If asked today whether they would have been a rebel or a Loyalist during the American Revolution, most probably would reply rebel.
There are several reasons for this: Everybody backs a winner, and we have been led to believe two choices were clear. But a look at New Jersey during the dark final days of 1776 shows a period of confusing, unsure loyalties.
In September, the state government began requiring officials to swear allegiance to it and to renounce the crown. But events showed there was a growing problem.
In October, Gov. William Livingston ordered the Burlington County militia to take up arms: “You are hereby directed to detach one company of 50 men from the battalion under your command to be stationed near Shrewsbury to intercept and put a stop to intelligence said to be carrying on between the Tories and Lord Howe’s fleet. It is the express requisition of Congress that this be immediately done.”
By November, the first local man was arrested on the claim he “did voluntarily and unlawfully aid, assist and help certain persons to send and convey provisions, to wit, eight quarters of beef, to the enemies of this state.”
The reason that the assignment had been given to the Burlington County militia and not the local Monmouth regiment can be explained by the fact that Monmouth’s ranking senior officer appeared to be having second thoughts on his loyalty to the new government.
On Nov. 19 George Taylor, the officer in question, wrote to John Covenhoven, a delegate to the New Jersey Assembly, which had passed the loyalty oath, saying, “I have been informed that an act of your house makes void all commissions when the bearer does not qualify, sign a loyalty oath, and if officers have no other principles to bind them but oaths, I should be very doubtful whether any extraordinary matter might be expected of them. This subject I shall drop, and request information whether you choose my resignation or I must act as usual. This, gentlemen, is on your breast. I shall now remain inactive until I hear from you.”
This letter caused dissension in the ranks. Col. Samuel Foreman, who commanded the Dover and Stafford portion of the Monmouth militia, reported to Joseph Holmes, a member of the Assembly, on Nov. 21, “There is a task laid before me that I don’t like. Colonel Taylor refuses taking the oath required: in consequence thereof, the officers refused acting under him. They request me to take command the next month, which begins tomorrow. ’Tis quite likely that Colonel Taylor has orders from the general, and also money to supply the regiment with provisions. Before I can go, and take command, I must have orders and money to supply a commissary. You see the immediate necessity of orders being sent, or our guards on shore may be suffering for provisions, and in the greatest confusion.”
By December, Taylor had formally changed sides, receiving a commission in the New Jersey Loyalist regiment. His orders stated, “You are therefore to take said militia into your charge and care as Colonel thereof, and duly exercise both officers and soldiers of the same in arms: and as they are hereby commanded to obey you, as their Colonel, so are you likewise to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from your Captain General.”
Word of the situation had reached Gen. Washington as he was preparing to retreat across New Jersey toward the Delaware River. He could not afford a counter-revolution on his flank.
Washington ordered Col. David Foreman and his regiment of Continental troops to deal with the problem: “You are hereby ordered to march, with your regiment under your command into said county of Monmouth, and on your arrival there, you are authorized to apprehend such persons as appeared to be concerned in any plot or design against the liberty or safety of the United States, and you are further authorized immediately to attack any body of men whom you may find actually assembled or in the arms of purposes aforesaid, and if you should find their number superior to your force, you have full authority to call in and take command of such a number of New Jersey militia as you may judge sufficient. I would recommend for you to be cautious in proceeding against any but such as you have the fullest grounds of suspicion, and not give the least molestation to the property of any during your march.”
The Burlington County militia at the same time was sent to crush the revolt. The New York Gazette published, “About 70 men were taken up in Shrewsbury in New Jersey by the rebels and sent as prisoners to the Burlington gaol, where they suffer in a very cruel manner, they were paraded through the country, pinioned with ropes around their necks, and often tied to fences like horses, when their leader chose to make a halt.”
Col. Foreman went after a Loyalist group led by William Taylor of Freehold. Foreman reported to Washington, “We took nearly 100 of his friends and relatives, who were removed 300 miles to Fredericktown, Maryland, and there confined to gaol. Taylor himself, however, had previously escaped.”
After the Revolution, William Taylor remembered, “In November 1776 Mr. Washington detached a regiment from his army, under command of Colonel David Foreman, to take up and secure your memorialist and other friends of government in Monmouth County, they actually took near 100 of your memorialist’s friends and relations and removed them 200 miles to Fredericktown in Maryland, and there closely confined them in gaol. Your memorialist, getting every intimation of their intentions, was obliged to leave his home and property. … After laying concealed for a few days, join that part of the Royal Army under Lord Cornwallis, on the banks of the Raritan.”
To counter the New Jersey oath of allegiance, on Nov. 30, as the British army was entering the state, Gen. Howe issued a proclamation to the people: “All persons speedily returning to their just allegiance were promised a free and general pardon and were invited to accept not only the blessings of peace, but a secure enjoyment in their liberties and properties upon the true principles of the constitution. … We do, in his Majesty’s name, and by virtue of the powers committed to us, hereby charge and command all persons whatsoever, who are assembled together in arms against his Majesty’s government, to disband themselves and return to their dwellings, there to remain in a peaceable and quiet manner.”
For many, being a rebel one day and a Loyalist the next became a choice. Looking back, it’s not so easy to decide in real time when your decision could cost you your life, liberty and property.
Next Week: Captured.
