Notes
Ref#112:
The tragic fate of Stephen Ball is yet remembered, who having carried
four quarters of beef to the British encampment on Staten Island, under a
general promise of safety to all who would bring supplies to the army,
was seized by a band of bloodyhearted refugees, taken across to Bergan
Point, and hung with ten minutes' grace, the murderers having tried in
vain to effect his arrest by the British officers.
Ref#122:
Ball page 61 - 17May1784, James Hetfield Jr having been maliciously
accursed of being instrumental and accessory to the illegal execution of
Mr. Ball at Bergen Point in 1781, in justice to his own innocense
requests that the following be inserted in this newspaper. (Here follows
a Judges of Richmond County, NY, each to the effect that James Hetfield
was in New York at the time or in other ways corroborating that he was
not with the group which executed Ball.) New Jersey Gazette.
David Ball page 454. 6Aug1784 - Phebe Smith, Staten Island, requests the
Editor to publish two affidavits annexed to her letter. Her husband Job
Smith was extradicted to New Jersey at the request of Governor Livingston
and lodged in the Essex County gaol on 10May1784, then being charged with
murdering Stephen Ball, late of Elizabeth Town, on Bergen Point in Bergen
County, and also with robbing Joseph Baldwin and Zophar Lyon. After a
strict investigation, his former prosecutors have found that Job Smith is
innocent of the
charge. David Ball certifies that while he heretofore had reason to
believe that Mr Job Smith was instrumental in the death of his son who
was executed and murdered in 1781, he now believes him to be innocent.
Zophar Lyon, Joseph Baldwin and Luther Baldwin, in the presence of John
Hendricks Jr and Baker Hendricks, certify that having fully investigated
the charge against Job Smith for having robbed Zopher Lyon and Joseph
Baldwin about Oct 1781, they believe him to be innocent. New York
Gazetteer.
Stephen Ball page 112d, 454 (see David) 21Feb1781: Hanged on Bergen
Point, on 25th ult., Stephen Ball, by a party of refugees from Staten
Island where Ball had gone to sell provisions. New Jersey Journal.
Ref#51:
Newark Centinel - 27 Oct 1807: Account of trial & decision in trial of
Cornelius Hetfield for murder of Stephen Ball.
The NJ Gazzette reports - 7 Feb 1781: "Last week the enemy hung, at
Bergen Point, on Ball, an inhabitant of Rahway, who was suspected of
being a spy."
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