Clinton Township Newsletter

3 d e c e m b e r 2 0 2 5 Merry Christmas! 5 As we're approaching both the winter holidays and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I think of the amazing events that took place right here, in our (figurative) back yards. Spencer Peck, a local resident and avid history enthusiast, wrote it best [in our January 2011 issue], Sullivan's Column: "Most do not realize it, but half of the American Army that fought at the battle of Trenton on December 25, 1776, marched though Clinton Township on their way to join General Washington. As Washington fled through the 'Jersies' with 'the wretched remains of a broken army,' he sent word for reinforcements to join him. The New England Army of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire troops, commanded by General Charles Lee, was located in Westchester County, NY. Lee crossed the Hudson on December 2 and 3. Major General William Heath observed, "that Lee took with him some as good troops (about 3,000) as are any in the service; but many of them were so destitute of shoes that the blood left on the rugged frozen ground, in many places, marked the route they had taken; and a considerable number, unable to march, were left at Peek's Kill." They passed through Pompton, Chatham and Morristown on December 5, 6 & 7; camping at Vealtown (Bernardsville) on the 13. Lee, who thought himself a better commander than Washington, repaired to the Widow White's Tavern in Basking Ridge while his second in command, John Sullivan of New Hampshire, proceeded to Pluckemin, where Lee indicated he would join them. However, local Tories tipped off the British as to Lee's location and 80 British Light Dragoons commanded by Banastre Tarleton rode up from Hopewell and captured him in a fast raid. At this point command passed to Sullivan. Saturday morning, December 14 'the whole division, now camped at Pluckemin Church, paraded for a march with all our baggage teams and waited 'til about 10 o'clock when we were informed that General Lee and a French Colonel were taken prisoner and carried off. Then the whole division marched forward to Germantown (Oldwick) and lodged in the woods. Here the inhabitants refused to give us straw to lie on but we took what we wanted from them.' The army then marched up Potterstown Road (from the current Oldwick General Store) to the junction of the Easton Turnpike, the only east/ west road in the area, camping there on December 15. (This is basically at the current Spinning Wheel Diner.) 'The reception here was friendly. A family gave food to near 70 men, officers and soldiers, saying they had rather we should have it than the enemy who was expected there as soon as we had crossed over the Delaware.' The British army was encamped at Bound Brook where Patriot Stadium is located today. On the morning of the16, the army picked up the Easton Turnpike, marching through Lebanon, past the current continued on page 4... DAYS TO KEEP IN MIND Mon Dec 1 World AIDS Day Mon Dec 1 Cyber Monday Tue Dec 2 Giving Tuesday Wed Dec 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities Thur Dec 4 Wildlife Conservation Day Fri Dec 5 International Volunteer Day Sun Dec 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Mon Dec 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception Sun Dec 14 Hanukkah Mon Dec 15 Bill Of Rights Day Sun Dec 21 Winter Solstice Sun Dec 21 Look On The Bright Side (!) Day Tue Dec 23 Festivus Wed Dec 24 Christmas Eve Thur Dec 25 Christmas Day Fri Dec 26 Kwanzaa Fri Dec 26 Boxing Day Sun Dec 28 Pledge of Allegiance Day Wed Dec 31 New Year's Eve from Carol Beder's

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