Drafts

The name acquired three different spellings. In those days the people in charge of registering land titles and other legal documents spelled names as they sounded. The Bedminster branch became Mellick, the Tewksbury branch Melick, and a few spelled it Malick. There was a standing joke in the Melick family that the Mellicks had enough money to afford 2 ‘l’s’ in their name.

Geneology Study – http://www.geocities.com/rmelick/melick.html

Mellick ‘Old Stone House”

The boys followed their father’s way and were farmers and tanners. Gottfried went on to settle in Warren County. Johannes, who arrived here with wife Mariah, and children Aaron, Andrew, Fanny, and Maria Catherine had a tannery north of Far Hills. They built the, “Old Stone House,” in 1752 on which the book, ‘The Story of an Old Farm,’ by Andrew Mellick is based. (Click Pic to enlarge).

Old Dutch Road between Peapack Road and Route 206

Mellick Farmhouse / Blairs Pre-Blairsden

In 1897 – Mr. Clinton Ledyard & Florence Blair of 123 East 63rd St, NY bought 423 acre farm known as the Mellick Farm in Peapack. Called Windfall, the old Mellick Farmhouse (different from the Old Stone house above), also was known as White Cottage. (Photo- early 1930’s pg 98 A Journey thru Peapack and Gladstone)

The Blairs (including the daughters Majory, Florence, Edith, and Marise), spent their time in Peapack during the construction of Blairsden at the White Cottage.

After the Blairs, the house was owned by the Percival Keith family. Percival “Dobie” Keith, from the engineering firm MW Kellogg Ltd, along with Crawford Greenwalt of Dupont, were noted fortheir work on the Manhattan Project and the development of the first atomic bomb.

Altered by the Percival Keith Family – Ian McLaughlin purchased the house in 1990’s.The home recently came up for sale in 2007 for $2,565,000. See Details. Discussions with Percival’s son Dennis about Windfall. Listing Agent.

Ian McLaughlin -86 Fowler Rd, Far Hills, NJ?

Melick Ties to Willies Tavern in Bedminster-
The building was erected in 1780 by Aaron Melick for his son, John, who was returning home from the Revolutionary War. Since that time it has served as a pub, a polling place, a pool room, a package store, a political forum, a speakeasy, a hotel and a restaurant. There have been numerous proprietors over the years and we honor its most colorful owner, Mr. Willie Howard. In 1893 Willie came to Gladstone with Charles Pfizer and served as huntsman for Essex Hunt. In 1898 Willie and his wife, Bertha, purchased the Bedminister Hotel, as it was called, for $5,000. The hotel was renamed the “Howard Hotel” and in 1912 the first indoor plumbing was installed.

Mellick – The Story of an Old Farm ]]> http://t3consortium.com/blognew/the-old-farm-a-treasure-of-history-for-the-somerset-hills/feed/ 0 http://t3consortium.com/blognew/knoxartillery/ http://t3consortium.com/blognew/knoxartillery/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:06:12 +0000 Brooks Betz http://t3consortium.com/blognew/?p=25 Father of the American Army Artillery
Father of the American Navy

• Henry Knox was born in poverty in Boston to Irish immigrants William and Mary Campbell Knox on July 25, 1750, the seventh of ten children.

Company Rolls – Source/Monthly muster rolls of the Continental Artillery- National Archives, Microfilm Division, Washington, DC (Sept 1778- July 1779)

• First Continental Artillery – 11 of 12 Companies
• Regimental Officers
  • Colonel Charles Harrison (Commander)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Edward Carrington
  • Major Christina Holmer
  • Lt. Richard Waters (Adjutant)
  • Captain Lt. Ambrose Bohannon
  • Thomas Christie (surgeon)
  • Capt. Nathaniel Burwell
  • Lt. William Stevenson
  • Capt. Lt. John Blair
  • 2nd(37), 3rd(35), 4th(31), 5th(27), 6th(30), 7th(84), 8th(59), 9th(34), 10th(29), 11th(24), 12th(25)
• Second Continental Artilery
• Regimenatal Officers
  • Colonel John Lamb (Commander)
  • Lieutenant Colonel Ebenezer Stevens
  • 1st Lt. Issao Hubbell (Adjutant)
  • L.D. Crimshier (Pay Master)
  • Sgt. Major Henry Cunningham
  • Uriah rowland (Quartermaster Sergeant)
  • J. Wassels (Drum Major)
  • Dr. Garrett Tunison (Surgeon)
  • Companies present (1st(37), 2nd(38), 4th(34), 5th(51), 6th(32), 9th (45), 11th (27))
• Third Continental Artillery
  • Colonel John Crane (Commander)
  • Lieutenant Colonel John Popkins
  • Charles Knowles (Pay Master)
  • Dr. Samuel Adams (Surgeon)
  • B.A. Upham (Surgeon’s Mate)
  • Companies present ( 4th (47), 5th (23), 8th (57), 12th (40))
• Captain Noah Nicols’s and Captain Anthony Post’s Companies of Artillery Artificiers (58 men total)
  • Nicols’s Company
    • Captain Noah Nicols
    • Captain Nathaniel Coll
    • M.S. T. Patten
    • Lt. Bela Nicholas
  • Post’s Company
    • Captain Anthony Post
    • Lt. Samuel Johnson
    • Lt. Carret Browar
• Captain Cornelius Austin’s Continental Armourers (25 men total)
  • Captain Cornelius Austin
  • Superintendent John Darbin
  • Superintendent Godfrey Lowry

New York Public Library – Samuel Adams Diary

The Journals of Major Samuel Shaw – Josiah Quincy, e. Boston, 1847 by Samuel Shaw

James Thacher, Military Journal of the American Revolution, Hartford, Conn, 1862

Revolutionary War Map Collection – Manuscript – William Clements Library, University of Michigan

New Jersey Gazette for 1779

New Jersey Journal for 1779

Pennsylvania Packet for 1779

Orderly Book of the Second Continental Arrtillery, February 5, 1779-May30, 1779 in the Manuscripts Division, NY Historical Society (Training regiment) See April 16, 1779

Punishments while at Pluckemin – General Court Martials – John Lamb also had his own Regimental Court Martial according to the rolls.

• Leaving post – 50 lashings
• Cutting down and destroying wood – confinement
• Desertion and attempting to go to Enemy – from 100 lashings to Death
• Abusive Language – 25 lashings
• Rioting and striking – 50 lashes
• Drunkenness – 50 lashings
• Mutiny – 100 lashings to Death
• AWOL from camp and getting drunk – 50 lashings
• Drunkenness and abusive language – 39 lashes
• Drunkenness and absent from roll call – 15 lashes
• Theft – 50 lashes

Cannon Artillery delivered to Pluckemin

• 24 pound
• 18 pound
• 12 pound
• 6 pound
• 4 pound
• 3 pound
• 8″ Howitzer
• 5 1/2″ Howitzer

Some of the items received at Pluckemin between December 4, 1778 and June 15, 1779

• Bayonets – 4,282
• Bayonet Belts – 12, 030
• Bayonet Scabbards – 6,125
• Brushes and Wires – 7,365
• Cartridges – 480,771
• Cartridge Boxes – 10,327
• Drums – 92
• Drumsticks (pairs) – 409
• Fifes – 548
• Flints – 49,501
• Gun Worms – 1,298
• Gun Slings – 440
• Knapsacks – 418
• Muskets – 3,436
• Power (lbs) – 4,222 1/2
• Powder Horns – 150
• Screwdrivers – 3,241
• Swords – 324
• Sword Belts – 277

What was once the the birthplace of General Henry Knox, this plaque is at the southwest corner of Atlantic Avenue and Essex Street, across the avenue from South Station in Boston. Henry Knox was born in poverty in Boston to Scot-Irish immigrants William and Mary Campbell Knox on July 25, 1750, the seventh of ten children (only four reached maturity). Father was a ship’s captain and died at the age of fifty. The Gaelic term knox stands for “the hill”.

The current site of Henry Knox’s birthplace.
See a map of Boston in 1775 – Click Here
Cap John Bonner’s Map of Boston with streets 1722 – Click Here

Knox home, known as wharf property then Sea Street (later Federal Street), near the foot of Summer Street and opposite the head of Drake’s Wharf near Windmill Point.

To create a faster simple read, below is a decade by decade breakdown of the history and accomplishments of Genreal Henry Knox, one of the most forgotten Generals of the American Revolution. There’s also a map we continue to update with historic reference points.

View General Knox Markers in a larger map

The Early Years

• 1762 – At the age of 12, after his father’s death, Henry left Boston’s Latin Grammar School to apprentice as a bookbinder at Wharton & Bowes in the Cornhill section of Boston.
• Knox read and became a self-taught skilled engineer and military tactician. Learned to speak French as well.
• 1765 – When Henry was 15, the famed Stamp Act took place and colonists were not going to take taxation lightly any more.
• August 1760 – August 1769 – Sir Francis Bernard was the Governor of Massachusetts (also known as the “Imperial Government”). Previously, Bernard was the Governor to the Charter of Bernards Twp, New Jersey back on May 24, 1760. It can be stated that when Boston was getting fed up with British Rule, it was under the rule of Francis Bernard.
• 1778 – At the age of 18, joined the artillery company known as “The Train” – men from the South End of Boston under the command of Major Adino Paddock (a Tory), a chair maker, where Knox got his first formal artillery training.
• March 5, 1770 – At 19, while returning from a friends in Charlestown happened upon on King Street (now State Street) in front of the Customs House at the Boston Massacre, where 5 colonists were killed and changed Henry’s life forever.

Knox in his 20’s

• On July 29, 1771, when Henry turned 21, Henry opened his own bookstore called the London Book Store, opposite William’s Court in Cornhill, Boston.

• In 1772, at 22, Henry formed the Boston Grenadier Corps under Captain Joseph Peirce as second in command (Sons of Liberty). He was put in charge of not all Artillery, but Regiments 1-4, (aka Harrison’s/Virginia (First), Lamb’s New York (Second), Crane’s Massachusetts (Third) and Proctor’s Pennsylvania (Fourth) and Knox’s Corps of Artillery for the Northern Department commanded by Let. Col. Ebenezer Stevens.
• 1773 – July 23- while gunning on Noddle Island or Noddle’s Island (named after William Noddle and now what is known as East Boston), Henry Knox lost the third and forth fingers of his left hand when his gun misfired and exploded. He paid 5 guineas to the surgeons to dress his wound for what Henry termed “an unlucky accident”. From then on, on his left hand, he wore his signature black scarf or silk banner which became a trademark look for Knox.
• 1773, December 16, – Boston Tea Party- 342 crates of tea were dumped off three East India Company cargo ships.
• 1774, June 16, at the age of 24, Henry married Lucy Flucker (1756–1824), the daughter of Boston Loyalists and Royal Secretary of the Province (Hon. Thomas Flucker,Esq.). The Fluckers were a French Huguenot family who came to American from England.
• 1775, June – Henry was a volunteer in the patriot army at the Battle of Bunker Hill under General Ward.
• In 1775, General George Washington inspected a rampart at Roxbury and was impressed with the Henry’s abilities while working under Washington’s first Major Gen. Artemas Ward – Washington appointed Henry to the rank of Colonel in command of the Continental Regiment of Artillery. There was no artillery in Cambridge. His first major task was to go to Ticonderoga to retrieve artillery.
• At 25, November 17, 1775 – Appointed to rank of Colonel by Washington after delining an offer from the Continental Congress for a rank of Leut. Colonel.
• December 5, 1775 – January 24, 1776
  Expedition to transfer according to Knox, 59 cannons (sixty tons – 120,000 lbs) captured by Ethan Allen, and move these British cannons/mortar over 300 miles from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston for the fortification of Dorchester Heights forcing the evacuation of Boston by the British. His force brought the cannons by ox-drawn sled south along the west bank of the Hudson River from Fort Ticonderoga to Albany where he crossed the Hudson, continued east through the Berkshires and finally to Boston. There are 56 plaques on the trail from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge, Massachusetts denoting the approximately 56 day length of the journey. (almost 5 1/2 miles per day) between December 5, 1775, and January 24, 1776. The Cannon Train was composed of fifty-nine cannon and mortars, 29 from Crown Point and 30 from Fort Ticonderoga. Washington’s army took the Heights of Dorchester, the cannons were placed in a heavily fortified position overlooking Boston from which they threatened the British fleet in the harbor. As a result, the British were forced to withdraw to Halifax on March 17, 1776.
• Knox took away – 8 brass mortars, 6 iron mortars, 1 howitzer, 13 brass cannon, 30 iron cannon.

• Directed Washington’s famous Delaware River crossing late Christmas night on December 25, 1776.
• For the Trenton victory, Knox was promoted to Brigadier General and Chief of Artillery for his leadership accomplishments.
• He oversaw the inclusion of the Springfield Armory as one of two national facilities. – Leaving Morristown in 1777
• Knox was almost displaced of his position as Chief of Artillery by a Frenchman named Ducondray, secured by Silas Deane, the American Minister to France. Ducondray interviewed with Washington and then headed to present his credentials before Congress. Washington wrote Congress on behalf of Knox on May 31, 1777. Unfortunately, in the late summer of 1777, Ducondray was riding a spirited horse in search of Washington in Chester County, Pennsylvania. As he was about to enter a flat bottom boat to cross the Schuylkill River, he lost control of the horse, the horse and rider plunged into the river and Ducondray was drowned.
• May 27, 1778 – Congress’s “Establishment of the American Army – Each Artillery Regiment to contain 729 officers and men. 1 Col., I lt. Col, 1 Major, 12 Captains, etc. and the entire Brigade of Artillery be 3,000 officers and men of all rank. Each regiment held 12 companies.
• 1777 – 78 Winter – Valley Forge – Henry Knox creates a Park of Artillery, a separate artillery installation at the Valley Forge Encampment..
• At 28, In Pluckemin (Bedminster, New Jersey), in the winter of 1778-1779, Knox formed the Continental Army’s first facility for artillery and officer training in what has been named the Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment or simply the Pluckemin Artillery Park. The Pluckemin artillery training academy has been noted as the precursor to the USMA at West Point, New York, or simply America’s First Military Academy.
  • 22 companies of the Continental Artillery participated
  • Standardization and daily practice of firing and maneuvering artillery
  • John Lamb’s 8 artillery companies stayed with Major Gen McDougall in NYC and Poughkeepsie,and Major Gen Putnam at Danbury, CT.
  • 8 army brigades and the Park of Artillery would proceed with Washington to Middle Brook
  • Park of Artillery was notified on Nov. 4, 1778 with orders to commence march towards Middle Brook..
  • About Nov. 20, 1778 decision was made to locate the “Park of Artillery” at a separate encampment at Pluckemin.
  • Nov 25, 1778 – Knox send his wife Lucy and their daughter Lucy to Pluckemin, with the march to commence at 7 AM the next morning, but they lost one day and got started on the 27th.
  • 22 oxen were used to haul 12 and 24 pound siege guns, the brass howitzers, and the mortars. The 3,4,6 pound field pieces were horse drawn.
  • The estimate is about 525 individuals and 22 forage wagons full of supplies were in transit and a total of 171 horses and 22 oxen were noted on December 13, 1778 at what was named the “Washington Valley Horse Yard”.
  • Dec 3 were in Hanover, Dec 5 reached Morristown,
  • Dec. 7,1778 – left Vealtown at 8AM and marched last 7 miles to Pluckemin, marching thru the village of Pluckemin, crossing the Chambers Brooks and camped in the fields of Colonel William McDonald, lined the pieces up facing the road and then pitched their tents (by Klines/McDonald’s mill)….
  • The permanent cam site located about 3/4 mile northeast of the crossroads of Pluckemin (Route 202/Washington Valley Rd), site appears to have been chosen by Richard Frothingham, Deputy Commissary of Military Stores. (lumber was purchased in Bound Brook on Nov 28th and Dec 5th)
  • Frothingham stored the ammunition in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, which was abandoned at the time.
  • the spot was chosen since they could see for at least 5 miles around from the ridge and there was a large supply of oak and maple trees.
  • On December 17, 1778 General Washington issued an order that all artillery unites with the Main Army at Middle Brook, NJ to join the Park at Pluckemin, thus doubling the artillery companies at Pluckemin to 22 companies.
  • Sebastian Bauman – December 8, 1778 leaving Morristown with Bauman’s furniture for Mrs. Knox.
  • Sekel mentions that Lucy and Julia were traveling with Lucy?
  • December 26, 1778 100 pairs of shoes arrive at camp
  • Throughout January 1779 the barracks were constructed.
  • The Academy was the last facility to build – February 1779 – 50 feet by 30 feet, plastered walls with an arched ceiling with a cupola, completed sometime before February 18, 1779.
  • Find the Pennsylvania Packet (document – March 6, 1779 – explains the encampment details.
  • Daily rations were listed as: 21 ounces of beef or 18 ounces of pork, 16 ounces of bread or flour, 1 gill of spirits, soap, and candles. Those who worked on barrack construction got one additional gill of rum per day.
  • The artillerists also received quantities of clams, oysters, and some form of fowl.
  • By January 9th 1779, Knox received word that officers were in the “pernicious practice of gaming, particularly at cards”  and that this “most dangerous of vices”  be ended as soon as possible.
  • First week of February 1779 on Feb.  6 a dinner dance to celebrate the first anniversary of the Franco American Treaty of Alliance.
  • 177 panes of glass were ordered by Knox for the Academy.
  • Guests began arriving by 4pm on February 18, 1779 – Washington, Nathaniel Greene, Henry Laurens, William Duer,
    Below the Academy was a Greek Temple containing 13 arches and 100 feet long each holding illuminated paintings of a patriotic scene supported by a “colonnade of the Corinthian order’..
  • Between February 21 and May 30, 1779 there were only 19 days of rain. On March 7, it snowed 4 inches, and on March 14 it snowed 2 or 3 inches.  It snowed on March 17, 19, 24th, and April 17th.
  • It was noted that Lamb’s regiment were particularly lax about their personal hygiene, called a “common disorder”.
  • Washington ordered a signal beacon built  “in the rear of Pluckemin” , 16-18 foot square and 20 feet tall with the interior filled with brush.
  • In December 1778 Harrison’s 11 companies of Regiment had 37 officers on their rolls in Pluckemin. Lamb’s Regiment had 32 officers in their 7 companies.  (officers are above the rank of Sergeant or Corporal)
  • They mention Eoff’s Tavern and Inn, Phenise’s  and McEowen’s Stores,
  • See page 75 footnote – Knox’s aide Major Samuel Shaw  to Sebastian Bauman January 7, 1779  Sebastian Bauman Papers  NYHS. (This is the document we need)
  • “Lectures every day of the week at the Academy on “mathematics  and cc,” were to be given by the “Preceptor” of the Academy  “Christopher Colles (1738-1816)  born in Ireland, emigrated to America in 1765. From 1775 he was an instructor in the Artillery Department of the Continental Army and taught the principles of projectiles. He died October 4, 1816.
• 1779-1780 – Morristown and Jockey Hollow Winter

Knox 30’s

• October 1781 – Knox at Yorktown.
• 8 days after Knox opened fire, the British general, Charles Cornwallis, surrendered.
• October 19, 1781, Knox was advanced to Major-General. At age 31, November 15, 1781 – Knox’s reward was the second star, making him, at 31, the youngest Major General in the army.
• December 1782 – succeed Washington as Commander in Chief
• 1782-1784 : With the fighting over, Knox was put in command of the military reservation at West Point, NY After Washington retired in December 1783, Knox was appointed to replace him as commander in chief until the army was disbanded 6 months later.
• He oversaw the inclusion of the Springfield Armory as one of two national facilities.
• May 1783 – at age 33, the Society of the Cincinnati was founded by General Henry Knox and other leading Continental Army officers.
• George Washington served as the Society’s first president from 1783 to his death in 1799.  Henry Knox served as its first secretary.
• Last Secretary of War under the Articles of Confederation – March 8, 1785 to September 12, 1789
• December 4, 1783 – starting at 12 noon, Washington meets his generals and resigns from the Army at Fraunces Tavern in NYC.

Knox 40’s

• First Secretary of War under the United States Constitution for the First Continental Congress – 1789 to 1795 (Washington’s first Cabinet)
• His salary in 1793 was $3,000/year or $8 per day ($1/Hr.)
• General Henry Knox retired from President Washington’s cabinet and departed Philadelphia on June 1, 1795
• Co-founder of the U.S. Navy, in 1794 – though the act of 1794 authorizing the construction of 6 frigates was specifically drafted to defeat the small but troublesome Algerian corsairs, Knox oversaw the development of a regular standing American Navy.
• Knox, in turn, assigned the task of actually designing these first two classes of naval vessels to Joshua Humphreys, a Philadelphia shipwright. http://ww2.mariner.org/usnavy/04/04d.htm – Many historians have labeled these innovative frigates the first “pocket battleships.” This launching was followed on September 7, 1796, by completion of the Constellation, and finally by the Constitution on October 21, 1797. 27 – March 1794 at a cost of $688,888.82.
• At 44 – with Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton usurping many of Secretary of War Knox’s powers, Knox resigns in December 1794.
• 1798 – President John Adams appoints Knox a Major General during a war scare with France.

Knox 50’s

• 1802 – President Thomas Jefferson signed legislation establishing the United States Military Academy on March 16, 1802. Jonathan Williams, grandnephew of Benjamin Franklin, becomes the Academy’s first Superintendent. In 1817, Colonel Sylvanus Thayer became the Superintendent and established the curriculum still in use to this day.
• At 56, on October 22, 1806 Henry went to visit a neighbor and stayed for a chicken meal.
• He died unexpectedly at 56 years of age after swallowing a chicken bone which punctured his intestine. He died of an infection (peritonitis) three days later on October 25, 1806 and was buried in Thomaston.

Notable Tidbits

The following list shows the location of construction and the ultimate fate of all six frigates appropriated by the Act for Providing for a Naval Armament of 1794: Constitution was built in Boston at Edmund Hartt’s shipyard, and launched on 21 October 1797 and remains the oldest commissioned vessel afloat in the world. 204 feet, 44 guns. Earned her the nickname of “Old Ironsides- Constitution is berthed at the Charlestown Navy Yard where her mission today is to promote understanding of the Navy’s role in war and peace through educational outreach, historic demonstration, and active participation in public events

• Knox at West Point – stayed at John Ellison’s 1754 Georgian-style house in Vails Gate, New York .
• Knox always called George Washington “His Excellency” General Washington
• Knox later sanctioned the American navy and promoted the creation of a military academy at West Point
• Youngest Major General of the Revolution
• The Knox’s’ daughter, Lucy, attended school with Martha Washington’s granddaughter
• General Knox was over 6′ boasting a portly 280 – 300 pds at the age of 27.
• Lucy weighed over 250 pounds
• During the war, Lucy camped with her husband’s command at New Haven, Morristown, Valley Forge, and Pluckemin.
• Federalist – favored a strong federal government

• Ten of their 13 children died before they were grown.
• Henry Knox’s Montpelier was razed in 1871 to make way for the Brunswick-Rockland railroad line. however, a magnificent replica established in 1929 takes its place.
• Two separate American forts, Fort Knox (Kentucky), and Fort Knox (Maine) were named after him. Knox Hall [1] at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, home of the Field Artillery Center and Field Artillery School, is also named after him. Knoxville, Tennessee, is named in his honor. There are counties named for Knox in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas.
• March 16, 1802 – An act of Congress establishes the Army Corps of Engineers. The corps will help shape the nation – The new Congress of the Confederation was reluctant to maintain a large, standing army, and the engineers mustered out after the war ended. After the U.S. Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, Congress organized a combined Corps of Artillerists and Engineers in 1794. The current Corps of Engineers traces its history directly back to the second foundation in 1802. Congress also directed on March 16, 1802, that the Army create a new military academy 50 miles up the Hudson from New York City at a location called West Point. One of the Corps’ first jobs, in fact, was to build the U.S. Military Academy. West Point’s first superintendent, Jonathan Williams, became chief engineer of the corps. From its founding until 1866, every superintendent of the academy was an engineer officer.
• The Pluckemin Artillery Barracks – The drawing was created by Captain John Lillie. Lillie was Captain in November 1778, and was the Continental Army’s Commander of the 12th Company, 3rd Regiment and also aide-de-camp to General Knox. The original drawing is currently on display at the Morristown National Historical Park.
• Clifford Sekel Jr- Master of Arts in History for Wagner College August 1972

Academy Drills & Officer Classes

General Knox had hired Christopher Calles, a European-trained engineer and scientist. as Conductor of Military Stores. However, Christopher’s main function was to serve as “Preceptor of the Academy,” which all officers up to the rank of Major were to attend military training six days a week.

Classes are said to have begun on March 1, 1779 and continued at least into the middle of June 1779. How long the lectures continued after this have not been confirmed. There is evidence that Calles had also hired a number of Assistant Conductors who were in fact young men waiting for their commissions as junior artillery officers to be sent forward for approval to the Board of War. These men went with Calles wherever he moved and presumably received ongoing instructions from him.

Research:

• Map of Somerset County 1781 noted (vertical) – Click Here
• Map of Somerset County 1872 – Click Here
• Other Maps – Click Here
• Book – Henry Knox – A Soldier of the Revolution - by Noah Brooks – 1900 G.P. Putnam’s Sons, NY – (pg 43 of 283)
• Henry Knox – Genral Washington’s General by North Callahan (404 pgs. NY Rinehart & Company) 1958 (Assoc. Professor of history at NYU) “superior to Noah Brooks’s biography: Source 11,000 Knox letters in the Mass. Historical Society
• Digging New Jersey’s Past – Richard Veit – 220 pages, Rutgers Univ Press Aug 31, 2002)
• Knox Artillery – Click Here
• Grand Alliance Ball – Click Here
• Sekel Thesis – Click Here
• Morristown NPS – jude_pfister@nps.gov (Dec 2009)

PLUCKEMIN CANTONMENT  AND THE ARTILLERY ACADEMY

Research Notes:
May 2005 -Present

Notable References: The Dig, Henry Knox Artillery, Henry Knox had some innovative ideas for improving the artillery.

At Pluckemin, he put many of his theories to practice. The camp itself was an impressive site that attracted spectators from miles around. In addition to barracks for the enlisted men and separate quarters for the officers, the camp included an Armour’s shop, a complete military forge and a laboratory. The most significant innovation, however, was the establishment of the first military academy in the country for the training of artillery and engineering officers, therefore becoming the forerunner to the Academy at West Point. The barracks, buildings and academy at the Pluckemin encampment disappeared shortly after the end of the Revolutionary War. Since then, most of the site has been intensively developed. But in the late 1970s, the non-profit Pluckemin Archaeological Project sponsored a dig which recovered thousands of artifacts. Much was learned about the Revolution from the project .

On the slopes of the Second Watchung Mountain was the first artillery academy. Twelve acres of land owned by Allan-Deane, a Johns-Manville subsidiary. Sponsored by the Pluckemin Archaeological Project.

Drawing to the right -Provided by the Clarence Dillon Library – Drawing by Captain John Lillie, Commander of the 12th Company, 3rd Regiment (Crane’s Massachusetts) Continental Artillery in early 1779. The actual drawing is in the possession of the Morristown National Park’s Historic Archive collection. The drawing was donated to the park by a descendant Lillie family member back in 1934.

The “Academy” the center structure topped with a cupola, contained a lecture room, arched and plastered ceilings (Sheppard Kollock- a journalist from that time).

The Great Anniversary in Pluckemin- (John W. Barber, and Henry Howe, Historical Collections of the State of New Jersey, pages 441-442)

“The anniversary of our alliance with France was celebrated on the 18th ultimo, at Pluckemin, at a very elegant entertainment and display of fireworks, given by General Knox, and the officers of the corps of artillery. It was postponed to this late day on account of his Excellency General Washington’s absence from camp. General Washington, the principal officers of the army, Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Greene, Mrs. Knox, and the ladies and gentlemen, fro a large circuit around the camp, were of the company. Besides these, there was a vast concourse of spectators from every part of the Jerseys.

The barracks of the artillery are at a small distance from Pluckemin, on a piece of rising ground, which shows them to great advantage. The entertainment and ball were held at the academy of the Park. About 4 0′clock in the afternoon, the celebration of the ALLIANCE was announced by the discharge of thirteen cannon, when the company assembled in the academy to a very elegant dinner. The room was spacious, and the tables very prettily disposed, both as to prospect and convenience. The festivity was universal, and the toasts descriptive of the happy event, which had given certainty to your liberties, empire, and independence. In the evening was exhibited a very fine set of fireworks, conducted by Col. Stevens, arranges on the point of a temple, one hundred feet in length, and proportionally high. The temple show THIRTEEN arches, each displaying an illuminated painting. The center arch was ornamented with a pediment, larger than any of the other(s); and the whole edifice supported by a colonnade of the Corinthian order.

The illuminated paintings were disposed in the following order.

• The 1st arch, on the right, represented the commencement of hostilities at Lexington, with this inscription: ‘The scene opened.”
• 2nd – British Clemency. Represented in the burning of Charlestown, Falmouth, Norfolk, and Kingston.
• 3rd – The separation of America from Britain. A magnificent arch broken in the centre, with this motto: ‘By your tyranny to the people of America you have separated the wide arch of an extended empire.’
• 4th – Britain represented as a decaying empire, by a barren country, broken arches, fallen spires, ships deserting its shores, birds of prey hovering over it’s moldering cities, and a gloomy setting sun. Motto: ‘The Babylonian spires are sunk, Achaia, Rome, and Egypt mouldered down; Time shakes the stable tyranny of thrones, And tottering empires crush by their own weight.’
• 5th – America represented as a rising empire. Prospect of a fertile country, harbors and rivers covered with ships, new canals opening, cities arising amist woods, splendid sun emerging from a bright horizon. Motto: ‘New worlds are still emerging from the deep, The old descending in their turns to rise.’
• 6th – A grand illuminated representation of LOUIS the sixteenth. The encourager of letters, the supporter of the rights of humanity, thally and friend of the American people.
• 7th The centre arch. The Father in Congress. Motto: ‘Nil desperandum reipublicae.’
• 8th The American Philosopher and Ambassador extracting lightning from the Clouds.
• 9th The battle near Saratoga, 7th Oct., 1777.
• 10th – The Convention of Saratoga.
• 11th – A representation of the sea-fight, of Ushant, between count D’Orvilliers and Admiral Keppie.
• 12th – Warren, Montgomery, Mercer, Wooster, nash, and a crowd of heroes who have fallen in the American contest, in Elysium, receiving the thanks and praises of Brutus, Cato, and those spirits who in all ages have gloriously struggles against tyrants and tyranny. Motto:’ Those who shed their blood in such a cause shall live in and reign forever.’
• 13th – Represented peace, with all her train of blessings. Her right hand displaying an olive branch; at her feet lay the honors of harvest; the background was filled with flourishing cities; ports crowded with ships, and other emblems of an extensive empire and unrestrained commerce.

When the fireworks were finished, the company returned to the academy, and concluded the celebration by a very splendid ball. The whole was conducted in a style and manner that reflects great honor on the taste of the managers.

The news announced to congress from the Spanish branch of the house of Bourbon, arriving at the moment of celebration, nothing could have so opportunely increased the good- humor of the company, or added to those animated expressions of pleasure which arose on the occasion.

Notable Players for this story:

Clifford Sekel- Writer
Dutzie Robbie – Local Historian
Anne O’Brien – Bedminster Historian (Deceased)
Ellen Vreeland – (President J.Vanderveer House)
Mark Gladstone – Reference Librarian Clarence Dillon Library
John Lewis Seidel – Graduate of Drew University – Now at Washington University in MD. Wrote 800+page thesis (offered by UPenn Press), lived in Somerville, NJ

Henry (Max) Schrabisch – Former State Archeologist – 1917 performed extensive research on dig site.

Hills Development Corporation – Developed the Hills

Library of Congress (Search Pluckemin, Pluckamin)

The archaeology of the American Revolution: A reappraisal and case study at the Continental Artillery Cantonment of 1778–1779, Pluckemin, New Jersey by Seidel, John Lewis, PhD
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 1987, 834 pages
AAT 8804961 http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/preview/8804961#index

He thanked Clifford Sekel (research) and Anne O’Brien (funding)

http://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI8804961/

http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/preview_page/8804961/7#to

The Great Anniversary in Pluckemin- (John W. Barber, and Henry Howe, Historical Collections of the State of New Jersey, pages 441-442)

Digging New Jersey’s Past: Historical Archaeology in the Garden State
By Richard Veit – pg 70-72 – Click Here to read the extract

1913 Somerset Historical Quarterly Vol III 1913 article on Dig
1916 Bernardsville News Articles on Max Schrabisch and the Pluckemin Dig.
1917 Somerset Historical Quarterly Vol VII 1917 article on Dig
1917 Henry (Max) Schrabisch – Former State Archeologist – 1917 performed extensive research on dig site.
1917 – May Bernardsville News Articles on Max Schrabisch and the Pluckemin Dig.
1972 Clifford Sekel – Doctorate Thesis Prepared and presented
1980 Pluckemin Archeological Project (1980) set up with AOB, JS, and CS

Historical Timelines for this Story	Complete Revolutionary War Timeline – Click Here Detailed Site – Click Here Revolutionary War Battle Map for NJ – Click Here
1743	Jacobus Vanderveer, the elder, whose grandfather had come to New York from North Holland in 1659, became the first Vanderveer to settle in the Bedminster area. He purchased 439 acres along the North Branch of the Raritan River where he established a homestead and successful grist and saw mills.
1776 – December 16	Something happened in Pluckemin
1778 – February 6	Signing of the Franco-American Alliance.
1778 – November 26	Starting at 7am November 26th thru December 7, 1778 the march from Fredericksburg NY began towards Middlebrook (presently Bound Brook NJ)
1778 – November	Pluckemin Artillery Site – Construction thru March 1779
1778 – November- 1779	General Henry Knox frequents Vanderveer House
1779 – February 18	Anniversary Celebration – 1st anniversary celebration of the signing of the Franco-American Alliance. Attending were Washington, Knox, Greene, Henry Laurens. Started at 4pm with 13 cannon fires, one for each state of the union. It was postponed from the original anniversary date due to Knox and Washington being called to Philadelphia.
1779 – June 4	Leaves Pluckemin Winter Camp Encampment (Revolutionary War Map)
1779 – Winter	Winter at Morristown – Coldest Winter of The War
1782 – August 29	French return to the area and march to Bullion’s Tavern
1802 – March 16	West Point Military Academy opens
1913	Somerset Historical Quarterly Vol III 1913 article on Dig
1916	Bernardsville News Articles on Max Schrabisch and the Pluckemin Dig.
1917	Somerset Historical Quarterly Vol VII 1917 article on Dig
1917	Henry (Max) Schrabisch – Former State Archeologist – 1917 performed extensive research on dig site.
1917 – May	Bernardsville News Articles on Max Schrabisch and the Pluckemin Dig.
1972	Clifford Sekel – Doctorate Thesis Prepared and presented.
1980	Pluckemin Archeological Project (1980) set up with AOB, JS, and CS
1987	Seidel, John -The archaeology of the American Revolution: A reappraisal and case study at the Continental Artillery Cantonment of 1778–1779, Pluckemin, New Jersey by Seidel, John Lewis, PhD UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 1987, 834 pages
1989	The Jacobus Vanderveer House and property are purchased by Bedminster Township.
1995	The Jacobus Vanderveer House is listed on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places.
	Black River Journal Articles – Chris and Lee Wolfe – Publishers 908-439-9968
2003 – October 20	Dawn M. Digrius, Adjunct Professor of Anthropology, Drew University – Presentation re: further archaeological investigations at the Pluckemin Encampment Site.Mayor Metelski introduced Dawn Digrius who wishes to re-establish the Pluckemin Archaeological Dig. The Mayor commented that there would need to be an agreement with the Township Committee and possibly other organizations. Ms. Digrius provided an itinerary of her proposed plan to resume the archaeological investigations to find out more about the period of occupation of General Henry Knox. Drew University is interested in this project and will create a field school who will be on site for approximately six weeks during the summer. The project hopes to increase awareness of local history. There will be a short term during the summer for the field school to ascertain the work done in the past. Many of the artifacts are close to the surface so there would be minimal disturbance to the area other than removing some vegetation and debris. Parking would be not be on site or in any residential area. Ms. Digrius reviewed with the Committee, the research goals, short and long term as well as the residential impact Since the Township owns the land, it needs to be determined how the artifacts would be housed. Committeeman Genero was concerned with protection of the site and was advised by Ms. Digrius that there is no public information as to the exact location. In response to Committeewoman Wagner, Ms. Digrius stated that parking and the effect on residents living in the area, would be minimal All excavation is done by hand, no machinery is used. There would be approximately 8 to a maximum of 15 students working on the site. Mr. Lehrer commented that the findings need to be in book or journal form. Mayor Metelski mentioned that the artifacts from the original dig are the property of Hills Development Company and are being held by Pluckemin Pride Foundation. The outcome of the arrangements would be similar and the Mayor was of the opinion that ownership should come from Hills Development to the Friends. It needs to be determined who would take responsibility as curator of the artifacts. Mayor Metelski suggested that Drew University draft a proposal for the Township Attorney’s review. Then The Township Committee can review the proposal and submit their comments. The Mayor will provide the tri party contract to Mr. Lehrer. It was Ms. Digrius’ opinion that the Friends should be the curator. Mayor Metelski suggested that Ms. Digrius attend a meeting of the Friends and one is scheduled for tomorrow evening. It was the general consensus of the Committee that the Township proceed with the proposal. (Source- Bedminster Township Committee Meeting website).
2004	Dawn M. Digrius – Department of Anthropology, Drew University Madison , New Jersey 0794 . Field School Name: Knox Encampment Archaeological and Historical Project at Pluckemin Start month: 05 day: 17 year: 2004 End month: 06 day: 25 year: 2004 (No update- wrote- replied that she’s no longer involved – Mark Gladstone noted she’s a local resident)
2007 February	The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House present to the Bedminster Township Committee to request funding for nominating the Pluckemin Artillery Encampment area to be a National Historic Landmark site.
2007 February 28	Bernardsville News reports on the $14,000 funding that it will sponsor based on the request of the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House

Historian Clifford Sekel began studying the artillery park (1972). Archaeologist John Seidel joined Sekel and fieldwork began in 1979 and continued thru 1986. Financial support came from the not-for-profit Pluckemin Archaeological Project and from the Hills Development Corporation.

Using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetometry, a process that employs an instrument that recognizes differences in soil magnetism. An entire site is mapped, and then differences are recognized. Transitions in magnetic intensity usually recognizes archaeological features.

During the winter of 1778-1779, the Main Continental Army under George Washington established its winter encampment near Middlebrook, New Jersey. Over 8000 infantry and artillery soldiers spent about 6 months at this location. The Continental artillery park was located at Pluckemin, New Jersey, several miles north of the infantry camps. At this location, the artillerists built barracks for almost 1000 men and established a depot, repair facilities and an academy for artillery officers. This encampment was abandoned by the Army in June 1779. In the 1980’s, archaeological excavations by Rutgers University exposed remains of the “Artillery Park” and recovered thousands of artifacts.

Two artifacts found at Pluckemin have changed the view of the early American flag and it’s use by the Continental Army. These were decorative belt tips which probably adorned the ends of officer’s “over the shoulder” leather sword belts. Each of these belt tips is hand engraved and bear almost identical designs of a cannon, flag staff and flag, a motif very similar to that found on American artillery buttons of the period. These belt tips had never been seen before and their use by the American army was previously unknown. What made them all the more spectacular was the fact that they both showed a new orientation of the stars on the field of the American flag, five stars, over three stars, over five stars.

“Middlebrook” flag – since that is the overall name of the encampment for which the Pluckemin Artillery Park was part of, I surmise that the flag design used at Pluckemin was used by the rest of the Army.

The thirteen stripes are based on the flag act and artwork of the period. The orientation of the stars is based on that found on the excavated belt tips and the six pointed stars themselves are based on those found on Washington’s Revolutionary War headquarters flag and period artwork.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1153301/posts

Middlebrook Flag Overview – http://www.geocities.com/dtmcbride/nyc-nj/mdlbrk.html

ARTILLERY OFFICER’S SWORD BELT TIP -Pluckemin Archaeological Project Buckle found at the dig site now at the Vanderveer house These belt tips were the earliest known artifacts to clearly show the American flag. It is believed that they were engraved by a Philadelphia silversmith who records show, was called to the camp in early 1779. If indeed this is true, it is probable that he engraved the flag design based on what the army was actually using in camp at the time. While this does not tell us exactly what the 1777 flag was supposed to look like, it does prove to us that the Continental Army was using the “Stars & Stripes” flag by 1779 and the star orientation (constellation) was of a different type than previously thought. The earliest provable American flag design was 13 stars laid out in rows of five, three, five. Since the discovery of the artillery belt tips at Pluckemin, two more have been discovered. One was found in a mid-1779 Continental artillery campsite in southern New York State and the other was found at a Colonial era house site in Central Virginia where it was likely lost about 1781. http://www.jvanderveerhouse.com/revolution.htm

General Knox’s alleged temporary housing while at the Pluckemin Encampment.

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http://www.geocities.com/dtmcbride/nyc-nj/mdlbrk.html#wash_camp

The 20 acre park at 1761 Middlebrook Rd., east of Vosseller Ave. is operated by the Washington Campground Association. Legend has it that the land was donated to the Washington Camp Ground Assn. on the condition that the Declaration of Independence be read every 4th of July, or the land would revert to the heirs of the LaMonte family who donated it. This has occurred from 112 consecutive years.
The annual ceremony includes (times are approximate):
10 AM Music
10:30 Welcome & changing of the flag
10:40 March to East Grove stage
10:45 Introduction of dignitaries
10:55 Reading of the Declaration of Independence
11:05 Keynote Speaker
11:15 An historical address

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http://www.shovelbums.org/field_schools/2004/us-field-schools-2004.html

Field School Overview

Field School Name: Knox Encampment Archaeological and Historical Project at Pluckemin
Field school web site: http://www.depts.drew.edu/cue/ST04catalog.htm
University, Company, Institution: Drew University, Madison, New Jersey
City of field School: Pluckemin
State/province: New Jersey
Country of field school: USA

Application deadline month: 05 day: 05
Start month: 05 day: 17 year: 2004
End month: 06 day: 25 year: 2004
Field School Size: 16-25
Minimum age: 18
Experience: Participants must have completed a course in Archaeological Method and Theory or prior field experience
Excavation: Yes
Survey: Yes
Historic: Yes
Periods: Revolutionary War
Suburban: Yes
Drive to site: Yes
Project Directors: Dawn M. Digrius, Drew University
Field School Description:

Field School is located at the site of General Henry Knox’s winter encampment from December 1778 until June 1779. The site is important to Revolutionary War as well as military history, as it was the site of the first military academy in the US . In addition, the site served as a general field hospital during the Revolutionary War. Students will learn survey, reconnaissance, surface collection techniques, excavation methods, Photography and illustration, computer and paper mapping, and artifact collection, identification and analysis. Our site is located just at the bottom of the Second Watchung Mountains , near the North Branch of the Raritan River . Conditions are comfortable, with access to services close by.

Academic Credit: Yes
Number of Credits: 4
Tuition: $440/credit, $1760 per four credit course
Institution offering credit: Drew University

Room and Board Information: Housing accommodations are available on campus for Summer Term. Please contact the Housing, Conferences, and Hospitality Office directly for information at 973/408-3102.

Reading : Seidel, John The Archaeology of the American Revolution: A Reappraisal and Case Study at the Continental Artillery Cantonment of 1778-1779, Pluckemin , New Jersey 1987

Sekel, Clifford The Continental Artillery in Winter Encampment at Pluckemin , New Jersey , December 1778-June 1779 1972

Field school contact name:

Dawn M. Digrius
Department of Anthropology, Drew University
Madison , New Jersey 07940 USA
Phone: 973-408-3256

ddigrius@drew.edu

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Troubles for today’s soldiers- (Interesting Thought)

Polyester uniforms are very popular and are less expensive than uniforms made of linen or wool. However, they are very hot in warm weather, and you cannot safely fire muskets when wearing a polyester uniform. The danger of flash fire to the wearer is great enough that the National Park Service personnel who will conduct a safety inspection prior to any firing in a National Park will not allow anyone wearing a polyester uniform to shoot using a fire lock weapon. This peril does not exist if your color guard does not fire muskets.

See what it costs to become a federal soldier today – Click Here