Summary of the "Battle of Gloucester -NJ"
Nearly 4,500 British troops occupied Gloucester Town under the command of General Lord Cornwallis.
While in Gloucester Town they would be foraging in the areas around the Netwon Creek, Little Timber Creek and Big Timber Creek. Collecting 400 head of Cattle, horses, pigs, chickens and other food stocks to take with them into winter quarters in Philadelphia.
They had just come from destroying Fort Mercer at Red Bank (present day National Park NJ).
With the fort now destroyed, the Delaware River is open to the British Navy to supply their army in Philadelphia.
The marquis de Lafayette would lead American Troops for the first time.
The young Frenchman would take a small force of troops against a Hessian outpost guarding the King's Highway bridge that crossed the King's Run branch of the Newton Creek.
Starting in present day Haddon Heights and Audubon into Mt. Ephraim the Hessians would be driven back into what is present day Gloucester City.
There are three version maps of the Battle of Gloucester:
Map of the Battle of Gloucester 1777.
All three are consider to have been by Michel Capitaine du Chesnoy, the skilled cartographer who served as the Marquis de Lafayette's aide-de-camp during the American Revolutionary War.
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
Young Frenchman only 19 year old who join the Americans.
He would 1st lead American Troops against couple of Hessians in a skimish which would be called the Battle of Gloucester.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_du_Motier,_Marquis_de_Lafayette
General Lord Cornwallis
British General who would cross over at Chester PA to Billingsport NJ. Joined in NJ by Hessian soilders who had just sailed from New York City. The British and Hessians marched north into Woodbury in order to destroy Fort Mercer at Red Bank. Once Fort Mercer was destroyed, the force would move north across the Big Timber Creek and then the Little Timber Creek into Gloucester Town.
General Nathanael Greene
Washington considered Greene his top commander.
Battle of Gloucester (Cornell University)
Battle of Gloucester (Auction in Europe)
Battle of Gloucester ( National Library of France)
Cornwallis lands in Southern New Jersey
Library of Congress:
The Battle of the Delaware River 1777
The course of Delaware River from Philadelphia to Chester, with the several forts and stackadoes raised by the rebels, and the attacks made by His Majestys land and sea forces
https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:z603vn36d
Fort Mercer at Red Bank
Fort Mifflin
British setup defenses around after they take Philadelphia
1777 - Hessian Map of the Battle of Red Bank
https://arcinsys.hessen.de/arcinsys/detailAction?detailid=v364637
Plan of the City of Philadelphia with Army Camps after leaving Germantown
Hessen Federal State Archives
https://arcinsys.hessen.de/arcinsys/detailAction?detailid=v7702982
Plan of Wilmington / September 14th. 1777
Hessen Federal State Archives
https://arcinsys.hessen.de/arcinsys/detailAction?detailid=v2117774
1778 Map of Philadelphia showing "The Rebel Fleet Burnt" (zoom)
1778 Map of Philadelphia showing "The Rebel Fleet Burnt"
Notice the British forts built across the north of Philadelphia to protect against an American attack.
(Along present day Spring Garden Street or Callowhill Street.)
Libary of Congress:
Fortifications across the northern part of Philadelphia.
Notice the British forts built across the north of Philadelphia to protect against an American attack.
(Along present day Spring Garden Street or Callowhill Street.)
Libary of Congress:
Sketch of Haddonfield, March 1778.
Library of Congress:
Map of the environs of Camden, N.J. ca 1778
1778 presdent day Camden, NJ
Cooper River, Cooper's Ferrys and Petty's Island.
Library of Congress:
Plan and sections of the redoubt at Billingsfort and plan of the rebel fort marked yellow.
ca 1778 Fort Billingsport NJ
Present day Paulsboro, NJ
Library of Congress:
Mortar Shell found in Brooklawn
Four-and-a-half inch mortar shell which likely came from the British and Hessian forces which had an encampment at present day Brooklawn, NJ on November 24, 1777.
The British forces had marched north from Fort Mercer and setup camp in present day Brooklawn between the Big Timber and Little Timber Creeks.
The next day they continued north, crossing the Little Timber Creek bridge which was along present day River Road.
Just days earlier, the Americans had abandoned Fort Mercer, the British went into Ft. Mercer and destroyed what remained of the defenses of the fort.
The mortar shell was found near Lake Drive, many years ago by the grandfather of the person who now owns it.
The Marquis is determined to be in the way of danger.
To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 November 1777.
.... "The Marquis with about 400 Militia & the rifle Corps, attacked the enemies Picquet last evening, kill’d about 20 & wounded many more & took about 20 prisoners—the Marquis is charmed with the spirited behaviour of the Militia & Rifle Corps—they drove the enemy above half a mile & kept this ground untill dark—the enemy’s picquet consisted of about 300 & were reinforced during the skirmish—The Marquis is determined to be in the way of danger."...
John Adams is told of Marquis de Lafayette action at Gloucester.
3 Dec. 1777
Future Presesident of the United States John Adams is told of Marquis de Lafayette action at Gloucester.
John Adams is appointed Commissioner at the Court of France, joining Ben Franklin who is already there. In the same letter he is informed about the
"marquis de Lafayette at the head of about 400 Militia and a detachment from Morgan's Rifles on a Picket of 300 Hessians twice reinforced by British—in which our Troops were successful, killed about 20—wounded more took 14 Prisoners and chased the Enemy about half a Mile."
( The actual distance was more like 2.5 miles. )
Some American reports of the Battle of Gloucester (NJ) make mention that Cornwallis was wounded or killed at Gloucester. Neither proved correct.
Notice that Gloucester is spelled "Gloster"
Massachusetts Historical Society
http://www.masshist.org/publications/adams-papers/index.php/view/ADMS-06-05-02-0205
George Washington's letter to Benjamin Franklin speaks of Gloucester
28 Dec 1778
George Washington's letter to Benjamin Franklin at the Court of Versailles in France:
The marquis de la Fayette is returning to France and Washington writes this letter of introduction.
Washington indirectly references Gloucester.....
"...his success in Jersey before he had recovered of his Wound, in an affair where he commanded Militia against British Grenadiers;..."
Text and image from the Library of Congress:
https://www.loc.gov/resource/mgw3h.001/?q=%22Gloucester%2C+NJ%22&sp=218
Defense on the Delaware 1762 by John Montresor
John Montresor as depicted in 1771
21 Nov. 1777 - American Navy in the Delaware River was trapped. The Americans decided to burn their ships to prevent them from being used by the British.
Just days prior to the "Battle of Gloucester" on 21 Nov. 1777.
With the fall of Philadelphia to the British in 1777, the American Navy in the Delaware River was trapped. The Americans decided to burn their ships to prevent them from being used by the British.
The burning of the rebel fleet is said to have taken place off Gloucester Point and along Timber Creek and is denoted on maps of the time.
Later on this event is also depicted in the watercolor:
BURNING OF AMERICAN VESSELS IN THE RIVER DELAWARE attributed to Irwin John Bevan (1852-1940).
The Mariners’ Museum, Newport News, Virginia
Accession Number 1940.0800.000001
27 Nov 1777 - British Royal Navy on the Delaware River cannon bombards Gloucester Town.
Nov. 27th, 1777
British Navy on the Delaware River cannon bombarded Gloucester Town.
As the 4,500 British & Hessian troops cross over to Greenwich Point (Gloucester Point, PA) from Gloucester Town NJ, American forces began to harass them with rifle fire.
In return the British Navy on the Delaware River cannon bombards Gloucester Town.
Journal of John André, 1777, June 11 - 1778, Nov. 15.
fol. 58v
Journal of John André. HM 626. The Huntington Library, San Marino, CA
https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p15150coll7/id/22353/rec/4
26 Nov. 1777 - Lord Cornwallis departing Gloucester Town
1777 Journal of John André.
Makes mention of Lord Cornwallis departing Gloucester on Nov. 26, 1777.
John André was a British army officer during the American Revolutionary war.
In 1779 André was appointed adjutant general of the British Army and was put in charge of intelligence gathering. Captured by the Americans in September 1780, he was hanged as a spy on October 2, 1780.
At the time of his capture André had been negotiating with the disillusioned American General, Benedict Arnold. His capture tipped off General Washington of Arnold's treason.
Journal of John André, 1777, June 11 - 1778, Nov. 15.
fol. 58v
Journal of John André. HM 626. The Huntington Library, San Marino, CA
https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p15150coll7/id/22353/rec/4
Colonel Joseph Ellis House in Gloucester Town
Sheriff of Gloucester County
Colonel of the Second Gloucester County militia regiment
This is a 1849 drawing of the house by James Fuller Queen (artist, 1820-1886)
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/ppmsca.40000/
More about Joseph Ellis can be found here:
https://revolutionarynj.org/rev-neighbors/joseph-ellis-2/#full-bioead2-f5d2
A smart young woman sent into Gloucester to spy on the British.
While in Gloucester Town she would determine General Lord Cornwallis was staying in Colonel Ellis' house.
https://hdl.handle.net/2027/yale.39002008070444?urlappend=%3Bseq=226
Location of the Ellis House at Gloucester Town.
Harrison Farmhouse in Gloucester Town
Present day location:
512 N. Brown Street Gloucester City , NJ 08030
Oxford England newspaper of General Cornwallis' buys loyalist cattle; steels rebel cattle.
Report in an Oxford England newspaper of General Cornwallis' 6,000 troops foraging in southern New Jersey which were assembled at Gloucester Town NJ and crossed the Delaware River to Pennsylvania .
Gloucester Town - Mile Run Creek along High Street (Market Street)
This 1808 Maps shows the location of "Mile Run Creek".
It's import landmark because it would have intersected High Street (Market Street) or the Road to Haddonfield heading out of Gloucester Town.
Most people don’t know where “Mile Run” creek is in Gloucester City but the name dates back to at least 1772.
Today a good portion of it is underground.
It starts on the southern side of Market Street across from the WaWa and runs underground behind Baynes Av and Greenwood Av.
It then forms the lake we know as the so called "Mino Hole" and returns underground at Highland Blvd and onto Newton Creek.
Huggs Tavern - Center of social life in Gloucester Town
Huggs Tavern is where Betsy Ross was married.
November 4, 1773 Betsy Griscom marries John Ross.
thus becoming Besty Ross.
The marriage took place at Hugg's Tavern by the Justice of the Peace James Bowman in Gloucester City, NJ
License is signed by the (last) Royal Governor of New Jersey:
William Franklin who was Ben Franklin's son.
Huggs Tavern home to The Gloucester Fox Hunt Club. (1766-1818)
The hunts would take place mostly along the western portions of present Camden & Gloucester County's. Jonas Cattell would often dismount for his horse and run along with the hounds.
This image of Jonas Cattell is from 1830 by the artist E.W. Clay (1799-1857). It appears in the "Memoirs of the Gloucester Fox Hunting Club"
Johann Conrad Dohla, a Hessian soldier who was in Gloucester Town
Johann Conrad Dohla was a Hessian soldier who was in Gloucester Town on 25 Nov. 1777 and describes it in his diary.....
"This place lies on the bank of the Delaware River, is not very big nor symmetrical, but it does have an imposing townhall."
(page 60)
(The town hall being the Gloucester County Court House which would have been at King and Market Street.)
"A Hessian Diary of the American Revolution" by Johann Conrad Dohla
Translated, edited and with introduction by Bruce E. Burgoyne.
Gloucester County's resolution in support of Boston.
18th of July 1774
Gloucester County's resolution in support of Boston.
Starting in June 1774 Boston was being punished by the Parliament of Great Britain which passed the Boston Port Act for the Boston Tea Party.
The Boston Port Act backfired on the British.
"This was the first step in the unification of the thirteen colonies, which now had a cause for which to work together."
The First Continental Congress formed in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774, for the purpose to response to the Port Act.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Port_Act
[ At the time Gloucester Town served as the County Seat for Gloucester which today is Gloucester, Camden and Atlantic Counties. The Court House was at King and Market Street. ]
https://www.facebook.com/groups/403493529751184/permalink/1738382782928912/
1734 Stocks and whipping post in front the prison window at Gloucester Court House
1734 Crime and Punishment
Being the county seat of old Gloucester County there was a need for someone to build a pair of stocks and whipping post in front the prison window at Gloucester Court House in Gloucester Town (City). On May 8th 1734 Timothy Matlack Sr. from Haddonfield was hired for this task.
Mr. Matlock went on to have a son, Timothy Matlack (Jr) who grew up to have great penmanship...you may have seen some of his work.
Timothy Matlack Jr, due to his excellent penmanship was selected to write the original United States Declaration of Independence on vellum
Henry Drinker travels to Gloucester Town to visit two jailed Quakers.
Elizabeth's husband, Henry Drinker travels to Gloucester Town to visit two jailed Quakers, Mark Miller and Thomas Redman.
Both had refused the oaths of loyalty to the new New Jersey state government. Quakers called it the “Test”. Refusing would lead to fines and imprisonment.
http://minerva.union.edu/wellsr/hst021/amerrev/drinker.htm
“…it is said that Gloster is Burnt….”
“The Amricans had set their whole Fleet on fier"
21st of November 1777 - Diary of Elizabeth Drinker ** *** “The Amricans had set their whole Fleet on fier”* “I was awaken'd this Morning befor 5 o'clock by the loud fireing of Cannon, my Head Aching very badly; All our Family was up but little Molly, --and a fire made in the Parlor, more then an hour before day-all our Neighbours were also up, and I believe most in Town- The Amricans had set their whole Fleet on fier, except one Small vesel and some of the Gondelows, which past by the City in the Night; the fireing was from the Delaware who lay at Coopers Point, on the Gondelows, which they did not return; Billy counted 8 different Vessels on fire at once in sight, one lay near the Jersey shore, opposite our House; we heard the explosion of 4 of 'em when they blew up, which shook our Windows greatly-We had a fair sight of the blazeing Fleet, from our upper Windows." Elizabeth Drinker is descripting the burning of the vessels of the Rebel Fleet as it attempted to sneak upriver past the British land batteries and the frigate DELAWARE which had been an American war vessel but had been captured and now was being used by the Royal Navy. With the fall of Philadelphia to the British in 1777, the American Navy in the Delaware River was trapped. The Americans decided to burn their ships to prevent them from being used by the British. Much of the Rebel Fleet was at Gloucester Point on the River Delaware. The vessels that could not attempt to escape upriver were burned at Gloucester Point.
