The Pied Belcher

It was customary for 18th century diarists to note on such and such a date that nothing worth mention occurred.  Given the tedium and drudgery of soldiering during this period,  Constant Belcher would certainly be excused for following suit in his journal, but having spent a number of months now with this material, I am starting to think that for Belcher there was usually something going on to make even the most unremarkable episodes noteworthy.

So it was on a Spring day near the end of the Valley Forge encampment, when tired of endless drill under the martinet Von Steuben, and ravenously hungry after a Winter's worth of short rations, Belcher turned an ordinary day into something else altogether.

Apr 12^th 1778 – This day once more call^d to drill in ye model company of that dam^d Dutchman [von Steuben] / What his Excellency sees in this Fancy Proosian I know not, for we Jersies stood well enuf gainst ye Regulars on ye Plowed Hill & at Chew’s House while Mine Herr & his yelping hound were a-mincing round ye Continent / It does a poor soldjer hard to stand  to attention in but rags & without belly timber whilst this onion-eyed game cock splutters & crows like German George / This After noon we are to have dress Parade & no wair to find hair powder as all the flower is gone to fire-cake.  

Did hear river herring are to seen beyond our Lines in ye Skull Kill by Penny Packer’s Mill & resolved to plank sum Shad before Parade /  Pass^d  in stealth from Camp & made for ye River /  Hard by Mill race did see prodigious shoals of fish & so look^d within for a pitch fork or other Implement to land them by /  Discovered instead a fine goose & it not being a Friday determin^d  ye fowl fairer dining.

Did tuck Noble bird under my wing but soon found it made as grate Clamour as a bag full of cats /   In truth ye Goose played such a nice pentatonic scale that I feared our Sentries might mistake me for a company of Highlanders & so take Alarm /  Efforts to silence bird did only produce more Scottish Airs, so return^d  bird in hand to ye bush & returned emptyhand^d.  

Happily did come upon a goatskin pack unattended behind an Officer’s Hutt, such as ye lobster Grenadiers are wont to wair, & consider^d  it lawful plunder /  Found no provender within but a goodly supply of pipe clay & so fashion^d  from ye bag a serviceable wig for Parade /  Receiv^d what Capt. Walker did say were von Steuben’s compliments /  Ye jack-a-nape Dutchman did then instruct rest of ye model company to follow my example /  British Grenadiers being in short supply in Camp, must now go aforaging for goatskin packs on the morrow.   Ye ways of war are passing strange.

Belcher's Privateers

Piecing together the Revolutionary service record of Constant Belcher from the disordered and fragmentary leaves of his Journal has proved a considerable challenge. Thus far,  investigation of the Belcher Journal has revealed that he enlisted with the 1st NJ Regt. in its 2nd establishment, in which he was the servant or waiter to his cousin Lieutenant (and later Brigade Major) Aaron Ogden, in January, 1777 and was still in service in the Fall of 1780.  

Having now transcribed several excerpts from 1776, it seems quite clear that Belcher was not present with the regiment during its 1st establishment.  Nor have we yet discovered anything in his Journal to indicate militia service during this period.  Belcher did take part in at least two military enterprises as a civilian volunteer in 1776, however; namely, the Blue Mountain Valley Whaleboat Raid , and against the British Fleet off Staten Island in an experimental demi-submersible of his own design. 

Belcher appears to have been something of a waterman - at least, he had an affinity for fishing and was comfortable enough in boats to fall asleep in one small watercraft on a January evening, and to put to sea largely beneath another.  Thus it is perhaps to be expected that he might have found the prospect of privateer service attractive, and indeed in the Fall of 1776 we find a Journal entry that confirms that Constant Belcher entertained notions of freebooting for Liberty.  It is fortunate for him, and for posterity, that it proved but a passing fancy, for the vessel in question was the scummiest he'd ever seen, and as aficionados of seafaring folk songs know full well, she was lost with nearly all hands (and all legs) in her first engagement.

"Sep^t . 21^th 1776 -   Went to Paulus Hook this day to see New Yorck Town afire – a most baleful & affecting sight / Prodigious smoke & genrl destruction at North River side /  Providence or some Friend of Government mayhap strikes the Invader a sharp blow leaving them but a moiety of the City.

Did see a Broadside whilst at this Place a-callin for young fellows of Courage so bold to smite the usurper’s pilferers and enter on board The Antelope, a Privateer /  Understand the Master one Elcid Barrett to be a congenial Captain and free with the Grog / Was sore tempt ^d  to list, but upon viewing the Vessel in question  found her a most sickening sight,  a-listin herself to Port / She is armed with but trifling four pounders of grate antiquity an sure to crack at the first fireing / What sails had she would not fashion a serviceable market wallet,  an’ only the Cook has got his Topgallant Sails /  The lure of Prize money did draw on board a ducid curious collection of Bergen Dutchmen, the larger part fisherman an by their talk no friends of Liberty / Found upon examination  Letter of Marque  affix^d with stamp of the Crown / Slipped my cable lest I fall into ruinous company and return^d  Eliza. Town full glad to be free of that nest of Tories / Predict our shiping will have little to fear from that rum crew as but one fat ball will serve to stove her in.”

"A Mashine to Blow up Shiping": Constant Belcher's "Submarine"

The American Revolution was fought largely with smooth bore muskets and light artillery and produced few military innovations.  Patrick Ferguson's breech loading rifle and David Bushnell's submarine and the advances he made in underwater demolitions are notable exceptions, but for the most part the fight for North America came down to conventional military technology.

There were other inventors, however, who sought Congressional contracts for everything from backpacks to musket tools.  In the autumn of 1775, Captain John MacPherson proposed to Congress that he had developed a method which  could "take or destroy every Ministerial armed vessel in North-America" and proposed that he try out his theory in and around Boston Harbor.  Washington, however, got a second opinion from his artillery commanders that determined " in as much as he set out upon wrong principles, the Scheme would prove abortive."

Another inventor, Joseph Belton, even proposed in April, 1777 that he could manufacture a musket with a sliding lock and superimposed loads capable of firing "up to sixteen or twenty [balls] in sixteen, ten, or five seconds of time." 

Belton impressed Benjamin Franklin as "a very ingenious Man" and he did not confine himself merely to muskets.  Like his fellow Nutmegger David Bushnell, he took a strong interest in submersibles.   In July, 1776, he sought a Congressional contract to

"make a Machine by the help of which, I will carry a loaded cannon, two or three miles up or down any of our harbours without any other assistance, and all the way there should appear nothing above the surface much larger than a man's hat and...would wholly descend under water for some time, and by expanding, would rise to the surface at pleasure, and by this means, to avoid any discovery when I had arrived within an hundred and fifty, or two hundred yards of a Ship, I could descend under the surface and go alongside of her bottom against which, I could discharge the cannon, that should be prov'd large enough to send a ball through any ship's side."

There is no evidence that Belton's theories of underwater gunnery were any sounder than MacPherson's, nor yet that he ever developed even a working prototype of his invention.  A close reading of the Belcher Journal, however, indicates that he, too, should be listed among the inventors of the era who, like Bushnell and Belton, experimented with submarine warfare.

“Jul 24^th 1776 – Sum Associators arriv^d to Day in Eliza. from Penna  to jine the Flying Camp /  Our neighbours the British are snug enuf from these Heroes on Staaten Island /  Did hear from them much talk of the learned Dr. Franklin & his wonderful mashine to Blow up Shiping / An enterprise of this nature might be advance^d in these waters to our credit with the right backing /  As the Great men of this Town are either off asoldierin' in Canady or have removed their House holds to the Interior, there is none left to venture me the Capital.  Necessity must be midwife of invention.”

Jul 25^th 1776 – To Day began a-foragin' such small things as shall not be missed & necessary to build my Mashine to Blow up Shiping / Laid by diverse articles suitable to my Purpose in the reeds by D’Hart’s Point /  Told any who enquired of my business in the marsh that was after the Fiddler Crab, a most excellent bait for Rockfish.

July 30^th 1776 – My Mashine now takes shape /  Have determin^d to name it “The Flounder” for it shall  lie flat on the water and show little more above the surface than an egg basket, which I foraged from Mrs. Hetfield & reliev ^d  of her also the eggs /  This basket I have affixed bottom side up over a hole in the deck through which a man might thrust his Head to navigate by /  His other parts are to remain below and propel the Mashine by means of vigorous kicks of the leggs, much as we did do as boys in the surf down the Shore /    Right pleased with progress & believe sum Gentlemen in Congress may find it to their satisfaction to grant me a commission to deliver  up a fleet of such Mashines in consideration for good Continental money.

August 12^th 1776 – Construction delays due to a lack of suitable oilcloth water-Proofing for the frame of The Flounder /  This having been happily discovered behind Spenser’s Sail Loft, am now painting it Blue that the enimy shall misapprehend my Mashine to be merely water /  Still seeking suitable armament to take on Man ‘o War.

August 19^th 1776 – Have mounted two wall guns or Amusettes to either side of egg basket which shall fire by means of strong hempen cords held between the teeth /  Still seeking heavier artillery / Time short before the Invader must make his move from Staaten Island on New Yorck or to wherever he will.

August 26^th 1776 – Have affix^d a cross bow fashion^d  from barrel staves to deck before egg basket / Tho it obscures the view somewhat forward it will fire a spear tipped with burning pitch /  Must remember to light a slow match before launching The Flounder this night with the Tide.

August 27^th 1776 – Did set out on maiden voyage of The Flounder /  Found that hanging below deck neck deep in water was much colder than expected and did Chatter most alarmingly and experienced considerable shrinkage of my manly parts /  Much to be regretted, tide did convey me not in the direction intend^d  to where the Shiping lay by the Watering Place across from New Yorck Town, but in Stead down the Kill toward Spanktown where I was forc^d to part company with The Flounder lest I proceed with it even to Sandy Hook and thence  mayhap to Spain /  Went to bed much discomfited and troubled with ague. 

Aug 28^th 1776 - Ministerial army did cross to Long Island unmolested, and even now we hear the sounds of Battle across the water /  Would that the Flying Camp was truly capable of flight, for then we might devise a Mashine to Blow the Enimy up from above, but that is just idle Fancy /  Must be the fever talking.”

Constant Belcher and the Legend of Molly Pitcher

It has taken me several months to piece together the fragmentary record of the Battle of Monmouth recorded in Constant Belcher's Journal.  When Larry Schmidt and I divided up the loose leaves of the Belcher document, he was particularly interested in those sections that mentioned the regimental colors of the 1st NJ Regt. to which Belcher belonged, as none survive today and there is much speculation as to what they may have looked like and when during the war they were carried.

I share his interest in this topic, but was also keen to see whether Belcher had anything new to say about the Monmouth campaign in which he was a participant.  It turns out that his Journal entries for the Battle of Monmouth that Larry and I have been transcribing not only include new evidence about the fate, if not the design, of the regimental flag, but also reveal that Belcher has a central, if unwitting role in the creation of the Molly Pitcher legend.

"Jun 23^rd -  To Day we marcht In light order without baggage / pull’d up the bords over Crosswicks Crk / soon thair came sum  Engineers to put them back agin with some Green dragoons,  Highlanders,   lt. infantry also 3 small pieces lit artillery /Gave us a brisk fire but had trifling loss, save one militiaman and Col. Dayton’s horse.  We annoy'd them ourselves and drop't one officer with the Lights before leaving them to thair work.

Jun 24^th - Took up the Bridge at Docktor’s Crk /  to Day much as before we swarm^d  in front of Enimy advance with Militia / afternoon excessive warm, not slightest breeze to temper the march.

Jun 25^th - This day on left flank of Ministerial army  / such heat as Parson C[aldwell?] warns Hellfire to be / my sory Mount having  succumb^d  to the Infernal wether did  replace  her with a Spavined mule / Maj Ogden  much amus ^d  at this an being much a-given to High oratory, did declaim him ‘the Dappled one’ and myself also named Sancho to his Donkey Hoe Cake/  Doubtless Cozen Aaron, being a College boy, is sensible to the meanin of this but I can make No thing of it, unless he Desires me to cook for him this mule in the Spanish fashion with fire cake / an it be so he can wish away for I'll not tag-rag by his stirrup whilst he gallops hither and Yon.  Campt this Night at Risin Sun Tavern an still so hot it feels the sun never Sett. 

Jun 26^th - Skirmish^d this Day with Jaegers an Rangers  / vry rainy an Sharp lightnin and thunder overnight /  Maxwell's and Wayne's Brigades ordered up to Genl Lee who succeeds to the Division of Mr. Fayette the Frog-lander who stood with us at Brandywine.

Jun 27^th  - Marcht this Day to jine Genl Lee with Fayette’s division.  The Invader stays in place and his baggage thot to be a-danglin in his rear /   Our new position on left and nearer to Englishtown / At Noon Cook^d  2 day’s rations /  Did attend Maj. Ogden at council of War /   Genl Lee instruct ^d to attack rear of Enimy in morning /  Maxwell did afterward say to Maj. Howell [of 2^nd NJ] ‘very well for you we will have a hot fight tomorrow’ in answer to request  that he go to Black Horse tavern to see his brother thot to be dying /   Night very hot no breeze. 

Jun 2^8th - Such a day as I scarce hope ever to see Agin / Maxwell did receive orders to prepare to March at 5 but Genl Lee did not begin until 7 by the Clock / Much marchin an counter marchin before abt 2 miles East of court House came at last into open field in full view of court house with the Eminy to our front / Halted with morass on right flank and dense thicket on left /  Here Col. Rhea [of the 4^th NJ] being something advanced of our position did engage in a Duel with a Dragoon but, having miss^d  his shot and not having a sword was compell^d to make a Hasty withdrawl through a barn with the other in Hot Pursuit / Tho near 100 muskets of the Jersey Line did fire upon the other as they past through the other side nary a one found a mark, which sad to say shows the quality of the many new recruits in our Ranks / The fightin Commens^d with some roundshot passing here an thair until Genl Scott came up to say the Enimy had past on his right and was now in the rear and our men were seen to withdraw on the far side but no orders did come from Genl Lee /  Maxwell and he did agree to send our guns back over the Causeway and soon the withdrawal was seen to be general and all much disordered .

At this time came 2 from His Excellency asking the reason for the Retreat /  Cosen Matt Ogden [ of the 1^stNJ] did reply most warmly that they were flying from a shadow /  Then came Genl Washington Himself and none could give the reason for the retreat /  He berated Genl Lee in most singular terms, and I noted a few Choice phrases that may see good service when next I go a-mule skinnin.  

In the confusion, it seems that the Ensign of Col. Ogden's rigiment had gone astray an with him the colours /  Cosen Matt was most irate an Maj Ogden did order me back up the column to locate them /  The Enimy by this time was pressing most closely an our men in the cause way over the morass wair all in disorder / I did see several men dropt down from the Heat an whilst searchin them for our Ensign found them dry and cold to the touch / I hid in the mire as some Grenadiers past by an then saw our own banner cast aside hard by the roadside / it being too much to carry the pole I tyed it about my waist and skirted the Enimy to rejoin my fellows / 

Coming through a field I found Some of Proctor's guns playing smartly with the Enimy in an orchard behind me / Col. Proctor did order me to serve as Matross as he was then shorthanded / A roundshot came so close to me as to pass between my legs  and tho it spared me it tore the colours all to shreds/ A gunner did remark on my good luck an I said in return I was lucky it did not pass a little higher, for in that case it might have carried away something else/  He told me I was a brave lass, which I did think strange but then it was a hot day an Too warm to think straight /  Have heard since that one of the women of the Army served Proctor's guns at Monmouth but I think this just a soldier fancy for I was thair an did not observe her.

The Journal of C Belcher [Sept 1780] The Death of Genl Poor

The cause of death of General Enoch Poor has almost from the start been the subject of rumor and speculation. Most contemporary sources and academic scholars support the official version that he took sick in late August, 1780 and died of typhus or putrid fever.  The alternative hypothesis claims there was a massive cover up and the general was actually mortally wounded in an illegal duel with either a French officer or one of his subordinates.  

Constant Belcher's regiment had recently been assigned to a new Brigade of Light Infantry under General Poor in the Marquis de Lafayette's division, so it is with great interest that Larry and I examined his journal entries for this period. We were as astonished to find that Belcher has his own version of events that not only turns all prior theories on their heads, but also makes tantalizing reference to the complicity of a "Sgt.of the Sappers & Miners" who it is tempting to speculate may have been Private Yankee Doodle himself, Joseph Plumb Martin,  the most famous enlisted man diarist of the Revolution.  Of course, there is no definitive proof it was he, as there were other Sergeants in this small unit present with Washington's Army at this time.  His own Journal is silent on the matter of the death of General Poor. 

Also of interest, though of a much less scandalous nature, Belcher makes reference in these excerpts to what he calls variously "heathens", "Heath Cocks" and "Cedar Patridges" : all names for the now extinct Heath Hen.  His complaints about the lack of meat rations are supported almost word for word by the letters of George Washington during this same period.  One wonders if Belcher in his capacity as waiter to Jersey Brigade Major Aaron Ogden might have had access to any of  Washington's correspondence.

Sept 3^rd  [1780]  To day clowdy & warm / Had only fire-cake an water / Yesterday was last of ye salt beef & Still feeling its effects.

Sept 4^th                 Cool with fog patches / Receiv^d Flower ration only / The whole Army will be again this day without Meat.

Sept 5^th                 Very hot / For Sev’ral days now on Short allowance / Genl orders against plundering inhabitants of Bergen tho for ye most part inveterate Tories & unfriendly to Congress / Our situation most DEPLORABLE in respect to meat / Did hear Sgt. of sappers & Miners saw Cedar patridges or Heathens whilst a-cutting fascines in ye sprout land beyond Camp /   Resolv^d to go a-fowlin’.    

Sept 6^th                 This morning before day Brake & in Grate want of belly timber did take up my firelock load^d with small shot only & left Camp to seek ye Heathcock / As our rigiment now Train^d  as Lt. infantry, advance^d  smartly into thicket in open order / Fancied I herd ye fowl a-drummin ahead & saw its plumage behind a low bush /  By some mischance there being a prodigious myst my firelock fail’d to spark but much surprised when Some body from another quarter made his full discharge / Saw that same Sgt. of Sappers & miners also after fowls/  Thot he Look^d most smugg at stealin a march on me but he did return directly with doleful count’nance / Had in hand not a bird for ye Pot but an officer’s Cap with red & black plume of ye Marquee’s Corpes of Light Inf.  / Did drop cap when saw me & showed his heels/ Made a reconnaissance / Discover^d not a patridge of ye Heath but a Genl officer on his face having stept into ye bushes as I suppose to ease himself /  Disinclin^d to make further acquaintance so cannot say if he yet lived or no /  Thought best not to be discover^d in vicinity & took Roundabout way back to Camp / Rest of this day trying not to be Seen / 

Sept 7^th                 This day Gen’l Poor of our Brigade said by some to be sick abed in his Marquis.   Sgts. of Sappers & Miners scarce as hens in our Camp.   For all ‘tis sport to have ye Engineer Hoist with his own partrig, yet Felt most unwell under some misprision of Treason. 

Sept 8^th                 This night had word that Gen’l Poor is dead from the putrid feavor.  Rumor in camp Gen’l receiv^d mortal hurt in secret duel with French officer but cannot speak to ye Truth of it.  

Sept 9^th                 To Day warm & fine / Et fire-fire cake and glad to have it / Resolv^d to go no more a-fowlin with sappers & Miners.

The Journal of Constant Belcher [April, 1777]: Regimental Coats

There is very limited documentation for the uniform of the 1st NJ Regiment (2nd Establishment) of the Continental Line in 1777.  Historian John Rees has done more research on this topic than anyone else, and according to him; "There is no information available for the 1st...Jersey Regiment...concerning the colors of any regimental coats worn by the soldiers during 1777. No deserter descriptions survive for the 1st New Jersey for 1777".  Rees deduces based on returns of clothing issued by the Clothier General that the 1st Regiment received 408 uniform coats issued "probably in June" [1777], but whether these were blue faced with red as with the 3rd Regiment or in other cuts and colors has not up to now been established in the surviving historical record.

The Belcher Journal, however, indicates that at least one company received uniform coats of blue and red cloth through the efforts of Paymaster Lieutenant Aaron Ogden and his dogsbody, Constant Belcher, although with unintended consequences.

Apr 1^st [1777]                       This morning sent on Command by ordr Lt. Ogden / Set out for Eliza^th to procure enuf brodcloath to make coats for Col’s compny of our rigiment /  Much teaged from goin afoot by Gallopen Hill road /  Stayed this night at the Farms at Wade’s - excelent pidgin pie.

Apr. 2^nd                                  This day came to Eliza. Town, wair instruct^d taylors to make of Cozen Matthias brodclothe  8& thirty red faced blue regimentals/ Told to return a fortnight Hence.

Apr. 3^rd                                  This day went a-visitin to hear the news /   Brothers of Maj. Hetfield notorious Tories with the Greens on Staatan Isl. / The Maj. himself, tho a Hero at  Montreser’s in the last Campain, now in the Common Gaol at New Ark for passin false bills.

Apr. 4^th                                  Went to horses an took £3 & 6 on bobtailed nag, with Bay to show.

Apr. 5^th                                  Went to meeting /  Had a fine sermon by Rev. Caldwell on the Wages of Sin / Parson C. keeps a brace of pistoles near to Hand if our disloyal Neighbors across the water come lookin for Salvation.

Apr. 6^th                                  This Day herd the militia had a sharp fight at Quibbletown and drove the enimy with Small loss.

Apr. 7^th                                  To Day had a diff’rence of Opinion over pair half boots with one of Meeker’s Horse /  Gave better than receiv^d  but lost the Argument – a pity as were a Good fit for me.  

Apr. 8^th-13^th                        In Guard House.

Apr. 14^th                               Sentenced to Ride a rail 15 min. an return^d to my duty.

Apr. 15^th                              This day give tailors Colo. Ogden’s letter of Credit /  Accept^d  barrel of  Coats for Colo.’s  Co. / Contrive^d Wheel barrow to Convey back to rigiment.  

Apr. 16^th                                Made but 4 miles this day, stay’d this night at the Farms with Wades /  Et baked cheese and cider.

Apr. 17^th                                Traitered wheel Barrow for Goat Cart and boer Goat /  Drove beast & burden back to Camp arrived after Dark /  Reported Lt. Ogden most agitated for news of my errand.

Apr. 18^th                                This Morning at first light Broached barrel / Dismay^d at finding Lt. Ogden’s order intended blue coats faced red an these the reverse like that of the Enimy.

Apr. 19^th                                In Guard House.

Apr. 20^th                               This Day received 12 lashes on my bare back & return^d to my duty /  Colo. Ogden most annoyed with Lt. Ogden over his waisted Cloathe /  At night I Reminded Cozen Aaron that musicians wear reverse colours also.

April. 21^st                              This day on the road back to Eliza^th to procure 17 drums and 21 fifes for the Colo.’s Co. of this rigiment.

Constant Belcher and Sally Wister [May 1778]

The Diary of Sally Wister, a delightful 18-year-old Quaker girl who wrote with endearing charm and excitement about the comings and goings of gentlemen in uniform during the period that the Continental Army was at Valley Forge, is well known to scholars of the period.  Less well known is that Constant Belcher was among the callers noted in her diary on May 11th, 1778, in which she described Maj Aaron Ogden as genteel, with an Aquiline nose, but positively gushed over the Virginian Captain Cadwallader Jones.  Belcher's version contains elements of the visit that it seems Miss Wister out of delicacy declined to record.

May 10^th 1778       Maj. Ogden come a crupper over the Wister girl /  Camp gospel discovers the Quaker lass a notorious flirt but Cozen Aaron will hear none of it / Grater than he have overcast on that shore without prospect of filling her oyster basket / Brigade now on the March to Germain Town wair Miss Wister abides and the Maj. of much a mind to go a-sparking.

May 11^th                Mount’d To day a sory creatur fit only for Cozen Matthias’  tanyard back in Eliza. Town / Came ahead in van with Genl Maxwell, Maj. Ogden, Col. Brodhead just back from the Ohio Country, & Capt. C[adwallader] Jones, a southern Macaroni /  Stopt by Germain Town to dine with Wister & his brood /  Found thair also at table a Dr Moar /  Maj Ogden much incommoded by Capt. Jones attending the Mistress Wister / Seems much aswoon with him /  I deem her a flighty bird not easily caught in hand /  The prime piece is their girl Nelly, a likely battle hammed lass.  Took our dinner of journey cake and gammon in the Kitchen - put her through her paces between courses.   By some accident a gallipot of blackroot from the Doct’s bag fell into the Captain’s portion in consequence had copious puking at table /  Capt. J. much mortified and discomfit’d /  Had bottle of port that night from Maj. Ogden.”

The Belcher Journal [1776]: The Blue Mountain Valley Whaleboat Raid

One of the earliest exploits in revolutionary Elizabethtown, NJ was the waterborne expedition by townsmen in various private and militia capacities under Col. Dayton, along with 40 soldiers in the 1st NJ (1st Establishment) under Col. Alexander ("Lord Stirling") to capture a British supply ship 40 miles off Sandy Hook.  The Blue Mountain Valley Whaleboat Raid involved many community notables, including those mentioned in the Belcher Journal, for it seems that our diarist was also involved, albeit unwittingly, in this local initiative that received the thanks of Congress.  Belcher also reveals the fate of at least one of the Committee of Safety muskets, passed out to eager raiders, that failed to return to the community arsenal.

Jany 22^nd [1776]     wether fair & cald / tried for winter flounder by snood an hook off dHart’s Pointe in O. Spenser’s whaleboat. /had indiff’rnt sucss an return’d shore / Happen’d upon rum swiggler in whaleboat took comfort therein.

Jany 23^rd                awoke as I thot afflicted with Bedspins but found to my distress was still benighted & at sea/  Fear’d taken by Tory raiders but reveal’d to be Cozen Aaron & others known to me from Eliza. Town / Saw Spenser at the helm with Col. Dayton an schoolmaster Barber all fit to frighten the French.  Ask’d what was afoot & Cozen Aaron said there would soon be good sport/ At first light far out in Bay saw the Pretend Lord Starling with 40 odd of the 1st regt. of this Province in anuther vessl & each now commenc’d a-pulling to outpace th’ other/   Board’d an English ship on heels of Cozen Aaron who seem’d this Day more than half a Pyrate.  Capt. J. Dumpster struck his Colours to us/ much hussas and firing of Committee of Safety firelocks in celebration/ Prize is supply ship Blue Mountain Valley & stinks of swine, but has Hogsheads aplenty of good Porter praise be to God.

Jany 25^th -              Made port at Eliza against contrary winds/ Vessel most unseaworthy/ Heard was 3 wks on the Coast without speaking any King’s ship an suffer’d grately from want of water/  8 hogs only remain out of 80 on manifest/  Told to expect share of plunder once vetted at Auction/  Took home Committee of Safety musket lest some Tory villain abscond with it.

Excerpts from the Journal of C[onstant] Belcher [1776-1777]

Larry Schmidt writes: "It appears that Belcher, like many others, had fled Elizabethtown with the fall of New York to the British Crown forces in the autumn of 1776. It is not clear where he wrote his journal entries but he probably relocated somewhere in Morris County as he mentions traveling to Morristown and references several other Ogden relatives. Below are entries that cover a period from late December 1776 and early January 1777 that make note of the Battles of Trenton and Princeton."

December 21^st [1776]   A few days since some of our Soljers arrivd from ye northward / a sorrier lot could not have bin thot / the poor wretches but in rags still they seem happy to be agin in Jersey an by their hearths / much activity about Morristown with many from our Army / heard news that one of our Genls taken whilst laying abed with some woman near Baskin ridg / if true it does him no repute an serves him but rite

Decr 22d                  Sabbath  Cold did not go to meeting

Decr 23d                  Great talk at tavern that Genl Washinton and Army much beleegourd an in disarray in Pennsa opposite Huntn coy / some say that unless he should retain an army for spring Campain that fight for independence over / heard said that daily many who disposd to liberty now take oath of loyalty to King G accordin to Howes proclamation / devilish times / Hendk Johnson made stir for nockin a hat of an Officer an damning him for a Rebel Traitor / a scufel followed and he was arrested an much abusd for the Tory he is

Decr 24                    arose and soon after dawn set off for Morristown with intent to find Dr C{illegible - Camfiel?] that he mite lance a boil upon my back that has grown large as an Apple an is painful puttin me in bad humor / after 2 Miles my Leg hurt but struggld on til a Wagon of the army came upon me, the Waggoner takin pity upon me for a pour Soul let me ride with him / my boil lanced and great deel of pus purged from the cut / reternd to my lodgings after pint of grog

Decr 25                    slept in as did not feel well

Decr 26                    did nothing / back still soore from ye lancing

Dec 27                      Glorious news that Washinton has taken near thousand Hissians prisoner at Trentown

Decr 28                    Saw Wm Dehart who is commissd an Officer in first Regiment of this state under command of cozen Matt. Ogden / now recruiting soljers to inlist /

Decr 29                    Sabbath  went to meeting wear herd an excellent sirmon preachd

Decr 30                    rain and snow  played at wist

Decr 31^st                   Went to market to sell a cow that fetched a dolar it being old

Jany 1st 1777           New Year upon us / marked by firing of Guns /dischargd my Gun in a comly Maid Servant to cozen Uriah / a delightful romp in Venus’s garden that kept us both warm on a cold Night / tho no great beauty as the Eliza. or N:Brunswick girls remarkable for her Breasts that appeard as large as muskmelons but the Sound of her Voice, which she constantly ingagd, being from the depths of Hell it so scratched the Ears

Jany 2d                    attended horses recd 3/

Jany 3d                    lay abed ill dreadfull burning fever an painful to piss / believe the Irish doxie gave me the French pox

Jany 4^th                    set out for Docter / let some blod & purged me applied a poltice to my Bishp an gave me bolus

Jany 5                      felt better / venturd to tavern for some flip / all talk of the defeat of regulars at Prince Town by our Army / said that many kilt or wounded / Genl Mercer wounded by bayonets / redcoats played game of poke-a-pig / Hessians and regulars retreated to Brunswick / have determined to inlist in Cozen Matts rigement

 

Constant Belcher's Narrative [1777]: The Battle of Staten Island

Because of my scholarly interest in Sullivan's Staten Island Raid, I was thrilled to discover related entries in the Belcher Journal. They add detail to the only other firsthand accounts that have survived from Col. Ogden's sector during Sullivan's Staten Island Raid.  Maj. Joseph Bloomfield of the 3rd NJ mentions in his own Journal that his horse was wounded during the attack on the New Jersey Volunteers, though Belcher reveals that it may in fact have been incommoded by a surfeit of green apples.  Bloomfield estimates the plunder to be worth at least £10,000, but Belcher is the only account to provide an itemized list of a private's share. Ensign George Ewing, also of the 3rd NJ, further states that the plunder was sold at public venue upon the return to Elizabethtown:

Aug 21^Ì  [1777] -      We marcht to Blazing Star this day wair Colo. Ogden told us to leaf our Knapsacks - those that had them - taking only our musquets, cartouch pouches, Bayonets and market wallets to carry our lawful plunder / He must have meant us to wear our Small cloathes as well but made no Mention of them, an Some in Capt. Conway’s and Capt. McMyer’s Cos. were reprimanded for appearing in ranks in naught but the clothes of Adamites /   Maj. Bloomfield bid me make a place for his horse in the boat for crossing to Cuckoldstown /  Gave it green pippins from his haversack So that it might ease our passage with a copious wind.

Augt. 22^nd                    Colo. Ogden took command of our force, which was Some militia & our Regt an the 3^rd rigiment, as Col. Dayton thought it best not to be associated with any Scheme of General Sullivan’s who is an addle pated Hector and like to get poor Soljers kilt /  Thair was but 3 boats betwixt 500 men and were near enough awash as we were a-going into Fresh Kills on the Flood tide /  Lost my Shoes in the marsh but got another pair from the Greens after we took their camp /  My Share of the plunder come to 6 pair trousers, three regimentals of the 1st NJV, 8 cocked hats with white tape, a powder horn Scrimshandered with Some English Doxie in a shift with a helmet with a pair of lions, three Silver Pocket watches, Some ladies Stays in a Most pleasing Scarlet colour, Some first quality Sausages, and a Pickering’s Musquet tool.  

Colo. Ogden Said we must take one of the Schooners that fell into our Hands and return to Elizabethtown with our prisoners an Plunder &  I went aboard since it was Clear as day that we had not enuf boats for our own return if we had to be Hasty about it / Heard them firing up Island and was Snugg back in Eliza. Town  when Genl. Sullivan brought back his division except his rear Guard whot got left behind as I knew they would /  Found my powdr horn filled with Spirits & got drunk as a wheel barrow.”