READ ALL ABOUT IT! 1777 London Chronicle Reports on British Raids in the Millstone Valley!

The following images are from an authentic edition of the London Chronicle, dated "From SATURDAY, April 12, to TUESDAY, April 15, 1777" that was recently purchased on eBay by Jan ten Broeke. This exciting historical document will be preserved for posterity in the Kells Swan museum collection at the Washington Crossing State Park in in Titusville, NJ.

More detailed scans will be available shortly, but enjoy the exciting drama recounted in the article below!

See reference to the Somerset Court House.

See reference to Millstone River & Brunswick.

All photos appear courtesy of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers.

CALLING ALL HISTORICAL RE-ENACTING UNITS & SUTLERS!

Hear-ye, hear-ye! Registration is now OPEN for re-enacting units & sutlers interested in participating in the 2010 Battle of Bound Brook!

"Washington's Army at Middlebrook"
At the Historic Abraham Staats House
17 von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, NJ

Saturday & Sunday, April 10th & 11th, 2010
(Units & Sulters are encouraged to set-up camp Friday night, April 9.)

About the Battle of Bound Brook
[From the Staats House Website]

On Sunday, April 13, 1777, a four-column force of 4,000 British Crown troops led by Lord Charles Cornwallis attacked a small American garrison of about 500 commanded by General Benjamin Lincoln and located in the town of Bound Brook. The objective: surround the town, capture the garrison and provisions located at this patriot stronghold and gain a foothold in the war against the American Revolutionary army. In the surprise attack, an advance column led by Hessian Jaeger scouts fighting for the British were pinned down by Colonial soldiers who put up a spirited resistance at the Old Stone Arch Bridge located near the Queens’ Bridge.

The skirmish bought precious time for the bulk of the American force in Bound Brook as British forces poured into the area. When a second column of 1,000 British soldiers charged over the Queen’s Bridge to attack, the Colonials retreated, escaping the trap. The American army regrouped in the area later in 1777, in a larger encampment called First Middlebrook. General George Washington’s army was also settled in the winter and spring of 1778-79 in a Second Middlebrook encampment, in the area of Bound Brook. Nearly 10,000 troops gathered at Middlebrook, with attendant artillery camps, hospitals, commissaries, post office, artificers, quartermasters stores, corrals and other military operations situated in nearby locations. General Washington and many of his officers stayed in homes in the area, near to the main encampment. General Baron Frederich von Steuben made his headquarters at the home of Abraham Staats in South Bound Brook, today known as the Abraham Staats House.

ROUND-UP: February 2010--Please note, some events have been postponed due to weather!

Good thing it's a Leap Year, because there is just so much to do this February, including celebrate Black History Month and--as always--all our exciting local history and beautiful natural treasures!
"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these."

-George Washington Carver

Feb 6 KIDS' GROUNDHOG DAY CELEBRATION--FREE
Feb 24 SOMERSET VISUAL ARTISTS' ROUNDTABLE--FREE
Postponed due to Wednesday's predicted snow storm--new date TBA.
Feb 13 TORY JACK DAY @ THE STAATS HOUSE
Feb 13 VALENTINES PARTY @ BWM CANAL HOUSE--FREE
Feb 14 5 GENERALS BUS TOUR--FREE
Feb 20 KINGSTON BIRD WALK--FREE
Feb 20 FISK JUBILEE SINGERS @ HAGEMAN FARM
Postponed due to parking issues at Hageman Farm--new date TBA.
Feb 20&27 BLACK HISTORY EXHIBIT & PRESENTATION--FREE
Feb 27 COLONIAL OPEN HEARTH COOKING DEMO--YUM!
Postponed due to predicted snow storm--new date TBA.

Hey, where did the RMVE Blog go in January?
CLICK HERE to find out!

WHY NOT SHOW YOUR VERY SPECIAL VALENTINES HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THEM--AND YOUR LOCAL HISTORICAL AND NATURAL TREASURES--WITH THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP?