are heroic when they can rise to meet the occasion which necessity
presents. So at this particular crisis in the affairs during the war of
the Revolution, it became necessary to convey a message from Colonel
Clark, in Georgia, to General Nathaniel Greene, who was then in South
Carolina. In 1781, the British being in possession of Augusta, General
Greene determined to march into South Carolina, and Colonel Clark
and McCall proceeded to co-operate by annoying the British posts in
Georgia. General Clark determined in May to attack. This information
must be conveyed to General Greene at once. As the enemy's line would
have to be crossed, it would not be possible to send the despatch by
a man with the hope that he would ever reach General Greene alive.
He would not only be held as a prisoner, but searched and probably
hung. In those days petticoats were flags of truce. So, here was a
woman's opportunity. But what woman would? In those days the country's
affairs were freely and intelligently discussed by men and women, and
there were no braver women than the Hobsons. Nothing daunted, Agnes
volunteered to convey the despatch. Her brother-in-law, Nathaniel
Bacon, had gone to South Carolina to assist Colonel Pickens who was
maneuvering between Augusta and Ninety Six. Nathaniel was a Captain
in Pickens' Brigade. She would reach him and through him convey this
message to General Greene's headquarters. With the papers safely
folded in her bosom she plunged into the swollen current of the
Savannah River, and borne by her trusty horse, reached the Carolina
shore in safety. Reaching her destination and fulfilling her mission,
she recrossed the enemy's line, performing the act of a courier,
swimming on horse back the Savannah River, and riding many, many miles
unattended, because a woman's service was needed at this crisis in the
war for American Independence."
"Did you say one of these Hobson sisters was my ancestor, and did she
do anything heroic?" asked Mary inspired by this recital.
"Oh, yes" answered Mrs. Martin, "This was Elizabeth, the wife of Capt.
Sherwood Bugg. There is a love story there."
"A love story" inquired Lucy Kent, "How interesting it grows! Please
tell us this one."
Grandmother, pleased at her interested audience, continued her story of
the Hobson sisters.
"Elizabeth Hobson, wife of Capt. Sherwood Bugg, (Legionary Corps,
Jackson Legion) came with her husband and her brothers John and Matthew
Hobson to Richmond County, Georgia, 1765-67. John died soon after
his arrival in Georgia. Matthew married Miss Burke. He also lived in
Augusta, was a Revolutionary soldier and an ardent patriot. It was at
his house that the Executive Council met after the capture of Savannah
by the British. It is said that General Washington was the guest of
Matthew Hobson during his stay in Augusta, while on his triumphant tour
through Georgia and the South."
"Elizabeth Hobson was no less a heroine than was her sister Agnes, nor
less a patriot than were her brothers Matthew, William and Nicholas.
Her house on her plantation, near Augusta, Beech Island, she converted
into a refuge and hospital for the patriots and Continental Soldiers,
where they were cared for and nursed back to health. Among these
patriots were Colonels Clark and McCall, and Major Carter, who in spite
of the care bestowed upon him died there from his wounds. Another,
Colonel John Jones, of Burke County, received the tenderest treatment
at the home of Mrs. Bugg. Colonel Jones had received eight sabre cuts
on the head and was desperately wounded at Earle Fort, on the Pacolet
River, during the night attack by the British and Tories. During his
illness at Beech Island, his brother Abraham Jones and sister Sallie
Jones came to visit him. The acquaintance thus brought about between
the Jones and Bugg families, culminated later in the marriage of two
couples. Sarah Ann Jones married young Sherwood Bugg, and following
their example Abram Jones married Sally Bugg. From these descended the
Phinizys and Hamiltons and Jones and Lamars, from whom you, Elizabeth
and Mary and Lucy Kent are descended."
"You said, grandmother, that 'Ned Brace' of 'The Georgia Scenes,' came
from the Hobson sisters," reminded Agnes, anxious that nothing be left
untold.
"So he did; 'Ned Brace,' who was Edmund Bacon, was a grandson of
Obedience Hobson, who married John Bacon. I spoke of him in the
beginning as the brother of William Bacon, who married Agnes Hobson,
and there is a sweet story tradition which tells of Obedience. On one
occasion she was approached by a British officer, who had reason to
believe that Obedience knew the whereabouts of her husband, John Bacon.
'Do you know where he is?' sternly demanded the officer as he leveled
his gun at her head. 'Yes,' replied Obedience, not daring to tell a
lie."
"'Where?' thundered the officer. Gaining strength at each stage of
their interview, Obedience lifted her head and replied defiantly:
"I have hid him--in my heart and you will have to kill me to find him."
"Then, there was another sister, Sarah, who married William Fox. The
old people used to speak of them as 'Sister Bacon' and 'Sister Bugg'
and 'Sister Fox.' Margaret married a Telfair and Mary Married William
Bilbo. Nicholas Hobson married Miss de Graffenried and William,--well,
my memory fails me now,--but I suppose I have given you tradition and
incident sufficient for tomorrow's lesson, so far as you are personally
interested."
"Oh, yes, and thank you so much" exclaimed each of the circle of
friends, and with affectionate goodbyes their pleasant interview
ended.--SALLIE MARSHALL MARTIN HARRISON, Oglethorpe Chapter, Columbus,
Ga.
WASHINGTON'S MARCH THROUGH SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
ADELINE W. VOORHEES STILLWELL.
The battle of Trenton thoroughly aroused General Howe, who at once
collected 7,000 men at Princeton. Washington had but 5,000 men. On
January 3 the battle of Princeton took place and the Americans were
again victorious, but the men were so completely exhausted that
Washington was forced reluctantly to abandon his project of capturing
the stores at New Brunswick and to seek the hill country, where his men
might obtain the rest and refreshment they so much needed.
Reforming his columns, the General passed along the King's Highway to
Van-Tillburgh's Inn, at Kingston, which was standing not many years
ago. Here, turning to the left on the narrow Rocky Hill road, he
marched his way-worn men down the valley of the Millstone.
Arrayed in the Continental blue and buff as he sat on his horse with
all that martial dignity peculiar to himself, Washington came as a
conqueror, welcomed by the enthusiastic populace.
Much of interest appertaining to this march to Morristown is to be
learned from the manuscript diary of Captain Thomas Rodney of the Dover
Light Infantry, which is preserved by his descendants.
When the van of the American army reached the bridge which spanned
the Millstone in front of the residence of Christopher Hoagland, near
Griggstown, the British cavalry appeared in considerable force on the
opposite bank. The condition of Washington's men was such that he
desired neither to pursue nor be pursued, so he ordered the bridge
broken up. This being done the enemy was forced to retire, which would
lead one to suppose that the depth of the river was much greater then
than now. Commissaries were sent forward to notify the inhabitants of
the approach of the troops and to direct that food be prepared for
their refreshment. The home of Abraham Van Doren, like many others, was
the scene of great excitement and special activity that day. I quote
from a paper read before the Somerset County Historical Society several
years ago by his great-grandson, Rev. Wm. H. Van Doren: "Abraham Van
Doren was a most prosperous and prominent member of the community. He
owned the grist mill which did a large business between Trenton and
New Brunswick. Besides the mill he owned the store (ruins of which are
still standing), a feed mill, a saw mill, a carding mill and power
loom, a cider mill and distillery, a cooperage, a work and wagon shop,
two blacksmith shops and a lath mill, besides six or seven hundred
acres of land. The mills and store houses were filled with flour,
grain, whiskey and lumber, awaiting a favorable opportunity of shipment
to New York. The general 'killing,' as it was called, had just been
finished. The beeves and hogs and other animals designed for the next
year's use had just been laid down, so that, what had never before
occurred in the history of the settlement, there was now a whole year's
labor stored up, a Providential supply for a great necessity which
no human wisdom could have foreseen. Before noon the whole hamlet of
Millville, as Griggstown was then called, was ablaze with excitement
and activity. Soon the old Dutch ovens were roaring hot and bread and
pone, shortcake, mince and other pies, beef, ham and pork, sausage and
poultry, were cooking and roasting to feed the General and his staff.
Not the officers alone, but the whole rank and file of the army was
coming and right royally they feasted." There are many interesting
traditions which are cherished in the Van Doren family relating to this
visit of Washington and his army.
As soon as the troops had been fed and had an hour or two of rest,
Washington found that Cornwallis, enraged that he had been so tricked
as to allow his foe to escape while he slept, and fearing for his
military stores at New Brunswick, had put his whole army in motion.
So hurriedly calling his men to "fall in," Washington hastened with
them to Somerset Court House, now Millstone. It was about dusk and here
they encamped for the night. Washington and some of his staff quartered
at the residence of John Van Doren, which is this house. Here also
still stands the old barn where the General's horse was stabled. Until
recently the house was occupied by a great-grandson of the man who was
the proud host for one night of the Father of our Country. This family,
too, have many interesting traditions of this memorable visit. We note
that two men by the name of Van Doren, within twenty-four hours, were
honored by being permitted to entertain the commander-in-chief of the
Continental army.
The main body of the army encamped for the night near the present
Dutch Church parsonage, in close proximity to the Court House, which
was afterward burned. Early the following morning the column was again
pushing northward, crossing the Raritan at Van Veghten's bridge,
now Finderne. Not far from this bridge stood the old First Dutch
Church of the Raritan on the ground donated by Michael Van Veghten,
whose tombstone is still standing in the little "God's Acre," which
surrounded the edifice. This building, like the Court House, was burned
with all the priceless records by General Simcoe's men.
Rodney states that Washington was again tempted to march to New
Brunswick, still having in mind the rich stores there which would be
of such inestimable value to him. However, again out of consideration
for his troops, he abandoned the project. After crossing at Finderne
they marched up the river to the old road turning west, just north
of Bernard Meyers' house to Tunison's Tavern, now the "Somerset" in
Somerville, field to the right, passed up Grove Street and continued
over the hills to Pluckemin. The sick and wounded were cared for in the
village while the Lutheran Church was used as a temporary prison for
the captured men.
It was at this time that Leslie, the young British officer who had been
wounded and so tenderly cared for by Dr. Rush of Philadelphia, having
died, was laid to rest with full military honors. Many of us have seen
the stone in the church yard at Pluckemin which marks his resting place.
Sunday, January 5, 1777, was a great day for Pluckemin. News of
Washington's presence, and that of his army, quickly spread throughout
the surrounding country, and we can well imagine the eagerness with
which the people flocked in to get the latest news of the war and
perchance of their loved ones. The Mathew Lane house is said to be the
house where the General was quartered.
Early on the morning of January 6 Pluckemin lost, suddenly as it had
gained, the distinction of being the headquarters of the army.
Rested and refreshed, it was probably the most peaceful and
satisfactory march experienced since leaving Hackensack three months
before with Cornwallis at their heels.
Secure now from pursuit the little army in good heart travelled slowly
along the narrow road called the Great Road from Inman's Ferry, New
Brunswick, passing Bedminster Church to Bedminster. Some authorities
say they then crossed the north branch of the Raritan at Van der
Veer's Mills, but Mr. Joshua Doughty, of Somerville, who seldom makes
an assertion which he cannot prove by the records, tells me that
they did not cross the river at that point, but filed to the right,
going through "Muggy Hollow," the road which Lord Sterling used in
going from his place to the sea shore at Amboy; then passing through
Liberty Corner and Basking Ridge, with frequent halts, they climbed
the Bernards hills to Vealtown, Bernardsville, and on to New Vernon,
and just as the sun was sinking in the west reached Morristown.
After a weary pilgrimage they were for the time being safe in winter
quarters.--_American Monthly Magazine._
HANNA ARNETT.
BY MRS. MARY LOCKWOOD.
The days were dark and hopeless, the hearts of our forefathers were
heavy and cast down. Deep, dark despondency had settled upon them.
Defeat after defeat had followed our army until it was demoralized,
and despair had taken possession of them. Lord Cornwallis, after his
victory at Fort Lee, had marched his army to Elizabethtown, New Jersey,
and there encamped. This was in that memorable December, 1776. The Howe
brothers had already issued their celebrated proclamation, that offered
protection to all that would seek refuge under the British flag within
sixty days and declare themselves British subjects, and take an oath
binding themselves to not take up arms against the mother country or
induce others to do so.
In one of the many spacious homes of the town, there had assembled
a goodly number of the foremost men of the time to discuss the
feasibility of accepting the proffered proclamation. We are much
inclined to the belief that enthusiasm, bravery, indomitable courage
and patriotism were attributes that took possession of our forefathers
and held on to them until they became canonized beatitudes, upon which
the sires alone had a corner, but we find on close scrutiny that there
were times when manly hearts wavered, and to courage was added a
prefix, and this was one of them.
For hours the council went on, the arguments were sincere, grave but
faltering. Some thought that the time had fully come to accept the
clemency offered--others shook their heads, but the talk went on until
every soul in the room had become of one mind, courage, bravery,
patriotism, hope, honor, all were swept away by the flood-tide of
disaster.
There was one listener from whom the council had not heard. In an
adjoining room sat Hannah Arnett, the wife of the host. She had
listened to the debate, and when the final vote was reached she could
no longer constrain herself. She sprang to her feet and, throwing open
the parlor door, in her majesty confronted that group of counsels.
Picture a large room with a low ceiling, furnished with the
heavily-carved furniture of those days, dimly lighted by wax candles,
and a fire in the huge fire-place. Around a table sat a group of
anxious disheartened-looking men. Before them stood the fair dame in
the antique costume of the day. Imagination will picture her stately
bearing as she entered into their august presence. The indignant scorn
upon her lips, the flash of her blue eyes, her commanding figure and
dignified presence brought every man to his feet.
Consternation and amazement for the moment ruled supreme. The husband
advanced toward her, shocked and chagrined that his wife had so
forgotten herself; that she should come into the midst of a meeting
where politics and the questions of the hour were being discussed. He
would shield her now. The reproof he would give later on, and so he was
quickly at her side, and whispering, said to her:
"Hannah! Hannah! this is no place for you. We do not want you here just
now."
He would have led her from the room.
She was a mild, amiable woman, and was never known to do aught against
her husband's wishes, but if she saw him now she made no sign, but
turned upon the astonished group:
"Have you made your decision, gentlemen?" she asked. "I stand before
you to know; have you chosen the part of men or traitors?"
It was a direct question, but the answer was full of sophistry,
explanation, and excuse.
"The case was hopeless, the army was starving, half clothed and
undisciplined, repulses everywhere. We are ruined and can stand out no
longer against England and her unlimited resources."
Mrs. Arnett, in dignified silence, listened until they had finished,
and then she asked: "But what if we should live after all?"
"Hannah! Hannah!" said her husband in distress. "Do you not see that
these are no questions for you? We are doing what is best for you--for
all. Women have no share in these topics. Go to your spinning-wheel
and leave us to settle affairs. My good little wife, you are making
yourself ridiculous. Do not expose yourself in this way before our
friends."
Every word he uttered was to her as naught. Not a word had she heard;
not a quiver of the lip or tremor of an eyelash. But in the same
strangely sweet voice she asked: "Can you tell me if, after all, God
does not let the right perish, if America should win in the conflict,
after you had thrown yourself on British clemency, where will you be
then?"
"Then," said one, "we should have to leave the country. But that is too
absurd to think of in the condition our country and our army are."
"Brother," said Mrs. Arnett, "you have forgotten one thing which
England has not, and which we have--one thing which outweighs all
England's treasures, and that is the right. God is on our side, and
every volly of our muskets is an echo of His voice. We are poor,
and weak, and few, but God is fighting for us; we entered into this
struggle with pure hearts and prayerful lips; we had counted the cost
and were willing to pay the price, were it in our own heart's blood.
And now because for a time the day is going against us, you would give
up all, and sneak back like cravens to kiss the feet that have trampled
upon us. And you call yourselves men--the sons of those who gave up
home and fortune and fatherland to make for themselves and for dear
liberty a resting place in the wilderness? Oh, shame upon you cowards!"
"Gentlemen," said Arnett, with an anxious look on his face. "I beg you
to excuse this most unseemly interruption to our council. My wife is
beside herself, I think. You all know her, and know it is not her wont
to meddle in politics, or to bawl and bluster. Tomorrow she will see
her folly, but now I pray your patience."
Her words had already begun to leaven the little manhood remaining in
their bosoms, but not a word was spoken. She had turned the light of
her soul upon them, and in the reflection they saw photographed their
own littleness of purpose or want of manly resolve.
She still talked on: "Take your protection if you will; proclaim
yourselves traitors and cowards, false to your God! but horrible will
be the judgment you will bring upon your heads and the heads of those
that love you. I tell you that England will never conquer. I know it,
and feel it in every fibre of my heart. Has God led us so far to desert
now? Will He who led our fathers across the stormy, wintry sea forsake
their children, who have put their trust in Him? For me, I stay with my
country, and my hand shall never touch the hand nor my heart cleave to
the heart of him who shames her."
While these words were falling from her lips she stood before them like
a tower of strength, and, turning toward her husband, she gave him
a withering look that sent a shock through every fibre of his body.
Continuing, she said: "Isaac, we have lived together for twenty years,
and through all of them I have been to you a true and loving wife; but
I am the child of God and my country, and if you do this shameful thing
I will never own you again as my husband."
"My dear wife!" answered Isaac, excitedly, "you do not know what you
are saying. Leave me for such a thing as this!"
"For such a thing as this?"
"What greater cause could there be?" answered the injured wife. "I
married a good man and true, a faithful friend, and it needs no
divorce to sever me from a traitor and a coward. If you take your
protection you lose your wife, and I--I lose my husband and my home."
The scornful words, uttered in such earnestness; the pathetic tones
in which these last words were spoken; the tears that dimmed her sad
blue eyes, appealed to the heart of every man before her. They were not
cowards all through, but the panic sweeping over the land had caught
them also.
The leaven of courage, manliness and resolution had begun its work.
Before these men left the home of Hannah Arnett that night every man
had resolved to spurn the offered amnesty, and had taken a solemn oath
to stand by their country through good days and bad, until freedom was
written over the face of this fair land.
There are names of men who fought for their country and won distinction
afterward, who were in this secret council, but the name of Hannah
Arnett figures on no roll of honor.
Where will the "Sons and Daughters of the Revolution" place Hannah
Arnett?--_American Monthly Magazine._
BUTTON GWINNETT.
Georgia was the youngest of the thirteen original colonies. At the
Provincial Congress which convened in Savannah, January 20, 1776, there
were elected five delegates to the Continental Congress, namely: Dr.
Lyman Hall, Button Gwinnett, George Walton, Archibald Bulloch, and John
Houston. Of these Button Gwinnett, Dr. Lyman Hall, and George Walton
were present at the session of the National Assembly, which convened in
Philadelphia on May 20th, and pledged Georgia with the United Colonies
on July 4, 1776, by affixing their signatures to the Declaration of
Independence.
Button Gwinnett, the subject of this sketch, was said to have been born
in England about 1732. He was a merchant in Bristol, England, from
which place he emigrated to America in 1770, located in Charleston, S.
C., and in 1772 moved to Savannah, Georgia, at which time he bought a
large part of St. Catharine's Island, and engaged in farming. He died
tragically on May 27, 1777, as a result of a pistol shot wound in a
duel with General Lachlan McIntosh, near Savannah on the morning of May
16, 1777.
The records give only limited information, and from careful
investigation, at times it appears that the statements do not bear out
the correct facts with regard to the biography of Button Gwinnett. In
Harper's "Cyclopaedia of United States History," Page 190, Vol. 4, the
statement is made that Gwinnett was "cautious and doubtful, and took
no part in political affairs until after the Revolutionary War was
begun." Also that McIntosh challenged Gwinnett for a duel. Subsequent
acts would not indicate that the first statement conforms to his
real temperament, and it appears from the best obtainable data that
Gwinnett issued the challenge to McIntosh. It is true that having been
a resident of America only a few years, he was in some doubt at first
as to whether he would support the colonies, or throw his influence
against them, but he was a man of strong convictions, ambitious, and
possessed of great force of character, and his brief political career
was meteoric. Unfortunately his strong prejudices and desire for
political preferment led to the tragedy of his premature death.
He located in Georgia in 1772, was elected a delegate to the Provincial
Congress, which convened in Savannah, January 20, 1776, and by this
congress was made a delegate to the Continental Congress, which
convened in Philadelphia, May 20, 1776. July 4, 1776, he signed the
Declaration of Independence. He became a member of the Council of
Safety, and was an important factor in framing the first Constitution
of Georgia.
Archibald Bulloch, who was the first President and Commander-in-Chief
of Georgia, died suddenly in Feb. 1777. Button Gwinnett, on March
4th, was elected to fill this vacancy until a Governor could be duly
elected. Col. Lachlan McIntosh had been promoted to the rank of
Brigadier-General, and was placed in charge of the Militia of Georgia.
Button Gwinnett was envious of this promotion of General McIntosh, and
through jealousy and revenge he so interfered with the military affairs
as to seriously jeopardize discipline, and create insubordination
towards General McIntosh as Commander-in-Chief. Personally ambitious,
Gwinnett planned an expedition against Florida, and further humiliated
and insulted General McIntosh by ignoring him as Ranking Military
Officer of Georgia, and took command of the expedition himself. It is a
matter of historical record that the expedition was a complete failure.