Clinton Township Newsletter

2 4 M a y 2 0 1 6 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com R e v o l u t i o n O n O u r D o o r s t e p : May 1776! A six-part special series marking the 240th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence By Donald Sherblom 1759VoughtHouse.org Two hundred and forty years ago, in May 1776, as the push for 'independency' gained traction, the Continental Congress decreed royal authority in each colony be "totally suppressed." New Jersey's election to the provincial Congress became a referendum on independence. The Hunterdon men and women who worked their farms or labored at John Allen's iron plantation and mills along the South Branch of the Raritan suddenly had only two choices: either elect someone like local inn-keeper Thomas Jones who was in tune with the rapidly shifting sentiments in Philadelphia, or men like John Allen of the Union Iron Works. Allen's sister Anne was the wife of Pennsylvania's royally endowed proprietary governor, John Penn. His father, William Allen, was one of the wealthiest men in Philadelphia, a former mayor and member of the Assembly and staunch ally of the proprietary governor. William Allen and his partner Joseph Turner started the iron plantation in today's High Bridge in 1742. As the forests colliers used to produce charcoal and the local iron mines gradually became depleted, Allen and Turner began to subdivide thousands of acres into salable lots, starting in 1773. When war erupted in 1775, William Allen donated his portion of cannon balls forged at the plantation to local Patriots. His partner Joseph Turner may have tried to remain above the fray, but in Philadelphia both men were ultimately suspected of Loyalist sympathies. New Jersey was divided on the question of independence. A "decided majority of New Jerseyans favored the curtailment of Parliamentary authority over the North American colonies, most also strongly opposed the establishment of an independent nation." In Hunterdon, moderates and Loyalists succeeded in the May elections, sending Union Iron Works owner John Allen to the Provincial Congress. John's brother in Philadelphia, Andrew Allen, was a strong advocate in the Continental Congress for reconciliation with Great Britain. John Allen would play a similar role during his brief tenure as a deputy in New Jersey's Provincial Congress, ultimately voting against the mandate of the Continental Congress to form a new state government to suppress royal authority. In June, when the Provincial Congress assembled in Trenton, it received a petition from a number of Hunterdon County men protesting John Allen's election, asking that it be overturned. Patriots held a large majority in the new congress that considered this petition. They found Allen's election legitimate. To prepare for the defense of New York City and New Jersey, the Provincial Congress summoned men to attend militia drills. Joseph Lee, a manager at the iron works, organized iron workers and local farmers to resist the provincial Congress. Lee later testified that his men were "repeatedly summoned to attend the trainings and other publick meetings of the Militia which they from principles of Loyalty as often refused and in consequence thereof were subject to fines and amercements to a great amount." Determined "not to take up arms against their Lawful sovereign they openly opposed the officers of the Militia and for sometime avoided their usurpation." John Vought also "attended the training of the militia," but when his company was drafted to serve in the militia, "to a man they refused to turn out. After this he was ill-used as they blamed him and Captain Lee for the company not serving. He resisted and raised men and returned the ill usage." In Trenton, the Congress learned of these disturbances and ordered John Vought and three others to appear before it. Men in the peaceful hills of northern Hunterdon County actively resisted joining the militia controlled by the provincial Congress now that it was dominated by Patriots, rebels. As in much of New Jersey, the first violent conflicts happened before the British arrived in New York City, among neighbors along the upper reaches of the Raritan. (Continued in June.) L o o k i n g f o r a S u m m e r C a m p ? C h o o S e W i S e L y This school year is almost over. Can you believe it? And, if you haven't yet made arrangements for your child's summer, now's the time. For many, that means choosing a summer camp or camps. Today, you can find a camp to meet almost any interest your child has – sports (including golf), theater, science, math, music – the list is endless. Of course, the most important factor is your child's safety. To find a camp that gives you peace of mind, avoid the red flags. Here are some considerations: • Meet the director and staff: Watch their interaction with other children. Are they attentive and caring or do they brush kids off? Red flag: someone who is too attentive or expresses inappropriate interest in your child. • Discuss policies: A trustworthy facility will have written policies on hiring, background checks (for staff and volunteers), one-on-one interactions and discipline. Red flag: a facility unwilling to share those policies upon request. • Consider the staff-to-child ratio: National guidelines recommend a ratio of 1-to-8 for children age 5, increasing to 1-to-15 for teenagers. Red flag: over-enrollment. • Read reviews: Check the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) to see if any complaints have been filed against the facility and, if so, the outcome. Talk to friends and neighbors whose children went there. Ask about counselor retention and percentage of returning campers. Red flag: a high turnover rate for either campers or counselors. • Look into training: Are all staff CPR and first aid certified? If a pool or other water is involved, what about lifeguards? Is a nurse or doctor on call? Red flag: insufficiently trained personnel. • Tour the facility: Look for a well-kept facility with sheltered areas for children to escape the sun or bad weather. Red flag: dirty facilities and broken equipment. • Explore transportation options: If field trips are on the agenda, ask how your child will be transported. Red flag: broken or missing seat belts and safety seats in transport vehicles. These considerations can be applied to all childcare situations. Consider your options carefully. Wishing you and your family a fun – and safe – summer! – Victor Rotolo LAW FIRM THE ROTOLO 502 U.S. 22 Lebanon, NJ 08833 908∙534∙7900 www.RotoloLawFirm.com Victor A. Rotolo, Esq. Former Police Officer, City of Elizabeth Mediation and Arbitration: Services and Venue Available Victor A. Rotolo is a long-time resident of Clinton Township and the founder of The Rotolo Law Firm. Call The Rotolo Law Firm today: 908.534.7900 to discuss any legal situation confronting you. Your half- hour consultation is free of charge! Their attorneys and staff are ready to serve your legal needs. The Rotolo Law Firm • 502 US 22 West, Lebanon, NJ 08833. www.RotoloLawFirm.com

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