This is first in a series.

The events that took place during the late summer and fall of 1776 show the American Revolution was much more complicated than the traditional colonists vs. redcoats. Locally by August, almost 100 men had answered the call and joined the army; unfortunately, they had joined the British army.

In response to this, the rebels began making an inventory of Loyalist property with the intent of seizing it in the future.

The problem was bigger than just one county. In September, the New Jersey rebel government took up the issue: “Whereas…