and mileage, and Henry Young Townsend was appointed to pay these men, and received f600 for the carrying out of his duty. On June 8 Cape May was assessed £21,103. 3d. toward the whole amount of £1,000,000 which was ordered raised in the State. It was in this assessment stipulated that Cape May lands were not to be assessed over £60 per 100 acres.
On October 9, 1779, to fulfil the New Jersey establish- ment, a regiment was formed to include men from Glouces- ter, Salem. Cumberland and Cape May, containing eight companies of 102 men each. Of this Nicholas Stillwell, of Cape May, was Colonel; Robert Brown, of Gloucester, was Lieutenant-Colonel, and Anthony Sharp, of Salem, was Major.
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