The articles in the collection 250 for the 250th: The American Revolution in Monmouth County represent the most complete history of this topic ever assembled. < 250 Home < Previous pg. Next > Dr. John Lawrence and the Crime of Having Loyalist Kin by Michael Adelberg Dr. John Lawrence was a physician prominent Loyalists in his family. Although he was not an active Loyalist, he was forced to live out the war away from his home. - July 1776 - As discussed in a prior article, John Lawrence, Sr., was one of Monmouth County’s leading citizens before the Revolution—a lawyer, judge, surveyor, and member of New Jersey Assembly. He was supportive of the Continental Association and boycott of British goods. However, when protesting British policies shifted to declaring independence, John Sr. became an active Loyalist. In July, he led a bloodless insurrection against the new government in Upper Freehold. John Sr. was arrested for "holding treasonable intercourse with the enemy" and detained in Burlington County. On July 5, the New Jersey Convention ordered that "Mr. John Lawrence, of the County of Monmouth, not to depart the house of Mr. [Rensselaer] Williams [of Trenton]; and if Mr. Lawrence should refuse…. order him confined under such guard as the Committee may deem necessary." He would remain under house arrest for nine months. John Lawrence, Sr., had two sons. Elisha Lawrence was the Monmouth County sheriff under the Royal government. He played an active role in his father’s insurrection and led 60 Upper Freehold Loyalists to join the British Army on Sandy Hook. He would soon become Colonel of the 1st Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers, a Provincial Corps of the British Army. John Lawrence, Jr., was John’s other son, a Princeton graduate and prominent physician who owned a home at Perth Amboy but spent a great deal of time at his father’s house in Upper Freehold. There is no evidence that John Jr. (Dr. John Lawrence) was active in his father’s insurrection, but there is no evidence that he opposed it. Actions Taken Against Dr. John Lawrence On July 9, the New Jersey Convention took action against Dr. John Lawrence and seven other New Jerseyans from prominent Loyalist families. They were arrested and brought to Trenton. Lawrence and the others were ordered "not to depart the town of Trenton.” But later that day, the Convention reconsidered the status of Dr. John Lawrence. "Pursuant to order, Dr. John Lawrence, appeared before Congress and was permitted to return home on his parole, to attend this House whenever called upon." But Dr. Lawrence’s final parole agreement shows that he was not allowed to return home. Instead, he was required to go to Morristown. Perth Amboy was within sight of the British Lines and Upper Freehold was simmering with Loyalist insurrectionists. If Dr. John Lawrence wanted to actively oppose the Revolution, he could cause considerable mischief in either place. Morristown, on the other hand, was 25 miles inland from British lines and thoroughly controlled by Whigs (supporters of the Revolution). Though not as dangerous as his brother or father, New Jersey authorities were not willing to let Dr. John Lawrence live where he pleased. Dr. Lawrence’s July 13 parole oath is below: I do hereby give my parole of honor to the Provincial Congress of New Jersey that… I will return to Morristown, in Morris County, & there remain in a circle of six miles of the Court House in town, & that I will not carry on any political correspondence whatsoever on the subject of the dispute between Great Britain & the United Colonies, neither will I furnish any provisions or given any intelligence to the enemies of the Colony. In September, Continental Army defeats in New York raised expectations that the British Army would soon invade New Jersey. Amidst the resulting panic, men were punished for the crime of having Loyalist kin; Dr. Lawrence was jailed at Trenton. On September 26, Dr. Lawrence wrote a letter of protest to Governor William Livingston: After having complied with every requisition of the Congress - paying my proportions of the tax raised & signing the Association - I was exceedingly surprised to find myself made a prisoner by an order from Genl. Washington [George Washington] in consequence of which I have been carried to Trenton where the Provincial Congress was then sitting, and flatter myself that had I the opportunity: such a defense might have been made as would have discharged me entirely from my imprisonment - Taken from my business & put to very heavy expense. I therefore request that instead of continuing [within a circle of six miles of Morris[town], I may be removed to Allentown in Monmouth, under a parole similar to what I have given at this place, where my father's house will prevent any extraordinary charges occurring to me & where from its situation so remote from the British Army, I apprehend there can be no objection offered. However, Dr. Lawrence was not permitted to return to Upper Freehold. He returned to Morristown, where, while drunk, he engaged in spreading the word about the defeat of the Continental Army. On February 7, 1777, testimony was given against his conduct shortly before the British crossed into New Jersey: One Wm. Stewart [William Stewart] an assistant to these fals harted [sic] smooth tong’d fellows, went off to the Enemy, (as I am Well inform’d) I am affraid [sic] of the Conciquence [sic]. These fellows with two Tory Prisoners at McKee’s the Night after Long Island was given up was all drunk in taken of their Joy. Capt. Canedy & one Doctor Lawrence [Dr. John Lawrence] was the Prisoners—this Club of traitors has been riding all times of night just before some expedition of the Enemy, from Morristown to Prinstown [sic] or somewhere near their, where [there] was a member of the Convention, a friend of theirs. Another of them at the same time [was] going down to Newark, to their friends, their Every one of them most active in their several departments. I have many other reasons for my present opinion of these fellows, which would make them Blush to hear of. However, these fellows & their Influence is failing & will Continew [sic] to fail with all the rest of that abandoned crew of trators [sic] to their Country. Dr. John Lawrence at War’s End Despite this testimony, it appears that Dr. Lawrence was permitted to live out the war as a non-participant in New Jersey. Some sources suggest that he spent parts of the war behind British lines in New York as a non-combatant Loyalist refugee. Although surviving records are incomplete, there appears to be no further evidence of bad conduct from Dr. Lawrence or punishments from the New Jersey government. By 1783, it was clear that the British would be leaving New York. At this time, Dr. Lawrence considered his fate and whether he belonged with his brother (and three members of his extended family) behind British lines. He visited New York and may have offered himself up for a patronage position with the British government. On September 15, 1783, John Colden, a prominent New York Loyalist, wrote of Dr. Lawrence to Guy Carleton, the British commander in chief in New York and Governor of Canada: I am informed Mr. Lawrence supports a favorable character—is pushing himself forward and bids fair to rise in his profession. He has been two or three times in New York since the cessation of hostilities but I have not seen him. He will probably be a useful man to you; he designs to settle in New York. But it appears that this flirtation was temporary. Dr. Lawrence returned to Upper Freehold after the war, where he kept a low profile and lived out his life without incident. Outside of a night of loose talk while drunk, there is no evidence that he acted against the Continental cause. The support of his influential cousin, also named Elisha Lawrence, may have facilitated his peaceful reintegration. Cousin Elisha Lawrence was a Lt. Colonel in the militia and served in the upper house of the New Jersey legislature. Related Historic Site : Morristown National Historical Park Sources : Franklin Ellis, The History of Monmouth County (R.T. Peck: Philadelphia, 1885), p138 and 200-1; Peter Force, American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs (Washington, DC: U.S. Congress Clerk's Office, 1853), 5th Series, vol. 6, p 1638-9; Minutes of the Provincial Congress and the Council of Safety of the State of New Jersey 1775-1776 (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2009) pp. 497-8; John Stillwell, Historical and Genealogical Miscellany, 4 vols, Genealogical Publishing Co, 1970, v3, p411-21; John Lawrence, New Jersey State Archives, Collective Series, Revolutionary War Documents, #4; The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 22, March 23, 1775, through October 27, 1776, ed. William B. Willcox. New Haven and London:: Yale University Press, 1982, pp. 517–518; Peter Force, American Archives: Documents of the American Revolution, 1774-6 (digitized: http://dig.lib.niu.edu/amarch/find.doc.html), v6: p 1652; New Jersey State Archives, William Livingston Papers, reel 3, September 26, 1776; NJ Council of Safety, New Jersey State Archives, box 2; The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 8, 6 January 1777 – 27 March 1777, ed. Frank E. Grizzard, Jr. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1998, pp. 266–267; John Stillwell, Historical and Genealogical Miscellany (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1970) v3, p417; John Colden to Guy Carleton, Alfred Jones, “Letter of David Colden, Loyalist, 1783”, American Historical Review, October 1919, vol. 25, p80-6. Previous Next

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DIGITAL RESOURCES CLASS TRIPS PROF. DEV MCHA is a proud partner of the grades 5-12 History Happened Here initiative. Students are welcome to click here to learn how to use our resources to discover our fascinating Monmouth County history, and how it fits into the larger framework of American history. Education Programs DigRes Digital Education Our award-winning exhibit on slavery in New Jersey, Beneath the Floorboards: Whispers of the Enslaved at Marlpit Hall , is now the focus of two grade-banded digital companions, tailored to NJ curriculum standards Colonial History (Upper Elementary level) General Monmouth County History (Intermediate-through-Secondary level) Digital resources are currently only available for laptop/PC viewing CLICK the image to access the resource 250 for the 250th: The American Revolution in Monmouth - For educators and high school level students - In celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation, MCHA is proud to announce the newest project by author and renowned historian Michael Adelberg. The incredible 250-article collection is the most complete history on this topic ever assembled! It will be free and digitally accessible on our website. Available August 25th! Beneath the Floorboards: Whispers of the Enslaved at Marlpit Hall Using primary sources and artifacts from the MCHA collections and material culture from the historic c. 1756 Marlpit Hall in Middletown, this exhibit tells the stories of seven of the 12 known enslaved individuals who inhabited this residence. The larger story of slavery in New Jersey is also explored through careful research and documentation. Upper Elementary Level Middle School / High School Colonial Kids Education Page This upper elementary resource focuses on the Colonial Era. Discover what 18th-century life was like for the people who lived at the historic Covenhoven House in Freehold! Monmouth County Education Page This intermediate/high school resource focuses heavily on primary sources from the collections of MCHA and beyond to illustrate the rich history of Monmouth County! Colonial era documents, WWII artifacts and ephemera, newspaper articles, and other unique objects help students connect American history to fascinating local history. Trips On-Site Education: Covenhoven House and Monmouth Battlefield! 150 W. Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 Grades 2-6 The battlefield books up quickly. Book NOW for 2026, the 250th anniversary of our nation!! This beautiful 1752 historic house museum offers students a window into the Colonial era. Situated on what was known as the Burlington Path, Elizabeth Covenhoven's stately residence was used by General Clinton as the British headquarters in the days before the Battle of Monmouth. Our new exhibit, Choices , will explore the options our various forebears were faced with during the American Revolution. Would you side with the Patriots...or Loyalists? Stay to defend your home, or flee to safety? For the enslaved, the British promised freedom if they fought for the crown...but could this promise be trusted? Students will tour the house and learn about life in the Colonial era through the various historical figures who lived in and visited this home. Groups of students will rotate out to nearby Monmouth Battlefield, the next stop for the British where they clashed with the Continental Army at the Battle of Monmouth. There they will learn about the battle from the park historian and participate in a pre-selected choice of activities, including a battlefield hike, museum scavenger hunt, cannon or musket drill! Covenhoven House Program Only This 90-minute program includes a fun tour of this historic house museum, a hearth cooking demonstration, and a spy code-cracking activity! Students are welcomed into the home by a costumed interpreter, where they will be transported by the sights and sounds of the 18th century as the delicious scent of cinnamon applesauce cooks gently in the kitchen. Dates book very quickly - we cannot stress enough to secure your date early! Hope to see you soon! INQUIRE Recent Review from Mr. Iosue at St. Rose of Lima School: Taking our fifth graders on a trip to the Covenhoven House was a no brainer. As a local historical site I knew this would allow the students to connect on a deeper level. As we toured the home the children were extremely engaged in all of the aspects of colonial life demonstrated to them. The presenters were very knowledgeable and receptive to questions and comments. It was a day that will remain with our students for a long time because of the dedication of the staff. The program was well organized and structured while being exciting and filled with suspense. Every room had a rich history and as it all was explained to us, our fifth graders were able to see the classroom experience come alive. I truly would recommend a trip to the Covenhoven House to any teacher! The kids have not stopped talking about it...from the kitchen to the garden...they loved it all! Thank you to the association! Marlpit Hall Beneath the Floorboards: Whispers of the Enslaved at Marlpit Hall 137 Kings Hwy, Middletown, NJ 07748 Program is tailored for attending grade band (click here for pdf) $10 per student grades 3-12 (Approx. 90-minute program) Combination trips with the historic Murray Farmhouse at Poricy Park or the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center are also available! Freehold High School students, 2022 This c. 1762 house features our award-winning exhibit, Beneath the Floorboards: Whispers of the Enslaved at Marlpit Hall . Students Grades 3-6* tour the historic house museum to learn about slavery in New Jersey through the lens of those who were once enslaved at the residence. The personal stories of these individuals are explored, reconstructed through primary sources such as birth records and freedom papers. Students are given the opportunity to investigate the process of creating historically accurate stories using primary sources; they leave the exhibit with a solid understanding of the institution of slavery in New Jersey, and the skills needed to think like historians. Students grades 7-12** are engaged in an in-depth Primary Source Workshop after the guided museum tour to learn about the processes involved in analyzing documents such as birth records, inventories, freedom papers, as well as "for sale" and runaway ads. What can these sources tell us, what questions do they leave us with, and how can we use our understanding of history to develop possible theories? Students leave with the skills to conduct responsible analysis and interpretation of historic documents, and a solid background on the components of slavery in New Jersey. *For a longer program for grades 3-6 , pair Marlpit Hall with the historic Murray Farmhouse at Poricy Park ! Students will gain a fuller understanding of the Colonial era in this dual program. Murray Farmhouse visitors will learn about Patriots and Loyalists in Monmouth County, as well as have a chance for hands-on activities such as churning butter and grinding spices. ** Grades 7-12 can pair Marlpit Hall with a trip to the historic T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center in nearby Red Bank. This dual program is an excellent segue from slavery to an emphasis on the many successes of Black men and women post-1865. INQUIRE Recent Testimonial Saint John Vianney High School History Club recently visited Marlpit Hall in Middletown. This 18th-century farmhouse holds layers of history regarding slavery in Monmouth County. Thanks to the Monmouth County Historical Association, our guided tour delved into the lives of the seven slaves who once called this place home. From their daily routines to the broader narrative of slavery in Monmouth County, every detail was thoughtfully explored. The interactive workshop afterward was equally enlightening, as students engaged with primary sources, including descriptive want ads offering rewards for runaway slaves. The tour was a powerful learning experience. For fellow educators seeking impactful experiences for their students, I can't recommend this tour enough. The insights gained at Marlpit Hall are invaluable for understanding our shared history. I'm already planning future visits with the MCHA and eagerly anticipating the opportunity to incorporate their educational web resources into my early American history lessons. It's a journey worth taking, enriching both educators and students alike. Kenneth Brumbaugh Social Studies Teacher/Saint John Vianney High School Early College Academy, Adjunct Professor/Brookdale Community College Hybrid Virtual Programs! Marlpit Hall comes directly to your classroom with MCHA's hybrid virtual class trip, bringing your students the best of both worlds! This webinar package includes: - A video tour of Marlpit Hall, learning directly from the curators who built the exhibit. A professional educator will then be available after the presentation for a live Q&A, to answer any questions the students might have. - Grades 7-12 will also be guided through the Primary Source Workshop, in which the skills to critically analyze historical primary source documents are developed. - All grades receive professional lesson plans and activities based on the exhibit material - Students are encouraged to explore the free digital education pages above as a pre-or-post trip activity. - MCHA educators are always available by email to any questions that teachers or students may have, so feel free to reach out! INQUIRE PD Professional Development MCHA offers free professional development training for all grade levels. Our PD program is given by professionals in the field, and presents educators with a two-fold approach to understanding the topic on an in-depth level. First, educators experience a curator-led tour of the exhibit, where they gain the background necessary to bolster their confidence level in the subject matter. They then take part in a Primary Source Workshop in which they learn how to analyze documents from the era to extract information in the most useful way, applying curriculum standards into guided classroom discussion. They are prepared with the most commonly asked questions from students, and provided answers according to top scholars in the field. This workshop can be applied in the classroom as well via the digital companion to the exhibit, and has been found useful by ELA educators as well. The program runs approximately 2 hours long. The Elizabeth Van Cleaf Institute is a multi-day workshop that runs during the summer and is by application only. Click here to learn more! Want to book a trip or PD training? Have questions? Suggestions? Compliments (yes, please!)??? Contact Dana at dhowell@monmouthhistory.org Thank you to our advisors and supporters on the Beneath the Floorboards digital programs: Hank Bitten, Executive Director, New Jersey Council for the Social Studies Dr. Wendy Morales, Assistant Superintendent, Monmouth Ocean Educational Services Commission Dr. Jason Fitzgerald, Dr. Rich Veit and Dr. Bill George, Monmouth University Noelle Lorraine Williams, Director of African American Education at the New Jersey Historical Commission The New Jersey School Boards Association The New Jersey Center for Civic Education Many Thanks to Our Education Sponsors and Supporters Larry & Paula Metz Sam & Laurie Landy Bill Mehr

This upper elementary level resource will give students a look at the Colonial Era in Monmouth! Covenhoven House Life in Colonial Monmouth The Covenhovens were an average Dutch farming family until a large sum of money helped them build a grand house in 1752. The home - and its very special story - help us to understand life in Colonial America. Building America Creating a New World The Colonies Await European countries began exploring America in the early 1500s. In 1607, King James I of England established Jamestown , the first permanent colony in America. A colony is an area under the control of another country, usually one that is far away. The people who live there are known as colonists . Claiming land in this "New World" was a way for countries to control trade and expand their territory, which gave them more money and power. It became the goal of many European countries to claim land in America, but many found it hard to hold onto it. It was not easy to survive in a wild and faraway land, and even harder to protect land from other countries who wanted it also. The colonists slowly began to sail to America to make new lives for themselves, sparking the beginning of the Colonial Era. The Colonial Era of America's history lasted from 1607 until 1775, when the colonies began their fight for independence from the British. King James I of England, Scotland and Ireland Courtesy of Library of Congress NEXT > Native Americans The Lenni Lenape Lenape Chief Lappawinsoe Courtesy of the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia Images courtesy of Boston Public Library Native Americans: The Lenni Lenape Native Americans were the indigenous (in-dih-jen-us) people the colonists encountered when they arrived in America. Indigenous , like the word 'native,' means anything that comes from and has existed in a place for a very long time. The Native Americans lived in groups called tribes . They had their own languages and culture on American soil long before the European settlers came. The main Native American tribe in New Jersey were the Lenni Lenape (Leh-NEE Luh-NAH-pay). This means something like the"Original People" in the Lenape language, called Unami (Weh-NAH-mee). There are no more native speakers of the Unami language, but there are people working to learn it again so it can be spoken like it was hundreds of years ago. You can hear the way the language sounded and give it a try with this Lenape translator tool ! NEXT > The Covenhovens A Colonial Monmouth Family Family Life William and Elizabeth Covenhoven (CO-ven-HO-ven) were both born in America from Dutch ancestry, meaning their family came here from Holland. They were married in 1720 and settled in Freehold. They had a small farm and a large family...with ten children! Families were bigger at this time because it was important to have many hands to help work the farm, take care of each other, and do all the chores that life in the colonies required. Being so far from home, people tended to find comfort living in communities where they knew the culture and traditions. The Covenhovens lived in a Dutch community that spoke Dutch, wore traditional Dutch clothes, prepared Dutch foods, and built and decorated in the Dutch style. Many in the community went to the Dutch church to hear services in their own language. They were proud of their heritage and felt it It was important to maintain their culture in the New World. Covenhoven House, Freehold NJ NEXT > Meet the Locals Discover some of the people who lived in and visited the historic Covenhoven House! Click to Enter Freehold, 1778 Cockpit of the Revolution Monmouth: A Turning Point General path of British (red) and Continental (blue) paths in the days leading up to the battle New Jersey has been called the "Cockpit of the Revolution." Over 200 skirmishes , or small battles, took place in New Jersey. This is because it sat in the path between two very important places: New York, and Pennsylvania. Lower New York was a British stronghold, containing valuable harbors for ships to bring constant fresh supplies, while Philadelphia was an American stronghold and the place where our Continental Congress met. The Continental Congress was a group of men, each one representing a colony, who gathered to discuss and make important decisions for the direction of our country. Some wanted independence from Britain, some did not. In the end, the vote was in favor of independence. The British took over Philadelphia, staying there from September of 1777 to June 18, 1778. On that day, they marched their army across New Jersey to Sandy Hook. They took the Burlington Path, which would lead them right through Freehold. Because their line of men was so long, it was impossible to do this secretly...the residents of Freehold knew they would be passing through in about a week's time. General Washington knew this as well, and decided to move the Continental Army in line with them, engaging them in skirmishes all along the way. The morning of June 28, 1778, the Continentals stopped the British in their tracks at Monmouth Courthouse, now present-day Freehold Borough. It was not going to a a skirmish that day, it was going to be a battle. British General Clinton received the news and quickly left Mrs. Covenhoven's house to join his men. Washington sent General Lee out to begin the fight, but Lee made a mistake in his attack - the confusion ended up in panicked retreat for his men. Washington showed up just in time to support the Continentals and stop them from running away from the fight. He was very angry with Clinton for allowing them to retreat, and embarrassed Clinton in front of the men before turning them all around. All who witnessed it said it was very unlike Washington to lose his temper that way. General Lee thought he was a better general than Washington, and was very annoyed to be spoken to that way. But he did as he was told, and the two armies met on the battlefield. Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth by Emanuele Leutze, MCHA collection New Jersey was in the middle of a heat wave. The temperature soared to nearly 100 degrees by the afternoon, and water was hard to come by. As the armies fought, men began to drop from heat exhaustion. More men died from the heat than from battle wounds! It was a difficult day for both sides. By nightfall, the battle was not yet over. The armies made camp for the night, but the Continentals were surprised to discover in the morning that the British had left the field. The armies lost about the same number of men, so it was called a tie. But it truly was a win for the Continentals - they stood up to the greatest army in the world, which ran away in the middle of the night! It made the Continentals proud, and gave them the confidence to continue on and win the war. Analyzing Artwork Taking a Closer Look Art is not only cool to look at, its a great learning tool as well! It is important to really focus on details to see what the artist is trying to tell us. Give it a try with the images below! 1 2 3 Many people know the famous painting Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze (LOYT-za). Leutze painted another iconic scene in 1857 called Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth . In this dramatic image, the viewer can see many different things happening across the canvas. Looking closely at a few details from the painting, tell what is happening in each scene using the details from the Battle of Monmouth section above. Fun Fact! General Washington preferred white horses so that his troops could easily see him on the battlefield, but the horse that carried him through much of the Revolution was a chestnut brown-colored horse named Nelson. An Unwelcome Visit Artist: Charlie Swerdlow, 2022 1. Look at the scene in An Unwelcome Visit . Does it depict a different time? How do you know? 2. Describe the setting and what appears to be happening. 2. What does the mood seem to be? 3. The two enslaved servants in the home with Mrs. Covenhoven are the young boy, Bross, and Nancy. They may have been mother and child. What might they have been thinking at this moment? 4. What do you think Mrs. Covenhoven was thinking when Clinton finally arrived at her door?

The articles in the collection 250 for the 250th: The American Revolution in Monmouth County represent the most complete history of this topic ever assembled. < 250 Home < Previous pg. Next > Lt. Colonel Tupper's Continentals Attack on Sandy Hook by Michael Adelberg Benjamin Tupper commanded the party of Massachusetts Continentals that marched up the Sandy Hook peninsula and unsuccessfully attacked the Lighthouse on June 21, 1776. - June 1776 - As discussed in prior articles, the British Navy secured Sandy Hook in April 1776. But Sandy Hook’s strategic location at the entry point of New York Harbor and the imminent arrival of the British Army made it a tempting target for the Continental Army. In May 1776, Lt. Colonel Benjamin Tupper of Massachusetts commanded a regiment of Continentals stationed at Perth Amboy. In addition to commanding a regiment, he was commodore over a squadron of small sailing vessels and whaleboats in Raritan Bay. Two British frigates, Phoenix and Asia , and their tenders, faced them at Sandy Hook. The disparity in heavy guns between Tupper’s motley flotilla and the British frigates made it impossible to attack Sandy Hook by sea. In early May, Tupper apparently asked George Washington about attacking the British by landing on the Middletown shoreline and marching up Sandy Hook to capture the peninsula and lighthouse. Washington’s aide de camp, Robert Harrison, responded cautiously: "On dislodging the people at the Light House, he [Washington] does not mean to advise an attempt, unless you are certain it will be met with success - a miscarriage would douse the spirits of the men." But Tupper remained focused on Sandy Hook, even as more British ships arrived. On June 4, he wrote: There was two ships arrived within the Hook yesterday, there is now at the Hook eight sail of square wrigd [rigged] vessels and five small craft, besides the Asia & her small Tender. It is thought (but we can’t certainly determine) that three of the vessels which lately arivd [sic] is the Roebuck, the Marcury [sic] & the Liverpool. Tupper also was annoyed by the conduct of the Middletown militia under Colonel George Taylor. The militia received three British deserters and immediately dispatched an officer to interrogate them. But the militia “stupidly let them pass toward Philadelphia without asking them scarcely a question." In mid-June, Tupper moved his men to attack Sandy Hook. On June 17, one of Tupper’s men, Solomon Drowne wrote that "a part of the Artillery Regt and a number of volunteers have gone on an expedition to take ye watering place from ye Asia 's men, or drive ye regulars from their fort at ye Light House and destroy it." It appears that Tupper’s party landed on the Middletown shore on June 18, but did not immediately advance on Sandy Hook due to “inconveniences”. Tupper needed cannon, and waited for them to arrive by barge. Under cover of night, Tupper’s men marched up Sandy Hook during the early hours of June 21. He attacked Sandy Hook before dawn. A public version of his report on the battle was printed in several newspapers: This morning about 4 o'clock, we attacked the Light House with about 300 men; they were strongly reinforced being (as I saw a boat go from Long Island) previously informed of our design. I continued the attack for two hours with field pieces and small arms, all the time being between fires from the shipping and the light house, but could make no impression on the walls. I returned to my camp at the south end of the Cedars, which I have occupied for two days and nights, and sent out 50 men for some game; they have this minute attacked them with small arms, and seven boats are making for land from the ships. My men are in high spirits & well, not one of them either killed or wounded. Additional details on the attack were included in Tupper’s private letter to George Washington. In direct contradiction to the public report, Tupper claimed that the British were surprised by his advance: I advanced within 150 yds. of the Light House in so secret a manner that my party was undiscovered. I advanced with an officer and desired to speak with the commanding officer, and after a few words he fired several shot at me, but as God would have it, he mist [sic] me. I returned to my party and ordered the artillery to play, which continued about an hour, but found the walls [of the light house] so thick as to make no impression. Tupper also noted that he held his ground despite taking fire on two sides: "I occupied the ground about two and a half hours between the smart fires viz. to men of war on the one side & the Light House on the other." Tupper concluded his private letter by again complaining about the Middletown militia: "It is a little strainge [sic], I received no assistance from the Jersies, tho' it was earnestly requested." Local militia might have guided Tupper to a better position from which to launch the attack. Solomon Nash, an artilleryman under Tupper, wrote the attack. He provided additional details in his account. He noted that the cannon needed to be floated to Tupper on barges from Middletown Point [Matawan] on June 20: "This morning at 6 o'clock, landed at Spermacity Cove within four miles of the Light House, we got our field pieces ashore and there til about 9 o'clock p.m.” Nash’s account blames his own cannon for the failed attack: “The Light House being so strong that we could make no impression on it.” In July, Massachusetts newspapers, informed by letters home from Tupper’s men, offered some additional information on the battle. The Freeman's Journal reported that the attack failed because Tupper’s cannon were too small to damage light house. "Our men… not having heavy cannon sufficient to make any breach in the Light House." The American Gazette suggested it was heavy fire from the British frigates that “poured in a heavy fire on our men on our flank” that drove off Tupper’s men. A British officer who arrived at Sandy Hook four days later reported on the battle from a British vantage point (note the differing figures on the size of Tupper’s force and resulting casualties): Five hundred rebels with two brass field pieces, six pounders, were driven off by a Sergeant and Corporal of the 57th Regiment, with five of Governor Tryon's men; they killed 14 of the rebels, one of whom we hear is a Major; we expect it will be attacked again soon, but we are well prepared for them. Immediately after the attack, the British had an engineer, Lawrence Hartwick, survey Sandy Hook and recommend improvements. Hartwick noted the thickness of the lighthouse and the need for artillery around it. He measured that the lighthouse was 735 yards from the nearest cedar trees (presumably a safe distance) but there was a need to clear tall meadow grass within 525 yards of the light house. The fortification of the Hook was noticed. A Middletown militiaman, Richard Sutphin, looked over at Sandy Hook and later recalled that “the British troops took the light-house and converted it into a fort." Regardless of the steps taken, Sandy Hook remained an attractive target for Americans throughout the war. Tupper’s attack would not be the last attempt to capture it. Related Historic Sites : Sandy Hook Lighthouse Sources : Bruce Bliven, Under the Guns, New York 1775-1776 (New York: Harper & Row, 1972) p 236-7; Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, Series 2, Letterbooks; The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 4, 1 April 1776 – 15 June 1776, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1991, pp. 323–325; The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 4, 1 April 1776 – 15 June 1776, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1991, pp. 436–437; New York City During the American Revolution: Being a Collection of Original Papers (NY: New York Mercantile Association, 1861) p98-99; Library of Congress, NY Gaz & Weekly Mercury, reel 2904; The Library Company, Pennsylvania Ledger, vol. 1, Jan. 1775-Nov. 1776; The Library Company, Pennsylvania Evening Post; Bruce Bliven, Under the Guns, New York 1775-1776 (New York: Harper & Row, 1972) p 314-5; William James Morgan, Naval Documents of the American Revolution (Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1969) vol. 5, p 663. New Jersey Archives, "Newspaper Extracts," 1st. series, vol. 1, p 132; Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, series 4, reel 36, June 21, 1776; Solomon Nash, Journal of Solomon Nash, A Revolutionary Soldier (New York: Privately Printed, 1861) pp. 20-1; Margaret Willard, Letters on the American Revolution 1774-1776 (Associated Faculty Press, 1968) p 326; Pennsylvania Journal, June 21, 1776 Freeman's Journal, July 6, 1776; Henry P. Johnston, The Campaign of 1776 Around New York and Brooklyn, (Brooklyn: Long Island Historical Society, 1878) v3, p91; Revolutionary War Veterans' Pension Application of Thomas Cummings of Massachusetts, National Archives, p30; Lopez, John. “Sandy Hook Lighthouse.” The Keeper's Log, Winter, 1986, pp. 5-6; David C. Munn, comp., Battles and Skirmishes of the American Revolution in New Jersey (Trenton, N.J.: Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Geology, 1976) pp. 91-3; National Archives, revolutionary War veterans Pension Applications, New Jersey - Richard Sutphin. Previous Next

The articles in the collection 250 for the 250th: The American Revolution in Monmouth County represent the most complete history of this topic ever assembled. < 250 Home < Previous pg. Next > Loyalists and American Prisoners Fish Off Sandy Hook by Michael Adelberg Small boats like this one fished the “Shrewsbury Banks” off Sandy Hook. In June 1782, the British permitted American prisoners to fish the banks to bring food to the horrid prison ships. - June 1782 - Today, the waters off Monmouth County contain only a small fraction of the fish and shellfish that inhabited the same waters during the Revolutionary War. Based on surviving documents, the most important fishery on the Jersey Shore was “the Shrewsbury Banks” near Shrewsbury Inlet (which connected the Shrewsbury River with the ocean). Johann Schoef, a German naturalist, visited Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay in 1783. While he complained of the mosquitoes, he was impressed by the quantity of seafood readily available. He wrote of the oysters: Often oysters climb so high on the beach, clinging to stones, roots of trees, &c. that at ebb-tide they are for many hours exposed quite to the air. Oysters are eaten raw, broiled on coals, baked with fat and in other ways; they are also dried, pickled, boiled in vinegar, and so preserved and transported. Schoef also wrote about shellfish; he was concerned that it dropped precipitously during the war: These waters furnish for the kitchen the Lobster... and crab. Before the war, lobsters were numerous, but for some years have been seldom seen. The fishermen's explanation was that the lobster was disturbed by the many ships' anchors and frightened by the cannon fire. There is also abundant evidence that the Shrewsbury Banks contained a significant fishery. A traveler to Sandy Hook, Adam Gordon, discussed the bountiful waters in 1765: “Behind the Hook when at sea, you make the Highland of Neversink… One may catch good sea bass and black fish aplenty, with ground bait.” A March 1784, the Pennsylvania Gazette advertised the sale of a 120-acre estate a Long Branch, noting the productivity of local waters: It [the estate] is directly opposite and within a mile of the great banks which supply the city of New York with black fish, sea bass and cod in such abundance, and the Jersey fishing-boats bring their fish to the very landing of this place. Whig and Loyalist fishermen found eager buyers for their catch, but the British, penned into the garrison city of New York, were particularly dependent on the Sandy Hook fishery. For example, in July 1778, Lt. Colonel John Morris, commanding a Loyalist battalion stationed on Sandy Hook, tolerated a deserter from his unit living amongst his men because the deserter, Jacob Wood, was supplying the officers with fresh fish taken from the local waters. The Dangers of Fishing Off the Shrewsbury Banks By 1779, fishermen on both sides faced the danger of capture when fishing near Sandy Hook. John Burrowes, a Continental Army captain serving at Middletown Point in April 1779, discussed the insecurity of Whig fishermen, “The oystermen will not go out for fear of the enemy, a King's galley yesterday drove all the fishermen off the shore & lays there yet." Two months later, a Pennsylvania ship captain named Doane beached on Sandy Hook but avoided capture because he “prevailed upon the [Loyalist] fishermen to land him in New Jersey." In 1780, James Mott, Jr., son of a New Jersey Assemblyman captured by Loyalists, sought a prisoner exchange—his father for Richard Reading who was “taken not many days ago, off the banks while afishing." A month later, Colonel Elias Dayton wrote George Washington of a plan to gain intelligence about the British fleet at Sandy Hook by sending spies "to follow the fishing [boats] to Sandy Hook until he gets thorough knowledge of every obstruction.” Meanwhile, Colonel David Forman wrote Washington of an American privateer sailing with London Trading and fishing boats at Sandy Hook: On Monday last, a privateer laying under Long Island, found by means of her situation & her English colours to introduce herself unsuspectful amidst fifteen of the trading vessels from Shrewsberry to New York - they was on a general fish party on the banks of the Shrewsberry. Throughout spring 1781, the Loyalist New York City Chamber of Commerce and the British Admiral commanding at New York, Marriott Arbuthnot, exchanged letters about manning a war galley to protect the Loyalist fishermen on the Shrewsbury Banks. Arbuthnot offered a vessel, but, due to confused communications, the Chamber of Commerce did not initially acknowledge it. In May, Isaac Lowe of the Chamber of Commerce promised to man the vessel if Arbuthnot would again make it available: If your Excellency will be so good as to furnish-a proper vessel, with provisions and ammunition, to protect the fishermen on the banks of Shrewsbury, for the benefit of this market, the Chamber of Commerce will cheerfully exert their endeavors and they doubt not they will be able, in a short time, not only to procure as many men as your Excellency may think sufficient for that purpose. It is unknown if this vessel ever put to sea. Throughout 1781 and 1782, the daring privateer , Adam Hyler made a number of descents among the fishing boats near Sandy Hook. Two examples are offered below. The Loyalist New York Gazette reported on May 29, 1782 that: Mr. [Adam] Hyler paid a visit to our fishing boats last Saturday and took three boats and a prize, inward bound, without [the Hook]; he was pursued by an armed vessel dispatched from one of his Majesty's ships, which obliged him to run the prizes ashore. A Loyalist newspaper reported that on June 19, "a number of fishing boats were just on the eve of being captured on the bank's by Hyler's boats; but luckily the Lark , privateer, inward bound, saved them from being convoyed to Middletown, & c." The actions of Hyler and, no doubt, others prompted a British officer to plead for greater protection of local fishermen to British Governor General James Robertson. Robertson was asked to "encourage fishermen to take fish to supply the garrison" by protecting them, so that they are not "annoyed by the privateers and whaleboat men.” Hyler’s privateer peers at New Brunswick, including Jacob Story, were also active off Sandy Hook. William Corlies, formerly of Shrewsbury, went over two New York in January 1781 and operated two London Trading vessels. In 1782, he admitted to London Trading with two other disaffected Monmouth Countians, Richard Hartshorne and William Salter. Corlies discussed the terms of his release: I was taken a prisoner in Sandy Hook Bay by Captain Story of an American whaleboat and lost most of my property - he ransomed the sloop & I was employed several weeks going back and forth to Woodbridge, settling the ransom money. Hyler, on some occasions, also ransomed captured Loyalists and released them on Sandy Hook. American Prisoners Fish the Shrewsbury Banks By June 1782, the British were making conciliatory gestures toward the Continental government. However, American prisoners continued to be held in New York Harbor on horrid, overcrowded prison ships (on which hundreds of Americans died from disease and malnutrition). Adequately provisioning these prisoners was a genuine challenge for the British—as New York was a garrison city unable to adequately feed its own loyal citizens, much less thousands of prisoners. An idea was proposed to let some prisoners provision themselves by fishing the Shrewsbury Banks. On June 12, 1782, Abraham Skinner, the Commissary of Prisoners for the Continental Government, wrote the Continental Congress: I am solicited by our Board of Prisoners at New York and the British Commissary to obtain permission for a boat to fish on the banks near Sandy Hook on the New Jersey coast. This boat they propose to man by some of the prisoners on board the prison ships and other places they are confined. Skinner noted that the prisoners needed a fishing boat. Accordingly, “the British commissary has also proposed to purchase within our lines a quantity of wood for which he will pay cash and it shall be for the use of the prisoners solely." Two weeks later, the War Office of the Continental Congress directed George Washington to permit fishing off the banks of Sandy Hook for the benefit of the prisoners. They told Washington that “our marine prisoners in New York… might be permitted to fish on the banks near Sandy Hook for their benefit.” To do this, a British commissary would need to “purchase wood for the use of our prisoners, within our lines, where it can be procured much cheaper than with the enemy, and will enable him to afford the prisoners a greater supply.” Washington was requested to support the plan: The distressed situation of those prisoners--the little probability there is that all of them will soon be liberated, and the necessity we are under not only to do every thing in our power to alleviate their sufferings but to convince them that they are the objects of our attention; in order to reconcile them as much as possible to the miseries of a Loathsome confinement, until they can be exchanged. While Congress supported the plan, it also apparently worried that supplies purchased in New Jersey to be shipped to New York could devolve into a London Trading scheme—indeed, ingenuous schemes were underway to do exactly that. Therefore, Congress asked Washington to “suspend it [sending wood to New York] whenever he finds that it is injurious or does not answer the good purposes intended." On July 1, James Madison, serving in Congress, penned a report "Respecting a Supply of the Marine Prisoners of Fish & Fuel," further supporting the proposal. There is no record of the fishing vessel(s) that the prisoners built. But because there is no documentation of the plan being halted, it is probable that the prisoners did build at least one boat and put to sea. Soon, Loyalist departures to Canada would at least partially relieve food shortages in New York. Nonetheless fishing the Shrewsbury Banks remained a dangerous activity—as clashes between British and American vessels continued off Sandy Hook into 1783. Related Historic Site : Sandy Hook Lighthouse Sources : Alfred Morrison, Travels in the Confederation, 1783-4, (Philadelphia: Joseph Campbell, 1911) p 15-9; Gordon’s account is in Newton Mereness, Mereness's Travels in the American Colonies, (Carlisle, MA: Applewood, 1916) p453; Pennsylvania Gazette, March 17, 1784; Charles Todd, Whale Boat Privateersmen of the American Revolution, p180; John Burrowes to Lord Stirling, Library of Congress, George Washington Papers, series 4, reel 57, April 5, 1779; Library of Congress, Early American Newspapers, June 23, 1779, Pennsylvania Evening Post; Isaac Lowe, letter, John Stevens, Colonial Records of the Chamber of Commerce of New York, 1768-1784 (New York: John F. Trow, 1867) p 285; James Mott to Asher Holmes, John Stillwell, Historical and Genealogical Miscellany, 4 vols, Genealogical Publishing Co, 1970, v4, p90, 117; Elias Dayton to George Washington, June 1780, Monmouth County Historical Association, Diaries Collection, box 2, John Stillwell's Diary (photocopy); David Forman to George Washington, Monmouth County Historical Association, Diaries Collection, box 2, John Stillwell's Diary (photocopy); Library of Congress, Rivington's New York Gazette, May 29, 1782, reel 2906; Library of Congress, Rivington's New York Gazette, June 19, 1782, reel 2906; Abraham Skinner to Congress, National Archives, Papers of the Continental Congress, reel 162, item 149, vol. 1, #433; Journals of the Continental Congress, June 28, 1782, American Memory, Library of Congress, http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/hlawquery.html ; the narrative of William Corlies in is Library of Congress, Revolutionary War Prize Cases, M162, reel 1, cases 91-2, David Forman v. Nathan Jackson; Report, July 1, 1782, The Papers of James Madison (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1977) vol. 4, pp. 380-1. Previous Next

Hear history in their own voices - Monmouth County as told by the people who have lived here and made a difference MCHA Oral History Project History... in Their Own Voice This collection has been created and curated by MCHA staff to document the stories of Monmouth County, both past and present. Check back often as new categories are added! To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Select a Collection to Meet Our Narrators: Digital Diversity MCHA presents fascinating stories from some of our underrepresented communities. The collections will expand as we continue to capture Monmouth County not only as it was, but as it is today - and as it should be remembered in the future. LGBTQ African American / Black History/ Memories of Old Freehold Freehold has been historic from the start. From the Revolution to its reflection of small town America, this place has always been special. It will forever be His Hometown, and that's just fine with us. Hear the stories of those who call Freehold home as well. Memories of Old Freehold Do you have a story to contribute or know someone we should interview? Contact us: Dana Howell: dhowell@monmouthhistory.org Joe Zemla: jzemla@monmouthhistory.org We'd love to hear what you have to say!

Download Student Packet Beneath the Floorboards: Whispers of the Enslaved at Marlpit Hall Upper Elementary Education Resource Request Teacher Resource NJ Standards Alignment Book a Class Trip! Marlpit Hall, painted by Henry Gulick in 1952 Welcome to Colonial Monmouth! Middletown's Marlpit Hall stands today as a window into the 18th century. This c. 1762 home and its residents witnessed many of the most exciting, inspirational, and painful chapters in our history, from the fight for independence to the heartbreak of slavery. This resource will give students insight into the history of slavery in New Jersey using many of the primary sources used to build the award-winning exhibit, Beneath the Floorboards: Whispers of the Enslaved at Marlpit Hall . This page can only be viewed on a laptop or desktop. It is not enabled for mobile phones. Sorry for the inconvenience! Approaching Marlpit Hall in the 18th Century Let's take a little trip, during which we will be invisible. It is 1778, and you are traveling to Marlpit Hall, the farmhouse owned by the Taylors of Middletown. This means you are either in a wagon or on a horse right now, so be careful and hold tight! There are very few houses in the area at this time, with great distances between them. The dirt road that is Kings Highway can be bumpy and treacherous! If your wagon wheel pops off or you fall from your horse, help is not around the corner! Read More Life Before Enslavement By the mid-1700s, nearly all enslaved people in America were directly from West Africa or the descendants of enslaved Africans. They were removed from a homeland that was rich in culture and magnificent civilizations, such as the Mali empire, dating back thousands of years. West Africans had built a trade empire, and were quite skilled in the areas of art, medicine, and other sciences such as astronomy and mathematics. Europeans began taking Africans against their will for their talents and their labor. The transatlantic slave trade was soon born. Read More Detail of the Catalan Atlas, 1375 They Were There... Scroll over the image to learn about the individual Daily Life The enslaved were deprived of freedom, but found ways to make their lives as meaningful as possible. Aside from daily work, they took comfort in their families and friends. They practiced religion, dreamed, danced, made music, laughed, loved, and formed bonds among themselves and the local community of free blacks and abolitionist whites. Read on to learn about the day-to-day activities and interactions of Monmouth's enslaved. Read on Deep Down in My Heart... The Influence of African Music Then and Now African rhythms came overseas with the first slave ship, and were passed down through generations of enslaved persons. Music was used for communication, celebration, in rituals and expressions of self. The most common type of African song was known as call and response . A singer would call out a line and a response was called back. This style can be heard in the music of today. Listen to the following audio clip to hear an authentic African call and response example, and then listen to the modern examples the follow. Can you think of any other examples of call and response songs today? Next RESISTANCE! The enslaved protested their condition in different ways. Rather than leaving their African heritage behind, they celebrated it through religion, food, and music. Some pretended to be sick or did a poor job of their tasks, such as burning meals or breaking tools. Some fought back when they could. Escaping was also a brave act of resistance. This was a very difficult decision to make; if the runaway was caught, they could be beaten, sold, or thrown in jail. Sometimes the penalty was death, to discourage other slaves from thinking of escaping. Read More SO HOW DO WE KNOW THAT?? Learning with Primary Sources Primary sources are original items created during the time you are studying that help to tell you about that time period. Examples of primary sources are diaries, newspapers, account books, maps, photographs, letters, and artifacts like tools or clothing. They are now voices from the past from someone who lived then, so it makes them an excellent source of information. If you wrote a letter to a friend about what your school experience was like today, that would be a great primary source! Read More - Key Term Card Deck - SLAVERY RESISTANCE TRAVEL PASS ABOLITIONIST MANUMISSION PAPER INDENTURED SERVANT PRIMARY SOURCE INVENTORY SPIRITUALS HOODOO Next Many grateful thanks for the advisory contributions of: Bernadette Rogoff, MCHA Director of Collections Joe Zemla, MCHA Associate Curator Hank Bitten, Executive Director of the New Jersey Council for the Social Studies Dr. Wendy Morales, Assistant Superintendent of the Monmouth and Ocean Educational Commission For class trips or professional development training, please contact Dana at dhowell@monmouthhistory.org

COVENHOVEN HOUSE 150 W Main St., Freehold - Interactive Experience - Take the full audio tour, or focus on your areas of interest! Explore our digital gallery for more insight into the world of the Covenhovens. Please be respectful of the historic structure and refrain from touching the building. Enjoy your visit! FULL TOUR Station One The Property & Family Station Two Architectural Details Station Three Lives of the Enslaved Station Four General Clinton's Arrival Digital Gallery Explore Our Collections Continue your tour with nearby historic sites Monmouth Battlefield State Park The park preserves a splendid rural 18th-century landscape of hilly farmland and hedgerows that encompasses miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, picnic areas, a restored Revolutionary War farmhouse and a visitors center. Old Tennent Presbyterian Church The Covenhovens were parishioners of this very church, still standing today. Travel there to follow in their footsteps! The church has a fascinating history not only in Old Freehold (now Manalapan) but has historic ties to Scotland as well. Further Reading Adelberg, Michael (2010). The American Revolution in Monmouth County: Theater of Spoil and Destruction. Charleston, SC: The History Press. Lender, M. E., & Stone, G. W. (2017). Fatal Sunday: George Washington, the Monmouth Campaign, and the Politics of Battle . Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. Hodges, G. R. (1997). Slavery and Freedom in the Rural North: African Americans in Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1665-1865. Madison, WI: Madison House. Symmes, Frank (1897). History of the Old Tennent Church . Tennent, NJ: J.S. Yard. Transcript If you have enjoyed this experience, please consider supporting us using the Donate button above!

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