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 3 1924 029 806 415 
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 Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029806415 
 
JOHN BOGART LETTERS 
 
 1776 — 1782 
 
THE 
 JOHN BOGART LETTERS 
 
 Forty-two Letters 
 written tn Tnhn "R/^nmrf r^f r^^^'g College 
 
 WITH NOTES 
 
 Rutgers College 
 
 New Brunswick, New Jersey 
 
 1914 
 
With the compliments of the 
 President of Rutgers College. 
 
THE 
 JOHN BOGART LETTERS 
 
 Forty-two Letters 
 
 written to John Bogart of Queen's College 
 
 now Rutgers College 
 
 and Five Letters written by him, 
 
 1776 — 1782 
 
 WITH NOTES 
 
 Rutgers College 
 New Brunswick, New Jersey 
 
 IOIA 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 THE name of John Bogart appears in the list of the earliest 
 graduates of Queen's, now Rutgers, College. The col- 
 lege was founded by charter from George III., Novem- 
 ber 10th, 1766; an amended charter was granted by the 
 King, March 20th, 1770; and the college began its work in No- 
 vember, 1771. Sixteen men are named in the general catalogue 
 as having been graduated in the first decade. The loss of almost 
 all of the college records of this time has left the dates and per- 
 haps the names incomplete. John Bogart, it is known, was gradu- 
 ated in 1778: he was at once placed in charge of the Grammar 
 School which had been opened some years before the college, and 
 he was for a time in charge of the classes of Queen's College itself. 
 Almost a century and a quarter after his college days, a bundle 
 of letters preserved in his family was given by his grandniece to 
 the Reverend Charles T. Anderson, at that time minister of the 
 Dutch Reformed Church at Bound Brook. When finally untied 
 and opened by Mr. Anderson, the bundle was found to contain 
 forty-two letters written to John Bogart and five written by him 
 within the period, 1776 to 1782. They are now in the possession 
 of Rutgers College. The writers, save one, were Queen's College 
 friends — students, graduates, tutor, president: eight of them are 
 among the sixteen men graduated before 1781, one was graduated 
 in 1782, and two were graduated in 1783: most of them became 
 distinguished in war, politics or professional life. Their letters 
 show something of the customs of the times and tell something of 
 the affairs of war: they display the manner of writing usual then, 
 and give glimpses of individual character. They are especially 
 interesting as a product of the earliest student life of Queen's and 
 as bringing to all sons of Rutgers some light on the beginnings of 
 their Alma Mater. 
 
 The letters are printed in chronological order. The origi- 
 nal spelling, capitals, punctuation and paragraphs are preserved 
 as far as possible. The address usually found on the back, no en- 
 velope being used, is printed at the head of each letter. 
 
Letters of John Bogart: August 10, 1776; October 5, 1776; October 12, 1776; 
 March 1, 1780; August 27, 1782. 
 
 Letter of John Stagg, Jr. : June 28, 1776. 
 
 Letter of David Annan: June 2, 1776. 
 
 Letters of Simeon DeWitt: August — , [1776] ; October 4, 1776; August 6, 1777; 
 
 February 14, 1778; October 8, 1778; July 25, 1779; [1779]; 
 
 January 10, 1780; May 8, 1780; June 26, 1780; May 8, 1781; August 
 1, 1781. 
 
 Letters of Simeon Van Artsdalen: March 23, 1777; October 1, 1777; October 13, 
 1777; December 6, 1777; June 25, 1778; June 5, 1780; November 13, 
 1780; March 28, 1781. 
 
 Letter of Samuel Smith: April 27, 1778. 
 
 Letters of James Schureman: July 27, 1778; . 
 
 Letters of John Taylor: July 2, 1.779; March 9, 1780; March 3, 1782; April 11, 
 [1782] ; May 1, [1782] ; November 17, 1782. 
 
 Letters of Nicholas Lansingh: August 2, 1779; May 8, 1780; June 3, 1780; 
 October 18, 1781; January 31, 1782. 
 
 Letter of Jeremiah Smith: August 14, 1780. 
 
 Letter of Timothy Blauvelt: September 29, 1781. 
 
 Letter of Jacob E. Hardenbergh: November 13, 1781. 
 
 Letter of Isaac Blauvelt: April — , 1782. 
 
 Letter of Matthew Light: August 9, 1782. 
 
 Letter of Michael D. Henry: [1782]. 
 
THE LETTERS 
 
 I To Mr. John Bogert 
 
 Student in Queen's College, 
 ThlmpTn } New Brunswick. 
 
 New York, June 28th, 1776. 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 Yours of the 25th Instant 1 received with much Pleasure, and have scarce so 
 much Time as to Answer it. You desired me in your Letter, to let you know some of 
 the Particulers of that infernal Tory Plot, but I can say very little about it now, having 
 no Time, as I said before — You will see something more about it in next Monday or 
 Thursdays Paper. So much I can say — That this Day, I saw one of his Excellency's 
 General Washington's Life Guards, hanged, who was chiefly concerned in this affair, 
 namely, that of intending to murder his Excellency — He seemed to be but very little 
 daunted, and marched from the Goal to the Place of Execution, where (after the Chap- 
 lain had prayed with him) the rope was fixed about his Neck and in 3 [?] minutes Time, 
 he was no more. 
 
 Our Mayor, who I dare say you have heard was one of those villians, has con- 
 fessed that he received Money from Governor Tryon, for to hire men, to execute this 
 hellish plot — ... I would ten times rather see him, and some more of those Trai- 
 tors, strung up, than eat a meal of Victuals, for nothing will do 'till Examples are made 
 of some of them; and the sooner the better Tell Dewitton I congratulate 
 
 him, on his, being metamorphosed into a Pedagogue, and I dont joke it. 
 
 I hope you will write by Thompson and send me the Journal, if you have com- 
 pleated it — Remember me to the sweet Jewels — and to the Gentlemen of the Athenian 
 Society, ask Evil, why he did not ***** answer his Letter wrote to him by 
 Voorhees 
 
 NB, Excuse the bad 
 
 writing as I am in I am dear Bogert yours, 
 
 haste and my Pen very bad 
 S^dont forget the Journal. John Stagg Junr. 
 
 I wish I was at brunswick again 
 — Oh! Dear Bectcy 
 
 II To 
 
 Mr. John Bogart 
 Student in Queen's College 
 To tho Care at Nth Branch 
 
 of Sir. Samuel Wa ll Ki H June 29th 1776. 
 
 Louden. N. York 
 
 Mr Bogart and Mr. Vanarstdallen, my Dear old friends; The very mention of your names 
 diffuses a joy over all my mind, and makes me wish to be in your presence. You can't 
 imagine Gentlemen how often I think upon you. I suppose myself sometimes gitting 
 out of my room in great hurry to go and smoke a pipe with you. As soon as I come 
 into your room, I see you immediately smiling and one of you running away and and 
 getting a pipe, while the other makes all preparations to drown our cares with a flow- 
 ing bowl. I among the rest seize hold of it, and take a hearty pull. Ay, now I feel in 
 good Blood, now I can smoke a pipe. This is a specimen of some of our agreeable and 
 
s 
 
 merry scenes. Whenever I feel dull or heavy, I imediately imagine myself among the 
 midst of you, when all my Lethargy is instantly expell'd. My Dear Companions I should 
 be exceeding glad to see you. Perhaps I may come down to the Commencement. I am 
 sorry Mr Van arstdallen that I could not have come and seen you at your father's; but 
 Mr Bogart will explain that matter to you. After I came down from your house Mr 
 Bogart, I found that Mr. Vredenburgh was going off to Albany, and that there was a 
 clear passage to New York. I thought therefore it was expedient to embrase the favor- 
 able oportunity which hinderd me from going to Philadelphia. My good friends I am in 
 a hurry write with the first opportunity. I am &c, 
 
 David Annan 
 
 P.S. excuse my writing to you both in one letter on account of paper, remember me 
 to old von Kirk [?] and family. D.A. 
 
 Ill 
 
 North Branch August 10 1776. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I now begin and I hope we shall maintain a useful and advantageous Correspondance. 
 Since I left you I have been engaged in the Study of Logick and am apt to think if my 
 thin lanthorn Jaws had not been pretty well secured I should have made an odd Figure 
 the next time you shall chance to see me. If my Jaws have fared so ill, you may guess 
 the Fate of my Brains. I began to divide them into several Divisions and Subdivisions. 
 One corner of them I designed for the reception of such particular Ideas and another 
 for a different kind and so on for the rest till all the Subdivisions had been filled with 
 its peculiar set of Ideas, this you must understand was all done by Abstraction. — But 
 luckily for me whilst I was very intently engaged I was all at once interrupted by the 
 biteing of a Flea. I caught the little despicable Insect and began to Consider its texture 
 abstractedly. First I considered its Head and then its exterior parts and so united 
 these two Ideas abstracted Ideas together which was Exteriorparti head. Then I con- 
 templated its Eyes and sharp Back and joined the parts of these Ideas which was SKarp- 
 eyesback The Ideas appeared so droll that that I did not know what to make of them, 
 and therefore conclude that the Doctor must have had such a sharp Genius that he 
 could split Ideas ad infinitum and thus by considering the Essence Mode, Cause, Effect, 
 Indentity & Contrariety of each part he could form Ideas congruous to the object or 
 
 Archetype he designed But it is Time to stop, Remember &c. 
 
 John Bogart 
 Simeon Dewitt 
 
 Coppy of a Letter. 
 
 IV For 
 
 Mr John Bogart 
 
 North branch of Raritan 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I was extremely delighted at the reception of Your Letter to find that most im- 
 portant business a Correspondence begun and now Established upon a footing which 
 promises the greatest Utility. Especially at the present decline of commerce and 
 scarcity of Materials however the method which You have happily invented will never 
 be destitute of Supplies from mere necessity Since This our Correspondence is to be 
 carried on in Ideas which you know know are so easily conveyed in this manner from 
 one place to another. This Invention Indeed appears worth inserting in the News pro 
 bono publico and I doubt not but the generosity of our present age will advance an ade- 
 quate reward — 
 
The departments of your brain which you have adjusted to the different Genus's 
 & Species's of your ware will prove to be very convenient; but your Invoice I must 
 confess is scarce intelligible and I have been almost at my wits End what construction 
 to lay Upon Your preposterous Terms such as Sharp Eys black &c. This obscurity has 
 made me to Judge that You have not sufficiently learned the art of Modification or that 
 the Dr. has Not yet taught You that in order to make a whole all the parts must be col- 
 lected and thus prove deficient in Your Enumeration 
 
 I would advise You to reserve one division of Your Brain for the famous ten 
 Categories of Aristotle which the learned sages of Antiquity have thought of such Value 
 as to Expand them into Endless Volumes These no doubt will Enable You to outreason 
 any lawyer in the Country And by the Assistance of these form a syllogism in what 
 ever mood you please Whether in Barbara Celarent or any of the rest only mark whether 
 the conclusion is to be in A, E, I or which will instruct You how to place the Middle 
 term whether it is to be the subject or predicate of the major or minor &c. 
 
 These instructions I thought might be of some service to You and so I leave you 
 to Enlarge Upon them by reflection & Abstraction 
 
 But to turn to seriousness, I am now going to acquaint You that I am left quite 
 disconsolate forsaken by all my pleasant companions Mr Taylor Also is gone he 
 marched last Wednesday & if it was not for the Dear creatures in Town I would become 
 entirely Meloncholy — Keep up the Correspondence — ■ 
 
 I am Your Sincere friend 
 Simeon DeWitt 
 N Brunswick } 
 August i 
 
 P.S. Today we had our general Muster One half of the Militia were Drafted among 
 Whom fell the lot of me And Dad — Orders are to be ready to March next Teusday — I am 
 not Yet Determined what to do — Excuse me for not knowing the Day of the month Only 
 its Saturday I Expect I will go If you write write to the care of Mr Van Veg — 
 
 V 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 If I had now some talkative female to instruct me I might write you an Epistle as 
 long as my arm but would not venture to recommend it for sense However since such a 
 help is not conveniently attainable at present, with my my usual gravity I will present 
 you with what a dull genius can furnish an Indolent Pen. Perhaps, sir, you may take 
 these preliminaries as a prelude to something pretended to be very elegant or an intima- 
 tion under the pretext of apology of some extraordinary abilities as is usual with con- 
 ceited fingers If this be realy the case I will be honest enough to warn you of the con- 
 trary and you will find in the end the whole of my letter to be a disordered piece of work 
 for when one undertakes to write merely for the sake of writing he must then make 
 shift with what Ideal systems he can borrow from Imaginations and gradually fill up his 
 letter with such thoughts as then happen to start in his mind. I have exchanged my 
 obscure eastern corner for the sunny front of the house in order to receive the warmth 
 of the solar rays these Raw windy days where my thoughts are continually diverted and- 
 variously exchanged by the different objects that pass along the street and by the way I 
 may remark that this perhaps is the reason of this wildness of Syle however I sit at 
 my window and observe the various movements below, but nothing employs my^ atten- 
 tion more than the pretty Girls. When I see a parcel of them pass by I immediately 
 begin to reson with myself and compose syllogisms on them and somtimes indeed 
 sophisms too Now I wish for the criticisms of Lad and then think what Swift or Horace 
 would have said upon seeing such a variety of appearances in the same Species Some 
 appearing like the picture of Mercury with wings to their heads their Elbows and so on 
 others with their heads beat into conical spires whilst others again are flatted at top and 
 
10 
 
 have the Brim prominent over the nose, which necessitates their heads to a graceful 
 position in order to admit daylight to the Byes Just so the turkey struts with the flabby 
 skin upon his bill so the duck moves his tail. The other day I happened to cast my eye 
 about and perceived a female form at a distance variegated with Silks and lawns and 
 gawze & near a Bushel of rufled stuf composed the superstructure. The least motion 
 of her body discovered some affected gracefulness & I know not how indicated a con- 
 sciousness of superior merit and exellence I admired her to be sure. Upon second con- 
 sideration I determined to take a nearer View I accordingly advanced towards the 
 heavenly Object & would have come within a few feet of her had I not been suddenly 
 stopped by her turning toward me a whole broadside of her face at once. I was struck 
 with surprise. The first thing that presented itself was the meeting of her nose and Chin 
 at half distances and a ghastly grin between at second glance her Eyes glared direct 
 upon me like the reflection of light from two opaque balls of glass her cheeks were 
 drawn outwards and her forehead gathered into wrikles I turned About went to my 
 room and composed this letter which is now finished & submitted to Your criticisms 
 
 I am Dear sir 
 
 yr 
 
 October 2, 1776 sincere friend 
 
 New Brunswick S D,Witt 
 
 For John Bogart Student 
 
 VI 
 
 Septentrionalis amnis Raritan 5 Oct. 1776 
 Amice dulcissime. 
 
 Cur non scripsisti antehac miror, cum tantum Epistolas ultro citroque trans- 
 mittere Desiderium indixisti: praesertim, quia utilitas utroque fuerit, non Stylum 
 epistolaram solum facere familiarem, sed Sententiae in Mentes nobis multae veniant 
 recentes quae aliter oecultatae fuissent. Fortasse pro Republica in horridis Bellis nunc 
 confligisa, si non aliter Te non vitupero sed incolumitatem precor. Latine hanc pro 
 Recreatione Epistolam scripsi — Me ad Dad et Dominum Taylor memento. O dulcissimae 
 puellae expeto magnopere expeto vos videre. 
 
 Ubi es? Scribe si nunc vale 
 
 possibile est Johannes Bogart. 
 
 Si possibile est scribe. 
 
 melior est. Fortasse Bella cum puellis nunc geris — 
 
 si, sic est, memento &c. 
 Ad Simeonem Dewitt — 
 
 Collegia Reginae 
 Discipulus 
 October 10, 1776, North Branch 
 Sr 
 
 Yesterday I was at the Landing and expected to have gone to Brunswick but to make 
 an old beaten Excuse I had no time. I expected to have received a Letter from you be- 
 fore this Time, but setting aside Complement and Punctilio I again endeavor to Estab- 
 lish a Correspondence which I hope will continue. 
 
 VII 
 
 North Branch October 12. 1776. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Long did I expect to receive a Letter from you, but waited long in vain. Many 
 times I was just going to write but did not know where to direct my Letter. I almost 
 began to think that you had taken a flight to some other world, or had forgot your old 
 
11 
 
 Friends. But at last (Sep 26) unexpectedly I received yours of the 29th of June. You 
 cannot imagine Sir, my Joy an4 Surprise when I found your name at the Bottom. But 
 when I read it every Line was so agreeable to your former conversation, that it brought 
 so many of our merry Scenes tp mind and diffused such an agreeable hilarity over all 
 my Soul, that I almost imagined^ my self in your presence. This naturally led me to re- 
 flect on our former Conduct. Those agreeable Scenes which you mention 1 often reflect 
 upon with pleasure as they were conducted with reason & decorum, and were necessary 
 to dispell that Gloominess which close Study naturally contracts. But Good Sir, when 
 I look back on those hours which we have often in our Rooms conversing on Subjects 
 which immediately related to our conduct in Life and others of the greatest Importance 
 when we used to express our happiness by comparing it to a Heaven on Earth I say 
 when I reflect on those Hours it affords me the highest satisfaction, as they have left 
 such impressions on my mind as time cannot efface. 
 
 The loss of your company I often regret. Sometimes when I take an evening walk 
 I wish that David was along to make my Exercise more diverting. By and by we would 
 return drink a Bowl of milk punch, smoke a pipe, and have some greeable Chat. I 
 greatly desire to see you and if it had not been for the present Troubles I believe you 
 might have seen me at your Brothers this fall. 
 
 I received your last Letter, last Tuesday. What! have you a wooden petticoat? 
 no but — you joke it. I would give ten shillings to see you in your new dress. Altho you 
 have undergone this metamorphosis, which I imagine must have the same effect as enter- 
 ing the Cave of TropJionius. I can still perceive traces of your former merry Humour. 
 Altho you have the same clothing I cannot believe that you have polished your Forhead 
 as smooth as Light. Do you remember the time when old Mr Scheurman crept up the 
 Ladder and looked thro' the back window when you was preaching out of the Lectures 
 on heads: Can you yet sing that sweet word Mesopotamia. But to be serious I wish 
 you much Joy. and hope that you may be a shining ornament to Society. 
 
 I am dr Sir your 
 
 John Bogert 
 To David Annan. 
 
 VIII 
 
 To Mr John Bogart Student, 
 North Branch of 
 
 Per favour of ( Rariton 
 
 Mr Gnrretson 5 
 
 Northampton Bucks County, 
 March 23rd. 1777. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I condole with you the loss of former happiness. When I compare the present 
 time with that which is past, and reflect on the agreeable hours we have spent when all 
 together at Brunswick, and more especially in our society meetings of various kinds, it 
 causes me now in my solitary moments to hang my head like the willow and mourn as 
 a Dove without a mate. However when we consider that all nations have been subject 
 to the calamaties of war, and can give no reason why we should be more exempt than 
 others, we cannot but be contented, and rest satisfied with whatever fate is brought 
 upon us, for as you have justly observed many things to us seem losses which are 
 "blessings in disguise. 
 
 With respect to the present war there is one consolation with which I can greatly 
 solace myself, that neither the king of Britain or any of his agents have universal com- 
 mand, but that an omnipotent God who will espouse a just cause has reserved that in 
 his own hands. Had the inhuman Lord and General Howe existed in the antient times 
 of heathen delusion they might have attributed their pretended successful excursions in 
 the Jerseys to the fallacious directions of fickle chance, their conduct would have been 
 more tolerable and themselves less culpable, But in these enlightened days it is quite the 
 reverse, the horrid depradations they have committed while in Jersey cannot escape the 
 
12 
 
 notice of omniscience. Altho they seemingly prospered in the midst of cruelty at their 
 first arrival, yet by all accounts received from thence it appears that a stop is put to 
 their career. We may for a considerable time feel the effects of war, yet I rest assured 
 that God will do justice, and am also convinced that our cause is just, and have great 
 reason from various instances to suppose that he has and will interpose in our behalf, 
 Ergo I conclude America will finally be happy. My reasons for not coming to see you 
 when I was over the River were not for want of respect, (for I assure you sir you are 
 so far naturalized to me that instead of disrespect the case is quite the reverse) but cir- 
 cumstances at home being such as would not admit of my longer absence. 
 
 Inoculation for the small pox has been much practised here this winter, one in our 
 family took them the natural way, the others were immediately inoculated and are now 
 like to do well. Derrick Kroesen who came here from Middlebush had the operation 
 performed on him, but alas! the desired end could not be obtained, the disorder took 
 such impression on him, and bore with such a weight as could not be supported by 
 human nature which caused him to expire last Sunday morning. 
 
 I received your kind favour of 24th January with gratitude but it did not reach my 
 hand before this day when it was brought home to me from Ledom's tavern. — Please to 
 remember me to all friends and acquaintances when you see them. 
 I am sir, with respect yours &c. 
 
 Simeon Vanartsdalen 
 
 IX 
 
 Mr John Bogart Jr 
 North Branch 
 of Raritan 
 Dear Sir 
 
 That I rank you among the number of My Friends you may See by this Letter. I 
 have wrote three Epistles besides this one this two hours past to Van Veghten Taylor & 
 Van artsdalen And therefore You cant Expect I shall pretend to write A fine Letter 
 I only want to let you know I do not Esteem You less than ever I did Nor shall time 
 wear out my friendship to those for "Whom I have had such an Affectionate Regard — I 
 wrote You A Letter some time Ago whether You have received it or no I can't tell, You 
 may now I think have An Oppertunity to Send me An Answer by Mr Minne Fisher Who is 
 Carrying Mr Lansing to Raritan Do not neglect it — I have not heard A Word from any 
 of My Brunswick friends since I left them Last Dec. What Do you then think is my 
 Curiosity? — As for Myself I have done Very Little I have Been out with the Militia Last 
 Winter to Tappan I have Seen Mr Light Mr Annan And Dr. Cochran Last Winter At 
 Morristown 
 
 I wish I could Spend some time With You 
 — Dont for get to Write — I am Dear Sir 
 
 for Ever 
 
 Your sincere friend (in hast) 
 Simeon DeWit.t. 
 Rochester 
 August 6.-77 
 
 X 
 
 To Mr John Bogart Student 
 North Branch of 
 
 Rariton Northampton, Bucks County, 
 
 October 1st. 1777. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I received your kind letter of 21st August very speedily but was at that time 
 scarcely able to read it much less to write you another, however I applied to my brother 
 
13 
 
 who wrote and sent one for me; but from what I have since heard I have reason to be- 
 lieve it never arrived to your hand. — It is now near six weeks since I was taken with 
 both the Nervous and Intermitting Fevers, the greater part of which time I was in a very 
 weak condition, and am now but just able to walk about a little. — I was pleased to hear 
 that College was again to be opened, that we might once more have the oppertunity to 
 pursue our studies under our former Tutor, and I should have attended immediately had 
 not the will of providence been otherwise. As the Jersey Militia seem to be in general 
 on the march it is a matter of uncertainty with me whether Mr Taylor is with you or 
 with his Batallion, I should therefore be glad if you would favour me with a few lines 
 that I might be certain of the same since I expect if the times permit to be with you as 
 soon as it shall please a good and gracious God to restore me to health and strength. — 
 Some people are much alarmed here at present by reason of the enemy's approach, and 
 have moved their most valuable articles over the River, others who are less timorous 
 seem to be determined to stand the test be the consequences what they may. The enemy 
 we hear have drawn their lines from Germantown to Frankfort and from thence to the 
 River. This must suffice for the present. Please to remember me to Mr. Taylor if with 
 you, and my dear friend Lansingh who I understand is come down. 
 
 I am dear Sir yours sincerely Simeon Vanartsdalen 
 
 N.B. Excuse my hand writing which is scarcely legible by reason of the unsteadiness 
 of my hand. 
 
 XI 
 To 
 
 Mr John Bogart Student 
 North Branch 
 of 
 Rariton. Northampton Bucks County 
 
 October 13th 1777. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I received your letter of the 23rd September and you cannot imagine how great a 
 pleasure it affords me only to see the hand writing of my dear friends with whom I have 
 spent so many agreeable hours, much more so I expect it will be to see them personally. 
 The thoughts of returning to Jersey to prosecute my studies and enjoying the company 
 of my dear associates oftentimes render me happy after having been depressed on ac- 
 count of the present tumult of war now near at hand and myself not capable of giving 
 any assistance in repulsing the enemy, nor making my escape to avoid being made a 
 captive should they have come into our neighborhood during my infirmity. When I re- 
 ceived your first letter and heard that College was to commence I was a good deal ap- 
 prehensive you might think I intended to quit College since you was unacquainted with 
 the reason of my non attendance, but after I had a letter furnished and sent I was more 
 easy in the matter, although you have perhaps never received it. You are quite ex- 
 cusable Sir for your military phrazes, and also for making mention of the fair sex, you 
 say I very well know the powerful effect they have on the other half of the species, this 
 I allow and firmly believe it to be a knowlege that all our sex (with a small exception) 
 is endowed with in a more or less degree. I have often compared the fair sex to the 
 Loadstone and I think the simile holds good, for as the Loadstone by its powerful at- 
 traction causes particular bodies to adhere to it, so does the graceful behaviour and 
 charming look of these amiable creatures draw the attention of the other sex, which in 
 time tends to cause as near a cohesion as there is betwixt the Loadstone and any other 
 particles of matter. 
 
 With respect to military affairs I think matters appear in a better light than what they 
 did before the action at and near Germantown. By the best intelligence received the 
 enemy have lost three or four men to our one. Our army we hear is at present very 
 
14 
 
 formidable and in high spirits and will I hope by the divine aid be enabled to repulse the 
 enemy from our borders. Tfie Regulars I am informed have attempted to raise breast- 
 works on shore to prevent our Row Gallies annoying their shipping which has occa- 
 sioned an almost continual cannonading for two or three days past betwixt them and 
 the Row Gallies. 
 
 I am dear sir yours sincerely Simeon Vanartsdalen — 
 
 XII 
 
 To 
 
 Mr. John Bogart Student 
 North Branch 
 
 Rariton — • Northampton Bucks County 
 
 Dec. 6th. 1777. 
 My Dear Friends, 
 
 With pleasure I embrace a present opportunity (altho in haste) to send you a few 
 lines, and I should think myself happy in communicating nothing to you but what might 
 be depended on. — The evacuation of our Forts below Philadelphia will I think admit of 
 no doubt, for Gen. Greens Division which occupied those on the Jersey shore is now in 
 on this side, the enemy have also recrossed the River to the City. — It is not expected that 
 Gen. Washington will attack the City this season as numbers could not avail him in 
 storming a place so well fortified as Phila. is reported to be, since but a small part could 
 be in action at once in order to get entrance. — Our Army is yet encamped at White- 
 Marsh and Edge-Hill, but it is expected they will soon move to Germantown for better 
 Quarters, as they are at present much exposed to the inclemency of the season. Yester- 
 day morning there was a very brisk Platoon firing attended with some Cannon, occa- 
 sioned by a number of the enemy sallying out to burn Germantown, which has been 
 spoken of a considerable time, they drove in our Piquett and further I have not heard. — 
 Thus far in the Military way, what next comes under consideration is the studious, in 
 which I am much interrupted by a great recourse of people from the army, however I 
 am devoting as much of my time as possible to that business, and I believe I should find 
 old Homer very hard to digest had I not been so happy as to get the Key with it, which 
 is a a very good instructor and great assistant indeed. Let this as present suffice. I 
 conclude with wishing you success in your studies, and may the Lord bless you with 
 blessings both temporal and spiritual. This is the desire, this shall ever be the prayer of 
 your sincere friend &c. 
 
 Simeon Vanartsdalen 
 
 N.B. Please to give my respects to both the Mr Demun's and families. 
 To Messrs Bogart and Lansingh. 
 
 XIII To 
 
 Mr. John Bogart Student 
 
 at North Branch of Raritan 
 Rochester February 14. 1778. 
 
 Received Feb. 24th. 1778. 
 My Dear friend 
 
 I received your three minutes — Letter and the one you sent with the Revd Mr 
 Hardenbergh; the last came to hand two months after its date. I can assure you it 
 gives me very great Satisfaction when I am favored with a Line from some one of my 
 old friends. If ever I had any Affection for my former Companions you must be con- 
 
15 
 
 vinced that not to hear from them for a long time must create very troublesome thoughts 
 and Anxious concerns. When I am revolving with myself All our old transactions when 
 we were together in the days of Peace And paint to my Imagination the different Char- 
 acters of my agreable Associates What Transporting Affections rise from the center of 
 my soul. 1 received Your Letters with Joy but must confess was a little grieved not to 
 find them quite satisfactory to my Curiosity. I believe your professions of friendship 
 are sincere but have I no more friends in your Quarter? Is it not obvious to the first 
 reflection that A friend must be Solicitous for the Welfare of all his friends? I know 
 not What is become of Good old Simeon I know not What Lansing is About nor do I 
 know in what sphere Mr Taylor is acting I only know that on the 1st. of November one 
 thousand seven hundred and Seventy Seven Mr Bogart was very busy in moving his 
 Quarters Perhaps to the Tories Perhaps to the Realms of Pluto Or for aught I know to 
 take a Journey to the Moon. You tell me you expect to be examined for a Degree; 
 Since I left you I never heard you had any such Creatures as Examinations among you. 
 Pray What is become of Queens-College? The Athenian, the Polemical Societies? Your 
 Conduct seems to intimate that I have no Concern in any of these things — Instead of 
 giving me the Satisfaction you might have done in a few words You make Mighty De- 
 mands you desire me to give Accounts Which in all probability will fill a Dozen of Pages 
 in a future folio History. To give you an Answer then As comprehensive as possible I 
 will Write to You As Caesar did Yeni, Yidi, Yici I make no doubt but your Idea of me 
 whilst I am pronouncing these words is as Swelling as Aesops Prog. However I would 
 not be understood to speak with the Arrogance of A Caesar but put the Expression in 
 the plural and only Say that We came, we saw, We conquered, we took. The great and 
 mighty scarecrow of the North With his ten thousand Locusts from the bottomless pit — 
 But to be more serious I can Assure you never has such a Storm threatned our State. 
 Every Inhabitant sat trembling at its Approach till the favour of Providence threw the 
 Enemy into our hands. Burgoine from the North Sir Harry Clinton from the South St. 
 Leger at fort Scuyler to the Westward And Baum at Bennington to the Eastward In- 
 tended to crush us in the Center. I Saw the Gloomy prospect my Apprehensions were 
 Alarming indeed but I resolved rather Gloriously to perish in the Tempest than Ignobly 
 to turn my back or Stand an Idle Spectator the Moment the Critical moment big with the 
 fate of My Country, Myself, When Liberty & all, seemed to hang in suspense — But Mark 
 the Changing face of Affairs St. Leger rais'd the Seige, Baum was defeated, Burgoine 
 Was Taken, and Sir Harry retreated. The black thick brewing Storm was Spent in 
 Harmless Thunder. The brave New England Militia deserve to have Eternal Monuments 
 erected to their Honour In A Storm of fury With fix'd Bayonets they destroyed and took 
 the detachment encroaching Upon their Boundaries And in the Battles of Saratoga no 
 Veterans could have outdone them — I don't believe that ever any Army has Appeared in 
 better Spirit than ours Since the Arrival of Gates — but Ten Thousand Curses flew at 
 Scuyler whether Justly or unjustly I wont pretend to determine. I cannot rightly As- 
 certain the Number of Prisoners &c Taken With Burgoine according to your request — 
 I have had a List but the List is lost This I remember that since they left St John's 
 they have lost 9000 and odd taken and kill'd — I wish my friend You had been at Saratoga 
 When they Surrendered The most glorious grandest Sight America ever beheld or per- 
 haps ever shall see was there to be Seen of which I had the pleasure to be A spectator. 
 It is impossible to give you any Idea of it Unless by a laborious description of particu- 
 larities But before the surrender in the Battles after the Battles When they were pennd 
 Up, What Scenes! The Woods on fire, the mountains Belching Smoak and flames The 
 Roaring Artillery Shaking the worlds Around us — I wish I could talk a day with You — 
 I had not the pleasure to be in any of the Engagements We were however at the close 
 of the last battle Within shot of them We heard a few balls Whistle All the Loss our 
 regiment sustained was one man Wounded who is since well The evening obliging us to 
 retreat — Let this suffice for War — Mr Annan I mean Lad I hear is become a flaming [?] 
 Preacher and is gone to N. England — Joy go with him! I long to see You all Let my 
 friends know I have Yet some Regard for them Messrs Taylor Vanartsdalen Lansing 
 Schuurman Dad Van Wyck &c My Compliments to them all I would write to more of my 
 
1C 
 
 friends but dont know of any oppertunities to send letters — Tell Mr Taylor I am Infi- 
 nitely obliged to him for his long Narrative Letter. Let him see this — Dont omit writ- 
 ing — Come by all means in the Spring to see us 
 
 I am Dear Friend 
 
 Your Sincere Friend 
 & Humble Servt 
 
 Simeon DeWitt 
 PS. Feb. 20, I am now in) 
 
 Hackinsack With the Revd Dr) 
 Romeyn ) 
 
 N.B. Be pleased to send an Answer with Niels Roosa the bearer of this 
 
 XIV Mr 
 
 John Bogart Junr 
 
 Pr .favour \ Rarington 
 
 Graham J 
 Sir 
 
 I imbrace this Opertunity to Inform you of My Present Sircumstance. — At Present 
 
 I am in good health Which is A Blessing that None But the Almighty Can bestow and for 
 Which we have Every reson to be thankfull, I have Been At home three Weakes in 
 which time I thought to Spent two or thre Days Agreeably with you on the Bank of the 
 River Rarington. At present We are in Good Spirit in Camp And think that With the 
 Assistance of Heaven we Shall be Able to Borgoyn his Excellency Billy how this Cam- 
 paign. Our Rifflemen Lay Neer the Middle Jersy on Schoolkiln River, So that they Dare 
 not set there Noses Over but they Are taken Prisoners as we have taken 60 Last Week 
 at one time & 8 or 10 several times Since. 
 
 Our Army Increases Verry fast at Present One Regt from the New York State 
 Arivd this Day Consisting of 500 Privates and Seven hundred this Week from Virgina 
 State, the Whole Amount that is Come in from the Different States is Computed to be 
 2000 And they Continue to Come in Every Day. 
 
 Which will Strike our Enemy into A Sad Panick, Some Are of the Opinion 
 that they Are About to Evacate the town as they have Sent Away Some of there 
 
 Baggage 
 
 Give My Complimints to your family And All friends Aspecialy Mrs Polly. 
 I am with Respect your Sincear friend — 
 To Mr. John Bogart Saml Smith Kaptn 
 
 Aprile 27th-1778 5th P. Regt 
 
 NB fail not to Wright the first Opertunity — 
 
 XV To 
 
 Mr John Bogart Junr 
 
 Rariton 
 
 New Jersey 
 
 ot\lr Kroesen } Northampton, Bucks County, 
 
 June 25th 1778 
 Dear Friend, 
 
 Pardon my long delay in writing to you, since it is not owing to disaffection, but 
 want of convenient oppertunity, and other occurrences of various kinds, that have hap- 
 pened in a time so critical as we in this quarter have of late experienced. It is a melan- 
 choly thought, that scarce a man who was friendly to the American cause could think 
 himself safe in his own house, but was forced to abandon it and repair to the woods for 
 lodgings, to avoid being taken, not as a Soldier in the field, but as a felon in the dark 
 
17 
 
 scences of the Night, and not by Britons from whom it might be expected, but by the 
 savage brood of our own Country who had fled to the enemy for refuge, and then became 
 instrumental in captivating their countrymen and Neighbours, and that with so much 
 valour as to make an attack on them when in bed asleep, several have been dragged from 
 home in that manner who are now taken ofi : by the enemy. Thus have the intrepid Refu- 
 gees Distinguished themselves. 
 
 I am glad to hear that now you have finished your academical studies, you are 
 willing to take others by the hand and lead them through the rugged road of Science. 
 May heaven smile upon your endeavours, and grant you success in your important un- 
 dertaking! 
 
 I should be glad to hear from you and other friends, especially whether Mr. Lans- 
 ingh is perfectly recovered, for I have not heard from him or any of you since your 
 Letter of 20th. May. 
 
 The bearer is waiting therefore I forbear enlarging. I expect to see you, tho per- 
 haps not before Harvest, unless you should come over with which I should be well 
 pleased. Remember me to all friends. I am yours &c. 
 
 S. Vanartsdalen 
 
 XVI To 
 
 Mr John Bogart 
 Raritan 
 
 N Brunswick July 27th 1778 
 Dr. Sir 
 
 I should be sorrow you should impute my neglect of writing to want of affection 
 I can only apologize for my conduct by the disorder of the times in which I have had my 
 share. From this cause has arose almost a total inattention to the duties of social Life: 
 But if we may be permitted to enjoy a short breathing-spell I trust the gloomy cloud 
 contracted by a continued series of interruption in the more refined enjoyments of So- 
 ciety will be expelled & the Mind become susceptible of the Rays of friendship — It has 
 been & again is my misfortune to take up my pen in a hurry occasioned by the shortness 
 of time the bearer continues here. 
 
 Let this therefore serve to keep up a correspondence which I hope for the future 
 will not need so many apologies. "A friend should bear a friends infirmities" 
 
 Regulate not your conduct by mine Write and when I neglect to correspond write 
 again for beleive me I have a disinterested regard. Give my respects to Messrs. Lanncing 
 & Taylor & your Mother's family 
 
 I am Sir affectionately 
 Your. 
 
 Schureman 
 
 XVII For 
 
 Mr Jno. Bogart 
 North Branch 
 
 N. Brunswick 
 Dr Sir 
 
 I receivd yours last night — acknowledge the negligence with which you accuse 
 me & heartily ask your pardon — should be glad you would perform your promise to visit 
 Cranberry where I will have time to apologize — I am just ready to leave the town but 
 seeing Mr. Taylor detains me long enough to write this & promise to answer yours the 
 first opportunity. 
 
 I remain sincerely, 
 Sunday evening \ 
 
 Yours Schureman 
 
18 
 
 XVIII 
 
 John Bogart 
 Rari tan 
 
 Dear Friend 
 
 It is now about 10 o'clock P.M. and I must write a Letter to you— Tomorrow 
 Morning at 8 oClock A:M. Mr Minne Voorhees who Quarters About Two Mile from here 
 is going off & and I intend to Send this Letter with him If I am in a hurry and write 
 Nonsense to you— Please to Excuse me upon that Account— Well sir now I will tell you 
 all about the Matter— but first I must beg a thousand Pardons for not continuing our cor- 
 respondence, so happily begun, for so long a time as since the last of— I don't know What 
 Month it is I believe it is December When I got your Letter— Well Sir as I was going to 
 tell you now I will tell you All About the Matter— You know how Old Tan'talus was 
 Placd up to his Mouth in the Water and could never Drink— last July I was At Bruns- 
 wick but had no time to see you Ever since that I have been now here & then there 
 It is now ten Clock and I must Quit writing what I intended & So I wish you a Good 
 Night 
 
 Simeon DeWitt 
 Fredericksborough | 
 Octr 8. 1778 j 
 
 My Compliments to all friends Lansing Van Arts Dalen Bogart Van 
 
 Wyck &c. &c. 
 
 Jno. Bogart. 
 
 N.B The English & French have had an Engagement in Which the 
 former were worsted by Sea in Europe. 
 
 XIX 
 
 Mr. John Bogert 
 Raritan 
 
 N Branch of Raritan July 2d 1779.— 
 Dr. Sir 
 
 In consequence of a letter received from Eliz:Town I am under the necessity of 
 going off to morrow morning to take the command at that Post. — By the Bearer I have 
 sent your Horse for the use of which I am much obliged to you. I returned yesterday 
 as far as to Raritan where I stopped before it began to rain, Mr. Blauvelt informed me 
 that he could not go on your intended Tour, and the rain continuing I concluded to lodge 
 there, judging you would not want your Horse. — As Tutor of Queen's College and Lt. 
 Colonel of the State Regiment I desire you will parade next monday morning at the N 
 Branch and do me the favour, and your Country service by taking care of the students. 
 I have mentioned the matter to several of the Trustees, and they appear to be perfectly 
 satisfied with your undertaking the business, and the students are well contented with 
 it. — Mr. V arsdalen will return I expect sometime in august when you will set him at 
 natural Philosophy but I expect to see you before that time — The sophemore Class are 
 reading Euclid, I would advise that they read the Three first Books before vacation and 
 the third Book of Xenophon. I think it will be best to set them at Xenophon half the 
 Day, let their lessons be short, and particular attention paid to grammar, I judge it 
 will be best to construe their lessons; — Messrs. Blauvelt, Smith & Bray should study 
 whole numbers in arithmetic, and V Wyck Logic. I will leave a Compend of arithmetic 
 with V Wyck, I have spoke to Mr. Eastburn in Brunswick to procure for me three Blank 
 books for them to write Arithmetic which you will send for if you please; — Bray is be- 
 hind in Euclid, I would therefore advise that he be kept at it the whole time while the 
 others read Xenophon, he has read the third book of Xenophon. I have spoken to Mr. 
 Brinson to make a blackboard, and have procured lamp black, you will hurry him on, 
 and get Col D Vroom to paint it. — and keep an account of the expence. 
 
19 - .5 
 
 Mr. Remsen is reading Geography I think it best for him to go thro ; it and then 
 review it, and study the Introduction which he omitted when he began Geography, after 
 he has done with that let him study English Grammar, you will find a Compend in the 
 old Chest, or in the closet, you "will make any other' additions to it you shall see fit, for 
 assistance I would reccommend to you Johnston's Dictionary, & South's Grammar — ■ 
 Messrs. Courtlandt & Crook are reading Virgil & Greek Grammar, I did not intend they 
 should read above 3 Eniads before they began to review the Eclogues & Cicero — V Har- 
 ligen & Stewart are reading Greek Grammar, I would advise to keep them at it untill 
 they have got it, and then let the four begin Greek, and review Latin together, be pleased 
 to hurry them on in Greek. — 
 
 I expect to see you in a few weeks, and to relieve you at Vacation 
 My Friend for the present I bid you adieu 
 
 By subscribing myself sincerely yours 
 Jn. Taylor 
 
 NB. you can get a Xenophon of Mr. Patterson. — 
 
 XX To 
 
 Mr. John Bogart 
 North Branch 
 of Raritan 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Tomorrow morning a Soldier whose time is out is going to Pennsylvania gladly I 
 embrace the Oppertunity to Send a letter to my old friend — We are now in Quarters at 
 New Windsor & live very well, but I Would Prefer the North Branch nevertheless be- 
 cause there are a Parcel of Clever fellows there besides we are here in A Wild woody 
 rocky hilly country I have been cursing the mountains ever since we came to this 
 place because they tire me so much in travelling over them We have Survey'd nothing 
 but the Paths and Passes on them — I have wore a piece off my toe in Walking too much 
 
 it smarted yesterday very much but to day he Seems well enough You have heard 
 
 of the Pretty flogging we have given the Enemy at Stony Point for some of the Particu- 
 lars I refer You to a Letter I have Wrote to Coll. Taylor — The Enemy seem undetermined 
 What to go About and are Loitering away their time about the North River Our fort is 
 Getting Stronger every day His Excellency is at W. Point himself & a great Part of the 
 
 Army Sir I wish you would write to as often as Oppertunities permit I don't get 
 
 any Letters from any of My old friends I believe I am Entirely forgot If this is the Case 
 
 I wish You Would let me know So that I may forget them too 
 
 I am Sir Your most 
 Obsequious 
 
 Simeon DeWitt 
 July 25th, 1779 
 New Windsor 
 
 P,S, give my Compliments to that pretty girl 
 To Jno. Bogart Esqr 
 
 XXI 
 
 John Bogart 
 
 North Branch of 
 P.r Express Raritan. 
 
 Albany 2 August 1779 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I return you my sincere thanks for sending your compliments to me in Mr. Blau- 
 velt's letter notwithstanding I had not wrote to you it was no failure of friendship for 
 
20 
 
 I resolved to write by Mr. Light but in bis return from Halfmoon he would not stay one 
 night with me I hope you'l not mind these little puntilio's let this be a proof of my friend- 
 ship that I embrace this opportunity at this hour in which I have a vomit ready to take 
 for my bodily indisposition I have nothing new to transmit only that last week we heard 
 that thirty six men of Col Van Schayick Regt were taken by the Indians within sight of 
 Port Schuyler permit me to congratulate you with the success of our Arms in taking 
 Stony point from the Enemy Oh that it might please the Lord to bless America with 
 victory and peace I must brake of for it is high time to take my puke my compliments 
 to your family & Mr. and Mrs. Dumon Mr. Taylor and all friends I am your most humble 
 servant 
 
 Nicholas Lansingh 
 
 P.S. Excuse my excessive haste Mr. Lansingh has made no tour to venus yet and I hope 
 he will be prudent enough not to venture as yet on such an important affair — 
 
 XXII 
 
 Mr. John Bogart 
 
 in- favour of [ North Branch 
 
 Capt McMurray j 
 
 of Raritan 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 1 insist upon it — If what you say is true I have hitherto acted consistent with my- 
 self — It is not the first time You have honored me with the name of a queer fellow and 
 sometimes too a confounded queer fellow — Inconsistencies make the Actions of a queer 
 fellow consistent with his Character — Your Inscription you proposed for Your Letter is 
 not good — I Disapprove of it for these Reasons 
 1st. I am not always travelling. 
 
 2d. When I do travel I do not travel along all the Roads & bypaths in the States of N 
 York & New Jersey 
 3d. When I do travel I do not always carry the Compass with me sometimes the men 
 
 Carry it for me. 
 4th. It is not always the case that my big toe stiks out of my shoe 
 5th. The Expression Grin ought to be Stare 
 
 You may Mend it & put it in this form if you please — "Mr Letter You are to take the 
 nearest rout to the Grand American Army Where people live in Houses of Canvass & 
 carry in their hands the Instruments of Death — There you are to take a Circumbendibus 
 About the Verge of them till You Come to where one Mr Erskine quarters Enter in & 
 you'll find a confused heap of papers variegated with squares triangles Circles paralello- 
 grams & what not, then halt, till a queer fellow seises hold of you Rips open your body 
 & like an Egyptian Augur Examines your Entrails afterwards lays you aside like an odd 
 Mummy in future days to divert himself with" 
 
 I have seen Mr Stagg If you are meant by J.B. Remember the Speech 
 
 of the Royal Oak If you think yourself entitled to that privilege inscribe Your name 
 
 Sir I do not understand French; what is en passant? News 
 
 Count Delstaign they say is on his way to Georgia & New York tc play the D- -1 
 with the Lads there 
 
 I am Dear Sir 
 
 Your friend but not humb.l Servt. 
 Simeon DeWitt 
 
 I most forgot to tell you that I have been to Albany and there seen Old Nicky he is study- 
 ing away Like fury — he Show'd me a Letter from You & likewise one from Mr. Blawvelt 
 I would be glad to know if he Calls Miss C. Vreedenburgh Properly Miss Light- I 
 
21 
 
 Expect in a few Days to set out on a Journey thro Connecticut Which will take me 
 About A month 
 
 Sir Please to Give my Compliments to all the Members of the Athenian Society — 
 
 Capt Scull Sends his Compliments to You Van Wyck & Taylor 
 
 no more — ■ 
 
 XXIII 
 Dear Sir 
 
 This may serve to let you know that I am in good health hoping these few lines 
 may find you in the same — You see sir I have nothing to go in but an old track beaten a 
 thousand years ago in fact I have nothing worth writing at all, at such time You must 
 expect a sheet or a page filled with words without signification In the same manner as 
 Mr Spec, says people talk without thinking — For these three weeks past Whoever I went 
 to see or whoever came to see me Opened the conversation with the important Intelli- 
 gence, that the weather was very cold and the snow remarkably deep tho no one could 
 go three Inches from the door but had both Occular and sensible demonstrations of it 
 therefore sir in compliance to the custom I give it you as a piece of the most important 
 news we have for a long time had that it has been amazing cold to such a Degree that 
 I who never yet flinched to old Boreas had t'other day one of my Ears froze as hard as a 
 Pine gnot we have or will have noble slaying — the other day (I mean night) we tumbled 
 over two slay load of Ladies helter skelter head over heels into the snow — As we are not 
 far distant now and the going excellent You can Easily with a party of your own chusing 
 Come to see us We can entertain you with a drink of Grog if no more Pray sir what is 
 become of Johnny Taylor I have not heard or seen any thing of him for a long time I 
 must accuse him a little of negligence carelessness or something else Be so good as to 
 tell him that unless he sends me word whether he is in this or t'other world I will give 
 him a dash in my Books — I have not yet for certain heard where You have made your 
 place of Residence whether at Brunswick Millstone or Raritan — We are now settled at 
 Morristown very cleverly where I expect we shall continue during the Winter — And pass 
 the time As agreably as we can You know Mr. Tim Ford he and I have got acci- 
 dentally aquainted with each other And amuse ourselves by speaking composing playing 
 on the flute — Smoking together Walking &c. — &c &c. &c &c Give my Compliments to all 
 the Athenian Boys & take this for a Rough hurry piece 
 
 From Your most Obt. humble cum tumble 
 
 Simeon DeWitt 
 Jany 10-80 
 
 Morristown 
 
 John Bogart 
 
 XXIV 
 
 Mr Jeremiah Smith, Student 
 Millstone 
 
 N. Branch March 1, 1780— 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I much regret that I hapened not to be at home the afternoon you call'd to see 
 me, yet should not have accepted of it for a visit, since you designed to stay only a few 
 minutes. You are exceedingly welcome to the books for which you made application, 
 and for any other you may desire if in my power to lend. I should have written before 
 now if the traveling had not been so very bad that I despaired of a Letter reaching you, 
 and indeed it still grows worse, last night a body of ice came down and lodged upon the 
 causey so that we who live on this side the river can have no intercourse with you on 
 the other side. You need not expect me before the riding grows better, and if you wait 
 till I send the books by some oportunity without you can, get some person to call for 
 
22 
 
 them I am apprehensive that you will have to wait still longer as I scarce ever have such 
 an oportunity. I shall be very glad of your correspondence, and expect that I shall hear 
 from you when any favourable turn presents, Please to remember me to Mr. Taylor, 
 and all the brotherhood, I am dear Sir affectionately 
 
 Yours 
 
 John Bogart 
 
 March 7th. 
 
 At present I live almost as recluse as an hermit. I sometimes almost envy that happi- 
 ness, which you enjoy of conversing with rational beings who have Sentiment to enter- 
 tain and divert when you have leasure and inclination to discourse. The reverse is my 
 Situation, when weary of pouring over books, and talking with the dead, when my mind 
 would return from the severer Studies in which I am engaged and pants for relaxation, 
 I must still pursue the same beaten track of walking solitary without an individual who 
 can communicate any thing rational and pleasing. When a person is thus circumstanced 
 it is more than probable that he may contract habits, which, when he emerges into So- 
 ciety may be detrimental to his usefulness. He who spends that time when gesture is to 
 be softened into ease, and manners polished into gracefulness in the dust of Libraries, 
 and converse with past generations, will find when he comes into the world, that he will 
 be deficient in many essentials which make the agreeable and entertaining companion. 
 And altho he may have hoarded up a considerable store of book knowledge, yet he will 
 discover that to constitute the gentleman there is something in manners which cannot 
 be dispensed with; that his language is too obsolete for his cotemporaries. He will also 
 observe when he endeavours to please he will often disgust, and that his own sentiment 
 when express'd by others in different language will more affect and please an audience. 
 Rusticity is certainly no virtue and it naturally has a tendency to disgust, but Politeness 
 always conciliates affection, and if united to wisdom and virtue it ever commands 
 respect. To acquire these accomplishments our Athenian Society was instituted and it 
 certainly has a great tendency to purge the incorrect in our discourse, and also to 
 give us a certain dignity of behaviour, which has a great influence on the wise and 
 judicious of our own Sex. But as we must necessarily have communion with the other 
 half of our Species, and we have a strong natural propensity to please them, you must 
 often have observed with myself that these accomplishments make but very slight im- 
 pression and that a very different conduct is necessary to gain their esteem. Whether 
 it is owing to something in their very constitution; or arises from a principle of Self 
 Love, and a fondness of adulation which approves of everything that seems to imitate 
 themselves, that the finical and vain are their peculiar favourites. I will not take upon 
 me to determine But this I think is undeniable that a gay dress a few trite old sayings 
 which have been the standard phrases of low wit, and as Doct. Swift in his polite con- 
 versations says have been common these hundred Years, and a little 
 
 XXV 
 
 Mr John Bogert Jur. 
 
 North Branch 
 
 Millstone March 9, 1780— 
 Dr. Friend. 
 
 You have not yet fulfilled your promise, of spending a few days at this place. — 
 I did intend to have paid you a visit before this time, but the storms and mud have 
 hitherto prevented. — Mr. Smith will be with you this week and who will then open the 
 Budget; you will not get a word of it from me I do assure you, Curiosity I dare say, be- 
 gins to ask what is contained in it, I have promised secrecy; But I have something to 
 request of you, in favour of Mr. Betran respecting his son — Mr. Betran hath applied to 
 me to teach his son, but he not having studied any of the Languages, and there being 
 not any here of the same standing, I have declined, he then mentioned Mr. Bogert, and 
 desired I would write a line to you upon the subject — Mr. Betran will see you, I will 
 
23 
 
 therefore only give you my opinion upon it; I do imagine you might do it without any 
 disadvantage to yourself, for the little time necessary to be spent with him will not draw 
 off your attention from your present employment; but will be a recreation and amuse- 
 ment and prevent you from killing yourself before your time by too close application. — 
 However I submit it to yourself. 
 
 & remain Dr. Sir 
 
 your Jno. Taylor. — 
 To Mr. Bogert. 
 
 XXVI 
 
 Mr. John Bogart — 
 A.G.B. student 
 
 Gram.Blum North Branch of 
 
 Raritan 
 
 Albany May 8th: 1780 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Since my last I have not received any of your letters whether the distance has 
 eradicated me from your affections; or that you are so confined to your studies I know 
 Not the reason why my friend has not wrote. I received a letter from Mr. Taylor who 
 informed me that you are engaged in the study of divinity. It gives me great pleasure 
 to hear that my friend has chosen that particular study which I had in view even when 
 I begun the lattin Grammer. O that it might please the Lord to give us grace and 
 wisdom to be in his appointed time and way, true & faithful Ministers, of the Gospel of 
 Jesus Christ, that we may be means in the hands of God for the conversion of sinners 
 and establishing the Lord's people in their most holy faith. Permit me my friend to ad- 
 vise you to live prayerful, be much upon your knees & with Mary at Christ's feet; forget 
 not to read the word of God daily let that book be often in your hands and it's precious 
 thoughts in your head. Seek the company of lively Christians for there you may learn 
 from the experiences of others which may be of singular service for Ministers to en- 
 liven the souls of the Lord's people. I have nothing new to transmit from this quarter. 
 I conclude with wishing you success in your studies & the blessings of the everlasting 
 Gospel of the amiable Jesus. I am your friend & humble Servant 
 
 Nicholas Lansingh 
 
 P:S: Pardon the first sentiments of my heart as our family are a waiting for family 
 worship it's past ten o clock at night, be pleased to give my compliments to your The 
 Revd. Hardenbergh's & Mr. Dumonts families — 
 
 XXVII 
 
 How d* you do Sir 
 
 I hope you are well 
 
 Pray what's the Reason I have not heard from You All Winter — I wrote you 
 a Letter last fall and told you I was then Settled at Morristown "Where I would be glad 
 to see you — I Would perhaps have paid You a Visit before Now since the Roads became 
 good but When the French Ambassador was here My horse got so frightened At the 
 Sound oi Cannon and the smell of Gunpowder that he took a Start and I have not heard 
 of his making A Halt till this Very hour I wish you would come and see us you dont 
 
 know what pretty Girls there are About this Place Sir it is a sad condition to 
 
 write when a person does not know what to begin Upon I have Just Perus'd a letter 
 which I will send to Mr. Taylor I find I have put down in that most of what I can think 
 About Unless, I was to connect this letter to the End of his then. perhaps I might spin 
 out that chain of thinking I was upon for when I once undertake to write my thoughts 
 
24 
 
 as they happen I find there is no way of quiting without breaking off Abruptly — but it 
 is no Easy matter to introduce Matters of a different nature without being Guilty of 
 Ineligance but sir I dont write to show you the excellency of my performance I only 
 want to Manufacture something that shall look a little like An Epistle If the contents 
 of it should be neither more nor Less than simple Nonsense — Desipere in loco, there is 
 some pleasure in perusing the thoughts of an Absent friend — In What ridiculous posture 
 that little ape Fancy will Contort its features And exhibit a Number of Curious Gestures 
 Entertaining if not instructive I intended to write only one page And behold I have 
 turned over a leaf — You may take my letter now and thro it into the fire Unless 
 1 *** ******** f 0T j s i ncer ely believe the Rest will not be worth 
 reading Now sir I have done for I am not sensible of any two Idea's embracing each 
 other in my brain If there were any I would Immediately set about delineating their 
 features — Confound the Drum! it has drawn off my Attention from everything I in- 
 tended to say — I believe in my soul it is captain Vanhorn coming with the Guard — he is 
 a very clever fellow he told me t'other day he was intimately acquainted with you — he 
 plays very well on the Violin— I got a fiddle about three weeks ago & Learn'd to play 
 two or three tunes on it I intend to become perfect in it if I can — but I have so much 
 upon hand between Amusements and business that My thought are never at a stand Or 
 languish for the want of Exercise With Musick, drawing, Drafting, Writing, reading, 
 Walking, Conversing, sometimes dancing, Singing etc. my hours insensibly slip away nor 
 leave me any room to be Ruminating upon Difficulties Distresses & future Events and by 
 this means contract the Dismals about me — I often Wonder how people of sense & Edu- 
 cation can Dam themselves to Eternal Misery by devoting their time to Idleness and a 
 Uniform series of insipid Entertainments If ever I am inactive it is When I stand in an 
 Equipoise between two Attractive bodies But am soon determined sometimes the inter- 
 position of a third decides the Matter — 
 
 (Pray Sir How do you like all 
 (this stuff it comes from Your 
 old friend 
 Morristown Simeon DeWitt 
 
 May 8- 80 
 
 Jno.Bogart Whip me if I take the pains to peruse it or revise it 
 
 XXVIII 
 
 John Bogart Student 
 North Branch of 
 Raritan. 
 
 Albany, June 3rd. 1780 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Your favour of the 20th May I have recieved, I am glad to understand that you 
 were charmed with the pleasing aspect of spring when but a little before the vegetable 
 world was apparently dead now again adorns nature: Oh that it were the happy case 
 with the Lord's people who have lost that tenderness of spirit which they once pos- 
 sessed: but alas! now are become like the earthen pitchers, I hope my friend you will 
 not think that I imagine this to be the case with all the truly Godly; Nay I hope there 
 are some in this distressed Country who live near the Lord tho* unknown to us; how- 
 ever it is too much the case with the Lord's people with whom I am, and have been, for 
 some time acquainted, O that it might please the Lord to hasten the glorious days of the 
 Church when thousands shall be born in SionMn a day and converts be multiplied as 
 drops of morning dew. I long to see the day but would wish to wait patiently the Lord's 
 time which will always be best; may you and I be'of that happy number who pray that 
 Christ Kingdom may be built upon the ruins of Satan's. I thank you Sir for your kind 
 advice with respect to my studies it is true as you observe that a person ought to make 
 an estimate of his abilities before he enters in the ministerial office, as deism begins to 
 run thro' this land as a torrent, and irreligion gains- ground apace But let not any thing 
 
25 
 
 deter a person to Ste*p forth in the name of the Lord of hosts the God in whose hands 
 our breath is to declare the counsils of God. Consider my friend the words of our 
 blessed Lord Matt. 28:20 verse lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the World. 
 A great promise to the Ministers of the Gospel. I hope if it pleases the Lord to offer 
 myself next fall for examination by the advice of my teacher Mr. Westerlo that it might 
 please the Lord to give me grace and wisdom to be well prepared. Last Week Sir John 
 Johnson with about three or four hundred British & Hessian troops and tories and two 
 hundred Indians have burnt Cagnawaga about forty miles from this place to the West- 
 ward along the Mohawk River & killed about ten Men. Our Govenor Clinton went in 
 pursuit of them with some of the Militia we have not heard of him since only that he 
 had hopes of overtaken Johnson & his party before they reached Lake Champlain what 
 the event will be time will learn. My compliments to yourself & family and all friends. 
 Jacob Staats lives with his father on his farm I cannot learn that he does any thing else 
 but is employed in the farming business. I am Sir your friend & humble Servant Nicho- 
 las Lansingh 
 
 XXIX 
 
 Mr. John Bogart Junr. 
 
 North Branch 
 
 of 
 
 Raritan — 
 
 Hillsborough, June 5th. 1780.— 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Not only duty but inclination induce me to write. I acknowlege I am indebted to 
 you, and hope you will not impute my long delay in answering you to any indifference in 
 renewing the correspondence mentioned in your last. — It is certainly to be regretted 
 that those (I mean the dutch divines in Holland) who made such great proficiency in 
 the sacred science of Theology, with a total neglect of the study of nature, should 
 endeavour to confute the most convincing arguments of others who have devoted their 
 whole attention to the discovery of the mysteries of nature, and made the truth thereof 
 appear upon the most obvious principles of sound Philosophy. That these men I say, 
 should presume to disannul such pressing arguments, and that only from the literal 
 meaning of the terms used' in scripture which thro* the condescension of the supreme 
 being were undoubtedly intended to represent divine things to men of the meanest ca- 
 pacities, is truly to be lamented, and the more so because their writings on Divinity and 
 experimental religion might be of more extensive use to the learned world in general 
 if these little prejudices were removed. — 
 
 Your complaint concerning the endangered state of Shins during the last winter 
 is very just, and the truth of it was confirmed to me by sad experience, for mine were 
 blotched with colours (or mixtures of colours just as you please) of almost as many 
 kinds as those original ones which adorn the Rainbow in the cloud. I happened to have 
 a pair of old Shin-Curtains in the house and had some thoughts of repairing to them for 
 relief, but upon considering that a pair of boots would better answer the purpose of both 
 fire and snow, I accordingly made use of them. I was at that time very attentively en- 
 gaged in the two first volumes of Martin, and was often with my pipe in one hand, and 
 with the other supporting my head inclining on a table, and eyes fixed directly towards 
 the fire, ruminating on what I had just been studying, and philosophizing in my own 
 mind on the nature and cause of culinary fire the effect of which I was continually 
 feeling — It is a common phraze that fire is hotter in cold weather than at any other 
 time, and well it may, since the greater density of the air confines the ignitious particles 
 to a smaller compass, their effect upon a body must certainly be greater than when it is 
 warmer and of course more rare, as it then permits them to diffuse themselves and oc- 
 cupy a larger space. And since the power of burning is directly as the density of the 
 heat and inversely as the distance from it, it is no wonder that our Shins are in such 
 great danger in cold weather, for the great density of the circumambient air urges our 
 bodies within this ardent sphere that the lower part receives the wound before the upper 
 
26 
 
 is sensible of it, and in my opinion this is the reason that we are obliged to wear chequ- 
 ered Shins so much as we do. — So much for Shins. — 
 
 Having studied the first volumes of Nat. Philosophy, I expect in a few days to 
 begin upon the turning part, and it is probable that with the Planets my Sensorium 
 kaputis may undergo not only a diurnal rotation, but a menstrual and annual revolution, 
 and whether it be sherical or eliptical provided it keeps within a regular orbit I hope 
 I shall be satisfied. I think I am so far void of prejudice as cheerfully to acquiesce 
 in the oppinions of those who by the learned are applauded for their deep penetration 
 and profound knowlege, and who have evinced their sentiments by arguments as clear 
 as demonstration can afford. — 
 
 I might answer your letter more fully, but as it is lying in a Desk near forty miles 
 distance I cannot now lay it before me perhaps some part may therefore be omitted. 
 However, I shall expect another as soon as time and convenience shall permit you to 
 write. It affords me much happiness to receive letters from friends and especially those 
 from persons of literature, the former are useful and friendly, but the latter are very 
 improving in sentiment and style which is an advantage not to be expected from a "This 
 comes to let you know &c" of the vulgar. — 
 
 I expected to go to the Branch to see you last Saturday in the Waggon with Mr. 
 Simonson, but as he did not come I was prevented. 
 
 A Letter bearing date the 8th. May came to my hand this day from Mr. Lansingh, 
 he is engaged in the study of Divinity and the Hebrew tongue. — 
 
 With due respect I subscribe 
 myself yours affectionately — 
 
 Simeon Vanartsdalen — 
 
 P,S. You say a Postscript is customary, I know it often is, therefore to avoid singularity 
 I shall comply with the custom and give you a good long one. When I read your Letter 
 for uncle John Kroesen I did it with as much nature as I thought the expressions re- 
 quired, and as was in my power, and especially when I came near the words zo dan 
 
 where I intended to make a little stop, which as soon as I did, zo says he, upon which 
 
 I could not command my risible faculty, the clan stuck by the way and was not quite 
 pronounced. — 
 
 XXX 
 
 Mr. John Bogart 
 N. Branch of 
 , Raritan 
 
 Dear friend 
 
 I am Just now packing up for Moving & intend to start in the morning for West 
 Point The North River it is expected will again be the seat of war the ensuing Cam- 
 paing. — I would give you a Detail of What has happen'd in this quarter of the Jerseys 
 had not you an Oppertunity of hearing the particulars as much at least as is generally 
 known, I had the Pleasure of seeing Johnny Taylor about Springfield some time ago 
 likewise little Frelinghuysen And others Of my N Branch Acqaintances — The Jersey 
 Militia have Distinguished themselves in a singular Manner upon the Occasion And 
 every One gives them the praises they have Justly merited Should the Enemy have pre- 
 sumption enough to lead them to an Attack upon our Works in the Highlands You Will 
 hear of Bloody Noses They have last Friday experienced the resoluteness of our Troops 
 tho only a small detachment sufficient to give them a sample of what they may expect. 
 
 After this if you condescend to write A line to me you may Direct to near Head 
 Qrs I suppose not far from N. Windsor- Timony Ford has got a couple of Clever 
 
 Marks to show for his Patriotism. . He is not quite recovered yet tho his Wounds are 
 mending You will have an oppertunity of Congratulating him in the Letter You promised 
 to write to him in Answer to his. 
 
 I have no time at present to give you a Dissertation Upon the Embracing or Coition 
 Conjunction Sex and Copulation of Ideas As No Other but my friend Bogart could at this 
 
27 
 
 time have extorted a few minutes from me for the scribbling you are now perusing As 
 you know before a Move. Preparations engross the whole of our time & attention Give 
 my best compliments to Van Wyck Van Artsdalen, Cortland, Blauwvelt, &c &c &c and 
 All my Acquaintances But not to Taylor as he Abominates Every resemblance of for- 
 mality 
 
 I am Yours Affectionately 
 
 & forever ( in a hurry 
 
 S DeWitt 
 Moristown 
 June 26- 80 
 Mr Jno Bogart 
 
 XXXI 
 
 Mr John Bogart 
 N. Branch 
 
 N. Branch Aug'st 14th. 1780 
 Dr Sir 
 
 I send this to apologize for not spending this Evening with you agreeable to 
 promise — Nothing would have given me greater pleasure, but I am in such a hurry now 
 .to return to Wallkill that I must postpone it till I come back — You will perhaps ask in 
 some surprise, what threw me into this violent hurry — well sir this is it — The Domine is 
 oblidged to be at Esopus about the middle of September and to attend the Dutch Synod 
 the first Wednesday of Octbr — there is also, (or likewise, just which you please) a ne- 
 cessity for a meeting of the Trustees before the Domine sets out — now to prevent the 
 trouble of another meeting after our examination for the purpose of conferring degrees 
 they have wisely concluded it best to examine Mr. VnArtsdalen and myself the day pre- 
 ceeding the meeting of the Trustees which is friday the 8 of Sept. so you see that I have 
 little more than three weeks to prepare for examination — I am at a loss respecting a 
 Diaploma — I have no Parchment nor do I know where to get any — if you know of any — 
 you would oblidge me much if you would procure it for me and prepare it for signing — 
 Your books I have left at Mr. Taylor's if you should not need them till my return. I will 
 then (as is my duty) bring them to your own house I am greatly oblidged to you for the 
 use of them and am sorry that my future situation in life will in all probability put it out 
 of my power to make you a suitable return for these and every other favour conferred 
 upon Dr Sir 
 
 your sincere friend &c J Smith 
 Mr John Bogart \ 
 
 XXXII 
 
 Mr John Bogart Junr 
 
 North-Branch of 
 Rariton 
 
 Northampton, Bucks County, 
 Nov. 13th. 1780. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Yours of the 14th. Oct. favoured by Mr. DeWitt needs no apology. You seem to be 
 apprehensive of wearying my patience in reading your three pages filled with a jumble 
 of words as you express it. Let not the thought enter your mind, for experience has 
 often evinced that several hours can be spent very agreeably in subjects in themselves 
 little worth. When I receive a letter from a friend I open it and reason thus "Now I am 
 going to enjoy the company of my friend to hear him communicate something to me, and 
 altho' he he has not any anything very important to transmit, yet he will say something 
 
28 
 
 in this method of conversation which will be both satisfactory and entertaining." In 
 my opinion writing for writing's sake is preferable to not writing at all. therefore I 
 hope you will say no more about wearying my patience with scribling. Friendship you 
 say is of a very delicate nature, that subsisting between us is I hope more strong and 
 permanent than to be wounded by an epistle not quite so replete with noble sentiments 
 and learned expressions. 
 
 As for news I must observe with you that I have none unless I also give you some- 
 thing about Arnold, which is as follows, I lately saw a figure of the effigies that were 
 paraded through the streets of Philadelphia where there is a representation of Arnold 
 and his old friend the Devil, who were together mounted on a cart and exhibited to 
 public view, as a detestation of his infamous conduct in forming a diabolical plot to be- 
 tray his country by means of that which may justly be styled an accursed avarice, that 
 tool in the hands of Satan by which he decoys many persons to their inevitable ruin. 
 
 Young Mr. Light has accepted a call from this place and is expected to move this 
 week. 
 
 Since I left Jersey I have devoted such of my time as was not taken up in recreation 
 and exercise to the perusal of approved authors, but that to which my attention is most 
 principally led in a systematical way is Marck. 
 
 I expect to spend the winter at home, and next spring again to return to Jersey 
 which to me has been the mother of science. 
 
 I shall not conclude with making excuses for writing no more, but come to a 
 period in silence before I arrive at the bottom, and so subscribe myself yours &c 
 
 Simeon Vanartsdalen 
 
 P.S. Mrs: Vanartsdalen and others of 
 
 the family join in compliment 
 
 ing you, your mother and sister. 
 Mr. John Bogart 
 
 XXXIII 
 
 To Mr. John Bogart, 
 North Branch 
 
 Northampton, Bucks County, 
 
 March 28th. 1781. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 It is currently reported that there has been a severe engagement 
 between the french and british fleets in the Cheasapeak, but no particulars are yet come 
 to hand altho we expect them in this day's papers. There is now also a flying report 
 that Cornwallis and his army are made prisoners, but this wants confirmation. 
 
 I return you thanks Sir, for your benevolent expressions relative to 
 my son, but as I do not pretend to any skill in Physiognomy, Astrology, Necromancy or 
 fortune telling I shall forbear prognosticating any future events. However since you 
 desire to know what kind of a phyz he has, I shall endeavour to give you as true an in- 
 formation as I possibly can. His visage is round and full, his countenance pleasant, 
 his eyes rolling, brisk and lively, and forehead bold from which if I should form a con- 
 jecture and answer your demand, it would be that his aspect appears military and pre- 
 ludes the soldier. — It would give me pleasure to see my friend come and form his own 
 judgment since he might obtain a much better idea from sight, than I can give him in 
 writing. — I am dear Sir, with great esteem your 
 
 friend and humble servant 
 
 Simeon Vanartsdalen 
 P.S. A * * * * J ** + *#* 
 
20 
 
 XXXIV 
 
 Mr. John Bogart 
 
 Student of Divinity „ 
 at 
 
 Raritan 
 
 ?f 0n v Pr K . ! North branch 
 
 Mr. 1 enbroeck J 
 
 N. Windsor May 8th. 1781 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Have you not sometimes When free from the Calls of ordinary business felt your- 
 self in a strange bind of a mood your thoughts slowly moving from one subject to 
 another your inclination equally balanced between every object that may chance to hit 
 the Imagination, A thousand times resolving on something and as often rejecting what 
 fancy proposes or suddenly drawn off by something more Alluring in appearance, And 
 if you begin with any thing for instance writing a Letter — before you proceed beyond 
 a dozen of Lines find a languor in the Animal Spirits which tempts the pen to drop from 
 the hand or the hand to throw it down and yourself to Curse your stupidity — If you have 
 ever experienced this you may form a pretty good Idea of my feelings at this time — 
 perhaps I have begun a task of all others the most improper to be undertaken at present 
 I call it a task because in such a humor the most agreable employment is Irksome to 
 me. To such changes whilst we are human we must expect to remain subject, I am sorry 
 tho it is but rarely the case with me it should just happen whilst I am composing an 
 epistle to A friend, but it will derive some Apology from the consideration that in the 
 most listless intervals of life we commonly embrace that which is most likely to engage 
 our thoughts with some thing pleasing And I have always found in writing to a friend 
 My spirits invigorated by the recognition of instances which placed us once nighest to 
 that point of happiness our frail natures admit us to reach — Whos that! 
 
 May 9th 
 Wonderfull wonder of wonders! who do you think interrupted me Just I had so 
 far finished the Above preamble to my Epistle — I am quite another man my Spirits are 
 afloat guess ay! and guess a thousand times in Vain You will not find the Cause. 
 Just as the subject I was writing upon led my Ideas back to days of old and recalled 
 to my memory those scenes which we cannot reflect upon without being sensible of a 
 real and refined pleasure — Just as the Images of my old companions were raisd and 
 presented to my imagination in the Various Characters which once they conjointly Acted 
 behold Just at this very moment turning about I was struck with a figure standing on 
 the floor wrapt up in a great Coat a little cocked hat resting on the root of his nose half 
 covering his eyes and in a tone half way between admiration and Joy salutes me with 
 Dear Sirs! Surprising! Is it possible! I had scarce recovered from the surprise which 
 this Appearance and exclamation had created in me when I recollected the well known 
 features of our old friend Annan. The very same Lad, You may easily how overjoyed 
 I was at the sight of him, he staid with me till this day after dinner and set off for his 
 brothers who lives about fifteen miles from here — We had a long talk with each other 
 and raised the ghosts of all our former transactions he is as droll if not droller than 
 ever full of Laugh and Jocularity, his Air his Manner and Phiz, are all the same as 
 formerly tho Rather a little more masculine — Old fellow I will tell you What, I have not 
 had A letter from You since last fall or last winter dated on the Banks of the Riv6i* 
 Styx — pray why don't you give us any of your Penny post papers I liked your specimen 
 vastly my Compliments to all friends — I am sir sincerely 
 NB Annan Stays 4 or 5) Yours 
 
 Weeks with his brother — ) S: DeWitt 
 
 P:S: Did not you and Taylor receive a letter from me dated Last winter at Morristown 
 — There is Very little News with us — They say Sir Harry and Knyphausen have embarked 
 with a fleet from New York and sailed out at the Hook — Where And What the Operations 
 of the Campaign will be is yet out of the Reach of Conjecture — Money money money 
 
30 
 
 the want of it is a Clog to our movements And I am afraid will too much influence the 
 Effects of our exertions — We now know it by sad experience to be the sinews of War — 
 And I fear On this Account we will be longer kept from the field than will be consistent 
 with the safety of the Country — America is running mad and seem to put confidence in 
 nothing. I believe the petition of Old Charon or some Other of the Internals has had too 
 great an Influence — Justice patriotism and Charity are fled Avarice sordid Avarice has 
 swallowed us up Instead of gratitude and rewards. The Army the benefactors of tine 
 Country Meet with neglect — Our rulers are not to blame every measure that Wisdom 
 can devise has been adopted but Curruption like the plague has almost without dis- 
 crimination infected all ranks of men — At the front of which place the traders — I am 
 still in my old employment supplying the place of the late Mr Erskin 
 
 S.D— 
 
 XXXV 
 
 Mr. John Bogart 
 Raritan 
 Camp near Dobb's Ferry Augt. 1st: 1781 
 
 My Dear friend 
 
 I am almost ashamed that I have not answered your Letter sooner — I might 
 enumerate several reasons by way of apology but between friends it is unnecessary 
 formality. You see where we now are, in a Country which bears the melancholy Ves- 
 tiges of War; The whole is almost one vast common in which Weeds, Briars and grass 
 promiscuously cover its surface and not a creature to disturb its growth before the 
 Arrival of the Army; not a hand to cut down the overgrown meadows except in a very 
 few places. Even the high ways were lost and not to be known but by the Ruins of the 
 stone fences which formed the lane — What cruel changes does the destructive hand of 
 war make where ever it approaches! In the emphatic language of scripture The land 
 mourns. . . The Joyfull husbandman is no more seen pursuing, with pleasure in his 
 countenance, his dayly labors; and with those of the inhabitants Who still remain we 
 find not that plenty stored which formerly made them the happiest of men — Their hard 
 earned property, the little provision they had made to Render the days of old age 
 comfortable has been wrested from them by their friends and Enemies — Wealthy families 
 after having Fathers, brothers, husbands taken from them have By tears and entreaties 
 retained the last cow for their subsistance — These my friend are the Circumstances of 
 this Country, What hearts of Steel must the authors of the war have Or how Void of 
 rational reflection. After a train of thoughts on this subject we are ready to exclaim — 
 Is there not some chosen curse some hidden thunder in the stores of heaven to blast 
 those wretches who seek their greatness by their country's Ruin, When we consider 
 how the harmless and innocent groan under their sufferings unreleived and how the 
 infamous great those monsters in creation who wring from the toils of the poor that 
 wealth which supports them in the high ways of debauchery and in the society of hell. 
 I say when we consider how these pass with impunity and meet with prosperity whilst 
 the oppressed innocent remain unnoticed and unredressed, The Idea of a day of Account 
 in some future- period irresistably forces itself upon us- -What a Jubilee would it 
 create if the war should once Come to a period, I think we are pretty well prepared to 
 taste the sweets of peace and I hope the policy of England will direct him whose Conduct 
 is a burlesque on the title of most gracious majesty to adopt measures for accomplishing 
 that desirable object — My dear friend I would be very happy to see you to enjoy that 
 familiar chat which is the essence of Social pleasure and the life of friendship Epistolary 
 intercourse is but a barren substitute — The Ideas are often, from the frame of Mind, 
 tinctured with a Languishment and nothing to give springs to it as in Conversation. I 
 wish Matters were so that I could be again planted in domestic life in a Circle of choice 
 friends to whom I could retire when tired with business and discuss such Matters serious 
 or diverting as would be most suitable to the occasion — But we must wait with patience 
 the return of those Halcyon Days — We yet please our selves with the prospect of getting 
 
into Xew York, such an event would be a considerable s^ep towards bringing our Ene- 
 mies to terms — But the Theasre is so large there ;s no Judgelng with cer^s^y RememW 
 that tno I am not Sils-^jS: Very pnnctnal in performing my part of ihe correspondence 
 It does not dissolve the Obligation on your pan; Ton have more time for speculation 
 than I hare. Ton are secluded from all she world and have nothing ~o intrude upon your 
 meditations — I may relate to you Matters of fact when any worth Xotice preses:- them- 
 selves, but You hare a better opportunity of giving the pure jcci^c:- of undisturbed 
 reflection — It ls remarked that persons who have lost any of their Srsise-s parrxrl&r'y 
 the sight have stronger conceptions zz>c can exert their mental facx^es with greater 
 Energy than others — Thus you who have not the Various Masters which coiusnrtaTe the 
 Vicissitudes of camp to draw your attention from Object to Object — May calmly pursue 
 what you have fixt your Views upon and pierce the Maze of &iS.€-ilT:es doubts ambigui- 
 ties and Obscurity which may envelope a subject and discriminate truth wherever it may 
 be from its counterfeit tho* ever so much disguised 
 
 Pray let me hear from you as often as you can what do you follow? are you 
 studying Divinity? It is a noble profession and the best way a man can spend L!s 
 Embrlo life for his own happiness — You will find that all the enjoyment of tfcfs life 
 except those which are purely radonal and divine are Vanity and in the End prove a 
 Vexation of spirit It :s not worth our while to be much concerned in what condition we 
 spend this life which Is comparatively but a moment provided we are in a capacity 
 to be as usefull in our day and generation as our talent admit 
 I am DrSir Your sincere friend 
 
 S: DeTYitx 
 
 XXXVI 
 
 Mr. John Bogart 
 
 Xorth Branch 
 Mr Henry — 
 
 Xe^r Brunswick SepT. -Ml. 1TS1 
 Eear Sir. 
 
 Mr. Henry will call upon yon with so-zie Parchment which I am induced 
 to send to you to write my I>iap1&ma* your doing this s5l&U at all times lay me under a 
 sense of obligation for the favour, 1 hope sir you will comply with my recnes - . : if not 
 the disappointment will be great, £:nce I know no person who is capable of performing 
 it, but provided it Is not in your power Mr. Henry must return the Par<chxLer! — The 
 Trustees meet the 3 Teusday in October, if it is in your power send I" by s^me con- 
 venient opportunity, if not keep it tOl some person calls for it In so doing yon will 
 greatly oblige your friend & very humbL 
 
 ServL Tim Blauvelt 
 
 VS. Should be exceeding happy of your company up the X. River, zhis might be of 
 essential service to your health — shall set out on Wednesday Morning next. 
 
 My Compliments to your family 
 Mr. Bogart TB 
 
 XXXY1I 
 
 Albany October l&th: 17*1 
 Dear sir, 
 
 A latin school has been erected in tikis place, siite l&sz year, as I understand 
 under the direction of the corporation of the City. Mr. Merchant fcas undertaken as 
 teacher to instruct the youth, with Mr. Chapin, now the school is increased to the num- 
 ber of fifty scholars, therefore they i-aiLt a third teacher, i» learn the youth to "STJie and 
 instruct them in the Mathematics. I have taken the freedom to recommend you as a 
 friend, and whom I judge properly qualified for the business. Mr. Merchant has told me 
 yesterday that eke corporation have wrote to yon on the subject, and desire you will be 
 
32 
 
 pleased to accept of their offer; he told me farther the condition is One hundred pounds 
 they will pay'you per Annum: and also requested me to write to you as I am personally 
 acquainted with you. I cannot use any persuasive arguments to excite you to accept of 
 the offer, as I do not know your intentions with respect to the study for the Ministry 
 of the glorious Gospel of the blessed Jesus, which is so important and so necessary in 
 this day of degeneracy that should you be inclined to prosecute the study of Divinity, I 
 would rather wish you to go on with it in the name & strength of our glorious Jesus, 
 that you may be useful in the Church of Christ in your day, and generation; but If you 
 have laid aside, all thoughts for the study of divinity, I might advise you if you should 
 be inclined to it to accept of the offer which I understand is made to you by the cor- 
 poration; provided you meet with no better encouragement from some other quarter. 
 My dear friend I wish you well for time and eternity, I hope it may please the Lord of 
 his infinite goodness to direct you agreeable to his eternal council, to his glory, and your 
 happiness. I conclude with wishing you health happiness & the blessings of the ever- 
 lasting gospel of the amiable Jesus. I am sir your most humble servant 
 
 Nicholas Lansingh 
 
 P.S. Be pleased to excuse my haste. I heard from .you that it was your desire to spend 
 your days for the good of your fellow creatures; Either as a Minister of the gospel, or 
 else to instruct youth, therefore I have recommended you as a teacher for this school 
 above mentioned, I hope you 1 ! pardon my freedom should you take it amiss. 
 
 XXXVIII 
 
 Mr. John Bogard 
 Raritan 
 
 New-Jersey 
 Dear Friend. 
 
 I wish it had been in my power, to have visited you in your distress, when 
 at Raritan; but my hurry of Business and want of time put it out of my power either 
 to pay you a visit or to write in answer to your request. As soon after my return as 
 possible, I sit down to comply with the desire of my distressed Friend: whom I hope 
 mercifull and indulgent Heaven, will soon res-tore to health of Body and Comfort of 
 mind. To the latter, I would, with the greatest pleasure, cast in my mite. As to the 
 Marks of a State of saving Grace are Copiously dispersed through the Oracles of God. 
 Such as are proper to all the Children of God: To them only, and to them at all times: 
 are the most sure to be guided by in the important inquiries after true and lasting 
 happiness: and if properly and prudently improved, tend much to the Comfort & ad- 
 vantage of the human mind. I doubt whither I can give these Marks in the same order 
 I delivered them in the Sermon You refer to, but shall endeavour to give them in Sub- 
 stance. I beg, dear Sr. you will consider, a State of Grace, essentially consists in re- 
 newed and sanctifyed Principles in the heart and being freed by a living Faith frQm 
 the Condeming power of Guilt. These I do now suppose, not prove. If the Marks under 
 Consideration shall be genuin, they must evince both these. Such as prove renewed 
 Principles, I humbly conceive to be. 1. Spiritual views of spiritual things. Though the 
 inlightened mind may find itself in the dark, yet the views it had, still leave an habitual 
 Sense of the supereminent Excellency of Divine things in the mind, counting all other 
 things dross and dung, in Comparison. A sober recollection of some perticular views, 
 in a former day of some diliverance evinces to the mind that they then beheld the way 
 of Salvation in a point of view, which no carnal or natural reasoning could afford them. 
 2. A spiritual Bent or Inclination of the will and affections. Which becomes evident 
 from the habitual aversion to all, the most darling sin to nature: The sincere desire 
 to be freed from them: The breathing after Conformity to God: The groaning under 
 this Body of Sin and death: And the agreable sensation the Soul experiences upon the 
 least prospect of their be devouted to God. 3. Such habits produces simelar effects.. 
 The Soul finds a spontanious disposition to view its action; the Principle from whence, 
 
33 
 
 and the manner in which performed, and the end, to which directed. A Sense of ina- 
 bility to pursue the desirable objects in these perticulars, cause him to pray for aid, 
 if it even should be, by groans, not to be uttered: To watch the outgoings of the hert: 
 To fear and dread all rest and easiness in duties, lest they should want the necessary 
 requisites to be acceptable to God. And if ever such a mind injoys any real Comfort and 
 Satisfaction, it proceeds from its relying, with all the Imperfections of its nature and 
 actions, on the meritorious satisfaction of its Mediator, the Son of God. — Secondly, such 
 as prove, our being freed, by a living Faith, from the Condemning power of Sin, I con- 
 ceive to be. 1. The mind's habitual views of, and inclination to that way of Justifica- 
 tion, which the Gospel only and fully reveals and offers. If it finds rest and satisfac- 
 tion, as to its peace with God, from any degree of Reformation arrived to, or duties 
 performed, it proves a legal heart: by the law, no flesh shall be justifyed. But if under 
 a Sense of Guilt and deserved Condemnation, it dreads all legal works as Via way to 
 be Reconciled to God; but feels, that he wishes to be found in Christ, not so much 
 from necessity, because he believes he must otherwise go to hell, but from a full Con- 
 viction of the suitableness of the way of Sovereign Grace, tending most to our abasement 
 and the Glory of God. This proves the assenting act of Faith: The lowest, I conceive, 
 in order to our Justification. Self-Deceivers, may speak much of Christ; but if duely 
 examined, will be found to originate, not so much from a Complacency in that way, as 
 humbling to itself, and to the Glory of God; as from self-love, their views of the many 
 benifits accrueing by his death to them. Therefore their language generally is what 
 reasons they have to love Christ, who, by his sufferings, has delivered them from hell 
 and gave them a title to heaven. While they discover deep Ignorance of what hell or 
 heaven really are. 2. By this act of Faith, the mind experiences, though perhaps not 
 always with a Consciousness to itself the blessed effects of a State of free Pardon. By 
 serious reflection they must acknowledge, That at times they had views of the fullness 
 suitableness and willingness of Christ to save Sinners, so that they could acquiesce in 
 them, offer up themselves with all their Condemning Guilt to him, and, though perhaps 
 no full assurance of his accepting them, yet the soul found peace, could then go with 
 some degree of liberty to God; And felt that satisfaction in him, all the world could 
 not give. 3. From this follows the Correspondent frames and exercises of the mind. 
 When these Views are lost, the soul is dissatisfyed, fears the danger of deceit; it can 
 believe, if it really was so interested in Christ, as it had seen the way open for Sinners, 
 it would dare call God its Father. What it then -tasted creates a crafing desire for the 
 same and more clear and satisfactory injoyments of such Frames. This proves more or 
 less clear, an interview with a reconciled God. For no one can truly and sincerely re- 
 gret the loss and want of an unknown thing, God may communicate his common boun- 
 ties to the graceless, but not the special Communications of himself. Self-Deceivers 
 may talk of Darkness and light, But it is meerly their frames, not an humble access to 
 God, not Gospel views of God in Christ. 
 
 These, my Friend, are some of the marks I rank in the before mentioned 
 class. Duly to consider them, may be usefull. Where discoverable, they ought to 
 engage the mind with more incouragement, to seek the full assurance of Faith; which 
 is to be obtained, by repeated acts of Faith in the manner aforesaid and thereby exer- 
 cise Fellowship with God; or by such acts of Faith as lays hold of Christ under clearer 
 Views of his mediatorial Glory, and the reflecting act of Assurance of one's being 
 therein accepted by him. The last is attainable though not obtained by all the Children 
 of God. 
 
 The State, Sr. of Bodily weekness to which you are Subject; is an addi- 
 tional call to make Your Calling & Election sure. My soul wishes it for your benefit 
 and Comfort. I trust You are no Stranger to the foregoing Marks. I pray God to en- 
 large them to your satisfaction, Christ is able to save to the Uttermost. May a Merci- 
 full God restore you to a better State of health, that you may yet be usefull to Church 
 and State. — I have before, as your sincere Friend, told you, I feared your Constitution 
 would not be able to bare the labours and fatigues of the ministry. I afterwards had 
 some hopes your Constitution was gathering Strenght and that obsticle be removed, 
 
34 
 
 but how far such an attack upon it as you now have suffered, may again impair your 
 Tabernacle of clay, you will be best able to judge. If you should again recover, so far 
 at least, as to find yourself capable to follow business, I wish you would let me know, 
 how far you may be ingaged, and if in this Quarter a Door should open for a Mathe- 
 matical School, Whither I might try my Influence to obtain my desire in procuring you 
 to take the Charge of it? 
 
 I have nothing new to Communicate. We are all, through mercy, in a State 
 of health. My Father's Family has been under Considerable Affliction, my Sister re- 
 moved into the eternal world, after a long and tedious illness, and after my return I 
 found my Brother's Son, whom my Parents had brought up seized with violent Pains 
 in foot and knee both have festered, and the bone in the heel, the Cherurgion judges, to 
 be affected; Which I fear will afford, much Distress. 
 
 It would have afforded me much pleasure to have had the Opportunity of 
 seeing you ; Perhaps a jaunt up here, after You should have recovered sufficient 
 strenth to perform it, might be advantagious to your impaired Constitution. I conclude 
 with my kindest respect and best wishes, my wife joins me and we desire to be re- 
 membered to our Dear Raritan Friends you may meet with, and so am 
 
 Dear Friend, Yours sincerely 
 
 Jacob R: Hardenbergh 
 Rosendall j 
 
 Novr. 13: 1781 j 
 
 Mr: John Bogard 
 
 XXXIX 
 
 Mr. John Bogart 
 Student 
 
 Raritan. 
 
 Manor Livingston Janry 31. 1782 
 Dear Sir 
 
 Your's of the 19th of last November I have recieved. I have been to Albany, 
 and this day returned, I have spoken to one of the members of the Corporation they 
 are amazed that you have not Answered their letter & to inform them of your final 
 determination with respect to what they have requested, I send this by my friend Mr. 
 Charles Dickinson who is going to Morristown, & will stay there about three days & 
 return. If you can send an Answer to the Corporation by Mr. Dickinson. I must close 
 for I have no time to write I wish you a saving interest in Christ our glorious Redeemer. 
 I am Your friend 
 
 Nicholas Lansingh 
 
 xxxx 
 
 Mr. John Bogert 
 
 Raritan N. Brunswick 
 
 Mr. Bogert the 3d of march 1782— 
 
 Dr Sir 
 
 I am happy to hear of your recovery from a long state of illness Take 
 
 exercise — and enjoy your friends if you wish to prevent a return of the fever. 
 
 If you shall not have too fully engaged with the corporation of Albany, 
 and if you shall prefer Brunswick to Albany, There is a vacancy in the school at this 
 
35 
 
 place. Mr Kirkpatrick is determined to enter upon other business in the spring — 
 There are at present twenty Scholars and I have no doubt of a large increase several 
 have already looked out for lodgings for their children. Suppose the number shall be 
 25 next year at £ 6 pr. Anm. — each, it will amount to £ 150. — ■ 
 
 I shall thank you for an answer 
 I remain with esteem your friend 
 Jno. Taylor 
 
 XXXXI 
 
 Mr. John Bogert 
 Mr. Bogert Raritan 
 
 N. Brunswick, 
 
 the 11th. April. 
 Dr. Sir.— 
 
 I received your's when at Raritan. I wished to see you at the Vendue — You 
 say that you are under obligation by promise to the Corporation of Albany, in case they 
 shall inform you of their acceptance of your offer — This information I hope you have 
 not yet received, if so I think you are free from your engagement, and may with pro- 
 priety enter into business in another place — I wish you to think seriously of the matter, 
 the School at this place will end I am fearful unless you shall consent to take it under 
 your care. — I have one other objection to your going to the northward — you will be 
 under the direction of Mr. Merchant who is not so old a graduate as you are, and not 
 eminent in the classick studies, the Corporation give him £200 pr. Anm — and his as- 
 sistants only £100 which makes too great a difference. — I want you here that we may 
 attempt a new plan, and make one great exertion to raise Queen's College from it's 
 present obscurity, to grandeur and usefulness. — Think again — Think on a large scale — 
 If the Grammar School at this place shall fail, with it tumbles Queen's College — 
 Another man may supply that Albany-School as an Assistant — I have written to a young 
 Gentlemen of my acquaintance to undertake at Albany — I dare reccommend him — 
 Col. Frelings & Mr. Freileigh are appointed by the Faculty to call upon you for a de- 
 cided answer — Do not say no. Many a man has repented of that when it was too late. — 
 
 I remain with sincerity 
 Your Friend 
 
 Jno. Taylor 
 
 XXXXII 
 
 Raritan, April .82 — 
 
 Well — Lantsman 
 
 I know you love to compose for your own amusment & doubt not a 
 little for the amusment & instruction of your Lantsman too. 
 
 But for fear you, like the Lens: should draw fancy instead of ye favourite object — 
 I shall send you my two Darlings — they have beautiful features they tell me but few 
 Limners are able to take the nice cut of their features for the want of Eye sight — 
 When My two favourites shall stand before you, I beg you will put on your Glass of 
 Literature which the Philos : & Astronomical Society has made you a present of & search 
 out every beauty they are possessed of & draw it in order. I fear not, sending ym to 
 My Lantsn: because I know he is also in love with both of them. — What ye duce? why 
 dont you tell'me at once who they are? — 
 
 They are two of your sweet hearts you had formerly at N. Brunswick — the Name of 
 the one is. — 
 
 An account of the perfect & imperfect Rights in a state of Nature & what dif- 
 ferences take place in both in a State of Society. — The Name of the other is How the 
 Bliptic orbits of the planets arise from Sr. Isaac Newtons principles of attraction — 
 
36 
 
 You observe they are two overgrown Infants of an enormous Stature. Well Lantsman 
 since you are fond of drawing I beg you will draw them in full Stature which I sup- 
 pose will require 3 or 4 sheet of Paper & carry them with you as far as Shawengunk. 
 But who is that calls? Breackfast is ready — ■ 
 
 Adieu 
 
 Isaac Blauvelt 
 
 XXXXIII 
 
 Mr. John Bogart Jur. — 
 Raritan. 
 
 N Brunswick 
 Mr. Bogart the 1st of may — 
 
 Dr Sir 
 
 I have received a letter from Mr. Derick Van Veighten at Albany, he in- 
 forms me that Mr. Merchant has left the School at that place, and that the Corporation 
 have determined to send me an invitation as Director of their Acadmy — and also an 
 invitation to Mr. Bogart to direct in the second place and. to endeavour to procure a 
 third Teacher — Prom this it is evident that they do not expect you to remove to Albany 
 so soon as you expected. — I wish you to pay us a visit, and conclude to stay with us 
 one or two months There is no necessity to engage for a longer time you can always 
 renew your engagements — If such an invitation shall come I shall think seriously of 
 the matter — 
 
 I remain your's 
 
 Jno. Taylor 
 I can not flourish 
 
 XXXXIV 
 
 Mr. John Bogart 
 
 N. Brunswick 
 
 From Fort Henry 
 Dr. Sir safe arrived, the evening of the day we had the pleasure of seeing you, we 
 dined at or with Mrs. Bray & had the supreme felicity of drinking tea with Mrs. Bogart 
 & Miss Peggy V. Wyke. 
 
 I suppose you have determined wether you go to Alb. or no by this time I hope 
 the latter, or the flattering myself with the imagination or hope of your continuing 
 while I am in College is entirely subverted. If you & Mr. Taylor leave it, figure to 
 yourself the event why big with the fate of Queens-College. I predict a totle dissolu- 
 tion of it. Dr. sir the method I proposed when I saw you last I find impracticable to 
 pursue that is studing at home therefore mean to come down to Brns. in a short time 
 about a fortnight or probably longer three weeks at farthest. Now Sir I am agoing to 
 court the favour or honor of being a room mate of yours and if you grant it please to 
 endeavour to prevail on Col. Taylor to lodge me if he objects on the account of incon- 
 veniency tell him I can put up with any if washing will be inconvenient I will obviate 
 that by getting it done out leave him no source of denial or objections to take me. I 
 do not know that I have a great deal more to say in this epistle but shall endeavor to 
 find something for the next which I mean to remit to you the next opportunity and 
 every other 
 
 The servant will return a monday please to let me know how Bru. agrees with 
 you and the answer you get from Col. Taylor — You will much oblige your friend and 
 
 hul. ser — 
 
 M.D. Henry 
 Friday — evening — ■ 16-82 
 
 Make my Compliments to Col and Mrs. Taylor — to 
 the Gentlemen & ladies of my acquaintance. 
 Mr John Bogart. 
 
37 
 
 xxxxv 
 
 South Hampton Buck's County, Augt. 9th. 1782 
 Sir, 
 
 Agreeable to promise that you would endeavour to "write My Master 
 Degree, I take the Liberty to transmit you the parchment for that purpose; as to the 
 Form, you remember, you was to make enquiry about it, only the time of its being 
 granted I was to communicate, which is in the following words 
 
 Datum Neo Brunopolis in Nova Caesarea, Septimo Decimo Kalendas Octo- 
 bris, Anno Erae Christianae, Millesimo Septingentesimo, Septuagesimo Octavo. 
 
 I cannot write anything particular as to news. Mr. Vredenburgh is now 
 waiting to depart; give my Compliments to Mr. Taylor & family; the beginning of 
 Next Month I hope to see you in Brunswick. 
 My best respects to you. 
 
 I remain 
 Your friend & humble servant 
 
 Matthew Light 
 
 XXXXVI 
 
 Mr. Cornelius Simonson 
 Griggstown. 
 
 New Brunswick, August 27th. 1782. 
 Dear Brother. 
 
 Perhaps you may find fault that I have seen you so seldom this summer, 
 but be assured that it has not risen from any want of affection, or indifference, I have 
 frequently wished to visit you, but something or other has prevented. I was however 
 determined shortly to take a ride to Griggstown, but am apprehensive that my present 
 indisposition; and particularly my leg may for a considerable time prevent me. What 
 can be the cause of my leg swelling and having every appearance of breaking I cannot 
 tell — I do not know that I have any way hurt it — I am at present almost confined to my 
 room — It is not very painful — 
 
 There is an English Fleet at the Hook — we have not yet been able to learn 
 their intentions — Some suppose they are designed a convoy for the garrison at New 
 York— 
 
 I should be glad to see or to hear from you — My sincere compliments to 
 sisters Mary and Catherine 
 
 I am dear sir yours, 
 
 John Bogart — 
 I should be glad to hear how) 
 Jacob makes out — ■ ) 
 
 Mr. Cornelius Simonson — 
 
 XXXXVII 
 
 Mr. John Bogert 
 
 Raritan 
 
 N. Brunswick Novr. 17th. 1782 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I will write a few lines whilst Mr. Elmendorph who will hand you this, is putting 
 on his great-coat. — I have received a letter from old Friend V. Veighten who desires 
 this remembrance of friendship — he informs me that the Corporation of Albany have 
 given you an invitation to spend the winter with them — Mr. Elmendorph tells me the 
 same — Think seriously of it, and 1 imagine you will determine with me, it will be best 
 to go, — I wish it from a view to the public welfare, I wish it from a desire to promote 
 
as 
 
 education, and I know your method of direction — I wish it from a feeling sentiment of 
 real friendship to yourself. — If you shall not for the first year make clear much money, 
 it will be a great mean of reinstating your health, for you will have variety of com- 
 pany, which will rouse your spirits in general too languid — it will bring you into public 
 view — and I have not the leagt doubt you will the next year have the sole direction of 
 the school. — I wish I could see you — I am fearful you will think yourself too weak to 
 undertake this business — it will cure you, the ride, the change of air, the new faces, 
 the great variety of Company will all much contribute to answer this desirable purpose 
 — Mr. Kirk will continue this winter, he will no doubt leave us in the spring — for he , 
 has entered upon the study of Law. I wish you could take a ride to visit your old 
 Friends — It may be that I shall see Albany next summer — 
 
 Nothing new for ten days past — 
 The great coat is on, and buttoned, the chew of Tobacco is now entering within 
 those jaws where many a pound has already been ground to trash as insipid as a dry 
 oak-leaf — ■ 
 
 I am your's as always 
 
 Jno. Taylor 
 
THE WRITERS 
 
 Letters III, VI, VII, XXIV, XXXXVI. 
 
 John Bog art was the son of Jacob Bogart, a well-to-do farmer in Bridge- 
 water township, Somerset county, Xew Jersey, who was received into the member- 
 ship of the Dutch Reformed Church of Xorth Branch (now the Church of Bead- 
 ington) by certificate in 1774 and was an elder in that church in 1775. He was 
 probably descended from Teunis Gysbert Bogaert who married the widow of Hans 
 Hansen Bergen, Sarah Bapalje, the first white female child born in the Xew Xeth- 
 erlands. John Bogart is named as a legatee and as an executor in the will of Jacob 
 Bogart which is dated May 15, 1777. Xothing is known of his early life or of his 
 later life. Having been graduated from Queen's in 1778 and placed at once in 
 charge of the Grammar School at Baritan, he was closely associated with the tutor, 
 John Taylor, who was at the same time in charge of the college at Xorth Branch, 
 while Xew Brunswick was disturbed by British occupation or by various military 
 movements. He w r as at one time called upon to carry on the college work by Colonel 
 Taylor, whose military duties called him away. To John Bogart, therefore, fell the 
 honor of keeping Queen's College alive during dark days of the Revolution. He 
 began the study of divinity, but it is not apparent that he completed his studies or 
 actually entered the ministry. He was invited to a position in a school at Albany 
 but did not take up work there. His health was not vigorous and his devotion to 
 study was intense. In the absence of any later word concerning him and in view of 
 the references in these letters to his ill health, it is inferred that he died at an early 
 
 Letter I. 
 
 John Siagg, Jr. was the son of John Stagg, who was "an associator in Haver- 
 straw Precinct in May, 1775," and who held other offices of honor and responsibility 
 in Xew York. He was born in 1758 and died December 28, 1803. He is named 
 in the earliest group of Queen's College graduates. Entering the continental army, 
 he was first appointed a Captain of Minute Men, and then commissioned Lieutenant 
 in Colonel Oliver Spencer's (additional) Continental Kegiment March 4, 1778, 
 and became acting paymaster. It is said that at Valley Forge he was Secretary 
 to General Washington. At the close of the war he was appointed by Washington 
 a clerk in the War Office of the government, remaining there eight years. In 
 April, 1801, he was elected Sheriff of Xew York. His death from yellow fever 
 occurred while he was in that office. He married, first, Phoebe Wood, and second, 
 Margaret, daughter of William De Peyster. He became very active in the Society 
 of the Cincinnati and frequently was an officer of it. 
 
 (See Original Members of the X. Y. State Society of the Cincinnati.) 
 
40 
 Letter II. 
 
 David Annan was the third son of John Annan, of Ceres, near Cupar of 
 Fifeshire, Scotland. He was the next younger brother of Robert Annan, who was 
 for some time pastor of the Federal Street Church in Boston. He was born April 
 4, 1754, came to America when quite young and received his early education from 
 his brother. He was graduated from Queen's College in the earliest group and re- 
 ceived the degree of A.M. from the college in 1782. He studied theology and was 
 ordained to the ministry by Presbytery in session at Wallkill, New York, in Octo- 
 ber, 1778. He at once became pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Peterborough, 
 New Hampshire, and he remained in that charge until 1792 when the pastoral re- 
 lation was, at his request, dissolved by the Presbytery of Londonderry, The Pres- 
 bytery deposed him from the ministry in 1800. It appears that he had lost self- 
 control, had become intemperate and violent. In 1801 he went to Scotland and in 
 1802, on his way home, died in Ireland. 
 
 (See History of Peterborough by Albert Smith, Genealogical Section, p. 14, 
 Boston, 1876.) 
 
 Letters IV, V, IX, XIII, XVIII, XX, XXII, XXIII, XXVII, XXX, 
 
 XXXIV, XXXV. 
 
 Simeon DeWitt was of the Dutch and Huguenot pioneer stock in Ulster 
 County, New York, the son of Andrew DeWitt, M.D. He was born in the town 
 of Wawarsing, December 25, 1756. After receiving the usual early education, he was 
 placed in charge of the minister of the town, the Reverend Dirck Komeyn, for his 
 training in the classics; he then entered Queen's College. Toward the end of his 
 course, when the college retired from New Brunswick, he returned home and con- 
 tinued his studies there, spending much time in the family of his uncle, General 
 James Clinton, father of DeWitt Clinton, with whom, as with Governor George 
 Clinton, he was a great favorite. He was graduated from Queen's in the class of 
 1776 and his diploma is now in the possession of the college. He received the de- 
 gree of A.M. also from the college. At the organizing of a battalion in Ulster 
 County to join the American army under General Gates, Simeon DeWitt enlisted; 
 he shared in some engagements and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. 
 Daring a brief stay at home he devoted himself to the studies of his special choice, 
 mathematics and surveying. When General Washington inquired of General Clin- 
 ton for a topographer, his name was suggested, and he became at once, 1778, Assist- 
 ant Geographer of the American Army. In 1780, at the age of 24, he became 
 Chief Geographer and this office he held until 1783; he was with the main army to 
 the end of the campaign, was* present at the surrender at Yorktown. Prom 1784 
 to 1834 he was Surveyor General of the State of New York. In 1796 he was ap- 
 pointed Surveyor General of the United States but declined the office. He was 
 Eegent of the State of New York, 1798 to 1817, Vice Chancellor 1817 to 1829, 
 and Chancellor, 1829 to 1834. Among the many items of his vastly important pub- 
 lic work were the surveying of newly opened lands of the government, the estab- 
 
41 
 
 lisliing of a system of meteorological observations, and study of the variations of the 
 magnetic needle. He is regarded by some as the author of the land system used 
 by the United States government. Washington wrote Jefferson from Mount Ver- 
 non, 3 March, 1784: "Has not congress received a memorial from Mr. DeWitt now 
 or lately geographer to the northern army ? The propositions contained in the copy 
 which he has sent me seem founded in equity ; and with respect to himself, I can 
 assure you, he is extremely modest, sensible, sober, discreet, and deserving of favors. 
 He is esteemed a very good mathematical" (History of the Constitution. Ban- 
 croft, Vol. I, p. 346) . He was one of the engineers planning the Erie Canal and one 
 of the engineers planning the development of New York City. He was an original 
 member of the Society of the Cincinnati and a member of many other societies; 
 from 1813 he was president of the Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Arts 
 and Manufactures, which had been founded at Albany in 1793. Among the ad- 
 dresses given by him on various occasions is one published in 1819 under the title, 
 "Considerations on the Necessity of Establishing an Agricultural College, and 
 having more of the children of Wealthy Citizens educated for the Profession of 
 Farming." A copy of this pamphlet is in the possession of Eutgers College. The 
 address has special interest as anticipating by so many years the modern movement 
 for agricultural education, as coming from a great engineer and in view of the fact 
 that his own Alma Mater, the old classical college, was to have united with it, a 
 half century later, the New Jersey State College for the Benefit of Agriculture and 
 the Mechanic Arts. 
 
 Simeon DeWitt died at Ithaca, New York, December 3, 1834. In a private 
 journal of his son, Eichard Varick DeWitt, is the following personal description of 
 him : "My father was a tall, large man, 5 ft. 11% inches high, with a noble, serious 
 face, resembling in some respects that of Genl. Washington, of grave but cheerful 
 conversation, dignified deportment, affable to all, with that real polish of manner 
 required by the society of the first gentlemen of the time in civil and military life, 
 with whom his official position brought him in constant contact. He was a scholar, 
 having taken the first position & borne the highest honors of his College — Queen's 
 now Eutgers — A mathematician of no mean acquirements and a philosopher in the 
 widest sense of the word, either in physical or moral Science, and to crown all a true 
 and devout Christian." Simeon DeWitt's granddaughter, Miss Sarah W. DeWitt, 
 is still living and has given Eutgers College books and other articles once his 
 property. 
 
 (See Eulogium of Simeon DeWitt. Delivered before the Albany Institute 
 April 23, 1835. By T. Eomeyn Beck, M.D. Pamphlets, Vol. 58.) 
 
 Letters VIII, X, XI, XII, XV, XXIX, XXXII, XXXIII. 
 
 Simeon Van Artsdalen was of an old Dutch family that removed from Long 
 Island to Pennsylvania prior to 1730. He was the son of John Van Artsdalen and 
 was born July 10, 1753, in Bucks County. He attended Queen's College and was 
 probably graduated there in 1780, although the statement is somewhere made that 
 
ho was a graduate of Princeton, lie studied theology, under l)i\ John 11. Living- 
 ston no doubt, and was ordained (o tin 1 ministry in 17811. lie became til oneo min- 
 ister of the Dutch Reformed Church ol' North Branch, now Ucndinglon, where John 
 Bogarl luul conducted his classes, and remained in that charge until his death throe 
 yours tutor. In ability ami olmraetor ho was an imusnal man. II is said that ho 
 had groat power as a preacher, was devoted in pastoral work, ami was deeply spiritual 
 in lil'o. Ilo was hold in rare osioom and soon ntler his ordination roooivod a on 1 1 to 
 I ho On toll Reformed Church of Now York City, now known as (ho Collegiate 
 Church, which ho declined on account of his youth. In I7NJ ho was olootod a 
 trnsloo of Queen's College and in llio samo yoar ho was appointed tutor. His 
 promising lil'o oamo swiftly to its oloso. Ho is buried in I ho ohuroh yard at Rond- 
 inglou, with this inscription on tho slono at his grave: 
 
 ''In inomory of [ho Rev. Simoon \'an Arsdalen, who dopnrlod (his lil'o Iho 
 wMlth day of May, 178(1, in tho thirly-thinl yoar id' his age. 
 
 Iloro lios onlomhod a sorvanl of iho Lord, 
 
 A faithful proaohor of his saorod word. 
 
 Who now with Christ in glory is sol down. 
 
 Decked in white robos and honored with a crown." 
 (Soo History of tho Reformed (Mm roll al Roadinglnn, N. .1., Henry I'. Thomp- 
 son, pp. 7(>-7.'l.) 
 
 Letters XVI, XV 
 
 Jaittrx Hrluurnmn was the grandson of Jacobus (dames) Sohuroman, wlio 
 came to (his country from Holland as schoolmaster with Theodorus Jacobus Kre- 
 liiighuysen, (ho early Dutch minister in the valley of (he Rariian. His father was 
 John Schuroinan, a x^vy inlliionlial eili/en of New Brunswick, and he was burn (hero 
 Kebruary I?, 175(1. lie was graduated from Queen's College in (he lirst, group, 
 1771 -SI), and at once entered upon a singularly useful life, lie was a man of marked 
 ability, varied activities and growl public spirit, and attained great distinction in the 
 life of his oily, his stale and his nation. Serving in the Continental army, he he- 
 came Second Lieutenant in Captain 'Taylor's Company, Colonel NeilsonV battalion 
 of minute men, in 177(>, and was in various engagements, After the war ho served 
 at different times as tutor In Queen's College, He was elected a trustee of the col- 
 lege in 17H# and served in Hint olliee until his death, I'orty-lwo years later. In 17H(> 
 In; was a member of the Provincial Congress id' New Jersey and in Iho same year lie 
 was a delegate to the Annapolis Convenlion, hVom 178(1 lo 17K8 he was a. member 
 of the Continental Congress, and for three terms, 17H1MH, I7!)7-!H), and 181H-IS, 
 he was a member of I. he Congress of the Coiled Stales. Ho was United Status Seu- 
 ator from New Jersey, 1 7!)i)-l HO I . In 18lS he was Vice President of the Council 
 of New Jersey. His home was always in New Brunswick, his place of business on 
 Burnet Street, at the foot of Hell u reman Street.; he was president of the bank, mayor 
 of tho city, and elder in the Dutch Reformed Church. He died January !3!3, I8&I, 
 
 (Sec Historical Discourse, One Hundred and Kifl.iclh Anniversary of tho 
 First Reformed Duteli Churchy New Brunswick, N. J., Richard II. Steele, D.D., 
 pp. 07-- rm.) 
 
43 
 
 Letters XIX. XXV, XXXX, XXXXT. XXXXITT, XXXXVII. 
 
 John Taylor was descended from Diehard Taylor, Esq., member of Parlia- 
 ment in U»20, whose son Richard was also a member of Parliament in 1661. His 
 gi and father, John Taylor, and his father, Jacob Taylor, came from England to New 
 Jersey in 1739 and settled at Amhoy. Jacob Taylor later moved to Princeton, and 
 John Taylor was born there Ausnist 1, 1751. He was graduated from Princeton in 
 IT TO in the same class with Frederick Frelinglmyseii with whom he was to be almost 
 at once associated at Queen's College; both had studied under the great scholarship 
 and ardent patriotism of President Witherspoon. Soon after graduation John Tay- 
 lor moved to Xew Brunswick, building his home on the Raritan just above Albany 
 Street. He was devoted to learning and at once gave active interest to Queen's Col- 
 lege, just then beginning its work. He had part in the organizing of the Grammar 
 School and gave instruction in it. When Frederick Frelinghuysen, first tutor of the 
 college, was withdrawn by civic and military duty from his work of instruction, Jolm 
 Taylor succeeded him; official appointment was given him in 17 7 T, but undoubt- 
 edly he had taught college classes prior to that time. He too was drawn away at 
 times from academic duties by the exigencies of war. At first a Captain in the Con- 
 tinental army, he became Major, then Lieutenant Colonel, and finally Colonel. At 
 the colhge he drilled the students into readiness for service. With "Washington he 
 crossed the Delaware, and was at Trenton. Princeton and Monmouth. Announce- 
 ments of the college in 1779 and IT So show him still formally in charge of it. In 
 1TS1 he was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science, and he con- 
 tinued in this office for about ten years. In November, 1790, he is named as in charge 
 of the old Elizabeth Town Academy. In 1793 he accepted a call to Schenectady to 
 take charge of Union Academy which soon developed into Union College. In 1795 
 he was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science in the college, and 
 for some time he was Acting President of it : he was also appointed Librarian in 
 lT9o. He died November 5. ISOl, of yellow fever and is buried in the Presbyterian 
 church vard at Schenectady. His ability and character won him deserved reputation, 
 and his work for the two early colleges founded by Dutch zeal for learning and re- 
 ligion commands enduring gratitude. Especially is it worthy of remark that his 
 attainments and instruction in mathematics and natural science may have given 
 QueenV College from its beginning an unusual strength and activity in scientific 
 studies, associated with the classical studies which prevailed in all the early American 
 olleiros. Such training in science is hinted in the early graduation of so eminent a 
 mathematician and engineer as Simeon DeWitt; it is prophetic of the trend of al- 
 most all modern colleges and universities as well as singularly confirmed by the 
 modern scientific activity at Rutgers, whose charter as Queens College reads "erected 
 for the education of youth in the learned languages, liberal and useful arts and 
 sciences." 
 
 (See The Two Colonels John Taylor. Henry Race. M.D. pp. ;V-S. Address 
 of John Xeilson Tartar at Rutgers College.) 
 
44 
 
 Lotion* XXI, XXVI, XXYIIL WWII, XXXIX. 
 
 Nicholas .Lttnsi ugh was descended from Uorriil Frederick Landing, who onmo 
 from Holland and settled in Albany about 11)50, Ho wan the son of John Jacob 
 Lansing' and Oatharina Schuyler. His baptism, according to (ho records of the Out oh 
 Reformed Olmreh of Alhanv, was on September II, IT-IS, but I he dato of bis birth 
 given on the stone at bis grave, a date given by him, it. appears, near the end of his 
 life, is September ?0, IT IK. In bis youth he was a boatman on (he Hudson River 
 and bo became master of a sailing vessel, plying botwoon Albany and New York. At 
 the ago of thirty ho experienced conversion of a doep and overpowering sort, lie 
 sought preparation for the ministry at oneo and began bis studios under the Rev- 
 erend Kilardus Wosterlo, minister of the Albany Church. When he presented him- 
 self for examination, be bore testimonials not only from |)r. Wosterlo, but as well 
 from the trustees of Queen's College. It is therefore to he assumed thai he studied 
 at the college for a time at least or perhaps only passed examinations (here; possibly 
 he was graduated, but bis name does not appear in the general catalogue, lie passed 
 bis examination for licensure especially' well, was licensed to preaeh in 1780, and 
 was ordained to the ministry in 1 1 S 1 . lie was pastor of the three eongregations of 
 the Manor Livingston, Columbia. County, New York, from 17S1 to 178-1, of the 
 ehurcbes of Tappan and Clarksfown, New York, from IIS I to IHJW, and of the 
 church o\' Tappan alone from I8JU) to 1S;C>. For about liffy years, then, he served 
 in the same parish, a. great country congregation. Ho preached up to the very last, 
 even on the Sunday before his death, his eighty-seventh birthday. His piety wart so 
 doep and genuine, his directness and power as a preacher so unusual, bis individuality 
 so marked, that he attained great inlluouce and reputation, lie was vividly remem- 
 bered by all who ever know him, and traditions of his eccentric appearance and say- 
 ings linger to this day. lie was president of the General Synod of the Hutch Re- 
 formed Church in ISO!), lie died September £(>, 18IU), and be is buried in the church 
 yard at Tappan. 
 • (See History of the Classis of I *a ramus, pp. &H -#&),) 
 
 Letter XXXL 
 
 .1 1'rcm'mli Snt.Hli, the som of William and Kli/.abotb (Mormon) Smith, was 
 born at Peterborough, N. II., November k i!>, 17/)!*. His parents were of Scotch- 1 rish 
 stock. His father was born in the north of Ireland, and his maternal grandfather, 
 John Mormon, was in Londonderry during the siege of that town, and was at the 
 battle of the Hoy no. He early developed great desire Uw learning, sometimes walking 
 miles to a place whore he heard fho.ro was a book'. When ho von loon yearn of age ho 
 enlisted for a short form in the Revolutionary army, and was present- at I lie baffle 
 of Bennington, where he was slightly wounded. In 1777 he entered Harvard College, 
 After remaining there two years, be removed to Queen's (now Rutgers) College in 
 New Jersey, whore he graduated in 17H0. lie was admitted to the bar in !7Sb\ and 
 
45 
 
 opened an office in his father's farm-house at Peterborough. In 1788, 1789, and 1790 
 he was a member of the legislature, and was chairman of the committee which pre- 
 pared the draft of the revised statutes enacted in 1791. He was a member of the 
 constitutional convention in 1791, and took a prominent part in its proceedings. In 
 December, 1790, he was elected a member of the second Congress of the United 
 States, and was re-elected to the third, fourth, and fifth congresses. In Congress he 
 was a supporter of Washington's administration; and, when the inevitable division 
 into parties came, he joined the Hamiltonian Federalists. 
 
 In July, 1797, he resigned his seat in Congress, accepted the appointment of 
 United States district attorney for New Hampshire, and removed to Exeter, which 
 continued to be his home until within a lew months of his death. In 1800 he was 
 appointed judge of probate for the county of Rockingham, and it was probably at 
 this time that he composed an elaborate treatise on probate law, which still exists in 
 manuscript. In February, 1801, he was appointed by President Adams a judge of 
 the newly established U. S. Circuit Court, which was abolished a year later. 
 
 In 1802 he was appointed chief justice of the Superior Court of New Hamp- 
 shire, and served until 1809, when he became governor. Failing a re-election as 
 governor, he returned to the bar in 1810, but left it in 1813 to take the position of 
 chief justice of the Supreme Court established in that year. Upon the abolition 
 of this court in 1816 he returned once more to the bar, where he wasi associated 
 with Mason and Webster as counsel in the Dartmouth College case. 
 
 In 1820 or 1821 Judge Smith withdrew from active practice, and passed the 
 remaining years of his life chieily at his beautiful home in Exeter, still continuing 
 to be a purchaser and reader of law books, and an indefatigable student of general 
 literature. In these years he was never idle. In addition to his legal and literary 
 studies he gave much time to financial and educational trusts, serving as president 
 of the Exeter Bank and as treasurer and president of the board of trustees of 
 Phillips Exeter Academy. 
 
 In the spring of 1842 he removed to Dover, N. PL, where he died September 
 21, 1842. 
 
 The most important public service rendered by Judge Smith was that per- 
 formed by him as chief justice of New Hampshire. Before his time the adminis- 
 tration of the law in this state was exceedingly unsystematic, not to say chaotic. 
 A lively sketch of the old state of things may be found in the life of Governor 
 Plumer, pages 149-159 and 181-184. Many of the judges of the highest court had 
 received no legal education. Two of the three associate justices at the date of Judge 
 Smith's appointment were clergymen. It cannot be doubted that the credit of 
 "bringing order out of chaos" belongs to Judge Smith more than to any other one 
 man. "To him," said Mr. Mason, "the state is greatly, if not chiefly, indebted for 
 the present more orderly proceedings and better administration of justice." "With 
 him," said Chief Justice Parker, "there arose a new order of things." Judge Doe, 
 in Vol. 49, New Hampshire Eeports, p. 604, alludes to the "inestimable labors of 
 Chief Justice Smith, who found the law of New Hampshire, in practice and admin- 
 istration, a chaos, and who left it comparatively an organized and scientific system." 
 "When I came to the bar," wrote Mr. Webster to Chancellor Kent, "he was chief 
 justice of the state. It was a day of the gladsome light of jurisprudence * * * 
 
4G 
 
 He knows everything about Xew England, having studied much of its history and 
 its institutions; and as to the law, he knows so much more of it than I do, or ever 
 shall, that I forbear to speak on that point." 
 
 The practice of reporting the decisions in print did not begin in this state 
 until after Judge Smith had left the bench, and consequently none of his opinions 
 are to be found in the regular series of Xew Hampshire Keports. A volume selected 
 from his manuscript decisions was published in 1879, and is commonly cited as 
 "Smith's Xew Hampshire Eeports." But these decisions, though praised by com- 
 petent authorities, cannot give the present generation a fair idea of the worth of 
 Judge Smith's judicial labors. His most valuable work, that of systematizing the 
 practice and administering the law r upon scientific principles, is something which 
 cannot he fully delineated on paper or in print. 
 
 Any sketch of Judge Smith would be incomplete if it failed to mention the 
 high estimate generally formed of his conversational powers. On this point it will 
 be sufficient to cite the testimony of Mr. Webster, given near the close of his own 
 life, after opportunity for converse with the best talkers of England as well as 
 America. "Jeremiah Smith," wrote Mr. Webster in 1849, "was perhaps the best 
 talker I have been acquainted with; he was full of knowledge of books and men, 
 had a great deal of wit and humor, and abhorred silence as an intolerable state of 
 existence." 
 
 (Written by the son of the above, Jeremiah Smith, now (1914) Emeritus 
 Professor at Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Mass.) 
 
 Letters XXXYL XXXXII. 
 
 Timothy Blauvrli and Isaac Blauvelt were sons of Johannes Blauvelt who 
 lived near Clarkstown, X r ew York, at that time in Orange County, and now in Rock- 
 land County. Timothy was born April 5, 1762, and was graduated from Queen's 
 College in 1782. Pie studied theology under Dr. Livingston and was licensed to 
 preach in 178-1. His death occurred very soon thereafter; it is said that he lived 
 to preach only one sermon in public and that this sermon was the means of leading 
 one of his hearers to a saving faith in Christ. The older brother, Isaac, was born in 
 1750 and was graduated from Queen's in 1783, at the age of 33. He studied theol- 
 ogy under Dr. Hardenbergh and was licensed to preach before graduation from col- 
 lege, in 1780. He was minister of the churches of Fishkill and Hopewell in Dutch- 
 ess County, Xew York, from 1783 to 1790, and of the churches of Paramus and 
 Saddle JRiver in New Jersey, 1790-1791. He was suspended from the ministry in 
 1791 on a charge which does not clearly appear, which probably was trivial and not 
 really against his character; he never resumed the active pastorate, although he was 
 restored to church privileges in 1824. He had a high reputation as a preacher and, 
 it is said, was greatly esteemed for his Christian character and devoutness. He was 
 made a trustee of Queen's College in 1785 and. resigned the office in 1831. He made 
 his home on a farm at Xew Rochelle, Xew York, and died in 1840. A third brother, 
 Abraham Blauvelt, was graduated from Queen's in 1789 and remained in Xew 
 
47 
 
 Brunswick as proprietor of The New Brunswick Guarc]ian and as publisher and 
 bookseller. He became a trustee of the college in 1800 and was chairman of the 
 Building Committee that began in 1809 the erection of Queen's Building, still the 
 centra] edifice on the Rutgers College campus. Three sons of Abraham Blauvelt 
 were graduated from the college, Cornelius S. in 1810, William Warren in 1814, and 
 Isaac Alstyne, when Queen's had become Rutgers, in 1828. A son of William War- 
 ren Blauvelt writes, "I have heard my father tell that in his boyhood days his father 
 (Abraham Blauvelt) took him in his gig and they drove through Bergen County and 
 Rockland County to raise money for building Queen's College. They stopped at 
 every house, getting sometimes a shilling, sometimes half a dollar or a dollar, and 
 occasionally from some benevolent plutocrat five dollars/' 
 
 (See History of Reformed Church of Tappan, David Cole, pp. 110-112. 
 History of Classis of Paramus, pp. 252-253.) 
 
 Letter XXXV11L 
 
 Jacob Ruisen Hardenbergh was descended from a Prussian family of high 
 rank, located at the time of emigration to this country in the Netherlands near 
 Utrecht. His grandfather, Johannes Hardenbergh, came to America about the 
 middle of the seventeenth century and married Catherine Rutsen, daughter of 
 Colonel Jacob Rutsen of Rosendale, near Kingston, New York, and the family 
 possessed one-seventh or one-eighth share of the "Great Patent" which included 
 much of what is now Ulster, Greene, Delaware and Sullivan Counties. Johannes 
 Hardenbergh,. 2nd, maintained the family's influential position, was Colonel in the 
 New York Militia, membex of the Colonial Assembly, field officer with Washington, 
 elder in the Dutch^Reformed Church, and an original trustee of Queen's College; 
 he married Maria Du Bois, granddaughter of Louis Du Bois, the New Paltz pat- 
 entee. Their son was Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh, born at Rosendale in 1737 or 
 1738. He received- his early education at Kingston, and later studied theology 
 under the Reverend John Frelinghuysen at Raritan, New Jersey. His preceptor 
 died in 175-1 and in 1758 he succeeded him in charge of the Raritan Church and 
 other Somerset County parishes. He was ordained in that year and continued in 
 that field from 1758 to 1781 with the exception of the years 1761 to 1763. From 
 the beginning it was plain that he would be a leader in church and state. It was 
 a time of doctrinal controversy and he led the evangelical party ; it was a time of 
 dispute as to ecclesiastical authority and he led the movement for independence from 
 Holland. In the Dutch Reformed Church he Was second only to the Reverend John 
 H. Livingston in position and influence. Four times he was president of the Gen- 
 eral Synod. It was a time of national emergency and he gave himself to high pa- 
 triotic service. He was called to a seat in the Convention that framed the consti- 
 tution of New Jersey; he was for several years a member of the General Assembly 
 and served on important committees; he was a delegate to the Provincial Congress 
 in 1776. His zealous patriotism excited strong Tory hatred; his church was 
 burned; his life was sometimes in peril. During two winters Washington's army 
 
48 
 
 was encamped within the bounds of his parish, at Middlebrook ; Washington occu- 
 pied the house next to his and was often his guest. A warm friendship grew up 
 between the two men which apparently served good purpose for both the army and 
 the church. The Consistory of the Church of Earitan sent a patriotic,, congratu- 
 latory address to General Washington, signed by Jacob R. Hardenbergh, V.D.M., 
 Praes.j of date June 1, 1779. The following answer was at once received from 
 Washington : 
 
 "To the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Church at Rariton. 
 
 Camp, Middlebrook, 2 June, 1779. 
 
 Gentlemen, To meet the approbation of good men cannot but be agreeable. 
 Your affectionate expressions make it still more so. In quartering an army and 
 in supplying its wants, distress and inconvenience will often occur to the citizen. 
 I feel myself happy in a consciousness that these have been strictly limited by 
 necessity, and in your opinion of my attention to the rights of my fellow citizens. 
 I thank you, Gentlemen, sincerely for the sense you entertain of the conduct of the 
 army, and for the interest you take in my welfare. I trust the goodness of the 
 cause, and the exertions of the people, under Divine! protection, will give us that 
 honorable peace for which we are contending. Suffer me, gentlemen, to wish the 
 Reformed Dutch Church at Rariton, a long continuance of its present minister and 
 consistory, and all the blessings which flow from piety and religion." 
 
 (Life and Writings of Washington. Sparks. Vol. VI, pp. 441-444.) 
 
 In the New Jersey State Papers, Department of State, Washington, D. C, 
 page 433, is a letter of William Livingston, Governor of New Jersey, to Henry 
 Laurens, President of Congress, 3 November, 1778, which reads in part as follows: 
 "This covers a packet which I received inclosed in a Letter from the Rev d Mr. Har- 
 denbergh, in which he informs me that they are dispatches from the Dutch Synod 
 of New York and New Jersey to the Classis of Amsterdam, containing among other 
 things some account of our present troubles; and that some of their members have 
 been encouraged by members of Congress to hope that if they sent them to Congress 
 they would be prudently forwarded; — and begging me to take the trouble of con- 
 veying them for that purpose. Mr. Hardenbergh is a Dutch clergyman who has 
 been exceedingly instrumental in promoting the cause of America ;— and the low- 
 dutch clergy, both in this and the State of New York, are almost universally firm 
 friends to these United States." 
 
 A supreme interest in Dr. Hardenbergh's life was the proposed college. He 
 gave constant support to the movement; he was one of the signers to the petition 
 for a charter, one of the original trustees named in the charter with his father, 
 Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh of Rosendale, and the first president of the college. 
 He probably taught in it and presided over it in its earliest days. He signed the 
 diploma of Simeon DeWitt, class of 1776, "Praeses, P.T.," which must mean Presi- 
 dent pro tern. He had married Dinah Van Bergh, widow of his preceptor, the Rev- 
 erend John Frelinghuysen, thereafter known as the Juffrow Hardenbergh; Fred- 
 erick Frelinghuysen, the first tutor, was therefore his stepson. In 1781 he removed 
 to New York State to take charge of the churches of Marbletown, Rochester and 
 Wawarsing, near his early home. In 1785 he was called to be pastor of the Dutch 
 Reformed Church of New Brunswick and at the same time to be president of Queen's 
 College. He served in both offices until his death five years after, his never robust 
 
49 
 
 health worn clown by the various and arduous work of a generation. He received 
 the degree of A.M. in 1770 and the degree of D.D. in 1771 from Princeton College, 
 and the degree of S.T.D. from Columbia College in 1789. He is buried in the church 
 yard at New Brunswick. The inscription on the stone at his grave reads: 
 
 "Here lies the body of J. R. Hardeubergh, D.D., late pastor of this church, 
 who departed this life the 30th day of October, 1790, aged 52 years, — months, — 
 days. He was a zealous Preacher of the Gospel, and his life and conversation 
 afforded, from his earliest days, to all who knew him a right example of piety. He 
 was a steadfast Patriot, and in his public and private conduct he manifested him- 
 self to be the enemy of tyranny and oppression, the lover of freedom, and the friend 
 of his country. Pie has gone to his Lord and Redeemer, in whose atonement he con- 
 fidently trusted. He is gone to receive the fruits of his labors and the reward of a 
 well spent life. Reader, while you lament the loss to society and his friends, go walk 
 in his virtuous footsteps, and when you have finished the work assigned you, you 
 shall rest with him in eternal peace." 
 
 (See Historical Discourse, One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the 
 First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, N. J. Richard H. Steele, pp. 74-85. 
 History of the Church of Readington. Henry P. Thompson, pp. 53-67. Annals 
 of American Pulpit, Dutch Reformed Church. Sprague. pp. 21-29, &c, &c.) 
 
 Letter XXXXIV. 
 
 Michael D. Henry was a grandson of Michael Henry who came to New Jer- 
 sey from Newry, Ireland, and son of David Henry who lived near Lamington, Som- 
 erset County. He was born in 1760 and he was graduated from Queen's in 1783. 
 He studied law and practiced in New York City. He married a Miss Graham of 
 North Carolina and had three sons, one of whom, Lewis Dudley Henry, entered pub- 
 lic life and was at one time candidate for governor. The will of Michael D. Henry, 
 dated May 10, 1799, and probated June 6, 1799, speaks of him as "Attorney-at-Law 
 of the City of New York and now in the City of New Brunswick ;" it is probable, 
 therefore, that he died in New Brunswick. One of the executors of the will is John 
 Bray, apparently an early student of Queen's College, and one of the witnesses is 
 Anclrew r Kirkpatrick, early teacher of Q.ueerr's Grammar School. In the Presby- 
 terian church yard at Lamington there is a stone with this inscription : 
 
 M. D. H. 
 
 In memory of 
 
 Michl D. Henry, 
 
 Esq., Counsellor at 
 
 law late of the city 
 
 of New York who 
 
 departed this life 
 
 May the 25, 1799 
 
 aged 39 years 1 month 
 
 and 9 days. 
 (See Somerset County Historical Quarterly, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 315.) 
 
50 
 
 Letter XXXXV. 
 
 Matthew Light (or Leydt) was born March 4, 1753. His father was the Rev- 
 erend Johannes Leydt, who was minister of the Dutch Eeformed Church of New 
 Brunswick from 1748 to 1783, a sturdy and active patriot, and a devoted friend of 
 learning; he was one of the founders of Queen's College, a signer of the petition for 
 the charter, a solicitor of funds for the foundation and an original member of the 
 Board of Trustees. Matthew Leydt, the son, after graduation from Queen's in the 
 earliest group, 1771-80, studied theology, probably under Dr. Hardenbergh, and was 
 licensed to preach in 1778. He was pastor at Belleville and Gansegat (now Fair- 
 field), New Jersey, 1779-80, and at North and South Hampton, Pennsylvania, from 
 1780 to 1783. In 1783 he was elected a trustee of Queen's College. His death 
 occurred in the same year, November 24, 1783. He is buried in the old graveyard 
 at the place familiarly known as "The Buck," near which stood the first church 
 building of the congregation of North Hampton. 
 
 (See Historical Discourse, One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the 
 First Eeformed Church, New Brunswick, N. J. Richard H. Steele, p. 70.) 
 
 Reference, Letters XXX and XXXXI. 
 
 Frederick Frelinghuysen was the grandson of the Reverend Theodorus 
 Jacobus Frelinghuysen and the son of the Reverend John Frelinghuysen. Theo- 
 dorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen was born in the Netherlands, studied theology there, 
 served for a brief time in the ministry there, and came to this country at about 
 twenty-eight years of age. He was in charge of the Dutch Reformed churches in 
 the Raritan Valley, Middlesex and Somerset Counties, New Jersey, from 1720, and 
 fulfilled a most important work in evangelical preaching in widespread pastorate, 
 in church organizing and in the promoting of education. George "Whitefield and 
 Jonathan Edwards, with whom he was associated, speak of him as "one of the great- 
 est divines of the American Church." He was a pioneer spirit in the movement 
 toward independence of the Dutch churches in this country from Holland authority. 
 He was the proposer and constant supporter of the movement for the founding 
 of the college finally chartered in 176G. His eldest son, the Reverend Theodorus 
 Frelinghuysen, minister of the Dutch Reformed Church of Albany, was his suc- 
 cessor in the promoting of the college movement; he went to Holland to secure 
 funds for it, and was lost at sea at the end of the return voyage. The first Domine 
 Frelinghuysen's second son, John, also became a minister; he succeeded his father 
 in the Raritan parishes and was also active in effort for the college. 
 
 Frederick Frelinghuysen was the son of the Reverend John Frelinghuysen 
 and Dinah Van Bergh, a woman remarkable for ability and piety, who, after Mr. 
 Frelinghuysen's death, married Dr. Hardenbergh. He was born at Three Mile Run, 
 Somerset County, April 13, 1753, and was graduated from Princeton in 1770. At 
 once, when less than nineteen years of age, he became first tutor of the newly founded 
 
51 
 
 Queen's College. He was expected to study for the ministry, but while in charge of 
 the college began the study of law; he studied for a time, possibly, under Eichard 
 Stockton, and under William Paterson, and he was admitted to the bar in 1774 at the 
 age of twenty-one. Frederick Frelinghuysen probably was actively in charge of the 
 college for very few years, soon sharing the work with John Taylor, perhaps soon sur- 
 rendering it to John Taylor. He became a member of the Provincial Congress in 1775 
 and again in 1776. He was a member of the Committee on Public Safety. In 1778 he 
 was elected by the Legislature to represent New Jersey in the Continental Congress ; 
 in 1782 and in 1783 he was also a member of it. He was early active in military 
 operations, organizing, it is" said, a corps of artillery of which he became Captain and 
 with which he was engaged at the battle of Trenton. Later he was made Colonel in 
 the militia and was in various engagements, including that at Monmouth Court 
 House. After the war, in 1793, he was chosen Senator of the United States from 
 New Jersey, but in 1796 he resigned this office. In 1794 he was made Major General 
 of militia. He was a trustee of Queen's College from 1782 until his death. He died 
 April 13, 1804. The large and continued connection of the Frelinghuysen family 
 with the college is worthy of note. Following upon Frederick Frelinghuysen, as he 
 had followed his father, his uncle and his grandfather in active and effective interest, 
 have been others of like devotion. The Honorable Theodore Frelinghuysen, LL.D., 
 second son of Frederick, was President of the college and a trustee from 1850 to 
 1861. He held many important public offices; he was Senator of the United States, 
 and candidate for Vice President of the United States on the ticket with Henry 
 Clay; he was President of the American Bible Society, the American Tract Society, 
 and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions; he was an elder 
 in the Dutch Reformed Church; before becoming President of Rutgers, he was 
 Chancellor of New York University. The Honorable Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, 
 LL.D., grandson of Frederick and nephew of Theodore, was graduated from 
 Rutgers in 1836 and was a trustee of the college from 1851 until his death in 1885; 
 he was a Senator of the United States from New Jersey, and Secretary of State in 
 the cabinet of President Arthur; he was an elder in the Dutch Reformed Church. 
 Frederick Frelinghuysen, LL.D., son of Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, was graduated 
 from Rutgers in 1868, became a trustee in 1885, and has been for many years chair- 
 man of the Finance Committee of the Board. He is President of the Mutual 
 Benefit Life Insurance Company. He also is an elder in the Dutch Reformed 
 Church. 
 
 (See Somerset County Historical Quarterly, Volume II, No. 3, July, 1913, 
 p. 173. Story of an Old Farm, Andrew D. Mellick. Annals of the American Pul- 
 pit, Dutch Reformed Church, Sprague, pp. 8-15. Historical Discourse, One Hun- 
 dred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Reformed Church, New Brunswick, N. J. 
 Richard H. Steele, p. 27. Olde Ulster, Vol. VIII, No. 1, Jan. 1912, p. 1.) 
 
52 
 
 Reference, Letters XXXX and XXXXVI. 
 
 Andrew Kirkpatrick was descended from an ancient family of high rank in 
 Scotland. His grandfather, Alexander Kirkpatrick, and his father, David Kirk- 
 patrick, came to this country in 1736 and settled in Somerset County, New Jersey. 
 He was born at Mine Brook, February 17, 1756.. He was graduated from Princeton 
 in 1775 and later received the degree of A.M. from both Princeton and Queen's. He 
 began to study theology but turned to the study of law, much to his father's dissat- 
 isfaction. He taught for a time in Virginia and for a time at Kingston, New York. 
 He then took charge of the Grammar School of Queen's College, remaining with it, 
 apparently, until 1782. His law studies were pursued at New Brunswick with Wil- 
 liam Paterson, and in 1785 he was admitted to the Bar. After practicing for a time 
 at Morristown, he again established himself at New Brunswick and entered upon a 
 career of great honor and success. In 1798 he became Associate Justice of the Su- 
 preme Court of New Jersey. Six years later he became Chief Justice and, twice re- 
 appointed, served twenty-one years in that office. He was at one time candidate for 
 Governor. His great learning, keen legal insight, personal dignity and public spirit 
 made him a most distinguished figure in New Jersey history. His home was on 
 Livingston Avenue, the house now occupied by Professor Charles E. Hart. He was 
 a trustee of Queen's College from 1792 to 1809. Following upon his early service to 
 Queen's as tutor in its Grammar School and his later service as trustee, his family 
 continued in important relation with the college. He married Jane Bayard. One 
 son, Littleton Kirkpatrick, who became a leader of the New Jersey Bar, Attorney- 
 General, and Congressman, was a trustee of Queen's, then become Eutgers, from 
 1841 to his death in 1859; his widow, Sophia Astley Kirkpatrick, left the college a 
 bequest which built the chapel which bears her name. Another son of Andrew Kirk- 
 patrick was John Bayard Kirkpatrick, whose son, John Bayard Kirkpatrick, was 
 graduated from Eutgers in 1866 and was a trustee of the college from 1892 until his 
 death in 1912. 
 
 (See Somerset County Historical Quarterly, Vol. I, No. 4, p. 250, and notes, 
 N. J. Historical Society Proceedings, 2nd Series, Vol. II, p. 79.) 
 
NOTES 
 
 Letter I. 
 
 'New Brunswick. Queen's College was located at New Brunswick, New Jersey, 
 by vote of the trustees in session at Hackensack on May 7, 1771. Hackensack was 
 seriously considered and was substantially supported in the final vote, ten trustees 
 favoring New Brunswick and seven trustees favoring Hackensack. A determining 
 factor was the larger subscription of the citizens of the former place for the institu- 
 tion. The minutes of this meeting are the only minutes of the Board of Trustees 
 prior to 1782 known to be in existence. Meetings of the Board were held with ap- 
 parent regularity, however, calls for them appearing in the newspapers. The first 
 call is dated April 4, 1767, is signed by J. H. Goetschius, gives a list of the original 
 trustees, and summons them for formal organization. The first site of the college 
 was at the northeast corner of Albany and Neilson streets; the second site, from 1789, 
 was at the head of Schureman Street where George Street and Livingston Avenue 
 now join; the third and present site was acquired in 1808. 
 
 The New York Journal or The General Advertiser, October 24, 1771, contains 
 the following notice : 
 
 "To the PUBLIC. 
 
 Whereas the Trustees of Queen's College, in New Jersey, at their Meeting in 
 May last (the Honourable Frederick Smith, Esq; presiding) did fix said College at 
 the City of New Brunswick, and at their last Meeting, held according to appointment 
 of the former, on the fifth of this Instant, at the Place aforesaid, (his Excellency 
 William Franklin, Esq; presiding) it was unanimously agreed, that in order to carry 
 this Institution into immediate Execution, an able well qualified Person be elected 
 and appointed Tutor, to instruct the Students who shall offer themselves, in the 
 learned Languages, liberal Arts and Sciences, in order to prepare them for the usual 
 Degrees; and for that Purpose elected, constituted, and appointed, Mr. Frederick 
 Frelinghuysen, who is also to teach the English Language grammatically. The 
 Trustees have likewise ordered that the Revd. Messieurs John Light, Jacob R. Har- 
 denberg. and Johannis M. Van Harlingen together with the Tutor aforesaid, do take 
 upon them the Government and direction of the said Institution until a well qualified 
 President can be procured. The Publick is therefore notified, that the said College 
 will be opened on the second Tuesday of November next, at the Place appointed, 
 where proper Attendance will be given. It is supposed that the Character of the 
 Gentleman appointed Tutor is become so well known, by discovering his singular 
 Genius in the Course of his studies at Nassau Hall, (where he had a liberal Edu- 
 cation) that it needs no farther Recommendation from us. — 
 
54 
 
 The Public may depend upon finding good and sufficient Board at private Houses at 
 said Place, and as cheap (if not cheaper) than at any other Places where Colleges 
 are erected. — As said College is calculated to promote Learning in general for the 
 good of the Community, therefore the Gentlemen Students may expect to be treated 
 with becoming Candour, without any Discrimination with Eespect to their Eeligious 
 Sentiments ; and will also have Opportunity to attend the divine 1 "Worship of dif- 
 ferent Denominations in said City — The Students offering themselves to enter said 
 College, shall be admitted into such of the Classes as they shall be qualified for. 
 
 By Order of the Trustees, 
 
 Jacob R. Hardenberg, Clerk, 
 New Brunswick, the 10th. Oct. 1771." 
 (N. J. Archives, First Series, Vol. 27, p. 607.) 
 
 The New York Mercury, November 11, 1771, giving the same notice adds this 
 postscript : 
 
 "The Grammar School kept here some years is also to be continued with proper 
 care and industry to prepare for college." 
 
 The New York Journal and General Advertiser, April 30, 1772, contains the 
 following notice : 
 
 "The Eespectable Public is hereby informed that agreeable to a former 
 advertisement, a Seminary of Learning was opened at New Brunswick, last Novem- 
 ber, by the name of Queen's College, and also a Grammar School, in order to prepare 
 Youth for the same. Any Parents or Guardians who may be inclined to send their 
 Children to this Institution, may depend upon having them instructed with the 
 greatest Care and Diligence in all the Arts and Sciences usually taught in public 
 Schools; the strictest Regard will be paid to their moral Conduct, (and in a word) 
 to every Thing which may tend to render them a Pleasure to their Friends, and an 
 Ornament to their Species. 
 
 Also to obviate the objection of some to sending their Children on Account of 
 their small Proficiency in English, a proper Person has been provided^ who attends 
 at the Grammar School an Hour a Day, and teaches Reading, Writing and Arithmetic 
 with becoming Accuracy — ■ 
 
 It is hoped that the above Considerations^ together with the healthy and con- 
 venient Situation of the Place, on a Pleasant and navigable River, in the midst of a 
 plentiful Country; the Reasonableness of the Inhabitants in the .Price of Board, and 
 the easy Access from all Places, either by Land or Water will be esteemed by the con- 
 siderate Public, as a sufficient Recommendation of this infant College, which (as it is 
 erected upon so Catholic a Plan) will undoubtedly prove advantageous to our new 
 American World, by assisting its sister semmistaries to cultivate Piety, Learning 
 and Liberty. 
 
 Per Order of the Trustees, 
 
 Frederick Frelinghuysen, Tutor. 
 
 N. B. The Vacation of the College will be expired on Wednesday the 6th of 
 May, any Students then offering themselves shall be admitted into such Class, as 
 (upon Examination) they shall be found capable of entering." 
 
r,r> 
 
 Infernal Tory Plot. A plot to give New York City to the British, in which 
 men of high standing were concerned and the plan of which included the murder of 
 General Washington and other officers, the blowing up of magazines and the spiking 
 of cannon. The Mayor of the city, David Matthews, is supposed to have been impli- 
 cated in it: a witness stated that he had received from him upwards of a hundred 
 pounds to pay those enlisting in the King's service : there was no sure proof of his 
 guilt, but he was later sent to Connecticut and imprisoned at Litchfield. The plot 
 was traced to Governor Tryon. None of the leaders received adequate punishment. 
 One man was executed for his share in it, as told in this letter, Thomas Hickey, a 
 private in General Washington's life-guard. He was tried by court martial, June 26, 
 1776, and he was hung near the Bowery Lane between the encampments of the bri- 
 gades of General Spencer and Lord Stirling, in the presence, it is said, of a multitude 
 of spectators. One of the spectators, beside John Stagg, Junior, was William Eustis, 
 who also wrote a letter on the very day of the execution, describing the affair in simi- 
 lar words and in greater detail. 
 
 (New England Historical and Genealogical Eegister, Volume 23 (1869), 
 p. 205.) 
 
 : i 
 
 r 
 
 The Athenian Society. This is referred to also in Letter XIII, where the 
 Polemical Society is also mentioned, and in Letter XXIII. Apparently literary 
 societies were formed in the earliest days of Queen's College, forerunners of the 
 Philoclean and Peithessophian Societies founded at Eutgers in 182\57 
 
 Letter II. 
 
 North Branch. In Somerset County, New Jersey, the home of John Bogart 
 and the home of Queen's College for a time. The address of this letter suggests 
 that the college was there at this time, 1776, when the British were occupying New 
 Brunswick. In any case John Taylor began to hold the college classes there in the 
 spring of 1778 and they did not return to New Brunswick until the autumn of 
 1779. The New Jersey Gazette, May 13, 1778, contains this notice: "The Pub- 
 lick is hereby informed, that the business of Queen's College in New Jersey, formerly 
 carried on in the city of New-Brunswick, is begun at the North Branch of the 
 Earitan, in the county of Somerset, in a pleasant and retired neighborhood ; lodging 
 and board may be had in decent families at 30 1. proclamation money, per annum. 
 All possible care will be taken of the youth sent to this institution, both as to their 
 instruction and accommodation. The. gentlemen who should incline to send their 
 sons to this institution, may apply to John Tailor, A. M., Tutor at the place afore- 
 said." (N. J. Archives, Second Series, Vol. 2, p. 215.) The New Jersey Gazette, 
 January 27, 1779, says: "The Faculty of Queen's College takes this method to in- 
 form the Publick that the business of said College is still carried on at the North 
 Branch of Earitan, in the County of Somerset, where good accommodations for 
 young Gentlemen may be had in reputable families, at as moderate prices as in any 
 part of the .state. This neighborhood is so far distant from Headquarters that not 
 
56 
 
 any of the troops are stationed here, neither does the army in the least interfere with 
 the business of the College. 
 
 The Faculty also take the liberty to remind the Publick, that the Represent- 
 atives of this state have enacted a law by which Students of Colleges are exempted 
 from military duty. 
 
 Raritan, January 24, 1779." (N. J. Archives, Second Series, Volume 3, p. 
 51.) Similar notice in the New York Gazette, and the Weekly Mercury, May 3, 
 1779, says, "and board had as' cheap as the present high prices of provisions will 
 possibly allow." (N. J. Archives, Second Series, Volume 3, p. 302.) 
 
 "The local tradition lias it that the college sessions were held in the church. 
 The site is on the old "'John Vosseller Farm,' now included in the big holdings of 
 Mr. William Bradley, on the hill at the right, just after you cross the bridge (known 
 as Two Bridges) at the junction of the North and South Branches of the Raritan 
 River. This is about halfway between Raritan and Readington; and about the same 
 distance from North Branch. The foundations of the old church were ploughed 
 up not long ago, and certain ancient gravestones were unearthed.'" (Rev. Wm. S. 
 Cranmer, D.D., Somerville, N. J.) 
 
 "The affairs of the college in the Revolution were carried on in an old church 
 built of logs, with a frame addition, which stood near the junction of the North 
 and South Branches of the Raritan river, in Branchburg township, Somerset 
 Count}', on land now (1892) belonging to Mr. John Vosseller, and nearly opposite 
 his residence. It was built in 1718 and completed the following year. It was known 
 as the North Branch Church. The Rev Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen preached 
 the first sermon in it, February 21, 1720. It Avas yet standing at the time of the 
 Revolution, in a partially dilapidated condition, but sufficiently uninjured to be used 
 for a short time in the exigency then impending." (The Two Colonels John Taylor. 
 Henry Race, M.D., p. 7.) 
 
 "It was known as 'the church over the North Branch' at first, and afterward 
 as 'the church of the North Branch.' The old village North Branch, four miles up 
 the river, has nothing to do with this story. In 1894 the 175th anniversary of this 
 organization was observed in the Reformed Church at Readington. A book covering 
 this occasion was published by the congregation. In this is a picture of the first 
 church building. Mr. Ira Voorhees, who drew it, told me it was purely imaginary. 
 Under it is the statement, 'burnt in 1737.' That is a mistake. The burning is only 
 a tradition. If burned at all, it was after your college had made use of it in an emer- 
 gency, for there was but one building there. My brother (John Vosseller) rebuilt 
 the house in which he lived and some of its timbers were in the dwelling which stood 
 there during the Revolutionary War. He changed the direction of the road near his 
 house and the new road runs close to the location of the church. He imearthed the 
 foundation of the church." (Elias Vosseller, Flemington, N. J.) 
 
 Wallkill. David Annan's brother, Robert, was minister there. The name cov- 
 ered a wide country in the Wallkill Valley, New York State, and still designates a 
 town or township. The present village of Wallkill is not the place referred to. 
 The church of Wallkill in 1776 was, no doubt, the present Goodwill Presbyterian 
 church, a few miles from the present village of Wallkill and nearer the village of Wal- 
 
57 
 
 den; possibly the name also belonged to the church of Neelytown, not far distant, 
 which had seceded from Goodwill in 1769 and which, in 1831-2, was removed to 
 Campbell Hall. Eobert Annan was called in 1767' to "the congregations of Little 
 Britain and Wallkill" and in 1772 he was installed pastor. David Annan, writing 
 this letter apparently from his brother's home, was ordained two years later at the 
 same place. Letter XXXIV indicates that Eobert Annan was still there in 1781. 
 (History of the Goodwill Presbyterian Church, James M. Dickson, pp. 17, 
 30-32.) 
 
 Commencement. In the early years it was usually or always held in the late 
 summer or early autumn. The New Jersey Gazette, August 26, 1778, contains an 
 announcement, beginning "The Commencement of Queen's College, in New Jersey, 
 is to be held at New Brunswick on Tuesday the 15th day of September. 5 '* (New 
 Jersey Archives, Second Series, Vol. 2, p. 388.) No preceding Commencement date 
 is known. As late as 1854 it was held on July 26. Since 1858 it has been in June. 
 
 Letter III. 
 
 Cop'py of a Letter. All the letters of John Bogart, III, VI, VII, XXIV, and 
 XXXXV1 are, of course, retained copies of letters sent by him or drafts of letters 
 never sent. 
 
 The Doctor. Dr. Hardenbergh, no doubt, who thus appears as a teacher in 
 the college at this time. See Letter IV. 
 
 Letter IV. 
 
 August, The year omitted, as well as the day of the month, is surely 1776. 
 the letter being a reply to Letter III. 
 
 Barbara Celarent. The beginning of a mnemonic verse, used in the study of 
 logic. It is contained in the Summae Logicales of Petrus Hispanus and is probably 
 of still earlier origin, and it has remained in continuous use. The entire verse is 
 Barbara, Celarent, Darii, Ferio, Baralipton, 
 Celantes, Dabitis, Fapesmo, Frisesomorum, 
 Cesare, Camestres, Pestino, Baroko, Darapti, 
 Felapron, Disamis, Datisi, Bokardo, Ferison. 
 "These are original names of the syllogistic moods." 
 
 (Dictionary of Philosophy and Psychology, Baldwin, Volume 2, p. 88.) 
 
58 
 
 General Master. An ordinance for the detaching of one-half of the militia 
 was passed by the Provincial Congress, August 11, 1776. "All able bodied men of 
 New Jersey, between the ages of sixteen and fifty," &c. 
 
 (Minutes of the Provincial Congress and Council of Safety, 1775-1776. 
 Newspaper extracts, August 21, New Jersey Archives, Second Series, Vol. I, p. '171, 
 1776-1777.) 
 
 Dad. VanWyck. See Letter XIII. 
 
 Letter V. 
 Lad. David Annan. See Letter XIII. 
 
 Letter VI. 
 
 Amice dulcissime, &c. 
 Sweetest friend. North Branch Raritan 5. Oct. 1776. 
 
 Why you have not written before this I wonder, when you declared so great a 
 Desire to exchange Letters : especially, because there would have been profit in two 
 ways, not only for forming a familiar epistolary Style, but many Thoughts come fresh 
 to our Minds which otherwise would have been hidden. Perhaps for the Eepublic 
 jovl are now contending in dreadful Wars, if not otherwise I blame You not but pray 
 for your safety. This Letter I have written in Latin for Eecreation. Remember me 
 to Dad and Domine Taylor. sweetest girls I desire greatly desire to see you. 
 Where are you? Write if it is possible, now farewell. 
 
 John Bogart. 
 // it is possible write. Perhaps you are now waging Wars with girls — 
 
 is better. if it is so, remember &c. 
 
 To Simeon Dewitt In Queens College 
 
 Student. 
 
 The Latin expression is generally good, the grammar sometimes faulty; in- 
 dicative scripsisii for subjunctive, subjunctives fuerit and veniant, where he should 
 have used indicative, raelior instead of neuter melius. Memento, "remember = recol- 
 lect," he wrongly uses for "remember = give remembrances to." The italicized 
 words are (later?) additions in fainter ink, afterthoughts and corrections. That the 
 phrase Oollegio (should have been in Collegio) Reginae Discipulus is meant, in spite 
 of its position, to accompany the signature, is shown by the nominative discipulus. 
 That the phrase si non aliier, "if not otherwise," in the body of the letter means "if 
 you are contending otherwise, contending with girls," seems to be shown by the ad- 
 dition below, "Perhaps/* 1 etc. 
 
59 
 
 Raritan. The name included the whole watershed of the Earitan and Mill- 
 stone Valleys. In a more particular way it came to mean what is now Somerville 
 and vicinity. Now it belongs definitely to a town just outside Somervi]le. The First 
 Reformed Church of Somerville is the original Earitan Church. It was served before 
 the Eevolutionary "War, successively, by Theodoras Jacobus Frelinghuysen, John Fre- 
 linghuysen and Jacob Eutsen Hardenbergh. It was first located at what is now 
 Mannville, a half mile south of the Finderne station, near the Earitan Eiver. The 
 building was burned during the war and the present site in Somerville was occupied. 
 The Somerset County Court House was at Millstone from 1737 until its burning by 
 the British in 1779 ; the new Court House was located in Somerville immediately 
 adjoining the Dutch Eeformed Church by the casting vote of General Frederick Fre- 
 linghuysen, first Tutor of Queen's College. The house in Somerville occupied by 
 Doxnine John Frelinghuysen and Domine Hardenbergh was in effect a school of 
 theology, the forerunner of the ISTew Brunswick Theological Seminary and, indeed, 
 of Queen's College; the house, built in 1751 of bricks brought from Holland by the 
 Eeverend John Frelinghuysen, and lately known as the Doughty Homestead, has 
 now (1914) been removed to a new location in order to preserve it. 
 
 The College Grammar School carried on its work there for a time, commencing 
 in the spring of 1778. The New Jersey Gazette, June 3, 1778, says, "The publick 
 are hereby informed that a Grammar School is opened at Earitan, in Somerset 
 Count}', where decent accomodation for young gentlemen may be had at the mod- 
 erate price of 30 1. per annum, particular attention will be given to instruct the 
 youth in writing and reading the English language with propriety. The Faculty of 
 Queen's College having the care and direction of this school, will make it their par- 
 ticular business to attend to the education and conduct of the youth. Those gentle- 
 men who shall chuse to send their sons to this school for instruction will apply to 
 John Bogert, A. B. at said place." 
 
 (1ST. J. Archives, 2nd Series, Vol. II, p. 240.) 
 
 Dominum Taylor. The title, dominie, was applied to a schoolmaster in Scot- 
 land and England and was used rarely in this country in the same way. The same 
 word, spelled domine, was applied in Holland and in this country to a minister of 
 the Dutch Eeformed Church. This usage continues somewhat to the present day. 
 See Letter XXXI. 
 
 The Landing. Earitan Landing, so-called in early days, and still called The 
 Landing is about a mile above New Brunswick on the Earitan Eiver. It was the 
 head of navigation, was the center of a very active trade, and was surrounded by a 
 considerable population. A lottery advertisement of early date, telling the prizes 
 offered, says "many of them being lots in the heart of that growing place, Earitan 
 Landing, which is a market for the most plentiful wheat country of its bigness in 
 America." (The Story of an Old Farm. Mellick. p. 174.) When the Delaware 
 and Earitan Canal was built, 1830-1833, the entrance to it two miles away, at the 
 lower end of the city, became the head of river navigation. A bridge was built at 
 the Landing perhaps as early as 1-771 and a bridge is there at the present time. 
 
GO 
 
 Letter VII. 
 
 October 12. The letter is a reply to Letter II, June 2-th. The June date is 
 indistinct in both letters. 
 
 Wooden petticoat. Possibly the small, circular pulpit found in churches of 
 that day. 
 
 Cave of Trophonius. Trophonius and Agamedes were legendary heroes of 
 architecture. An oracle, dedicated to Zeus Trophonius, dwelt in a subterranean 
 chamber into which the inquirers descended. "The descent into the cave and the 
 sights which there met the eye were so awe-inspiring that the popular belief was that 
 no one who visited the cave ever smiled again." (Athenaeus 614 A: cf Aristoph. 
 nubes 508.) It was proverbially said of persons of grave and serious aspect that they 
 had been in the Cave of Trophonius. 
 
 (Harper's Dictionary of Classical Literature and Antiquities.) 
 
 Old Mr. Scheurman. Undoubtedly John Schurernan, merchant and promi- 
 nent citizen of New Brunswick, an elder in the Dutch Reformed Church, and at 
 one time a trustee and treasurer of Queen's College. James Schurernan, writer of 
 Letters XVI and XVII, and later greatly distinguished in public life, was his son. 
 
 Letter VIII. 
 
 Northam.pt on, Bucks County. William Penn offered the persecuted Dutch in 
 the Netherlands a home in Pennsylvania. Few settled there, but there was a com- 
 munity of them at North and South Hampton from very early time; there was a 
 Dutch Reformed church there from 1710. Simeon Van Artsdalen's home was there 
 and Matthew Light in time became pastor of that church, as already noted. One 
 reason suggested for the choice of New Brunswick over Hackensack as the place of 
 Queen's College is that it was nearer to the Dutch settlements in Pennsylvania and, 
 especially, nearer to the large German population there, from which students might 
 be expected, the German Reformed Church being in the early times in intimate, 
 almost organic relations, with the Dutch Reformed Church. 
 
 Inoculation. Vaccination was preceded by inoculation, which was not, how- 
 ever, universally approved or allowed. Game's Mercury, February 10, 1772, adver- 
 tises inoculation at length and with interesting detail, as practiced at a place three 
 miles from New Brunswick. On June 19, 1775, it is published that the Provincial 
 Council orders that no Person whatever be inoculated for small pox before Decem- 
 ber 1, 1775. The city of Albany took official action, November 2, 1782, "Resolved 
 that the Ordinance for preventing the inoculation of the small Pox in this city be 
 
Gl 
 
 and hereby is repealed." (Munsell's Collections, Volume I.) Mrs. Washington was 
 inoculated. (Spark's Life and Writings of Washington, Volume 3, p. 404, letter of 
 May 31, 1776.) 
 
 Derrick Kroesen. Uncle John Kroesen is mentioned in Letter XXVIII. 
 On Letter XV is the note, Per favor of Mr. Kroesen. The Kroesen family were early 
 settlers in Bucks County. They were connected by marriage with the Van Artsdalen 
 family. "In 1871 one of the old dwellings of the family was torn down * * * 
 and in the date stone was the inscription, Derick Kroesen, May 12, 1731. Behind 
 the cupboard was a secret hiding place, that would hold several persons, common in 
 dwellings of that period." (Bucks County. Davis. Ed. 1905, p. 333.) 
 
 Ledom's Tavern. Leedom's Tavern was "The Black Bear'* or "The Bear," 
 at what is now known as Richboro, Pennsylvania. It was kept during the Revolu- 
 tionary War by Richard Leedom, a man of considerable prominence for many years 
 in that locality. "The first tavern here was a little log building said to have stood 
 in a lot at the junction of the two roads. The White Bear and The Black Bear 
 were trysting places for lovers of fun of the generation now going off the stage. The 
 two old taverns were popular headquarters for country politicians and mauy a slate 
 has been made up and smashed within their walls. The author's first recollection of 
 mimic war is connected with the blood stained fields of North Hampton lying around 
 the two bears where our doughty volunteers met, fall and spring, to do their consti- 
 tutional amount of drilling." (Bucks County. Davis. Volume I, p. 337.) 
 
 Letter IX. 
 
 Rochester. A neighborhood and Dutch Reformed Church not very far from 
 Simeon DeWitt's birthplace and not very far from Kingston, New York. The place 
 is now known as Accord. 
 
 Revd. Dr. Romeyn. Dirck (Theodoric) Romeyn was a minister of the Dutch 
 Reformed Church. Simeon DeWitt had been prepared for college by him when he 
 was in his first charge, Marbletown, Rochester and Wawarsing, 1766-1775. Prom 
 1775 to 1784 he was pastor of the church of Hackensack, and DeWitt was visiting 
 him there at the writing of this letter. From 1785 to 1804 Dr. Romeyn was pastor 
 of the church at Schenectady and while there was very active in the establishing of 
 the Union Academy, Union College. He also became Lector in Theology and 
 later Professor of Theology in the Dutch Reformed Church in the formative period 
 of what is now the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He was a great patriot 
 and suffered for his patriotic zeal ; at one time he was driven out of Hackensack 
 by his Tory enemies. 
 
 (See Annals of the American Pulpit, Dutch Reformed Church. Sprague. 
 pp. 46-52.) 
 
62 
 
 Lettish XIV. 
 
 Sam'l Smith, Capfn. The one writer of the group who, apparently, is not 
 of John Bogart's college circle. He was Captain of the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment; 
 beyond this he is not identified. The contrast between the spelling in this letter 
 and that in the other letters is noteworthy. 
 
 Letter XV. 
 
 Finished your academical studies, willing to take others by the hand. Letter 
 XIII, February 14, 1778, says, "You tell me you expect to be examined for a de- 
 gree." This letter, June 25, 1778, speaks of the work as completed and of John 
 Bogart as at once undertaking to teach. The notice in the New Jersey Gazette, 
 June 3, 1778, quoted in the note to Letter VI, gives him the degree of A.B. when 
 it names him as in charge of the College Grammar School at Baritan. It is plain 
 that he was graduated from Queen's in that year, 1778. 
 
 Letter XVII. 
 
 Sunday evening. In the absence of date this letter is placed next in order to 
 the one other letter written by James Schureman. 
 
 Cranbewy. Cranbury, village near New Brunswick. 
 
 Letter XVIII. 
 
 Frederichsborough. Late in the autumn (1778), "Washington moved his 
 headquarters to Fredericksburg, near the Connecticut line, and turned his attention 
 decidedly to the protection of the eastern coast." 
 
 (Field Book of the Revolution. Lossing. Vol. I, pp. 331-2.) 
 
 "Following the Battle of Monmouth and the rehabilitation of the army Gen- 
 eral Washington remained upon the Hudson establishing headquarters at White 
 Plains, Pishkill and Fredericksburg." "From Fredericksburg the commander-in- 
 chief proceeded to Elizabethtown, where he arrived upon the first of Decem- 
 ber." (1778). 
 
 (New Jersey as a Colony and as a State. Lee. pp. 215 and 216.) 
 
63 
 
 Letter XIX. 
 
 -4s Tutor of Queen s College. As related to this letter of John Taylor, writ- 
 ten from North Branch to John Bogart at Raritan, and giving personal and valuable 
 details of the early college work, a letter of Colonel Taylor to Governor Livingston, 
 written from North Branch at about the same time, September 25, 1779, is of inter- 
 est. It speaks of "the necessity of my attending the examination of the students of 
 Queen's College ;" states "that I was preengaged by the trustees of Queen's College 
 and that it was with great difficulty that I was able to leave the business of the col- 
 lege until this vacation;" and continues, "the trustees of Queen's College insisting 
 upon my fulfilling my engagements, I hope I shall be discharged from the regiment 
 as soon as possible." 
 
 (The New Jersey Revolutionary Correspondence.) 
 
 Bray, Van Wych, Gourblandt, Remsen, Stewart. These students have not 
 heretofore been known in any registry of Queen's College. The inference is natural 
 that there may have been other students as well, whose names are yet unknown 
 through the loss of early college records. Bray was probably John W. Bray, later a 
 citizen of some importance in New Brunswick, a member of the Common Council; 
 in 1794 he was Forage Master of New Jersey, and he served in the War of 1812. 
 
 Mr. E ostium. Robert Eastburn kept a store at the corner of Church and 
 Dennis streets in 'New Brunswick; his son, and later his grandson, continued it. 
 An advertisement of this store in the early part of the last century reads, "Dealer in 
 Drugs, Bed Tickens, Paint, Books in History and Divinity, also Dye Woods and 
 Family Medicine Chests." 
 
 Mr.Brinson. Sometimes spelled Brunson, a name and a family well known 
 in New Brunswick at that time. 
 
 Col. D. Vroom. An old New Brunswick name. The particular family is, no 
 doubt, that represented until recently by residents on Church Street just above 
 George Street. 
 
 Mr. Paterson. He had a store in New Brunswick and another in Raritan. 
 He was a brother of William Paterson, the very distinguished lawyer, judge and 
 statesman, who lived in New Brunswick, who served his state and the nation in high 
 offices and singularly important matters. William Paterson was associated with his 
 brother in his business interests. 
 
 Letter XX. 
 
 New Windsor. Place of encampment of the American Army near Newburgh 
 and West Point, New York. 
 
64 
 
 Letter XXI. 
 
 Halfmoon. A town (township) and village of Saratoga County, New York, 
 about fifteen miles north of Albany. 
 
 pr. Express. A system of riders who carried with speed orders and letters 
 
 from post to post. 
 
 Letter XXII. 
 
 The letter is without date. It is perhaps properly placed between the writer's 
 letters of July 25, 1779, and January 10, 1780. 
 
 Mr. Erskine. Colonel Robert Erskine was Geographer-in-Chief to the Ameri- 
 can Army. In 1778 Simeon DeWitt was appointed assistant to him. Colonel 
 Erskine died in 1780 and DeWitt succeeded him, becoming "Geographer to the 
 United States of America," December 4, 1780. 
 
 Letter XXIII. 
 
 Millstone. The township was called Hillsborough and the church of Mill- 
 stone was called the church of Hillsborough. Millstone, like North Branch, was 
 the home of Queen's College for a time during the Eevolutionary War, for a part of 
 1780 at least. This letter, January 10, 1780, expresses ignorance whether John 
 Bogart is at New Brunswick, Millstone or Earitan. Letter XXIY, from John Bo- 
 gart, at North Branch, March 1 ( ?), 1780, is addressed to Jeremiah Smith, student, 
 at Millstone and asks that message be given to "Mr. Taylor and all the brotherhood.'*" 
 Letter XXV, March 9, 1780, is written by John Taylor at Millstone. Letter XXIX, 
 June 5, 1780, is written by Simeon Van Artsdalen at Hillsborough. The house in 
 which the college classes were held is still standing; it is near the bridge, facing it 
 from the road which runs at right angles to the bridge. The brass knocker from the 
 door of the house is in the historical collection of the college. The house was occu- 
 pied by the Rev. John M. Van Harlingen when he was minister of the Millstone 
 church, 1787-1795, and professor in the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick; 
 there is some reason to think that his father bought the land and built the house in 
 Revolutionary time. His uncle, the Rev. John M. Van Harlingen, D.D., minister at 
 Neshanic and Sourland (Harlingen), was an original trustee of Queen's College. 
 
 The County Court House which was in earliest times at Six Mile Run, near 
 the site of the present Franklin Park Church, was at Millstone from 1737 to 1779. 
 The Supreme Court sat there at one time. 
 
 The New Jersey Gazette contains this notice : 
 
U5 
 
 "Hillsborough, May 25, 1780. 
 The vacation of Queen's College, at Hillsborough (Millstone), in the county 
 of Somerset, and of the grammar school in the city of New Brunswick, is expired, 
 and the business of each is again commenced. Good lodgings may be procured in 
 both places at as low a rate as in any part of the State. 
 By order of the faculty : 
 
 John Taylor, Clerk pro tern." 
 (N. J. Archives, 2nd Series, Vol. IV, p. 399.) 
 
 Letter XXIY. 
 
 Causey. "A road or path raised above the natural level of the ground by 
 stones, earth, timber, fascines, or the like, serving as a dry passage over wet or 
 marshy ground, over shallow water, or along the top of an embankment." "Cause- 
 way being a popular perversion, in simulation of way, a road.'* 
 
 (Century Dictionary.) 
 
 Letter XXV. 
 
 The Budget. No doubt the package of letters and papers carried by the ex- 
 press or post rider. 
 
 Lettfr XXVIII. 
 
 Sir John Johnson. The son of Sir William Johnson (1715-1774) who was 
 superintendent of Indian affairs in North America, conspicuous in the early history 
 of central and western New York, in war and peace, who married for his second 
 wife, Mollie Brandt, and who was an original trustee of Queen's College. Sir John 
 Johnson commanded a regiment of loyalist provincials, known as the Queen's Own 
 American Kegiment, or Johnson's Greens, during the Bevolutionary War. He suc- 
 ceeded Colonel Guy Johnson, Sir William's nephew and son-in-law as head of the 
 Indian Department; he died while in the office of superintendent-general and in- 
 spector-general of Indian Affairs and colonel of Canadian Militia, January 4, 1830. 
 
 (Dictionary of National Biography, Vol. 30, pg. 51.) 
 
 Cagnaiuaga. Caughnawaga, early name of territory including Amsterdam 
 and Johnstown and vicinity. The Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga is now 
 the church of Fonda. Conewago in Pennsylvania is a different name. (Doc. Hist. 
 Ill, 673-4, 683. Col. Hist. Ill, 250.) 
 
Letter XXIX. 
 
 Shin-curtains. The word has not been found elsewhere; its meaning can 
 only he inferred. It is conjectured that it means a diminutive form of fire screen, 
 made of metal, tin, or hammered iron. 
 
 Martin. Probably Benjamin Martin (1704-1782). He was an English 
 mathematician, instrument maker, and general compiler. Among his writings is 
 a Philosophical Grammar in four parts: (1) Somatology, (2) Cosmology, (3) 
 Aerology, (4) Geology. 
 
 Letter XXX. 
 
 Little Frelinghuysen. Frederick Frelinghuysen, first Tutor of Queen's Col- 
 lege. Mentioned also in Letter XXXXI. See biographical note. 
 
 Letter XXXI. 
 
 The D amine. Dr. Hardenbergh, no doubt. See Letter VI, note. 
 
 The Dutch Synod. It met on October 1, 1780, at wt New Millstone," and Dr. 
 Hardenbergh was made president of it. Nicholas Lansing was examined for licen- 
 sure, presenting "approved testimonials from the trustees of Queen's College." 
 
 Letter XXXII. 
 
 March. Johann Van Marck, a Dutch theologian, born in 1655, died in 1731. 
 He was successively professor at Franeker, at Gronigen, and at Leyden. His-writings 
 had high reputation and those in theology were used in American institutions in 
 early days. Four books by him, one in Dutch and three in Latin, are in the library 
 of Rutgers College. One bears the autographs of D. Romeyn and Jacob Brodhead; 
 another bears the autograph of Jacob Brodhead; both of these were presented by 
 John Romeyn Brodhead, the historian, a graduate of the college. The third and 
 fourth are editions, 1824 and 1825, of the same work; the 1825 edition has this 
 note, "Deposited in Liby of Rs College for the use of students in theology, By Ph. 
 Milledoler, Agent of Collegiate Ref. D. Church, N. York, Octr. 17th, 1837."" Dr. 
 Milledoler was President of the College from 1835 to 1840. 
 
67 
 
 Lkttjsh XXX TU. 
 
 ******* The larger part of this letter is omitted in the print- 
 ing, its language being very frank concerning social offences especially characteristic 
 of the time and place in the view of the writer. 
 
 Letter XXXIV. 
 
 Penny post papers. The New York Mercury, October 30, 1775, advertises 
 constitutional Post Office established by the Post-Master General of all the United 
 Colonies with service to Philadelphia on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, to Albany 
 on Thursday, to Hartford on Thursday, and to New London, Newport and Provi- 
 dence on Monday. On December 25 discontinuance of service is advertised on ac- 
 count of robberies of the mail in the lawlessness of "war time. On June 26, 1775, the 
 following advertisement occurs: "To those Gentlemen above Albany, and. elsewhere, 
 who have for 4 years past received their newspapers by the Albany post rider. I 
 should not at this time address myself to you in this sort, were it not that I am now 
 dismissed from the post office, and of course receive no pay there; and 1 have, at the 
 desire of several Gentlemen, continued riding — but finding it will bring me in debt, 
 unless 1 am paid punctually for the newspapers, both old score and new, these are 
 therefore to request of all, to make immediate payment, either to the Printers, Eider, 
 or the stages where they are left as they desire to receive their papers. All persons 
 who want to send letters by the post to Mew York are desired to leave them at the 
 widow Vernon's, at the King's Arms in Albany, where all letters will be received 
 and given out, until terms are settled; and in New York at the house of Joel Holmes, 
 at the North River, near the Ferry stairs. He rides on the west side of Hudson's 
 River, and is every one's very 
 
 Humble servant, if -well paid for it, 
 
 Old Albany Post. 
 
 N, B. 4 s a year for postage of each newspaper." 
 
 Letter XXXVII. 
 
 To recommend you as a friend. The letter is without address; plainly it was 
 written to John Bogart. 
 
 Latin School This is referred to also in Letters XXXIX, XXXX, XXXXI, 
 XXXXIII and XXXXVIL It was founded at Albany, August 15, 1780. The pres- 
 ent Albany Academy is a different institution. Minutes of the Common Council of 
 the city make no mention of a call to John Bogart at this time. The minutes of May 
 23, 1782, however, record that letters from both John Taylor and, John Bogart, de- 
 
dining to become teachers in the school, were laid before the Council by the Mayor. 
 Again, the minutes of June 19, 1782, record a letter from John Taylor, dated at New 
 Brunswick, June 12, in which he informs the Board that he and John Bogart decline, 
 respectively, the Eectorship and Mastership of the school on account of a prior en- 
 gagement in New Jersey. Letter XXXXI, April 11, 1782, contains John Taylor's 
 advice to John Bogart to stay in New Brunswick for the sake of the school there and 
 Queen's College. Letter X XXX VII, November 17, 1782, indicates a renewed call 
 from Albany to John Bogart and contains John Taylor's advice to him to accept it. 
 Neither of these teachers of Queen's, however, taught at any time in the Albany 
 School. 
 
 Letter XXXVIII. 
 
 Distress, bodily weakness, impaired constitution. Such words support the con- 
 jecture that John Bogart died at an early age, that, though studying divinity, he 
 never entered the ministry. Eeferences in Letters XXXXVI and XXXXVII also 
 support this. 
 
 Letter XXXX. 
 
 Mr. Kirhpatrich. Andrew Kirkpatrick, teacher of the Queen's College Gram- 
 mar School, and later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of ~New Jersey. See bio- 
 graphical note. 
 
 Letter XXXXI. 
 
 Mr. Freileigh. The Reverend Solomon Froeligh, D.D., was a distinguished 
 minister of the Dutch Reformed Church. While settled at Hackensack, New Jersey, 
 he was also Lector (1792-7) and Professor of Theology (1797-1822). He became 
 a trustee of Queen's College in 1783 and resigned the office in 1810. 
 
 Letter XXXXIL 
 
 Lantsman. Countryman, Fellow-countryman. The letter is without address ; 
 that it was written to John Bogart is to be assumed. It presents a riddle apparently. 
 
 Shawangunh. In the Wallkill Valley, Ulster County, New York. There is a 
 Dutch Reformed Church of Shawangunk, founded in 1737. Its building is a fine 
 pre-revolutionary erection of unusual architecture, the subject of a well-known paint- 
 ing, prints of which are frequently seen. Shawangunk is not very far from Wallkill 
 (Letter II) on the one side and Rochester (Letter IX) on the other side. 
 
69 
 
 Letter X XXXIII. 
 
 The 1st of May. The year is not given. It was surely 1782. 
 
 Mr. Derick Van Vdghten. In the list of the trustees of Queen's College is the 
 name of Dirck Van Veghten, New Brunswick, chosen 1782, resigned 1789. But this 
 Derick Van Veighten was apparently a resident of Albany. 
 
 Letter XXXXIV. 
 
 From Fort Henry. The place is not identified. The date of the letter is also 
 indistinct. 
 
 Letter XXXXV. 
 
 Sir. The letter is without address; that it was written to John Bogart is to 
 be assumed. 
 
 Letter XXXXVL 
 Mr. Kirk, Mr. Kirkpatrick. 
 
SIMEON DE WITT 
 LETTERS 
 
 De Witt to Washington April 13, 1782 
 
 De Witt to ? September 30, 1793 
 
 De Witt to John Nicholson May 14, 1795 
 
 John V, Ellis to De Witt April 2, 1813 
 
 De Witt Opinion April 2, 1813 
 
 De Witt to Horatio G. Spafford January 23, 1821 
 
Sir 
 
 When Colonel Pickering went to .Philadelphia I gave Mm a Ilemento men- 
 tioning that I could not get any provisions from the Contractors without 
 something from Head Quarters or the Secretai^ at War shewing to what I am 
 entituled, and desired him to mention it to your Excellency in order that 
 
 this inconveniency might be removed There are several things which it 
 
 is necessary should be determined before I can well proceed in doing the 
 business which belongs to my office, and which tho f thro' the regular chan- 
 nel it may perhaps be requisite they receive the sanction of Congress or 
 the Secretary at '.Var, cannot be settled without being pointed out by your 
 Excellency, as the allowances &c. for the persons engaged dm this business 
 were originally by a Resolve of Congress left to the determination of the 
 
 Commander in Chief The pay, forage, provision and incidental expenses 
 
 to be allowed to myself and those whom it shall be necessary for me to em- 
 ploy is principally what remains undetermined or at least unrecorded — 1 
 can never settle with the public for those Articles without troubling head 
 quarters for Certificates by which to regulate such settlements - Indeed 
 at present I can ask no assistance from any officers through whose hands 
 
 the Army receives its support, consequently can do no business I could 
 
 wish to have the path for my Conduct us clearly and particularly delineated 
 as may be - Business is much easier done when a man knows what Latitude he 
 may take and what support he may depend upon, than when he is left in uncer- 
 tainty The articles to which Mr. Erskin thought himself entituled were 
 
 four Dollars and four Rations a day for himself, Two Dollars and a Ration 
 for an Assistant (tho I think it ought to have been two Rations, the low- 
 est officer in the army having as much ) Travelling Charges when on business 
 and as many Pack horses as the business should require - Chain-bearers were 
 
to be drafted from the troops. This laode of procuring Chainbearers I have 
 often found to be attended with many inconveniences I therefore proposed to 
 have men enlisted for that particular purpose provided I were authorized to 
 offer a sufficient encouragement. And your Exc'y would approve of the pro- 
 posal It will also be proper to limit the number of forage Rations. I 
 
 shall be obliged to keep two saddle horses for myself and a horse for each 
 assistant besides a four horse team and waggon to be furnished oy the Pub- 
 lic Since Regulations have been made respecting the Kumber of servants 
 
 the Officers of the Army are allowed to keep it will perhaps not be su#iss 
 to mention them — Two may answer my purposes If these particulars were 
 finally fixed and I had about half a dozen of good Chainbearers with two 
 assistants, I might with a very little additional expence do a great deal 
 of business — I can assure your Excellency it mortifies me to see this 
 beautifullest part of the season pass by us while we out of mere neces- 
 sity remain inactive — As long as I au not otherwise directed we may as 
 well oe engaged in extending our surveys into the Country — 
 
 For the present I will be obliged to your Excellency for an Order 
 whereby I may draw provisions from the Contractors till those matters can 
 be regularly established 
 
 I have the honor to be 
 
 Your Excellencys Lost Obt humble servant 
 April 13. 1782 S. Dewitt 
 
 His Excellency General Washington 
 
Albany 30 Sept. 1793 
 
 Sir 
 
 The description of the Survey you sent rne is defective - It should 
 mention that it was made pursuant to directions from the Surveyor iienl 
 and I should be informed that applications for Lands under water have 
 been made and by whom - For the Certificate which I am to give will say 
 That 1 have on application of A»B, caused to be surveyed for said A.B. &c. 
 
 The description of the Water Lot should shew from the face of it 
 that it adjoins and does not extend beyond the property on shore belonging 
 to the applicant. It should therefore say, Beginning at the H>'«V» or 5.W . 
 corner of said lands belonging: to said A. 3. and running thence &o. £c. to 
 the 3.W. or S.E. corner thereof £c . as the case may be. 
 
 It is also proper that the Survey be attested under Oath. This 
 will serve as a corroberating Evidence to the Commissioners of the Land 
 Office that they do not grant Lands under 'vVater to any one opposite to 
 Lands on Shore belonging to others which is prohibited by Law - 
 
 Lr. Livingston can cut off the description which he has given 
 just below his signature the map and parte to the map a description 
 conformable to these directions - 
 
 I am your most Obed.Sert. 
 S. DeVitt. 
 j?. 3. It has not appeared to me who are the applicants 'for the Lands under 
 water - The description of which was sent to me. 
 
Albany 14 £iay 1795 
 
 Sir 
 
 Yours of the 6 Inst I reed today with the two deeds for Lot ilo.19 
 Solon enclosed. 
 
 A clause in our Laws says "That all Deeds &o. affecting the mili- 
 tary Lands, which shall not be delivered to 4 deposited with the Olerk of 
 the County of Albany on or before the 1st Lay 1795 shall be adjudged fraud- 
 ulent & void against the subsequent purchaser or Mortgagee for valuable 
 consideration" by which you will see it is now too late to file your deeds 
 as above - I am told there are many delinquencies similar to yours - The 
 Law is generally considered too arbitrary & it is expected our legislature 
 will be compelled to contravene its effects in part by some future Law - 
 The best to be done with your deeds now is to have them recorded in Onondago 
 county^ whither I will send them by the first safe conveyance for that pur- 
 pose. 
 
 I am Sir 
 
 Your Obd Servt 
 
 S. DeV.'itt 
 .-.S. Will you ask Mr. Hittenhouse if he has some time ago reed a Letter 
 from me respecting a Transit Instrument & if he has an answer on that 
 Subject 
 John Nicholson Esqr 
 
Having been requested by some of the members of the Legislature 
 to give my opinion whether ]|20,000 Dollars could be raised from the sale 
 of 20,000 Acres of Land belonging to the State in Totten and Crossfield's 
 purchase for the purpose of opening the contemplated Road between Albany 
 and the River 3t Lawrence, I have procured the information contained in 
 the preceding statement from one of the Commissioners appointed to lay 
 out said Road. 
 
 Although I doubt whether the Lands in Totten and Crossfield's 
 purchase could be sold on an average for one dollar per Acre, Yet consider- 
 ing that such a Road, as is intended, passing through or near the Lands 
 meant to be appropriated for this ooject, would add greatly to their Value, 
 and also the Townships Ho 3b, 42 & 43 with an adjoining Gore are represented 
 as better than the average of the whole Tract I have no doubt that 20,000 rrc 
 Acres of those lands in the event of the Roads being made would be ample se- 
 curity for 20,000 Dollars. 
 
 S. De./itt 
 
 Aoril 2. 1813 
 
Simeon "DeV.itt, Esu. 
 Surveyor General xo 
 Sir, 
 
 Having been appointed oy his Excellency Governor Tomp- 
 kins last year One of the Commissioners for laying out a Uew Road from 
 Albany to Ogdensburgh, my duties imposed on me a careful examination of the 
 County through which 1 had occasion to pass - I went entirely through 
 township ifo. 39 in Totten and Crossfield's purchase - skirted the eastern 
 boundaries of Townships 'Jo* 42 jc 43 & passed entirely through the Gore r,orth 
 of No. 36 - all which described tracts 1 understand belong to the States 
 I am decidedly of opinion that after the contemplated Road is completed 
 many parts of these tracts will readily sell for two dollars or upwards per 
 Acre, and that all within a reasonable distance from the Road will average 
 twelve shillings per Acre, and this opinion I am equally confident will be 
 confirmed by the gentlemen who accompanied me. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 Sir, 
 
 very respectfully 
 
 your most obedt servt 
 John A Ellis 
 
Albany, Jany 23, 16 El 
 
 Dr Sir 
 
 1 received your favor requesting to be informed whether you 
 are considered as a Member of our Society Notwithstanding Your having 
 resided out of the State - I do (favor?) your election - I do not Icnow 
 that your membership has ceased. I will enquire about it at our next 
 meeting, & if that should be the construction I will have you recollected - 
 You have been too useful a member not to leave a wish with us all that you 
 should be again restored to your former rights and be happy to see your at- 
 tendance as often as opportunities occur - 
 
 I am respectfully 
 
 Your friend and Obt. 3ervt 
 S. DeV/itt 
 
 Horatio Gates Spafford, Esc. 
 
&a. 
 
 
 ' ***' ■'"': 
 
 
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