30. Monmouth Slaves Flee to British < Back July 1776 Previous Next

64. The Disaffection of Edward Taylor < Back April 1777 Previous Next

105 Heading 4 < Back About the Recipe Previous Next

37. David Forman's Campaign Against Monmouth Loyalists < Back November 1776 Previous Next

World War I The Great War Up until 1939, World War I was referred to as the World War or the Great War. It was like nothing the world had ever seen. While estimates vary, approximately 20 million died and 21 million were wounded; half of these casualties were civilians. In addition to bullets and bombs, famine and disease in war-torn areas took many of these lives. While the war was fought abroad, Americans at home were lucky to be shielded from the violence and horrors of war, but experienced changes as well. Our men went overseas and many lost their lives, creating hardship and heartbreak. Women entered the factories to stand in and contribute what they could to the war effort. German Americans became suspected sympathizers and targets, and all things German were denounced... Documents These documents give an interesting glimpse into the world of the Great War. Learn about a private spy organization 250,000 strong, the horrors of mustard gas, and the 1918 Spanish Flu. Artifacts Very often men would bring home their war paraphernalia to keep as remembrances. Sometimes they collected these items as a hobby. The MCHA houses many interesting WWI artifacts. World War II Fighting on Two Fronts Our men once again went off to fight, this time in both the European and Pacific theaters. Thousands of Monmouth men enlisted; 356 did not return home. All Gave Some... Some Gave All Freehold High School 1941-1945 These young men walked the halls of Freeh old High School as students, and gave their lives in service to their country. MCHA encourages students to create their own Honor Roll projects for the WWII KIA who once attended their schools. MC Military Meet the brave Monmouth County men and women who served their country during WWII. If there is someone with an inspiring story you would like to see featured here, please let us know and we would be honored to included them. Home Front The war was fought at home as well. Rationing, Victory Gardens, women working outside the home, donations, and buying war bonds were some of ways civilians contributed to the war effort. Analyze these primary sources to get a sense of what certain aspects of the war were like. Rationing Rationing was an integral part of the war effort. Food, energy, tires, automobiles, gas and even shoes were rationed. Thinking twice about using hot water was part of everyday life during WWII. Save Waste Fats for Explosives Enlist in a Proud Profession! Raised Em' Myself A Careless Word...Another Cross Doing All You Can, Brother? Is Your Trip Necessary? You Can Lick Runaway Prices He's SURE to Get V-Mail Parody - Last Will of Adolf Hitler American Heroes of WWII booklet War Album of Victory Battles Propaganda The strategy of war has always included a psychological component. War posters and other forms of propaganda express the messages the Office of War Information wished the public to receive. Artifacts These WWII artifacts were donated to MCHA by Monmouth county residents. They offer a snapshot of types of things that our residents were familiar with during this time. Know These Planes Civil Defense Preparedness Card Air Raid Protection Regulations To All Volunteers of the Aircraft Warning Service Air Raid Suggestions to All Members of Middletown Township Civilian Defense The U.S. Citizens Defense Corp was made up of all kinds of responsible community members, from housewives to businessmen to the elderly. There was a job for everyone to help keep the homeland safe. BACK

83. Forman's Troops and Monmouth Militia Fight British in Pennsylvania < Back September 1777 Previous Next

13. British Navy Takes Sandy Hook < Back April 1776 April 1776 was a tense time in New York City. American independence was not yet declared, yet Continental soldiers were flowing into the city and building defenses in preparation for a British attack. Meanwhile vestiges of the Royal Government continued in the city and a handful of British naval vessels sat in the harbor. The vulnerable position of the British ships was punctuated on April 7 when a small party of British was attacked while drawing fresh water on Staten Island. This resulted in the capture of one of the British boats and its crew. After this incident, Rear Admiral Molyneux Shudlham , commanding the British squadron in New York, determined it was necessary to move his ships to a less vulnerable location with fresh water. Sandy Hook was easily defended from New York, had fresh water nearby, and was a strategic location from which ocean-bound shipping could be either guarded or menaced. On April 7, Captain Thomas Parker of the Phoenix anchored off Sandy Hook and his sailors disembarked on the undefended peninsula. Within days, the British were garrisoning Sandy Hook as the Phoenix stood guard from the Raritan Bay side. A 12-man sentry was stationed at the bottom of the Hook to guard the freshwater well. The British also burned the pilot’s house near the light house in order to deny cover to would-be attackers. Lighthouse keeper, Adam Dobbs , was restricted in his activities and ordered to stay on the Hook. He was likely viewed with suspicion because his brother, William Dobbs , had previously refused to assist a British tea-ship and had recently joined the Continental Army. On April 16, the remaining British ships at New York sailed for Sandy Hook with the remainder of New York’s Royal Government, including Governor William Tryon . Tryon decided to permit Dobbs to leave the Hook for New York if a boat was sent for him. He wrote to New York’s mayor that “all possible care has been taken to Mr. Dobbs and his property, that if you will send a sloop to the Hook, it will be suffered to bring up to New York, Mr. Dobbs, his servants and effects." Dobbs was promptly retrieved and deposed before the New York Provincial Congress. After hearing from him, the Provincial Congress determined that Dobbs had information of value for the recently-arrived George Washington . It transcribed Dobbs’ testimony and: “Ordered, That Captain William Dobbs wait on his Excellency General Washington, with the said copy of a Letter." William Dobbs had enlisted in the Continental Army; he was the brother of Adam Dobbs, and the former pilot at Sandy Hook. Three days later, Tryon reported to George Germain , the British Foreign Secretary: I have now got down with my Ship under the guns of the Phoenix man of war, which is anchored within the Bay off Sandy Hook. This was necessary in order to replenish the Ship's water which was considerably expended. As I judged the possession of the Light House might prevent the Seamen from insults when watering at the well near the Light House, I have ordered a Sergeant and 12 men, from Cap' Campbell's new raised Company, for a night guard. Captain Parker assuring me that in case of extremity he could cover their retreat by the cannon of his Ships. The Pilot's house adjoining to the Light house is burnt down to prevent its being made a lurking place to the enemy, three or four hundred of which appeared yesterday near the Isthmus of the Peninsula where the Light house stands. The last sentence of Tryon’s report, in which he mentions 300-400 of the “enemy” at the bottom of the Hook must have been a reference to the still-organizing Monmouth militia . Companies of Middletown militia under Colonel George Taylor were stationed opposite the British, but they were less numerous than Tryon reported and in no condition to threaten the British. A British Colonel, Templehoffe, was on Sandy Hook during this time period. He discussed the importance of "being in possession of the light house upon Sandy Hook, which guards the right hand side of the harbour's mouth.” He further stated, “The entrance into the harbour is completely commanded by the light-house." His assessment about the importance of Sandy Hook was shared by Continental officers who would soon seek to dislodge the British. The HMS Phoenix was among the first British warships to land on the western bank of Sandy Hook. The British Navy took Sandy Hook without a fight in April 1776. Related Historical Sites : Sandy Hook Lighthouse Sources : Bruce Bliven, Under the Guns, New York 1775-1776 (New York: Harper & Row, 1972) p 236-7; Colin Lindsay, Extracts of Colonel Templehoffe's History of the Seven Years War (London: T. Cadel, 1793), v2, p484; David Syrett, The Royal Navy in American Waters, 1775-1783 (Aldershot, UK: Scolar Press, 1989), p 16; Harlow McMillen, “Red, Green, and a Little Blue: The Story of Staten Island in the American Revolution, Part 8,” Staten Island History, 1st ser., vol. 32 (1977): Part 3, p 25-6; Pennsylvania Ledger, May 4, 1776; The Library Company, Pennsylvania Ledger, vol. 1, Jan. 1775-Nov. 1776; Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York (Albany: John R. Broadhead, 1857), vol. 8, p677; Peter Force, American Archives, v5:955, 1470; Archives of the State of New Jersey, Extracts from American Newspapers Relating to New Jersey (Paterson, NJ: Call Printing, 1903) vol. 1, pp. 92-3; Genealogical webpage on William Dobbs: https://familypedia.fandom.com/wiki/William_Henry_Dobbs_(1716-1781) . Previous Next

62. David Forman's Drift Into Martial Law < Back March 1777 Previous Next

92 Heading 4 < Back About the Recipe Previous Next

Monmouth County Historical Association collects, preserves, and interprets its extensive museum, research library, and archival collections that relate to Monmouth County’s history and culture and makes these resources available to the widest possible audience. About Us Our Mission Monmouth County Historical Association collects, preserves, and interprets its extensive museum, research library, and archival collections that relate to Monmouth County’s history and culture and makes these resources available to the widest possible audience. The Association promotes the study and appreciation of regional and national history through educational programming, publications, special exhibits, and research services. The Association also preserves and interprets five significant historic sites that represent the County’s vanishing architectural heritage. Through its pursuit of these objectives, the Association enriches the quality of life in Monmouth County by preserving and passing on knowledge of its diverse heritage for future generations. Logo History Over a quarter of a century ago, MCHA adopted the thistle as the official logo of the organization. The image was taken from a carving in a rare chair in the Association’s collection. The Rhea Chair is the oldest piece of documented New Jersey furniture and the only surviving wainscot chair made in the state. The chair maker Robert Rhea emigrated from Scotland to America, eventually settling in Monmouth County. Rhea, who was both farmer and carpenter, carved the Scottish thistle along with his and his wife Janet’s initials into the chair back with the date “1695.” According to James Fenimore Cooper, “The thistle is the order for dignity and antiquity.” The national symbol of Scotland, it is also the emblem of the Order of the Thistle, one of the highest orders of chivalry of Scotland. Throughout Celtic areas the thistle signifies strength, bravery, durability and determination. As the familiar symbol of the Association, the thistle reflects both the depth of the collection and the qualities central to the MCHA’s ongoing mission. Photo caption: Carving on chair back crafted by Robert Rhea with thistle along with date and initials. Executive Committee President Charles H. Jones III, Ed.D. First Vice President R. Glenn Cashion Second Vice President John Gagliano Treasurer Sara h Ashmore Bradley Secretary Betsy O'Connor BOARD of TRUSTEES Thomas Bovino Elise Casey Leslie M. Clark Lynne Taylor Clemons Eugene Croddick Thomas J. DeFelice III John Gagliano Anna Greeley Jean Holtz Peter Izzo Robert G. Kash Michael J. McCarty William J. Mehr, Esq. La wrence J. Metz Lauren Mosley Luke Mosley Dwight Pittenger Candace Sparks Jessie Spector C arol Stillwell Thomas S. Taylor William Wells Advisory Committee Robert D. Broege, Esq. Hope Jones Ross Millhiser, Jr. Claire Knopf Events 49th Annual Garden Party In honor of Hope Jones, Robert Broege, and Ross Millhiser Many thanks to all of our supporters! Your generosity helps MCHA to preserve our priceless Monmouth County history, for which we are so grateful.

29. New York Tories Hide in Shrewsbury < Back July 1776 Previous Next

95 Heading 4 < Back About the Recipe Previous Next