I saw your message posted on the Edward Ball mailing list that you were interested in the Battle of Connecticut Farms. I have a lot of ancestors who lived in Connecticut Farms at the time of the Revolution, and the village was destroyed, so I have an interest in it too. Here is one account of the battle which you may be interested in. Connecticut Farms is now known as Union, New Jersey, and is four miles northwest of Elizabeth.
During the Revolutionary War the British commander Sir Henry Clinton had occupied New York, and General Washington had moved into northern New Jersey. On June 6, 1780, Baron Knyphausen a general temporarily in command of the British forces during Clinton's absence, sent five thousand troops from Staten Island to Elizabethtown, with orders to march to Morristown. On the following day, June 7, they reached Connecticut Farms, and stopped there long enough to burn every house but one in the village, and the Presbyterian Church. Wade's home was one of those destroyed; but the enemy were compelled to withdraw.
Two weeks later Sir Henry Clinton, having deceived Washington by a feint to the north in the direction of West Point, suddenly sent a new and even larger force, with five thousand infantry supported by cavalry and artillery, from Staten Island to Elizabethtown. They landed at daybreak on June 23, and marched at once in two columns toward the village of Springfield, just west of the Rahway River. Wade, a boy of seventeen, had joined the Essex County militia. Under the command of Colonel Elias Dayton he was one of the little patriot force that gathered in the apple orchard just across the river to stop the enemy advance. In the Battle of Springfield he fought that day, and was twice wounded. Again the enemy were forced to withdraw.
On the fiftieth anniversary, in June, 1830, Wade joined with other veterans of the battle to commemorate the event. David E. Wade, my ancestor was part of the battle.
The Book "Historical and Biographical Concerning Elizabethtown, New Jersey" by Nicholas Murray, 1844, has this account of the battle of Springfield.
The winter of 1780, when Washington was encamped at Morristown [New Jersey], was one of severe trial to the army, arising from the want of provisions and of pay. Rumors were rife among the British that the army was dissatisfied, that whole regiments were deserting, that the soldiers were in rebellion against the officers, and that New-Jersey was anxious to exchange her government, and to return to her allegiance to the crown. Believing these reports, Knyphausen was despatched with his mercenaries to New-Jersey, and on the 6th of June, under the cloak of night, landed at the Point with about five thousand men, from Staten Island. Early in the morning, he commenced his march to Morristown; but as he passed along he soon experienced the falseness of the reports as to the disposition of the people; for he was annoyed from every bush, and every wood, and almost every tree, as he passed along. He halted at Connecticut Farms, and as is stated, at the request of Governor Tryon, who was with him, he ordered the village, the church, and the parsonage, to be reduced to ashes. The Presbyterian church there, like many others in the country, was used as a barrack for the American army. It was on this occasion that Mrs. Caldwell [the pastor's wife] was murdered. A refugee walked up to the window, and seeing her surrounded by her children, with an infant in her arms, deliberately shot her through the heart. Her murdered body was drawn from the house, and laid by the wayside, when the torch was put to her dwelling, which was soon in ashes. Having burned the Farms, he marched towards Springfield; but learning next morning, that Washington had marched an army to meet him, he returned to the Point, greatly annoyed by little parties that every where concealed themselves. In about two weeks afterwards he marched again upon Springfield with five thousand infantry, a large body of cavalry, and several field-pieces. After a brave resistance, conducted by Major Lee, Colonels Dayton, Angel, Shreve, Ogden, and English take possession of the town, and soon reduce it to ashes. The serious opposition he meets deters him from prosecuting his plans farther. On the afternoon of this day he returns to the Point, and during the night he passed over to Staten Island. There was a large bridge of boats across the water separating the Point from Staten Island; and in the following morning not of vestige of it is to be seen.
It was on this second march of Knyphausen upon Springfield, that the following incident occurred: As the main body had turned the corner opposite the present residence of Mr. Richard Townley, a few young men, in the very sight of the army, and within musket shot of it, captured the guard and baggage, and horses, of a Colonel Fox. The baggage was afterwards sold at auction for upwards of one thousand dollars; and one of the four prisoners being a colored man, was taken to Philadelphia, and there sold into slavery. Among the individuals engaged in this exploit were Samuel Harriman, David Woodruff, Jesse Woodruff, Elihu Gale, Elihu Ogden, James Chandler, Henry Inslee and Mr. David Lyon.
Hope this helps with your research!
Aprille Cooke McKay - amckay@sdss1.physics.lsa.umich.edu
Note:Short Hills was the "refuge" of the Fighting Parson of the Revolution - Rev. James Caldwell. It was a little village located four miles from Elizabethtown, now Elizabeth, Union County, NJ. This is where his wife was murdered on June 25, 1780. He was staying at "the Short Hills" when it happened. My source is "A Puritan Heritage." Lynn G. Lockward, Caldwell, NJ:, 1955. Aren't you glad I happened to be helping my niece do a book report on Caldwell's biography and needed to look up an additional fact? This information was on p. 89-90.
Bev Crifasi - bcrifasi@hicom.net
»
