USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time : including a brief historical account of the first discoveries and settlement of the country, Vol. II > Part 12
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 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
On the 13th of February, 1776, the Provincial Congress passed a resolution to raise two complete artillery companies in this Colony, one company to be stationed in the eastern and one in the western division of the State, and to be enlisted for ser- vice for one year. Both of these batteries did good service during the war, participating in the battles of Trenton, Assan- pink, Princeton and Monmouth.
On the 4th of December, 1776, the Eastern Company was annexed to Colonel Thomas Proctor's regiment of artillery, Continental army, and assigned to General Knox's brigade of artillery.
131
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
The officers of the Eastern Company were: Frederick Freling- huysen, Captain, resigned; Daniel Neil, Captain-Lieutenant, promoted Captain, and killed ; John Doughty was appointed Captain-Lieutenant, and resigned; Thomas Clark, First Lieu- tenant, promoted Captain-Lieutenant, and afterwards Captain ; John Heard, Second Lieutenant, resigned, and John Van Dyke was appointed Second Lieutenant, and afterwards Captain-Lieu- tenant ; Aaron Clark was appointed Second Lieutenant.
The officers of the Western Company were : Samuel Hugg, Captain ; Thomas Newark, Captain-Lieutenant, resigned ; John Westcott, First Lieutenant, was promoted Captain-Lieutenant, afterwards Captain ; Joseph Dayton, Second Lieutenant, resigned; Seth Bowen was appointed First Lieutenant, afterwards Captain- Lieutenant, and resigned ; Benjamin Wittall, appointed Second Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant, and afterwards Captain-Lieu- tenant ; Eli Elmer, appointed Second Lieutenant.
On the 27th of November, 1776, an act was passed for raising four battalions to join the army under the command of his Ex- cellency General Washington, to be raised by voluntary enlist- ment, and to continue in service until the first day of April next, unless sooner discharged. They were to have the same pay, rations, and allowance as the other troops of the Continental Establishment, and under the same regulations as other forces in the service of the United States. The County of Bergen was to · form one battalion of two companies; the County of Essex, three companies ; the County of Morris, three companies; the County of Somerset, one battalion of two companies; the County of Sussex, two companies; the County of Hunterdon, four compa- nies ; the County of Middlesex, one battalion of four companies ; the County of Monmouth, two companies; the County of Bur- lington, three companies; the County of Gloucester, one bat- talion, to consist of three companies; the County of Salem, three companies ; and the County of Cumberland two companies.
These four battalions were formed into one brigade under the command of Brigadier General Matthias Williamson.
The following officers were appointed:
For the counties of Bergen, Essex, and Morris : John Ford, Jr., Colonel, died; Oliver Spencer, Lieutenant-Colonel, pro-
132
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
moted Colonel ; Richard Dey, Major, resigned ; Henry Axtell was appointed Major, and resigned, when Samuel Hays was ap- pointed.
For the counties of Somerset, Sussex, and Hunterdon : David Chambers, Colonel ; Jacob West, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Enos Kelsey, Major.
For Middlesex, Monmouth and Burlington : Charles Read, Colonel; Thomas Seabrook, Lieutenant Colonel ; John Taylor, Major.
For Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland : David Potter, Col- onel; Whitton Cripps, Lieutenant-Colonel ; William Ellis, Major.
Each volunteer was to furnish himself, at his own expense, a good musket with a bayonet, a cartouch-box, blanket, canteen, and knapsack ; and a bounty of six dollars, over and above the Continental pay, was to be paid each one at the time he passes muster and is properly accoutred. He was also to be furnished at the public expense, one pair of shoes and stockings. On the 19th of February, 1777, that part of the act giving a bounty of six dollars and one pair of shoes and stockings was repealed.
On the 24th of September, 1777, an act was passed to raise a company of artillery. This battery was soon organized, and the command was given to the afterwards celebrated Captain Joshua Huddy, of Monmouth County. It was stationed in that county, and did good service, until the capture and murder of this noted officer.
On the 2d of June, 1779, an act was passed "to embody, for a limited time, one thousand of the militia of this State for the defence of the frontiers thereof." They were enlisted to serve until December 15th, 1779. Fifty dollars was named as the bounty to volunteers. The soldiers were still obliged to furnish their own arms and accoutrements; but if lost in the service, without fault of the owner, the value thereof was ordered to be paid.
On the 9th of October, 1779, an act was passed "to embody, for a limited time, four thousand of the militia of this State, by voluntary enlistment." This force was called out on the recom- mendation of Congress, September 26th, 1779. The quota of
133
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
enlisted men of each county was made " four times the number that were apportioned " under the last act.
The following is the classification, by counties, of the field officers selected :
One regiment from Bergen, Morris, Somerset, and Sussex, to consist of ten companies of one hundred and eight men each.
Henry Vandike, Colonel; Benoni Hathaway, Lieutenant- Colonel ; Samuel Meeker, Major.
One regiment from Essex, Middlesex, and Monmouth, to consist of ten companies of one hundred and six men each.
Asher Holmes, Colonel ; Jacob Crane, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Clarkson Edgar, Major.
One regiment from Hunterdon and Burlington, to consist of ten companies of one hundred and one men each.
John Taylor, Colonel ; Joab Houghton, Lieutenant-Colonel; Jacob Perkins; Major.
One regiment from Gloucester, Salem. Cumberland, and Cape May, to consist of eight companies of one hundred and two men each.
Nicholas Stillwell, Colonel ; Robert Brown, Lieutenant-Colo- nel ; Anthony Sharp, Major.
On the 7th of June, 1780, an act was passed " to embody, for a limited time, six hundred and twenty-four men for the defence of the frontiers of this State.". The term of service of this force was limited to January Ist, 1781. The mode of raising recruits under this call was by ordering a meeting of the officers of militia in certain counties, dividing said militia into " Classes," and apportioning the quota of able-bodied men from each class. Each class must then furnish the men, hire substitutes, or be assessed for the purpose of procuring them for delinquent classes. A mileage of one dollar per mile was ordered paid, and a bonus, above Continental pay and rations, allowed per month, ranging from five hundred dollars (Continental money) to a Colonel, to sixty dollars per month for the private soldier.
The following officers had charge of this force :
Samuel Hayes, Major. Two hundred and forty-three men, stationed in Bergen and Middlesex, north of the Raritan River.
Asher Holmes, Colonel. Two hundred and sixty-two men,
I34
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
stationed in Monmouth and Middlesex, south of the Raritan River.
Samuel Westbrook, Major. One hundred and nineteen men, stationed in Sussex.
On the 14th of June, 1780, an act was passed to raise six hun- dred and twenty-four men, in the same manner as by the act of June 4th, which men were immediately to be transferred to the Continental Line, to complete the three regiments of the State. Their term of service was, however, to end January Ist, 1781. Fifty dollars a day were given officers for recruiting these men for the Jersey Brigade. At the same time an additional com- pany of thirty men was raised for Colonel Asher Holmes, as referred to in the last act. Officers : Ephraim Jenkins Captain, and Joshua Studson, Lieutenant.
On the 26th of December, 17So, eight hundred and twenty men were ordered to be raised, in the same manner and for the same purpose as provided in the preceding act. Service limited to January Ist, 1782.
The following was the assignment of station and officers of this levy :
Bergen County : One hundred and twenty men in two com- panies.
John Outwater, Captain; Joseph Catterline, Lieutenant ; Abraham Hoagland, Ensign.
Thomas Blanch, Captain ; David Demarest, Lieutenant ; Ja- cobus Bogart, Ensign.
Essex County : Two hundred and fifty-nine men, in four companies.
John Scudder, Captain ; David Woodruff, Lieutenant ; Daniel Baker, Ensign.
Jonas Ward, Captain; C. Victor King, Lieutenant ; Lemuel Minthorn, Ensign.
Robert Neil, Captain; Anthony Brown, Lieutenant; John Burnet, Ensign.
John Craig, Captain ; Cornelius Williams, Lieutenant ; John Miller, Ensign.
Middlesex County : One hundred and twenty men, in two companies.
135
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
Matthew Freeman, Captain ; James Dunn, Lieutenant ; Asher Fitz Randolph, Ensign.
Simeon Van Winkle, Lieutenant ; James Morgan, Jr., Ensign.
Monmouth County: Two hundred and fifty-nine men, in three companies.
John Walton, Captain ; Nathan Sheppard, Lieutenant ; John Morris, Ensign.
Samuel Carhart, Captain ; John Davis, Lieutenant ; Matthias Johnson, Ensign.
David Anderson, Captain ; Moses Sheppard, Lieutenant ; David Imlay, Ensign.
Sussex County : Sixty men, in one company.
Richard Edsall, Captain; William Catacunch, Lieutenant ; Wilhelmus Westbrook, Ensign.
By reason of the incursions of Indians, another company was added to the one in Sussex County, just mentioned, by act dated June Ist, 1781. Three men were called for from each company of militia in the county, and the following officers were selected :
James Bonnel, Captain; Jacob Rosecrantz, Lieutenant ; John Willing, Ensign.
Another call for troops was made December 29th, 1781, and this was for four hundred and twenty-two men, for service until December 15th, 1782.
The following officers were selected for this command :
Samuel Hayes, Major Commanding.
Bergen County: Peter Ward, Captain; Joseph Catterline, Lieutenant ; Samuel Verbryke, Ensign.
Essex County : John Craig, Captain ; John Spier, Lieutenant ; Charles Clark and Lemuel Minthorn, Ensigns.
Middlesex County (north side of Raritan) : Asher Fitz Ran- dolph, Captain ; Lewis Fitz Randolph, Ensign.
Middlesex County (south side of Raritan) : Nicholas Morgan, Lieutenant.
Sussex County : James Bonnel, Captain; Caleb Hopkins, Lieutenant ; Anthony Blackford, Ensign.
Monmouth County, Horsemen : John Walton, Captain ; David Rhea, Lieutenant ; Jonathan Forman, Cornet. Infantry : Jaques Denise, Lieutenant.
-
136
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
Burlington County : Jacob Cooper, Captain. Gloucester County : Simon Lucas, Captain. Salem County: Nicholas Keen, Captain. Cumberland County : Charles Allen, Captain. Cape May County : Humphrey Stites, Captain.
The Companies from Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May were ordered to do "duty on land or water."
In anticipation of trouble with the Mother Country, on the 3d of June, 1775, the Provincial Congress of New Jersey, then in session at Trenton, passed an act providing a "plan for regu- lating the militia of the Colony." This act made provision for properly arming and disciplining the inhabitants for defending the cause of American Freedom.
This act recommended the formation of one or more compa- nies, as the case may require, to be immediately formed in each township or corporation ; and also ordered the several commit- tees in the Province, as soon as may be, to acquaint themselves with the number of male inhabitants in their respective districts, from the age of sixteen to fifty, who are capable of bearing arms, and thereupon form them into companies, consisting, as near as may be, of eighty men each ; they to choose their own officers : one Captain, two Lieutenants, and an Ensign ; the officers so chosen to appoint fit persons to be Sergeants, Corporals, and Drummers. That as soon as the companies were so formed, the officers of such a number of companies as shall by them be judged proper to form a regiment, were to assemble and choose one Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, a Major, and an Adjutant for each regiment. They were to drill the men, and each whole company was required to meet at least once a month for the purpose of drill ; and a general muster or review of the whole regiment was to take place as often and at such times as the field officers should appoint.
This plan of regulating the militia was still further considered and amended, August 16th, 1775. After that date all officers chosen were ordered to be commissioned by the Provincial Congress or the Committee of Safety. Penalties and fines were then exacted for disobedience, refusal to bear arms or absence at muster.
137
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
There were at this time thirteen counties in the State, and the apportionment of militia was made for each county. "Minute Men " having been raised in the counties of Morris, Sussex and Somerset, the apportionment was changed, so as to include those already in service as a portion of the quota.
These companies of militia called " Minute Men," were "held in constant readiness on the shortest notice, to march to any place where assistance might be required, for the defence of this or any neighboring Colony." The term of service was four months, and they had precedence in rank over the "com- mon militia" of the Province. The companies from each county formed a battalion-in all ten battalions-the " Minute Men " of Cumberland and Cape May being independent com- panies of light infantry and rangers. Their uniform was to be hunting-frocks to conform as near as may be to the uniform of riflemen in the Continental service.
On the 28th of October, 1775, the Congress of New Jersey "directed men capable of bearing arms to enroll themselves ;" by the first military ordinance they were "requested " to do so. They were also directed with all convenient speed to furnish themselves with " a good musket or firelock and bayonet, sword or tomahawk, a steel ramrod, worm, priming wire and brush fitted thereto, a cartouch box to contain twenty-three rounds of cartridges, twelve flints, and a knapsack." They were also directed to keep at their respective abodes one pound of powder and three pounds of bullets. Fines for non-compliance with any of the rules, were ordered to be collected by warrant of distress, levied on the goods and chattels of the offender.
In case of alarm, the " Minute Men" were directed to repair immediately to their captains' residences, and he was to march his company instantly to oppose the enemy. Companies of Light-Horse were ordered to be raised among the militia.
In February, 1776, the Committee of Safety of New York called upon the Provincial Congress for a detachment of militia to assist in arresting Tories in Queens County, Long Island, and on Staten Island, New York. On the 12th of February, three hundred men of the militia of Middlesex, three hundred of Essex, and one hundred of Somerset were ordered out for
I38
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
that purpose, the following officers commanding : Nathaniel Heard, Colonel; Edward Thomas, Lieutenant-Colonel ; John Dunn, Major.
Another detachment of "Minute Men" was ordered Feb- ruary 15th, 1776, to proceed to New York, under command of Charles Stewart, Colonel; Mark Thompson, Lieutenant-Colonel; Frederick Frelinghuysen, First Major; Thomas Henderson, Second Major. This order, however, was countermanded Feb- ruary 22d.
Many of the "Minute Men," as such, having entered the Continental Army, the battalions thereof became so reduced that on the 29th day of February, 1776, they were ordered to be dissolved and incorporated in the militia of the districts where they resided.
On the 3d of June, 1776, the Continental Congress ordered thirteen thousand eight hundred militia to be employed to reinforce New York; of this number the Colony of New Jersey was requested to furnish, of their militia, three thousand three hundred men.
On the 14th of June, the Provincial Congress passed an ordinance to raise the number of men required. The force to be divided into five battalions, consisting of eight companies of . seventy-eight men each, and the service was limited to December Ist, 1776. A bounty of three pounds was allowed each man who should enlist in this brigade. Joseph Reed was appointed Brigadier-General Commanding, and Robert Hoops Brigade Major. Both of these officers declined, and the offices were filled by the promotion of Colonel Nathaniel Heard, Brigadier- General, and Captain Peter Gordon, Brigade-Major.
'On the 16th day of July, 1776, Congress requested the Con- vention of New Jersey to supply with militia the places of two thousand men of General Washington's army who had been ordered to march into New Jersey to form the flying camp. On the 18th of July an ordinance was passed detaching that number from the militia for that purpose. These were to compose four battalions, consisting of thirty companies of sixty-four men each. They were only to be held for one month from the time of their joining the flying camp.
139
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
One-half of the militia were ordered to be detached August 11th, 1776, and called out for immediate service, to be relieved by the other half every month. One division of the militia, detached from every organization in the State, was ordered to march with all despatch to join the flying camp, for one month's service. The second division was held ready to relieve them, to be themselves relieved in turn. On this basis of monthly classes in active service the militia were held during the continu- ance of the war.
. On the 27th of June, 1781, the Governor was authorized to call out a part of the militia and continue them in service three months, for the purpose of cooperating with the Continental Army.
The Official Roster of State Troops and Militia during the Revolutionary War, as published by the Adjutant-General of the State in 1872, shows : Major-Generals, one; Brigadier- Generals, ten; Colonels, seventy-two; Lieutenant-Colonels, fifty-two ; Majors, one hundred and eight ; Adjutants, twenty- five ; Quartermasters, thirty ; Paymasters, thirty-two ; Surgeons, thirty-two ; Surgeon's Mates, five; Chaplains, six ; Commissary Department, six; State Clothiers three; Captains, seven hun- dred; Captain-Lieutenants, five ; Lieutenants, two hundred and fifty-six ; First Lieutenants, eighty-four; Second Lieutenants, eighty-nine; Ensigns, one hundred and seventy-four ; Cornets, twelve; Sergeant-Majors, five ; Quartermaster-Sergeants, four ; Drum-Majors, four ; Sergeants, three hundred and fifteen ; Cor- porals, one hundred; Bombardiers, six; Musicians, sixteen ; Drummers, twenty-four; Fifers, twenty-seven ; Bugler, one; Teamsters, three ; Wagoners, twelve ; making two thousand two hundred and nineteen; Privates, ten thousand and forty-six ; in addition to which there were seventy-four Express-Riders, termed Light-horsemen, making a total of rank and file, twelve thousand three hundred and thirty-nine. Most, if not all these militiamen saw active service in some capacity during the war. In addition to these was the Quartermaster-General, six Assistant Deputy Quartermaster-Generals, twelve Deputy Quartermaster- Generals, seven Assistant Quartermaster-Generals, fifty-five Quartermasters, two Deputy Quartermasters, thirteen Assistant
140
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
Quartermasters, thirty-eight Artificers, three Armorers, fifteen Employés, Six Barrackmasters, one Assistant Barrackmaster, seven Ostlers ; and nine who performed any miscellaneous work that was to be done.
In the Commissary General's Department were one Commis- sary General, two Deputy Commissary Generals, thirty-five Com- missary of Issues, sixteen Assistant Commissaries of Issues, sixty Foragemasters, sixteen Issuing Foragemasters, five Purchasing Foragemasters, and a clerk.
In the Wagonmaster-General's Department were the Wagon- master-General, four Deputy Wagonmaster-Generals, one Assist- ant Deputy Wagonmaster-General, sixty Conductors of Team Brigades ranking as Captains, one hundred and ninety-nine Wagonmasters, one hundred and four Wagoners, three hundred and two Teamsters.
In the Naval Service were thirty-six Captains, one Lieutenant, five Midshipmen, Seventeen Seamen, twenty Mariners, and eleven Boatmen .*
. The number of men furnished by New Jersey during the Revolutionary War cannot be ascertained to a certainty; but even in that early day, when the population of the State was very small, it must have been about twenty thousand men, out of a population of but a little rising one hundred thousand, which included almost every male in the Province capable of bearing arms.
* The greater part of the information contained in the two preceding chap- ters was condensed from a very valuable work by General William S. Stryker, the Adjutant-General of the State, compiled from Official Records in his office ; and its correctness can therefore be fully relied on.
14I
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
.
CHAPTER XXV.
1781-1876.
Terrible condition of the country at the termination of the war- Without a government-Convention at Annapolis-Convention at Philadelphia-Constitution adopted, and ratified by the dif- ferent States-Amendments proposed, and ratified-Washington elected President - Adams, Vice-President-Inauguration- Washington's reception by the people-First Newspaper- Princeton College-Rutger's College.
S PENCER says, in his "History of the United States:" "The long and arduous struggle for liberty and independence was at last ended. Despite the stern and bitter trials, the indescribable hardships, the agonizing toils of the contest, it had been main- tained until victory had crowned the arms of our patriot sires. Washington had retired to private life ; the army had been dis- banded; and the United States were now acknowledged to be free and independent. Freed from all foreign domination, with a vast territory in possession, with a prospect of advancement in wealth, in population, in national greatness, beyond the power of imagination to conceive, the world was all before them, where and how to choose, and their future career of good or evil, was yet to be worked out."
The actual condition of the States who had won independence at the point of the sword was sad indeed. Their resources were dried up; the long and destructive war had exhausted all their present means ; their trade and commerce was destroyed ; their mechanics were ruined ; their agriculture withered. A vast debt was pressing upon them; and worse than all, they were on the very brink of anarchy and political destruction.
Washington and his patriot compeers beheld with the deepest concern the unhappy state of public affairs. Congress was totally inefficient. In fact there was no government. The separate, independent State sovereignties, however efficient
142
HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
within their respective boundaries, were utterly incapable of furnishing or maintaining a government for the people. Con- gress had exclusive power for a number of purposes, but had no ability to execute any of them. They were empowered to make and conclude treaties ; but they could only recommend the ob- servance of them. They could appoint ambassadors; but they could not defray their expenses. They could borrow money in their own name, on the faith of the Union ; but they could not pay a dollar. They could coin money ; but they could not im- port an ounce of bullion. They could make war, and determine upon the number of troops necessary ; but they could not raise a single soldier. In fact, they could declare everything, but could do nothing.
In April, 1783, Congress recommended to the States, as being " indispensably necessary to the restoration of public credit, and to the punctual discharge of the public debts," to vest Congress with power to levy certain specified duties on spirits, wines, teas, pepper, sugar, molasses, cocoa, and coffee, and a duty of five . per cent. ad valorem on all other imported goods, to be applied solely to the payment of the interest and principal of the public debt, and for that purpose to continue twenty-five years; the collectors to be chosen by the States, but removable by Congress. The States were also required to establish for the same period of time, and for the same object, substantial and effectual revenues of such nature as they should judge convenient for supplying their proportion of $1,500,000 annually, exclusive of duties on imports ; the proportion of each State to be fixed according to the Articles of Confederation .*
This financial. plan was strongly opposed by the States, but under the influence of the urgent and solemn representations made by Congress, of the deplorable condition of the United States in regard to its ability to maintain public faith at home
* This sum of $1,500,000 was apportioned among the States, as follows: New Hampshire, $52, 708; Massachusetts, $224,427; Rhode Island, $32,318; Connecticut, $132,091 ; New York, $128,242; New Jersey, $$3.358; Penn- sylvania, $205, 189; Delaware, $22,443; Maryland, $141,517; Virginia, $256,487; North Carolina, $109,006; South Carolina, $96, 183; Georgia, $16,030.
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.