means in our power to oppose.
"3d. We think the several late Acts of Parliament for shutting up
the port of Boston, invading the Charter rights of the Province of
Massachusetts Bay, and subjecting supposed offenders to be sent
for trial to other colonies, or to Great Britain, the sending over
an armed force to carry the same into effect, and thereby reducing many
thousands of innocent and loyal inhabitants to poverty and distress, are
not only subversive of the undoubted rights of His Majesty's American
subjects, but also repugnant to the common principles of humanity and
justice. These proceedings, so violent in themselves, and so truly alarm-
ing to the other colonies (many of which are equally exposed to Minis-
terial vengeance), render it the indispensable duty of all heartily to
unite in the most proper measures to procure redress for their oppressed
countrymen, now suffering in the common cause; and for the re-estab-
lishment of the constitutional rights of America on a solid and perma-
nent foundation.
"4th. To effect this important purpose, we conceive the most eligible*
method is to appoint a General Congress of Commissioners of tho re-
spective Colonies, who shall be empowered mutually to pledge, each to
the reBt, the publick honour and faith of their constituent Colonies,
firmly and inviolably to adhere to the determinations of the said Con-
gress.
,( 5th. Resolved, That we do earnestly recommend a general non-im-
portation and non-consumption agreement to be entered into at such
time, and regulated in such manner, as to the Congress shall seem most
advisable.
"6th. Resolved, That it appeara to us to be a duty incumbent on the
good people of this Province to afford some immediate relief to the many
suffering inhabitants of the town of Boston.
" Therefore the several county committees do now engage to set on
foot and promote collections without delay, either by subscriptions or
otherwise, throughout their respective Counties; and that they will
remit tho moneys arising from the said subscriptions, or any other bene-
factions that may be voluntarily made by the inhabitants, either to Bos-
ton, or into the hands of James Neilson, John Dennis, William Oake,
Abraham Hunt, Samuel Tucker, Dr. Isaac Smith, Grant Gibbon, Thomas
Sinnicks, and John Carey, whom we do hereby appoint a Committee for
forwarding the same to Boston, in such way and manner as they shall be
advised will best answer tho benevolent purpose designed.
"7th. Resolved, That tho grateful acknowledgments of this body are
due to the noble and worthy patrons of constitutional liberty in the
British Senate for their laudable efforts to avert tho storm they behold
impending over a much injured Colony, and in support of the just rights
of tho King's subjects iu America.
"8th. Resolved, That James Kinsoy, William Livingston, John Do
Hart, Stephen Crano, and Richard Smith, Esquires, or such of them as
shall attend, be the Delegates to represent this Province in the General
Continental Congress to be held at tho City of Philadelphia on or about
tho first of September next, to meet, consult, and advise with tho Depu-
ties from the other Colonics, and to determine upon all such prudent and
lawful measures as may bo judged most expedient for the Colonies im-
mediately and unitedly to adopt, In order to obtain relief for an oppressed
people and the redress of our general grievances.
" Signed by order,
" Jonathan D. Sergeant,
" OlerJe."
A new general Standing Committee of Correspond-
ence and- Inquiry was also appointed, consisting of
William Peartree Smith, John Chetwood, Isaac Og-
den, Joseph Borden, Robert Field, Isaac Pierson,
Isaac Smith,* Samuel Tucker,* Abraham Hunt,* and
Hendrick Fisher.f It is noticeable, in the proceed-
ings of this Convention, that, although they evinced
an unmistakable spirit of opposition and resistance to
the oppressive measures of the British Parliament
and ministry, they were profuse in expressions of un-
measured loyalty to the king, and resolutions of sim-
ilar import had been passed in all the preliminary
meetings in the several counties of this province.
The Congress of Delegates from the several prov-
inces assembled at Carpenters' Hall, in the city of
Philadelphia, on the 4th of September in the same
year, and organized on the following day, with Peyton
Randolph, of Virginia, as President. Among the
business transacted during the somewhat protracted
session which followed was the adoption of resolutions
prohibiting the importation, purchase, or use of goods
from Great Britain, Ireland, or any of the British de-
pendencies after Dec. 1, 1774, and also directing that
(unless the grievances of the American colonies should
in the mean time be redressed) all exportations hence
to Great Britain, Ireland, and the British West Indies
should cease on and after Sept. 10, 1775. An associa-
tion in accordance with the requirements of these
resolutions was then formed, and was signed by all
the members present. Article XI. of this Association
(adopted Oct. 20, 1774) provided:
" That a committee be chosen in every county, city, and town, by those
who are qualified to vote for Representatives in tho Legislature, whose
business it shall bo attentively to observe the conduct of all persons
touching this Association ; and when it shall be made to appear to the
satisfaction of a majority of any such committee that any person within
the limits of their appointment has violated this Association, that such
majority do forthwith cause the truth of the case to be published, ... to
the end that all such foes to tho rights of British America may be pub-
lickly known and universally contemned as the enemies of American
Liberty ; and thenceforth we respectively will break off all dealing's with
him or her."
On the 11th of January, 1775, the New Jersey
members of the Continental Congress reported its
proceedings to the Assembly of their province, which
body unanimously signified its approval of the said
proceedings,!, and resolved that the same delegates
should represent New Jersey in the next Congress, in
which they should propose and vote for every reason-
able and constitutional measure for a settlement of
the differences between the colonies and Great Britain,
and should again report the proceedings of the Con-
gress to the Assembly of the province.
A great majority of the people in all parts of the
province of New Jersey approved the objects of the
Association adopted by the Continental 'Congress, and
* Of Hunterdon County.
f Of Sohiorsot County.
J "Such members as wore Quakers excepting only to such parts as
seemed to wear an appearance or might have a tendency to force, as
inconsistent with their religious principles."— Gordon's History of New
Jersey, p. 167.
HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES IN THE REVOLUTION.
29
meetings numerously attended were held in the differ-
ent counties, and in many of the townships, tor the
purpose of organizing to carry its measures into effect.
Some of the means proposed to lie adopted to accom-
plish the objects desired are shown by the following
extracts from the minutes of several of these meet-
ings : " A General Meeting of the Inhahitants of the
Township of Woodbridge, in the ( 'utility of Middlesex
in New Jersey," held on Saturday, Jan. 7, 177"'. after
approving and adopting the Association entered into
and recommended liy the ( 'ongre-s, and after choosing
a Committee of Observation of twenty-one members,
u ItMolvtd, UHimimmuilii, That it i- the desire of tho people now met
that the said Committee do execute the trust reposed in them with firm-
ness and fidelity, and in even respe.l follow tin. .liri-.Ti-.ris .1" tie- .\s-o-
i iaii. .M, an niueli an If it wu u law of tliis Province ; and they he upon
oath for the conscientious discharge of tlt.-ir duty."
At a meeting held in Hanover township, Morris
County, Feb. 15, 1775, it was, by the Committee of
( observation, Of which Matthias Burnet was chairman,
resolved unanimously, as follow-:
" 1st. Tlmt they wilt discourage all unlawful, tumultuous, and disor-
derly meetings of the people within theit Districts, and upon all occo-
o.ais exert themselves to tire utmost of their power, and oppose and
J. rev. -lit anv \ inleii Ihred to the person ..r pi. .p. 1 1 v of anv one.
"2d. That they will take notice of all Bone Having, Cock-Fighting,
and overy kind of Gaining whatsoever, and cause tho offenders to be
prosecuted according to law; and discourage every species Of extrava-
gant nit., i tain in. 'Hi- a 1 1. 1 amu-eiie'iil - u I ml ..â– * ei , ,i- i .â– ,. ,,!.!.â– [. , i
nrtiele of the Association of the r ill. â– el. 1 1 ' â– â– â– .
"3d. Tlmt this Committee will, lifter the llrst day of March next,
esteem It a violation "f ti"' seventh axtii !.â– of tho said Association if any
â– . on oi persons slum 1.1 kill any Sheep until ii i- four years old, or sell
any suc-fa Sheep to any porsou wliom ho or the] may have cause to sus-
pect will kill them or cany them to market; and, further, thai they will
esteem It a breach of said article if any Inhabitant of this Township
should sell any Sheep of any kind whatsoever to any pereon dwelling
out of this County, or to any person who they may hav. ...
will carry' them out of this County, without have tii-st obtained of this
Oommlttee.
"4th. That we d in. -ml I., the inliat.il ml- .f Ibis Township the
cu!tivii!i..ii, of Flax an. I Hemp, to the greatest extent that their lands
an.l circumstances "ill admit of.
'â– .">lh. That from several Pamphlet- arid 1'iiMi. iti.ns print... I l.v .tanns
Blvlngton, of New- York, Printer, we est. ..-in him as an Incendiary, em-
ployed by a wicked Ministry to disunite and divide us; and therefore we
will not, for ourselves, hav.- any .or ti..n ordeallngS with him. and do
re. i i the se c in. t towards him to every person ..f this Town-
ship; and we will dlsoountena any Post-Rider, StagesDriver, or Oar-
ri.-r uh.. shall bring his Pamphlets "i Papers Into this County,
"i.iii. That if any manufai turer of any article made for homo con-
snmptlon, or any Vondor of Qoods or Merchandises, shall take advantage
ol tl... in v.-. ni. .1 In c itry by selling at an iiim-iial price, such
â– . . â– 1 1 . i . i \ to hi . mntrj . â– . I
it t.. the Inhabitants ..i this Township i member thai aftel
day ..! March next no East Indian 1
'â– 7ih, Thai v,
DtmOSl eiitleiiv.
. mil. m ..| ll... i
vfll in all cases whatsoovor, and at all is.ni., useonr
I to comply wltl : n ti. I.- of tho Aseo-
••rai Oontlnontal t â–
These resolutions, being nearly identical in their
import with those pa—i'.l by meetings of freeholders
ami committees in nearlj all the other counties, are
reproduced lure at length as showing the reinarkalde
earnestness » tth which the people indorsed and prom-
ised "to comply with and enforce evetv article of the
(association." The condemnation of Rivington ami
his publications, so strongly expressed in thest resolu-
tions, was enunciated still more forcibly in the proceed-
ings of many of the county meeting-. hy which he was
denounced as "a vile Ministerial hireling, employed
to disunite the colonies and calumniate all their
measures entered into for the public good" ; as an
enemy to his country and a person to be hated,
shunned, and discountenanced hy all friends of
American liberty.
The records of the meetings held at this time, and
in reference to this matter, hy the people and com-
mittee of Somerset have not been found, hut it i- cer-
tain that this county Stood second to none in the
province of New Jersey in the patriotism of its in-
habitants or in the alacrity ami earnestness with
which they adopted and enforced the measures recom-
mended hy the Continental Congress in its Articles
of Association. In Hunterdon County comm
Were promptly ele '-en and organized, and the report
of the joint action of these committees at their first
meeting is as follow- ;
"At a meeting ..f the several Tov nship Committees in the County of
ilnntei-.i.iti and Province of New Jersey, held al John Bingo's, the 18fb
day of January, ITT.'.: Present, sixty members. John Hurt, Esq., i hair-
"Tho C nun.'.-, taking Inl nsldoratlon the Proceedings of the
lute Congress, highly approve there..!', and th
do recommend, and will abide by, and thank the Delegates for their firm
ami steady conduct
"Tin Oommlttee then taking Into their consideration the method of
I', legates for this Province to attend at Philadelphia the 10th
day of May next, or sooner if necessary, In Continental Congress, agreed
t.. adopt Hi. measui pun I by the several C ity Committees of this
Province tin- -1st of .Inly last, and do recommend that the several County
Committees t at Trenton on Wednesday, the 28th >.f March next, un-
less some other ti and place should be agreed on by a majority ..I" tho
Counties in tin- Province, to choose Delegates for the purpose aforesaid;
and we do hereby appoint Samuel Tinker, John Hehelm, John Hart,
Daniel Hunt, Jasper Smith, Charles Coxe, Iliehurd Stevens, Samuel John-
ires, Messrs. Tl a- .1 -s and Thomas Stout, a County Com-
mittee tor the purpose aforesaid, who, or any tin f them, ore also
apjioliited a t'oinniii irity of the whole
Oommlttee to have power to call Committees of the several townships
iui h times me i placi - as they may judge necessary.
•■This i in mm. .- i Hun. ni, the 1 of the next Oontt-
' ingTeSB be published, or a new Committee chosen.
'â– S\iii i i i .n:\MSr.
tin the morning of Wednesday, the 19tb of April,
177.'. a detachment of British regular troops that had
ut out from Boston to the town of Concord
met and fired upon a body of armed bul unorganized
anil undisciplined fanners and mechanics who had
collected al Lexington Common. The volley of the
regulars told with an effect fatal to some of the pro-
vincials, and this was the first hi 1 -lied in the war
of the Revolution. It has been called the battle of
Lexington. Before the crack of the yeomen'- rifles
had ceased to Bound along the road from Lexington
to Boston, the Committee of Safety of the town of
\\ 'atertow n had sent out expn — riders to carry the
news south and west. The dispatch destined tor New
• Minute- ,,f the Provincial Congress and •
30
HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.
York and Philadelphia passed on through Worcester,
Norwich, New London, Lyme, Saybrook, Guildford,
Brandford, New Haven, and Fairfield (being succes-
sively forwarded by relays by the committees of these
places), and reached the chamber of the New York
committee at 4 o'clock p.m. on Sunday, the 23d of
April. From New York' x " the dispatch was forwarded
with all haste to New Brunswick and Princeton, from
which places the momentous tidings spread like wild-
fire up the valley of the Raritan and across the Sour-
land hills into Somerset and Hunterdon Counties,
while the messengers with the committee's dispatch
sped on to Trenton and Philadelphia.
Upon the receipt of the alarming news from Lex-
ington the Committee of Correspondence for the
province was summoned by its chairman, Hendrick
Fisher, of Somerset County, to convene for delibera-
tion and to take such action as might seem necessary.
The committee accordingly met, and the following
is the recordf of its proceedings on that occasion, —
viz. :
" At a meeting of the New Jersey Provincial Committee of Corre-
spondence (appointed by the Provincial Congress) at the City of New
Brunswick, on Tuesday, the second day of May, Anno Domini 1775,
agreeable to summons of Hendrick Fisher, Esq., Chairman.
"Present, Heudrick Fisher, Samuel Tucker, Joseph Borden, Joseph
Itiggs, I^aac Pearson, Johu Chetwood, Lewis Ogden, Isaac Ogden, Abra-
ham Hunt, and Elias Boudinot, Esquires.
" The Committee, having seriously taken into consideration as well the
present alarming and very extraordinary conduct of the British Ministry,
for carrying into execution sundry Acts of Parliament for the express
purpose of raising a revenue in America, and other unconsti tutional meas-
ures therein mentioned ; and also the several acts of hostility that they
have actually commenced for this purpose by the Regular Forces under
General Gage against our brethren of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay
in New England, and not knowing how soon this Province may be in a
state of confusion and disorder if there are not some effectual measures
speedily taken to prevent the same; this Committee are unanimously of
opinion, and do hereby advise and direct, that the Chairman do immedi-
ately call a Provincial Congress to meet at Trenton on Tuesday, the
twenty-third day of this instant, in order to consider and determine such
matters as may then and there come before them ; and the several Coun-
ties are hereby desired to nominate and appoint their respective Deputies
for the same, as speedily as may be, with full and ample powers for such
purposes as may be thought necessary for the peculiar exigencies of this
Province.
"The Committee do also direct their Chairman to forward true copies
of the abuve minute to the several County Committees of this Province
without delay.
" Hendrick Fisher,
" Clutirman."
In accordance with this call of the committee, del-
*At Now York the dispatch was thus indorsed by the committee:
" Rec J the within Account by express, and forwarded by express to Now
Brunswick, with Directions to skip at Elizabeth Town and acquaint tho
committee there with the following Particulars. By order of the Com-
mittee, Isaac Low, Chairman. The committee at New Brunswick aro
reque ted to forward this to Phila," The other indorsements made on
tin- dispatch in its passago through New Jorsey wore as follows: " New
Briiiihuiek, A p. 24, 1775,2 o'clock in tho morning, roc 1 the above oxpres,
and forwarded to Princeton, Win. Oako, Jan. Noilson, Az. Dunhams,
Com«"j "Princeton, Monday, A pi 24, G o'clock, and forw* to Trenton,
Tim. Wiggings, J.jii. Baldwin, Cum. mem lmr M ": "Trenton, Monday, Apl
24, 9 o'clock In the morning, rcc' the above per express, and forwarded
the 80 to tho Committee of Philadelphia, Sam. Tucker, Isaac Smith,
C"IM'."
t Minutes of tho Provincial Congress and Committee of Safoty, 1775-
70, p. 108.
egates from the several counties of the province as-
sembled on Tuesday, the 23d of May, at Trenton,
where, on the following day, they organized as "The
Provincial Congress of New Jersey" by electing
Hendrick Fisher president, Jonathan D. Sergeant
secretary, and William Paterson and Frederick Fre-
linghuysen assistant secretaries. Samuel Tucker was
afterwards elected vice-president. It thus appears
that all the principal officers of this first Provincial
Congress were residents of Somerset County, except-
ing the vice-president, who was of Hunterdon.
The number of delegates in attendance was eighty-
seven. Those representing Hunterdon County were
Samuel Tucker, John Mehelm, John Hart, John
Stout, Jasper Smith, Thomas Lowry, Charles Stewart,
Daniel Hunt, Ralph Hart, Jacob Jennings, Richard
Stevens, John Stevens, Jr., Thomas Stout, Thomas
Jones, and John Basset. The delegates attending
from Somerset were Hendrick Fisher, John Roy,
Peter Schenck, Abraham Van Nest, Enos Kelsey,
Jonathan D. Sergeant, Frederick Frelinghuysen, and
William Paterson. Another delegate who had been
electedj for Somerset, Nathaniel Airs (or Ayers), did
not attend. Four of the deputies from Hunterdon
and Somerset — viz., Messrs. Tucker and Mehelm of
the former county, and Fisher and Roy of the latter
— were also members of the Colonial Assembly of
New Jersey for 1775.
The Provincial Congress remained in session at
% The record of the meeting at which the Somerset County delegates
were elected is as follows :
"Pursuant to notice given by the Chairman of the Committee of Cor-
respondence for the County of Somerset in New Jersey, the Freeholders
of the County met at the Court-House the 11th day of May, 1775, Hend-
rick Fisher, Esq., chosen chairman, Frederick Fridinghuyson clerk.
" 1. Resolved, That tho several steps taken by tho British Ministry to
enslave the American Colonies, and especially the late alarming hostili-
ties commenced by tho Troops under General Gage, against the inhabi-
tants of Massachusetts Bay loudly call on the people of this Province to
determine what part they will act in this situation of affairs; and that
we therefore readily consent to elect Deputies for a Provincial Congress
to meet at Trenton, on Tuesday, the 23d iust., agreeable to the advice
and direction of tho Provincial Committee of Correspondence.
"2. Resolved, That the number of Deputies shall bo nine, and that they
shall be chosen by ballot.
*' Adjourned for an hour.
" Four o'clock the people re-assembled.
" Hondrick Fisher, John Roy, Esquires, Mr. Frederick Frelinghuysen,
Mr. Enos Kolsey, Peter Schenck, Jonathan D. Sorgeant, Nathaniel Airs,
William Paterson, and Abraham Van Nest, Esquires, aro appointed Dep-
uties for this County, who, or any five of them, aro hereby empowered
to meet tho Deputies from the other Counties in Provincial Congress at
Trenton, on Tuesday, tho 23d instant, and to agree to all such measures
as shall bo judged necessary for tho preservation of our constitutional
j-ights and privileges.
"Resolved, That (lie Deputies for this County bo instnicted, and they
are hereby instructed, to join with the deputies from tho other Counties
in forming such plan for tho Militia of this Province as to them shall
seem proper ; and wo heartily agree to arm and support such a number
of men as thoy shall order to bo raised in this County.
" Remlved, That this Comity will pay tho expenses of their Deputies
who shall attend the Congress.
"Resolved, That Messrs. Tobias Van Nonlen, and Daniel Blackford be
added to tho Committee of Observation for tho Township of Bridgewater.
" By Order.
" Frederick Feelinghitysen,
" Olerk."
HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES IN THE aEVOLUTION.
31
Trenton eleven days. The must important business
of the session was consummated on the day of ad-
jouri '"t in the adoption of "a plan for regulating
the Militia of this' Colony" and the passage of "an
ordinance for raising a sum of money for the purpose
therein mentioned," — that is to say, for the purpose
of organizing and arming the militia troops and pre-
paring them for active service when necessary. The
preamble and first three sections of the militia bill
then passed «eiv as follows :
"Tho Congress, taking into consideration tho cruel and arbitrary
measures adopted and pursued by the Ihitish Parliament ami pre-ent
ministry for tin* purpose of subjugating lli - \ ' in I lollies to the
most abject sorvltud,-, ami being upi-reli. -ii-iv,. that all pacific mi
fur tho rodresaof uur grievame- will pi. .v.' iu.-tl.-. tual, do tliiuk it highly
irj ilmt the Inhabitants of this Province be Forthwith properly
i i [disciplined for dofendlngthecs I -\ rican freedom. And
farther considering that, to answer this deslrabl I, It Is requisite that
hi. i. persons be Intrusted with the command of the Militia oh can bo
( tided in by tho people, rind aro truly aealous in support "I our Just
right* and privileges, do recommend ami advise thai tho k'<""l people of
tlii." Provlnco henceforward strictl} nl*'ni' the f.d lowing rules and regu-
lation-, ii ii nl Hie Congn ihall make further order therein:
•• 1st Thai ' in"' mpanles, as tie- case may require, ho Immo-
diatepj formed In each Township or Corporation, and, to this end, that
a e ,i,n s in tin- Province a,., at - i a- may be, ai quaint
themselves with the number of male Inhabitants in their respective dls-
ii tii.' age nt -i\t to litty, who are capable â– â– ! bearing anus;
and thereupon form them into eonipui - near as may I f
eighty men each; whloh companies so formed shall, each by itself, as-
ble i ol n, by plurality of voices, four persons among them-
selves, nl' sufficient substance ami capacity for it- officers, — namely, one
captain, two lieutenants, and an ensign,
"2d, lli. a tin. ollicors -.1 .In. s. ii ap|H.int f..i tln'ii i ' tii|
nj.., til por-ons l.i 1... -erL'.'aiit-, , nip..ial-, ami .liiim -
"3d. Thatoasoonaa thecompanii ifonn I rsofsueha
number of companies a* Bhall by them be judgod proper t.. foi
assemble and cl so ." i I, one lieutenant-colonel, a
major, and an adjutant for each regiment. 11
'I'lie remaining live sections were devoted t" the
minor details of the phut .if militia organization.
The closing paragraph i- a- follows : " The I longress,