Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Fifth George Fox
Please visit my website, goodspeedhistories.com, where you can read this article, and all my past and future articles. Comments can be found there too.
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About Me
- Marfy Goodspeed
- I have been a resident of Hunterdon County since 1976. My research business, Goodspeed House Histories, has taught me many things about early county residents, especially in my home town, Delaware Township. Many years on the Township Planning Board and as a member of the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission have added to my understanding of historical geography. You can reach me at marfyg at gmail dot com
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11 Jan 2010
ReplyDeleteMarfy,
Let me begin by commending you for your blog. What a wonderful contribution, I enjoy reading it regularly.
However, that having been said I am prompted to 'post a comment' here in response to what I respectfully submit comes across as an unfair if not inaccurate characterization that then Captain Daniel Bray was apparently "not a congenial commander."
By the end of June 1778 the Battle of Monmouth Court House had just concluded. "In the autumn of 1778, Congress had become infatuated with a plan for joining forces with the French for an invasion of Canada" (Lengel, 2007:165). "By the winter of 1778-1779, the military situation had become reasonably static; but new dangers to American independence had appeared in the form of political indecisiveness and economic weakness. Never, as Washington declared [in his letter written to Benjamin Harrison, between 18-30 December 1778 from his headquarters near "Middle Brook" New Jersey,] ... did the country stand more in need of talented, public-spirited men" (Lengel, 2007:168).
I'd submit the record of Captain Bray reflects he was one of those 'public-spirited' men. It is within the context of events like these that it was required of Captain Bray, on 25 November 1778, that he perform his duty as an officer by complying with the law - "the Late malitia act passed April 19th 1778" (Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, 46:12-13) - and report the 13 individuals to Constable Wm. Coolbaugh whereupon a "Distress Warrant" was to be issued for refusing to march with the militia according to general order in September 1778.
By way of background, in 1776 New Jersey had adopted a new constitution. New Jersey confirmed the practice of "popular election of subordinate officers and legislative appointment of principal militia officers." Moreover, as of 03 August 1776 "the legislature, realizing that the small fines did nothing to discourage non-association and avoidance of militia duty, increased the fines" (Whisker, 1999:211).
As you note, Captain Bray's service to our nation, like his counterparts, was most important. I'd respectfully submit that the Revolutionary War records referenced should be used within the fuller context that the docket of Richard Opdyke, J.P., of Kingwood reflects. There is no evidence to suggest what is inferred here regarding Captain Bray; no more than we can (or should) infer from these same record(s) the reason(s) why the above referenced individuals for whatever reason(s) refused to appear for muster, march, or serve their tour of duty (i.e., concern for their families, crops, homes, etc.).
Respectfully Submitted,
Nick D. Swanstrom
Sterling, VA
Nick, you are right that there is no evidence in my post for the statement that Bray was "not a congenial commander." Many years ago I came across a pension application in which an incident with Bray was described which showed he had a temper. I regularly berate myself for not making a copy of it or taking note of who the pensioner was. One of these days I will find it again and write about it. Until then, I stand corrected.
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