Revolutionary New Jersey
Forgotten Towns and Crossroads of the American Revolution
Robert A. Mayers
Many of the critical events and dreadful realities of the intense warfare in New Jersey during the American Revolution have been forgotten, neglected, or lost to history. Sites in the Garden State where patriots fought and died remain unmarked, shrouded in mystery, clouded in mythology, or concealed by obscure accounts and dull statistics. Many places in the "Crossroads of the Revolution" state have entirely disappeared, while others languish unnoticed or have been built over by town development and local highways. Many of the Garden State residents who commute every day over heavily trafficked streets are completely unaware of the fierce struggles that occurred along their route during America's most important war.
In Revolutionary New Jersey author Robert Mayers has rediscovered and revived the history of previously forsaken locations by exploring them in person. He then enhances his observations from on-site visits with fresh research from original documents, often discovered in obscure British, Hessian and French records. The reader is subsequently transported to the battlefields and encampments in three theaters of the conflict in New Jersey- "The War in the Countryside," "The War at the Shore" and "New Jersey Campgrounds" - by describing Revolutionary events which occurred in more than 100 present-day towns. This narrative escorts readers back in time to feel, see, and hear the action that occurred over 200 years ago in familiar settings.
It is hoped that all readers of Bob Mayers's newest book will acquire a new respect for the Revolutionary War events that took place locally (and in some instances in their own backyards). It is through this awareness that local sites might be maintained, and the glorious memory of those individuals who fought for our freedom preserved for the future.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Acknowledgements
THE WAR IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
1. Bloody Bound Brook and the Lost Hessian Diary (1777) - Bound Brook, South Bound Brook,Bridgewater, Franklin Township, Martinsville, New Brunswick, Piscataway
2. Mayhem on the Millstone (1777) - Manville, Millstone, Somerset, Franklin Township, Blackwell’s Mills
3. Foraging War Boils Over: Quibbletown, Samptown, and Spanktown (1777) - South Plainfield, Piscataway, Middlesex, Dunellen
4.The Short Hills & Beyond (1777) - The Amboys, Woodbridge, Edison, Metuchen, Plainfield, Watchung, Scotch Plains, Westfield, Rahway, Metuchen
5. Crosswicks in the Crosshairs (1778) - Haddonfield, Moorestown, Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Mount Holly, Bordentown, Columbus, Mansfield, Crosswicks, Allentown, Holmdel, Hopewell, Kingston, Cranbury, Englishtown, Freehold
6. Washington Rocks: Perches of the American Eagle (1777 -1778) - Bound Brook, Martinsville, Bridgewater, Green Brook, Plainfield, South Plainfield, Warren
7. Dashing Through New Jersey (1781) - Counties of Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Union, Morris, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer
THE WAR AT THE SHORE
8. The Shadowy Skeletons of Sandy Hook (1776-1783) - Sea Bright, Highlands, Middletown, Freehold, Lincroft
9. Havoc on the Highlands (1777) - Navesink, Highlands, Middletown, Rumson
10. The Patriot and the Pine Tree Robber (1775-1782) - Shrewsbury, Sandy Hook, Highlands, Rumson, Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach, Toms River, Colts Neck, Tinton Falls, Redbank, Oceanport, Monmouth Beach, Eatontown, Fairhaven
11. The Whaleboat War (1776-1782) - South Amboy, New Brunswick, Matawan, Sandy Hook, Bradley Beach, Neptune, Manasquan
12. The Nest of Pirates, Little Egg Harbor Disaster (1778) - Little Egg Harbor, Beach Haven, Stafford Township, Batsto Village, Port Republic, Brigantine, Absecon, Atlantic City
13. Massacre at Long Beach Island (1782) - Barnegat, Ocean Township, Forked River, Tuckerton, Lacey Township, Berkeley Township, Long Beach Island, Harvey Cedars, Burlington
14. Redcoats on the Road of No Return (1778) - Freehold, Colts Neck, Lincroft, Tinton Falls, Redbank, Middletown, Navesink, Highlands
NEW JERSEY REVOLUTIONARY CAMPGROUNDS
15. Middlebrook: The Den of the Fox (1777-1778)
16. With Knox and the Artillery at Pluckemin (1778)
17. Forgotten Jockey Hollow (1779-1780)
18. Pompton and the Preakness Valley: Hub of the Revolution (1780)
19. Rebellion at Federal Hill (1781)
Appendices
A. Historic Homes in the Bound Brook Area
B. Strength of Continental Army in New Jersey, May 1777
C. American Forces at the Short Hills June 26, 1777
D. American and French Forces
E. Historic Markers Along Route of Allied Forces through New Jersey to Yorktown, 1781
F. Congressional Letter of Marque for Privateers
G. Historic Homes-Pompton Area
H. The New Jersey Line and Militia in the American Revolutionary War
Bibliography
Endnotes
Index
Endorsements
"Bob Mayers takes us onto the battlefields and encampments of the Revolutionary War in New Jersey. You can almost smell the burned gunpowder and firewood, and hear the sounds of shots and officers shouting orders. This is not just a book for history buffs. It is a book for every New Jerseyan, to help them appreciate our rich history and critical role in America's fight for independenve" - Mark Di Ionno, well-known Star-Ledger columnist, and finalist for the Pulitizer Prize.
“These days it is easy to travel from place to place without much regard for the landscape, much less for the events that occurred along the way in years past; yet it was those very events, and the influence of the landscape upon them, that shaped the world in which we live. Robert A. Mayers revisits the forgotten places at the center of the Revolutionary War to put us in touch with the history that happened all around us.” - Don N. Hagist, Editor, Journal of the American Revolution
“Bob Mayers digs deep in his investigations of local New Jersey sites and uncovers important facts that no one else has found. His work has a wealth of new revolutionary material.” - Linda Barth, Author, Executive Director and Editor, League of Historic Societies of New Jersey
“Robert A. Mayers has a gift for peering beyond the popular mythologies of the American Revolution and revealing the very human complexities that make it fascinating, relatable and relevant. With Revolutionary New Jersey he takes the reader beyond the well-trod tales of battles like Trenton, Monmouth and Princeton to explore the unappreciated corners where the Garden State truly earned its reputation as the ‘Crossroads of the American Revolution.’” - Gordon Bond, author, founder of the website www.gardenstatelegacy.com
“New Jersey Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution: It is an honor for me to review Revolutionary New Jersey, the latest book by author and fellow SAR compatriot Bob Mayers. In it he explores the fascinating history of many critical war sites in our state that have been forgotten or overlooked in history. Many are familiar, but we are unaware of the full story of fierce struggles that occurred at these places during America’s most important war. We should all support Bob Mayers’ efforts to pass on the glorious story of the Revolutionary War in our home state. - Clark D. McCullough, Past President, New Jersey Sons of the American Revolution, President of the Elizabethtown Chapter #1
“Revolutionary New Jersey is well-researched, utilizing numerous valuable primary sources. It covers many locales in New Jersey associated with the war, telling of local landmarks and overlooked stories from our past. This book is a must-have for any Revolutionary War or New Jersey historian.” - Kelly Lindheimer, founder of the website www.thehistorygirl.com
“An exciting and insightful description into how New Jersey was ideally situated to be the major host of the American Revolutionary War. In Revolutionary New Jersey: Forgotten Towns and Crossroads of the American Revolution, Bob Meyers draws his readers’ attention into the crucial role New Jersey citizens played in the winning of the war.’ - Donald Johnstone Peck, historian, author, Trustee of the League of New Jersey Historical Societies
“Historian and author Bob Mayers’ latest work, Revolutionary New Jersey, fills a major void in our known history of the American Revolution. The research and passion that Mr. Mayers has poured into this effort lays at our feet, facts and information sorely lacking in our common historic knowledge concerning the birth of our United States. I believe this book will be a ‘must have’ for every person’s library interested in the founding of this great country. - Cynthia Blumenkrantz, President, The Heritage Trail Association, Inc.
“A comprehensive study of New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution on the local level, and a satisfying read for history buffs.” - Jeanne Floersheimer, President, North Jersey American Revolution Round Table
“This study is an area neglected in many of the standard works. Who knew in my own backyard? Places we drive by on the way to work or on vacation, all brought to life. Things that should be taught in schools are now relegated to living historians, reenactors, docents and labors of love like this.” - Kathy Faulks, Chairman, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route, NJ (W3R-NJ.org); Secretary, Friends of the Abraham Strauss House, Inc.; Commissioner, Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, New Jersey
“I am delighted that Bob Mayers, fellow historian and compatriot Son of the American Revolution, has been able to ‘fill in the blanks’ about many of the under-appreciated battles and events of the American Revolution that transpired in New Jersey. Without thoughtful and prolific historians like Bob, these important events would stay in the shadows, and never reveal the enormous contribution of the citizen-soldiers who gave their all for the cause of Liberty. Without this book, it would be hard to imagine the true meaning and scope of so many key battles, whose physical sites have vanished underneath highways and homes. Bob has the unique ability to bring these places and events back to life, to help us value our heritage all the more.” - Warren C. Fristensky, SAR West Fields Chapter President
“New Jersey played a critical part in America’s War for Independence. Nestled between New York and Philadelphia, the state truly became the ‘Crossroads of the American Revolution.’ Bob Mayers provides a needed examination of some of the state’s little-known encounters and encampment sites that spanned the countryside during the crucial years of the war. This volume helps fill a much-needed gap in the state’s Revolutionary history.” - Todd Braisted, author of Grand Forage 1778: The Battleground Around New York City
“‘Revolutionary New Jersey brings recognition to those places in New Jersey that once were significant in our national history but are today only dimly remembered. Bob Mayers’ book renews our interest in these places, focusing attention on battlefields, towns, camps, and villages that played important roles in the creation of the American Republic. These sites provide a uniqueness of place to New Jersey and Mayers’ book reminds us to preserve and protect these places. Further, we should take pride in the achievements and actions of the men and women his book has brought to light.” - Wade P. Catts, Historical Archeologist
“Many of us in New Jersey are residing in the midst of American Revolutionary War history without knowledge or appreciation of the many glorious events that occurred here and led to the formation of our nation. Our state has lagged behind in acknowledging many of the critical places where patriots fought, suffered and died. After reading Revolutionary New Jersey and reacting to its subtitle Forgotten Towns and Crossroads, I know these places will now be remembered—and thanks to Bob Mayers we will be able to say, ‘I am proud to live here!’” - Rich Rosenthal, Cofounder, with historian John T. Cunningham, of the North Jersey American Revolution Roundtable
Specifications
Format: 6" x 9" paperback with French folds on permanent acid-free paper, printed in the United States; includes 99 black and white period photographs of people, places and events mentioned in the text.
Pages 408
ISBN 10: 1-939995-29-9
ISBN 13: 978-1939995-29-2
LCCN: 2018016835
Price: $24.95 (Bulk order rates are available upon request)
About the Author
ROBERT A. MAYERS thrives on discovering facts about the American Revolution that are not found in the work of earlier writers. His service as a combat officer in both the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps provides him with a deep perspective of the experiences of wartime that are described in his work. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and has served as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University. His previous books include The War Man: The True Story of a Citizen-Soldier Who Fought from Quebec to Yorktown, The Forgotten Revolution: Places of the American Revolution That Have Been Neglected by History, Searching for Yankee Doodle: Washington’s Soldiers in the American Revolution, and Allison-Mayers Family History: Portrait of an American Family. He is an active member of ten historical societies, is a frequent speaker throughout New Jersey and the Northeast, and has contributed to various publications during his writing career. He has presented programs at West Point, the Pentagon, and on Comcast. In addition, his work has been published in the History Channel Magazine and Garden State Legacy, an online publication. You can learn more about Bob and his writing by visiting his website: www.revolutionarydetective.com.
This product was added to our catalog on Saturday 12 May, 2018.
