| CHAPTER FOUR
Warship Sails Past Hugg's Tavern-colored pencil art by Ray Stanaitis War for Independence Those of us who love old Gloucester and enjoy reading about the town's very long and fascinating history, find that many interesting events and activities were taking place in the period covering the times shortly before and during the American Revolution. The stories of Betsy Ross' marriage, the tea ship turned back at Gloucester, the mounted messengers arriving from New Brunswick with news of the stirring activities in New England, the Committee of Correspondence, the Committee of Observation and the Committee of Safety meeting at Hugg's Tavern,.the many men from most of the old families who served in the American Militia and the Continental Line, the many varied and valuable activities of Colonel Joseph Ellis, the occupation of Gloucester by the British and Hessians, the young American horsemen who served as look outs and scouts observing the enemy activities and galloping away to make their reports, the important Battle of Gloucester, and the story of the long lines of soldiers, Hessians, Scotch Highlanders, British grenadiers, light infantry, cavalry and artillery, when most of the British army evacuating Philadelphia passed through Gloucester on the way to Monmouth, are intriguing. Those days in Gloucester were colorful, picturesque, and dramatic. Not to be forgotten is the story, handed down from generation to generation, about the ruins of the British Ship Augusta which have rested on the river shore near the foot of Market St. for over one hundred years. Harry Demarest Leaders of Patriots Open warfare with Great Britain had been brewing for many years. Land and sea skirmishes had been taking place in various locations from the 1760's until the famous incident at Lexington and Concord. Confrontations between colonists and soldiers and other crown officials were on the increase following the Boston Massacre in 1770. Committees of Correspondence and Committees of Safety had been organized in every colony and in most towns, large and small. Those who opposed the British were called "Rebels" or ''Patriots," depending on the viewpoint of the speaker. Those who looked upon themselves as British citizens, no matter what, were called "Loyalists" or "Tories," again depending upon the viewpoint of the speaker. Since those who opposed the controls imposed open them by the government in London eventually won, it has become common practice to honor them with the name Patriot. The losers were condemned as traitors, and many moved to Canada or returned to Great Britain. Those who remained in the new nation faced trial for treason and the penalty of death, confiscation and sale of property leading to poverty and debtors prison, or shunning by neighbors and former friends. Many of the men who now would fight against the British had fought side-by-side with them during the French and Indian War. Legally they could have been called into the service of the king as British subjects. Governor William Franklin, who had been appointed to this position by the king, had the authority to order the men of the Crown Colony of New Jersey into the service. The New Jersey Provincial Congress (legislature) was the elected body which represented the people of the counties. On August 16, 1775, this group passed a law which stated that after that date all officers were to be commissioned by the provincial Congress or the Committee of Safety, Governor Franklin's authority had been by-passed by the legislature. Four companies of "Minute Men" were organized in Gloucester County following the passage of that law. On February 13, 1776, the legislature provided for the formation of two artillery companies, one each for East and West Jersey. Samuel Hugg was commissioned captain of the West Jersey company and John Wescott was commissioned first lieutenant. The first act to organize an infantry branch of the state troops was enacted by the legislature on November 27, 1776. Three counties of West Jersey were assigned the quota of one battalion. Gloucester County was to raise three companies; Salem County, three companies; Cumberland County, two companies. William Ellis was named a major in this battalion. Two other acts passed by the legislature set quotas for the various countries. On October 9, 1779, Gloucester County was given a quota of two companies (102 men each) to be recruited to serve until December 29, 1779. One company from Gloucester County, prepared for "duty on land or water," was to be recruited according to the quota set by law on December 29, 1781. Captain Simon Lucas was given command of this company. These quotas were in addition to the men who were serving in the local militia groups. *** HOW STANDS THE GLASS AROUND? (inset page 66) How stands the glass around? *** THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN (inset page 67) What happy golden days were those (These are the lyrics for a song which was sung by British officers and enlisted men during the Revolutionary War.) *** Most of the men of Gloucester brought honor to the town while serving during the war. A few of the families who had men in the militia were the Redfield, Powell, Hugg, Ellis, Harrison, Haines, and Cheeseman families. Probably the best known of the Gloucestermen was Joseph Ellis, a blacksmith who lived in an old-fashioned, one and a half story house on Water Street. Ellis had fought with the British during the French and Indian War in the campaign to take Canada. He returned to Gloucester and his blacksmith business grew. Located between the two ferries, Ellis' shop did a thriving business mending wagon wheels and plows in addition to shoeing horses and oxen and doing other jobs. The Boston Tea Party in December of 1773 interrupted Ellis' plans for a life of peace and prosperity. Ellis became actively involved as a member of the Committee of
Correspondence and the Gloucester Town Committee of Observation in 1774.
He was appointed to the committee which met with committees from the
other counties to choose the delegates to the Continental Congress,
which was to meet in Philadelphia. Later that year he was appointed
treasurer of the committee to collect funds for the people of Boston,
who were suffering under the Boston Port Bills. Ellis collected over
$300 In 1776, Joseph Ellis was made paymaster and commissary of the West Jersey Artillery Company. In June he resigned from this position to become a colonel in the Gloucester County Militia. His battalion was camped in the Mount Holly to Haddonfield area in December when orders were received to be ready to support General Washington. Ellis and his battalion fought in the Second Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton. A promotion to the rank of Brigadier General was declined by Ellis in February, 1777. During that year the militia removed bridges from local creeks to keep the British from taking livestock and other provisions from the area to feed the troops in Philadelphia. They also removed to safety as much livestock as they could. Colonel Ellis and the militia participated in the Battle of Gloucester on November 25, 1777, and in a number of other skirmishes in the county. In December, Ellis was given command of the West Jersey militia when General Silas Newcomb of Salem County resigned. He, however, retained the rank of colonel.. A letter from Colonel Ellis to General Washington dated January 15, 1778, complained of lack of ammunition for his 500 men. He said the lack of artillery was impeding the capture of enemy vessels on the Delaware and had caused the loss of the cannons from the wrecks of ships sunk in the Delaware. However Ellis wrote, they had prevented supplies from being taken to Philadelphia for the British troops. *** Illustration of a blacksmith (inset page 67) *** When General Anthony Wayne gathered up cattle and horses to be driven northward, Colonel Ellis and the militia assisted in the drive from Salem County to Mount Holly in February 1778. Ellis and his men fought with the troops under Wayne and Count Casimir Pulaski against the British and Hessians at Camden, at that time a part of Gloucester County. Colonel Ellis was kept very busy even when there were no battles to be fought. Throughout the war he traveled around South Jersey to keep in touch with other commanders and their men. He organized spies, observers, and dispatch riders. After the British evacuated Gloucester, Ellis was able to inspect his home, which had been occupied by the enemy, for necessary repairs and to inspect the defenses constructed by the enemy. The South Jersey Militia under Colonel Ellis fought at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778. Until July of 1780 the militia was involved in only minor encounters with British and Hessian raids into New Jersey for supplies. On July 17, Ellis was ordered to report to General Washington in Morristown with twenty-five of his men who were fully equipped. Others were called later in the summer. Although Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, the War was finally ended in 1783 when British troops evacuated New York. Ellis could finally return home to resume his business which again prospered. Many years later Ellis Street was named in honor of Colonel Joseph Ellis, and his name is engraved on the monument commemorating the Battle of Gloucester, along with Captain Richard Cheeseman and the Marquis de Lafayette. *** GENERAL ORDERS (Inset page 68) Whereas a number of fields near this city and Gloucester point have been lately inclosed by the several departments of the army, and by many of the inhabitants, with an intention to preserve a sufficiency of grass for the use of government and its friends, and it having been complained of, that many of the fence rails, inclosing said fields, have wantonly been broke down and carried off, and that several trespasses are committed by horses, and other cattle belonging to the army and inhabitants being put in during the night, to graze in said fields, This is therefore to inform the public, that any person or persons, who shall, after the date of this proclamation, be detected, either in pulling down or carrying away any part of the rails, posts, or gates, now inclosing the above mentioned fields, under any pretense whatsoever, will be punished with the utmost severity, and in the most exemplary manner; and that such horses or other cattle as shall here after be found trespassing in any of the said fields, will be seized for the use of the public. J. Patterson, adjutant general *** Problems with Loyalists and Deserters There were, of course, those people living in Gloucester who remained loyal British subjects. Times were very difficult for them except for the period of time when Gloucester was occupied. Most of these people did not actively participate as soldiers but contributed moral and financial support. They gave aid and comfort to British soldiers, which in the eyes of the local militia was treason. What a strange situation those people must have felt they were in--being charged with treason for supporting the legal government! Some county residents acted as spies for the British. One example was Bazilla Haines, who visited the camp of the West Jersey militia in December of 1776. He reported to Count Von Donop that nearly one half the militia stationed there were young boys.Von Donop, sensing an easy victory, left his camp at Bordentown, which took him farther from Trenton. While the Count was attempting to locate the camp of the militia, Americans under George Washington crossed the Delaware and surprised the enemy in Trenton on Christmas Eve. The spy's information may have been accurate but it certainly did not help Van Donop or the Hessians in Trenton. On March 31, 1777, James Molesworth was hanged at the Gloucester gaole for attempting to bribe river pilots who knew the way through the barriers on the Delaware. The court martial was presided over by General Gates. Later that year the two men who were recognized as Tory spies were turned in by Sarah Hugg when they attempted to cross Timber Creek. An Irishman named Mr. McElroy and Ellis Dick, his Negro servant, were charged with treason for guiding the Hessian troops to Fort Mercer and for attempting to bribe the ferryman who acted under Mayor Hugg's orders to bring them to the authorities. They were tried and hanged. During the county court sessions of November 17 to December 5 of 1778 the following were convicted of High Treason: Jonathan Chew, Harrison Wells, William Hammett, John Dilks, John Franklin, Joseph Pratt, Joseph Dill, James Birch, Daniel Fusman, Abraham Fennimore, David Lloyd, Lawrence Cox, Gideon Urene, Joshua Dilks, Charles String, Thomas Nightingale, Patterson Cook, and Isaac Lord. The charges ranged from giving aid to the enemy to spying. All were sentenced to death. Some times people were accused of treason for tending wounded British or Hessian soldiers, allowing their houses to be used as headquarters or billeting of the enemy, or acting as a guide. Frequently these acts were committeed under duress and there was little or no evidence against the accused. However, it must be remembered that the Loyalists organized regiments which conducted raids, burned property, plundered, and killed. These organized bands were much more active in East Jersey and Pennsylvania but hatred for them was widespread. If a Loyalist was fortunate enough to escape with his life, the courts would confiscate and sell his property. When the British withdrew from the West Jersey-Philadelphia area, as many Loyalist families as could be transported left on British ships with as much baggage and furniture as they could take. The newspapers carried accounts daily of this exodus. Since there was little organized Tory activity in the West Jersey area, there are very few court records of trials or confiscation of property. *** TRIBUTE TO TWO LADIES (Inset page 69) (Illustration of a woman) A monument in the County Park pays tribute to one lady of Old Gloucester for her heroism during the war and a simple tombstone marks the grave of another woman who made an outstanding contribution to the war effort. These two women typify all women of their time. The monument erected by the Red Cross honors Sarah Harrison Hugg, wife of Major Samuel Hugg. During the Hessian march on Fort Mercer, she was taken prisoner as she was traveling on horse back after delivering some important papers to a Mrs. Molan. The Hessians took her with them to the fort where they returned her horse and allowed her to leave. Two days later Sarah was responsible for the capture of two men who had been with the Hessians. The men were tried and executed in Gloucester as spies. During the British occupation Mrs. Hugg was well known for standing up to the soldiers and soundly reprimanding them if their conduct warranted it. The tombstone epitaph of Charity Powell reads: Some have children,
Some have none, Here lies the Mother of Twenty-one. Mrs. Powell, who
lived on a farm in Gloucester, was the mother of twenty sons and one
daughter. According to military rosters, all twenty of her sons served
in the militia and/or Continental Line during the war. Mrs. Powell's
contribution will probably never be recognized in a history text, but it
is doubtful that any other mother gave more than she. *** In 1779 the property of John Hinchman was confiscated by the county because he was a Loyalist. Others who were also named and had property taken were Joseph Hillman, John Franklin, James Thompson, Gabriel D'Vebber, William Forsman, Joseph Long, Daniel Cozens, and Thomas Nightingale. On June 7, 1779, the court ordered the public sale of Hinchman's property: four and a half acres of meadow on Cooper's Creek, one valuable piece of cedar swamp on the main branch of Great Egg Harbor River, and one small piece of cedar swamp on Proffer's Run. Hinchman, a resident of Gloucester Town, had been declared a fugitive and offender of the state. A public auction was held on July 19. There seemed to have been more problems with residents who did not take sides during the war. Many articles in newspapers and letters of militia officers accused the inhabitants of West Jersey of being indifferent because they did nothing to stop the foraging of British raiding parties. Perhaps the make-up of the West Jersey population--Dutch, Swedes, Finns, and others-who felt they had no connection whatever, to obey or disobey, to a British ruler was one cause of their indifference. One of the major difficulties faced throughout the course of the war was the problem of desertion. It was a common practice for men to enlist for one month at a time and to go home for planting and harvesting crops, hunting, or just plain visiting. Many times these men returned as soon as possible to continue fighting with those who had enlisted for the duration. However, some men simply deserted and Gloucester had its share of this type. Captain Samuel Hugg placed the following ad in The Pennsylvania Journal on April 2, 1777: "Deserted from my Company, in the Train of Artillery, the following man, viz. WILLIAM RAWLINS, born in Gloucester, in the state of New Jersey, by trade a shoemaker, is a likely well set fellow, 5 feet 5 inches high, black hair tied behind: Had on when he went away, a green coat, turned up with red, leather breeches, and carved silver shoebuckles." Twelve dollars reward for the capture of several deserters was offered by John Noble Cumming, Capt. 2d J.B., in an ad placed in the Pennsylvania Gazette on April 23, 1777. Among those listed were "George Powers, about 5 feet 5 inches high, 35 years of age, swarthy complexion, light brown hair"; "Edward Parker, about 25 years of age, 5 feet 11 inches high, dark complexion, hair and eyes"; "John Stephenson, about 23 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, well made, an Irishman, brown complexion, dark brown hair which curls naturally at his neck, wore a brown coat and vest, buckskin breaches, has lived some time in Gloucester County, and is well acquainted; the last intelligence of him, he was over Delaware River. All were Gloucester enlistees. Occasionally it was known or speculated that a militiaman had
deserted to join the Loyalists or British forces. Forty shillings reward
was offered for the capture and return of one Thomas Day of Gloucester
Town. According to the ad placed in the newspaper, "It is likely he
will make for Dunmore, as he came from that way, Heroes, traitors, and unconcerned--all lived in Old Gloucester Town,
Gloucester County, West Jersey during the Revolutionary War. *** FIELD STAFF AND OFFICERS (Inset page 70) Gloucester County Militia Regiment 1st Battalion: Colonel, Israel Shreve; Colonel, Robert Taylor;
Colonel, Bodo Otto; Lt. Colonel, Samuel Tomkins; Lt. Colonel, Samuel
Shreve; Lt. Colonel Robert Brown; Major, Samuel Flanningham (Complete list of those who served can be found in the History of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland Counties, New Jersey.) *** KENSIL BELL'S BOOKS FOR TEENAGERS (Inset page 70) Kensil Bell, a former Gloucester resident, wrote two books about the Revolutionary War in the West Jersey-Philadephia area. The books combine the historical events and characters with the imaginary exploits of Jeff Lundy. Jeff Lundy is a 14 year old farmer when his father enlists with the West Jersey Militia. He lives on a farm on Little Timber Creek in Gloucester Town. The books cover Jeff's life from 1775 until the war ends. Jersey Rebel describes little known facts about the land and naval forces along the Delaware, the headquarters of the Committee of Correspondence at Hugg's Tavern, the repulse of the Hessian attack on Fort Mercer by Colonel Greene's men, and the burning of the Augusta. Other events and historical sites also play a part in the book. Danger on the Jersey Shore continues the escapades of Jeff Lundy in 1778. In this book Jeff is a scout for Colonel Shreve. Shreve's men have the task of guarding the Jersey road to Philadelphia. *** The Battle of Gloucester November 25, 1777, is not a date found listed in history texts in a chronology of Revolutionary War battles, but the Battle of Gloucester did halt the advance of Cornwallis' forces. Well-known officers and specialized troops took part in the events before, during, and immediately after this confrontation. Lord Charles Cornwallis, the Marquis de Lafayette, men from Light Horse Harry Lee's cavalry, and men from Morgan's Rifles were involved with the militia under Colonel Ellis and Colonel Richard Butler. The cause of this particular incident actually began two years before when it was decided to fortify the Delaware River to prevent the British navy from bringing troops up the river to Philadelphia. Fort Mercer at Red Bank (National Park) and Fort Mifflin were established, and a chevaux de frise was constructed in the river between the two forts to block the channel. The Gloucester Committee of Observation appointed Samuel Harrison and Joseph Hugg to the committee of area men who were to oversee the project. Materials, especially logs needed for the river fortifications, were donated by local patriots. [Pages 72 and 73 consist of a plate showing a map of Revolutionary War sites, with original handwritten legend in French, with English translation.] The British attacked Philadelphia through the back door using the Chesapeake Bay and Elk River. The city was occupied on September 11, 1777. Loyalist spies tried to bribe the few pilots who knew the way through the timber and iron spike river barricades but were unsuccessful. Fort Mifflin fell on November 15 and gave the British control of the west side of the river. General William Howe wanted Fort Mercer captured in order to control the east bank and to begin the march through New Jersey which would link British forces in New York with those in Philadelphia. Lord Charles Cornwallis was assigned the task. Realizing that the British and Hessian troops far outnumbered the garrison at Fort Mercer, the commander evacuated the fort when it became evident that reinforcements were not coming. Cornwallis dismantled the fort, removed the river barricades, and proceeded to Gloucester to establish his headquarters. The troops were to forage farm produce and livestock while in the area. Outposts were established in Brooklawn, at the north end of Gloucester, on Westville's Creek Road, and on Gloucester Road (Browning Lane). Cornwallis used Hugg's Tavern as his staff headquarters and Colonel Ellis' house as his living quarters. Trenches and embankments were constructed around the town. Lafayette, who had been commissioned by the Congress on July 31, 1777, was at Haddonfield: with his staff and a patrol of militia from General Nathaniel Greene's command. Early in the morning of November 24, Lafayette and du Plessis, a French engineer, went with a scouting party to Sandy Point, north end of town, to observe the enemy. While on this scouting expedition, Lafayette narrowly escaped death or capture in a brief skirmish. Colonel Ellis' scouts were also checking on the enemy from the woods between the Harrison Farm and Gloucester Town. On the basis of scouting reports, the decision was made to attack the
enemy from the south. Early in the afternoon of November 25, the forces
departed from Haddonfield, taking three routes: along Creek Road, in
Gloucester Road, and over King's Highway to Market Street (a trail at
the time). Colonel Ellis, being the officer most familiar with the area,
deployed the West Jersey Militia. The militia men from Gloucester,
Salem, and Cumberland counties were augmented by men from Light Horse
Harry Lee's cavalry, one hundred fifty of Morgan's Rifles, and Lafayette
and his French staff. *** LAND AND NAVAL BATTLES IN GLOUCESTER TOWN AREA (Inset page 74) A total of ten military and naval skirmishes occurred in the Gloucester area. These have been certified and indicated on a map published by the New Jersey State Library. October 8, 1777 October 9, 1777 October 11 and 12, 1777 November 21, 1777
December 31, 1777 November 20, 1777 November 27, 1777 April 4,1778 June 18, 1778 *** The fighting began at four o'clock and continued until darkness halted the fighting. The Hessians, although reinforced twice by British troops, were driven back about half a mile on Creek Road. Some British soldiers in the town were shot by the riflemen of Colonel Richard Butler's battalion. Some cannon belonging to the Hessians were captured. The Americans withdrew to Haddonfield, taking with them the wounded and the Hessian and British Grenadiers they had captured. Twenty Americans were killed and ten were wounded. The British and Hessian losses were put at forty killed, thirty wounded, and fifteen captured. General Nathaniel Greene arrived in Haddonfield the next day. At his suggestion, Lafayette wrote to General Washington. Based on this report and the reports of others, Washington wrote letters of thanks to Lafayette and Butler. There were two results of this somewhat brief and little known incident: Lafayette was given command of the Virgnia Division of the Continental Army and morale in West Jersey was given a much needed boost. Letters written by Lafayette, Butler, and Lieutenant Azarial More about the battle are still in existence. In his letter to Washington, Lafayette wrote, "...I take great pleasure in letting you know that the conduct of our soldiers was above all praise. I never saw men so merry, so spirited and so desirous to go on to the enemy, whatever force they might have, as that small party in this little fight." Years later he wrote, "The affair of Gloucester was gallant and successful and made much noise. The army had met with so many disasters, the people had become so much disheartened that the event was made the most of by Washington and the army, and it had an important influence in raising the spirits and keeping up the courage of the people." A sword awarded by Congress to Lafayette had the names of three battles engraved on it--Brandywine, Monmouth, and Gloucester. A monument commemorating the battle can be seen on the grounds of the Envoy Motor Inn on Route 130. The monument reads as follows, NEAR HERE ON NOVEMBER 25, 1777 MARQUISE DE LAFAYETTE COMMANDING CONTINENTAL TROOPS, INCLUDING LOCAL MILITIA MEN UNDER COL. JOSEPH ELLIS AND CAPT. RICHARD CHEESEMAN MET AND HELD AGAINST BRITISH TROOPS UNDER LORD CORNWALLIS. FEARING FURTHER ATTACK TWO DAYS LATER THE BRITISH FORCES WITHDREW FROM GLOUCESTER POINT INTO PENNSYLVANIA ERECTED BY THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GLOUCESTER CITY 1958 *** The Story of the Augusta Nearly one hundred years after the outbreak of war, Gloucester residents were made aware of the battles fought along the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War. [The painting of the Augusta on fire is on display at the Gloucester County Historical Society.] The Augusta, a British frigate sunk in 1777, was raised from the river near Woodbury Creek. Charles Myers, Joseph More, George Murphy, James Powell, and Gabriel Shapely had spent $4000 and a considerable amount of time and work to raise the ship with the intent of towing it to Philadelphia, reconstructing it, and exhibiting the vessel at the Centennial Exposition. However, the ship beached in Gloucester near the foot of Market Street and could not be moved further. The men made the best of the situation and opened the vessel to the public who paid a small admission charge to inspect it. The Augusta was a three masted, square-rigged war vessel called a frigate. The ship was over 100 feet long, weighed 1,381 tons, and had 64 guns of three different sizes. The Augusta was constructed of black Irish oak by Wells and Company in Rotherite, England, in 1773. the vessel was named for the English Princess of Wales and mother of George III. Under the command of Captain Reynold, Earl of Ducie, and with a crew of 300 men, the vessel was on its first and last trip. Although General William Howe's army had taken Philadelphia without using the Delaware River, it was very soon discovered that control of the river was absolutely necessary to supply the troops. Howe's brother, Admiral Richard Howe, sent word that if the two forts could be captured, he would force a passage up the river with his fleet. The combined land and sea attack not only meant fighting the garrisons at Forts Mercer and Mifflin but also meant a battle between the British vessels and the Pennsylvania Navy under Commodore John Hazelwood. The American naval force on the river was composed of two small vessels, the Wasp and the Lexington, thirteen armed galleys, and some floating batteries mounted on scows. The land attack on Fort Mercer by Count von Donop's Hessian troops was unsuccessful. The garrison, warned by Jonas Cattell, held fast and killed over 400 of the Hessians and wounded many others (von Donop died from his wounds and is buried in the cemetery there). The British ships attacked Fort Mifflin but were met with cannon fire from the garrison and from the American fleet. The British dropped down river to regroup for attack the next day, October 23, 1777. Colonel Bradford described the second day's encounter as follows: "On the 23d of October the Augusta, the Roebuck, and the Merlin came up as near as they dared to the chevaux de frise. A most furious engagement ensued between the enemy's ships, and the American galleys, and floating batteries. The, fire was so incessant that, by all accounts, the elements seemed to be in flames. At about 12 o'clock the Augusta blew up whether by accident, or from our shot is unknown, having taken fire some time before. She presented a glorious sight before she blew up. She was laying broadside to aground. The flames were coming from every port she had. "The action still continued with the other ships. At 3 o'clock the Merlin took fire and blew up, also being aground. Then the fire soon ceased. Thus ended two glorious days." Only 150 of the crew survived and were rescued by both American and British ships. Hazelwood's crew removed as much of the stores from the Augusta as possible before the vessel sank. Admiral Howe blamed a change in the course of the channel caused by the chevaux de frise for the failure of the naval attack. Fort Mifflin had been reduced to rubble and the men evacuated to Fort Mercer during the night. The British fleet did not get up river in October, but they did gain control of the west side of the river. When the Augusta was raised, a number of items were found on the ship-silver spoons marked H.W. 1748 with a coat of arms; a small strip of copper with the Lord's Prayer and the words "David Pyeth, Delt and Cult, Edinburgh, March 1774" stamped on it in capital letters; sixty tons of cannon balls and one hundred tons of pig iron bearing the English government arrowhead; swords, muskets, and naval gear; and three human skulls. However, the expected discovery of money was not realized. The oak timbers of the Augusta can be seen in the beams and panelling of the New Jersey State Room in the Memorial Continental Hall, National Society D.A.R., Washington, D.C. Gavels, canes, coat racks, miniature cannon, and other souvenirs made from the ship's wood are owned by residents of Gloucester. A bronze plaque, erected by Ye Olde Gloucester Chapter D.A.R. and showing a side view of the Augusta, can be seen on the stone Augusta Monument in the County Park. A small cannon near the sea wall points to the remains of the Augusta, which are visible only at low tide. *** (Inset page 76) The enemy have thrown a considerable force into your state, with the intent to possess themselves of the post at Red-Bank and, after clearing the obstructions in Delaware, make incursions into your country. To prevent them from effecting either of these purposes, having sent over such a number of continental troops as I trust will, with the spirited exertions of the militia, totally defeat their designs, and oblige them to return to the city and suburbs of Philadelphia, which is the only ground they possess upon the Pennsylvania shore, and in which they cannot subsist if cut off from the supplies of the plentiful state of New-Jersey. I therefore call upon you, by all that you hold dear, to rise up as
one man and rid your country of its unjust invaders. To convince you
that this is to be done by a general appearance of all its freemen,
armed and ready to give them opposition, I need only to put you in mind
of the effect it had upon the British army in June last, who laid aside
their intentions of marching through the upper part of our state, upon
seeing the hostile manner in which you were prepared to receive them.
Look also at the glorious effects which followed that spirit of union
which appeared among our brethren of New-York and New-England, who, by
the brave assistance which Your sincere Friend and Country man Geo.Washington *** JONAS CATTEL: MAN AND LEGEND (Inset page 77) Although Jonas Cattell was born in 1758 on a farm known as Lavender Hill (Deptford Township), no history of Gloucester would be complete if Jonas was left out. He was probably the most picturesque character of the period, and stories of his feats easily rival those told of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. Consequently the story of Jonas Cattell combines fact and fiction to make him an Old Gloucester legend. Jonas apparently had a typical pioneer boyhood as he learned about the habits of the animals while he roamed the woods, fields, and marshes in the area. He hunted and trapped just as the Indians did. His uncanny ability to read an animal's trail through swamps, over leaf-covered soil in the woods, or across open fields became known throughout New Jersey. Six feet one inch in height, Jonas possessed amazing endurance which allowed him to run great distances quite rapidly. He displayed his strength, endurance, and swiftness by carrying a message from Woodbury to Cape May on one day and returning the next day with the answer. When the Revolutionary war broke out, Jonas was serving an apprenticeship to a blacksmith in Haddonfield. He, being 18 years old, enlisted in the Gloucester County Militia and served at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. Jonas also served with Captain Samuel Hugg's artillery which stretched from Mount Holly to Timber Creek. At the Battle of Gloucester, he served under Captain Richard Cheeseman. Serving from one to three months at a time, Jonas was a scout, runner, and soldier for a total of 8 months from April, 1776, to August, 1782, but gave continuous service in the local militia for the entire period of the Revolution. Jonas's real claim to fame came about because of his run from Haddonfield to Fort Mercer to warn Colonel Christopher Greene that the Hessians were marching to the fort to capture it. This warning delivered, Jonas left the fort and then met Ben Haines, a friend. When they had gone a safe distance, they climbed a tree to watch the Hessians as they advanced on the fort. They thought the Americans had been defeated when they heard and saw several great explosions. Jonas and Ben headed north, crossing creeks in small boats because bridges had been destroyed or removed. Ben went home to Gloucester and Jonas continued on to Haddonfield. There he took a broken musket from the blacksmith shop and bluffed two Hessian soldiers into surrendering. Many stories are also told of Jonas Cattell's tenure as guide and whipper in for the Gloucester Fox Hunting club from 1796 until it disbanded in 1818. People were amazed that Jonas always hunted on foot rather than on horseback as everyone else did. According to Jonas, a good breakfast of eggs and nearly raw meat washed down with cider, beer, milk, or plain water was necessary for an all day hunt. Running as he did required lots of fuel. Jonas continued to hunt in his old age to supplement a pension from the government. His pleasure also came while telling stories of his feats to his grandchildren. Some stories were true, but some were told just for entertainment. He told of wrestling with bears in the woods and of riding a gigantic sturgeon in the Delaware River. Jonas Cattell married Mary Stockton of Burlington in 1796.They raised six sons and five daughters.Jonas died on September 29, 1849 at the age of 91. A monument in the Cattell Burying Ground at Lavender Hill marks his grave. *** DILEMMA OF THE QUAKERS: TO FIGHT OR TO REMAIN PEACEFUL (Inset pages 78-79) [illustration: A typical Quaker couple dressed for Meeting] Quakers, whose ancestors had left the British Isles to escape religious persecution, found themselves facing political and economic oppression in the years immediately preceding the war. The call for armed force to eliminate that oppression placed the Quakers in a very awkward situation. The religious teachings of the Society of Friends demanded they follow the instructions of Christ to do good to them that hate you and to Pray for them which despitefully use you. The Friends issued an epistle in January, 1775, which recommended that members take "a due care to adhere to their principles in these times of commotion, and tenderly to admonish and deal with such who differ therefrom." A joint testimony was put out by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Friends in January, 1776. It declared, "The setting up and putting down kings and governments is God's peculiar prerogative . . . and it is not our business to plot and contrive the ruin or overturn of any of them, but to pray for the king and safety of our nation, and good of all men.' Some Quakers decided that action was necessary to defend their property and their liberty. Some joined local militia, some expressed this by their votes in the Assembly, and some openly declared their rights by carrying weapons. One such Quaker was Thomas Matlock of Haddonfield Village, Gloucester County. Not only did he wear a sword while walking the streets but also hand wrote the formal copy of the Declaration of Independence. There were also young Quakers who fought on the side of the king. There were Patriots and Tories among Gloucester residents. Those who participated in the war by word or deed were dismissed from their meetings (churches). Near the end of the war the Fighting Friends organized the Free Quaker Meeting. The original house still stands at 5th and Arch Streets. *** Although the Battle of Gloucester and the sinking of the Augusta
involved large numbers of men, there were many times when smaller groups
of the militia were
engaged in skirmishes during the British occupation of Philadelphia. In
the fall of 1777 the militia removed all bridges over Little and Big
Timber Creeks and Newton Creek in order to hinder movement of the enemy.
As Cornwallis' troops marched north from Billingsport, they were met at
Mantua Creek by the Gloucester
County Militia on November 19. A skirmish ensued but the militia had to
withdraw from the superior numbers of the British. On November 20, the
Queen's Rangers The winter passed in relative quiet as did most winters of the Revolutionary War. However, there was the ever present problem of foraging raids.In the latter part of February, General Wayne came to Jersey to gather cattle and horses for Washington's troops. The British received word of this and attempted to block his movement. Wayne also knew every movement made by the British, and men under Count Pulaski and the militia of Colonel Ellis were able to thwart the British plans. On March 1, 1778, the Battle of Camden or Cooper's Point involved the Gloucester County Militia and men of the regular units of General Wayne and Count Pulaski. Opposing them were the British under Colonel Stirling and Major Simcoe and the British gunboats on the Delaware. Due to the overwhelming numbers of men and firepower, the militia had to withdraw but Wayne got the cattle and horses needed. The evacuation of Philadelphia took place in June. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported on June 20, 1778, "The British army early last Thursday morning, completed their evacuation of Philadelphia, having before transported their stores and most of their artillery into the Jersies where they had thrown up some works, and several of their regiments were encamped. They manned the lines the preceding night, and retreating over the commons, crossed at Gloucester Point. It is supposed they will endeavor to go to New York. A party of the American lighthorse pursued them very close, and took a great number of prisoners, some of whom were Refugees." The wounded British troops, heavy equipment, and 3,000 Tories had
left Philadelphia by ship for New York. After landing at Gloucester,
15,000 British and Hessian troops began the long overland route to New
York. In addition there were numerous Tories and camp followers who took
what they needed or wanted
from homes along the way. During the four days it took for the long
column to pass through Gloucester and Haddonfield, the militia used
hit-and-run strategy In addition to skirmishes on land, there were some naval operations off Gloucester Point. After the fall of Forts Mercer and Mifflin, the Pennsylvania Navy had to flee north on the river to safety now that the British controlled the river from Gloucester south. On the night of November 21, 1777, thirteen galleys, twelve armed boats, and some ammunition craft managed to slip past the batteries at Philadelphia and to reach port at Bordentown. Ten vessels which were unable to escape were set afire off Gloucester Point. They burned until the explosion of their magazines blew them to pieces. The British also lost ships off Gloucester Point. In the severe winter of '77-'78 the Delaware River froze as usual. Several British vessels were trapped in the ice between Philadelphia and Gloucester. The schooner Little Hope, the transport brigatine John, and the armed schooner Industry were boarded, the seamen were taken prisoner, the cargo and other valuable items were removed, and the ships were put to the torch by men of the militia. After the British abandoned the area, the militia were called to serve in East Jersey and other areas as they were needed. They continued to fight bravely until the war ended and they were able to return to their families and homes in Gloucester Town, Old Gloucester County. Citizens who remained in Gloucester did not have a easy life. Since
many men were with the militia, great tact was needed to save inns and
homes during the
enemy occupation. Farmers were constantly hit by foragers from both
armies. The Americans did give IOU's on the treasury but the problem was
to collect. The General Assembly was aware of the financial problems and
in March, 1776, opened a loan office at Gloucester Courthouse. Residents
with provable need were eligible for loans from state funds. In 1779,
the situation was so serious a petition was sent to the Assembly
protesting a law which prevented people from receiving At the close of the war Gloucester Town renewed normal operations as county seat for a few years and life continued as before. Back to Chapter Three Back to Master Page of Book Links Continue to Chapter Five |