This upper elementary level resource will give students a look at the Colonial Era in Monmouth! Covenhoven House Life in Colonial Monmouth The Covenhovens were an average Dutch farming family until a large sum of money helped them build a grand house in 1752. The home - and its very special story - help us to understand life in Colonial America. Building America Creating a New World The Colonies Await European countries began exploring America in the early 1500s. In 1607, King James I of England established Jamestown , the first permanent colony in America. A colony is an area under the control of another country, usually one that is far away. The people who live there are known as colonists . Claiming land in this "New World" was a way for countries to control trade and expand their territory, which gave them more money and power. It became the goal of many European countries to claim land in America, but many found it hard to hold onto it. It was not easy to survive in a wild and faraway land, and even harder to protect land from other countries who wanted it also. The colonists slowly began to sail to America to make new lives for themselves, sparking the beginning of the Colonial Era. The Colonial Era of America's history lasted from 1607 until 1775, when the colonies began their fight for independence from the British. King James I of England, Scotland and Ireland Courtesy of Library of Congress NEXT > Native Americans The Lenni Lenape Lenape Chief Lappawinsoe Courtesy of the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia Images courtesy of Boston Public Library Native Americans: The Lenni Lenape Native Americans were the indigenous (in-dih-jen-us) people the colonists encountered when they arrived in America. Indigenous , like the word 'native,' means anything that comes from and has existed in a place for a very long time. The Native Americans lived in groups called tribes . They had their own languages and culture on American soil long before the European settlers came. The main Native American tribe in New Jersey were the Lenni Lenape (Leh-NEE Luh-NAH-pay). This means something like the"Original People" in the Lenape language, called Unami (Weh-NAH-mee). There are no more native speakers of the Unami language, but there are people working to learn it again so it can be spoken like it was hundreds of years ago. You can hear the way the language sounded and give it a try with this Lenape translator tool ! NEXT > The Covenhovens A Colonial Monmouth Family Family Life William and Elizabeth Covenhoven (CO-ven-HO-ven) were both born in America from Dutch ancestry, meaning their family came here from Holland. They were married in 1720 and settled in Freehold. They had a small farm and a large family...with ten children! Families were bigger at this time because it was important to have many hands to help work the farm, take care of each other, and do all the chores that life in the colonies required. Being so far from home, people tended to find comfort living in communities where they knew the culture and traditions. The Covenhovens lived in a Dutch community that spoke Dutch, wore traditional Dutch clothes, prepared Dutch foods, and built and decorated in the Dutch style. Many in the community went to the Dutch church to hear services in their own language. They were proud of their heritage and felt it It was important to maintain their culture in the New World. Covenhoven House, Freehold NJ NEXT > Meet the Locals Discover some of the people who lived in and visited the historic Covenhoven House! Click to Enter Freehold, 1778 Cockpit of the Revolution Monmouth: A Turning Point General path of British (red) and Continental (blue) paths in the days leading up to the battle New Jersey has been called the "Cockpit of the Revolution." Over 200 skirmishes , or small battles, took place in New Jersey. This is because it sat in the path between two very important places: New York, and Pennsylvania. Lower New York was a British stronghold, containing valuable harbors for ships to bring constant fresh supplies, while Philadelphia was an American stronghold and the place where our Continental Congress met. The Continental Congress was a group of men, each one representing a colony, who gathered to discuss and make important decisions for the direction of our country. Some wanted independence from Britain, some did not. In the end, the vote was in favor of independence. The British took over Philadelphia, staying there from September of 1777 to June 18, 1778. On that day, they marched their army across New Jersey to Sandy Hook. They took the Burlington Path, which would lead them right through Freehold. Because their line of men was so long, it was impossible to do this secretly...the residents of Freehold knew they would be passing through in about a week's time. General Washington knew this as well, and decided to move the Continental Army in line with them, engaging them in skirmishes all along the way. The morning of June 28, 1778, the Continentals stopped the British in their tracks at Monmouth Courthouse, now present-day Freehold Borough. It was not going to a a skirmish that day, it was going to be a battle. British General Clinton received the news and quickly left Mrs. Covenhoven's house to join his men. Washington sent General Lee out to begin the fight, but Lee made a mistake in his attack - the confusion ended up in panicked retreat for his men. Washington showed up just in time to support the Continentals and stop them from running away from the fight. He was very angry with Clinton for allowing them to retreat, and embarrassed Clinton in front of the men before turning them all around. All who witnessed it said it was very unlike Washington to lose his temper that way. General Lee thought he was a better general than Washington, and was very annoyed to be spoken to that way. But he did as he was told, and the two armies met on the battlefield. Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth by Emanuele Leutze, MCHA collection New Jersey was in the middle of a heat wave. The temperature soared to nearly 100 degrees by the afternoon, and water was hard to come by. As the armies fought, men began to drop from heat exhaustion. More men died from the heat than from battle wounds! It was a difficult day for both sides. By nightfall, the battle was not yet over. The armies made camp for the night, but the Continentals were surprised to discover in the morning that the British had left the field. The armies lost about the same number of men, so it was called a tie. But it truly was a win for the Continentals - they stood up to the greatest army in the world, which ran away in the middle of the night! It made the Continentals proud, and gave them the confidence to continue on and win the war. Analyzing Artwork Taking a Closer Look Art is not only cool to look at, its a great learning tool as well! It is important to really focus on details to see what the artist is trying to tell us. Give it a try with the images below! 1 2 3 Many people know the famous painting Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze (LOYT-za). Leutze painted another iconic scene in 1857 called Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth . In this dramatic image, the viewer can see many different things happening across the canvas. Looking closely at a few details from the painting, tell what is happening in each scene using the details from the Battle of Monmouth section above. Fun Fact! General Washington preferred white horses so that his troops could easily see him on the battlefield, but the horse that carried him through much of the Revolution was a chestnut brown-colored horse named Nelson. An Unwelcome Visit Artist: Charlie Swerdlow, 2022 1. Look at the scene in An Unwelcome Visit . Does it depict a different time? How do you know? 2. Describe the setting and what appears to be happening. 2. What does the mood seem to be? 3. The two enslaved servants in the home with Mrs. Covenhoven are the young boy, Bross, and Nancy. They may have been mother and child. What might they have been thinking at this moment? 4. What do you think Mrs. Covenhoven was thinking when Clinton finally arrived at her door?

34. First Moves Made to Stop Illegal Trade between Monmouth and British < Back October 1776 Previous Next

75. The Detection and Cashiering of Benjamin Weatherby < Back June 1777 Previous Next

55. Jailed Monmouth Militia after the Battle of the Navesink < Back February 1777 Previous Next

The Monmouth County Historical Association is proudd to announce the MSW Youth Leadership Award, in honor of Meg Sharp Walton and the leadership and good citizenship qualities she inspires. MSW Make History NOW Youth Leadership Award Qualities to Encourage and Celebrate History is not just something we look back on; it is in the making every day by those all around us. The archives of the Monmouth County Historical Association hold the stories not only of those whose names we all recognize - George Washington, Abigail Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Booker T. Washington, and many more - but of countless everyday people who made history locally and beyond. Most had no idea that they would be remembered over centuries for the same qualities we admire today - honesty, good judgment, leadership in the face of adversity or challenges, inclusivity, forward-thinking vision, problem-solving, and the ability to rise to the top through personal achievement and hard work. These are the qualities MCHA is looking to reward in our Monmouth County K-12 students with the Meg Sharp Walton Make History Now award. $100 and a certificate of recognition, to be recorded in the MCHA archives, will be awarded annually to a Monmouth County student who demonstrates one or more of the qualities aforementioned in a way that made a positive impact on our community or even just a single person. Whether it is standing up for what is right, making a positive change, or taking on a challenge or cause you believe in, there are countless ways to make history. Please check out website for our nomination form. Our honoree will be selected each August. Keep your eyes out for our future leaders and outstanding citizens - MCHA wants to know about them! MSW Make History Now Nomination Form In 500 words or less for each question, answer the following in a separate MS Word or Google document and upload the document through the form. Please do not forget to fill out the form fields before submitting. If you have any difficulty, please email us. We will be taking submissions through April 1st of 2025, with the announcement of the winner in May. You will be contacted if your nominee is selected! 1. How has this student demonstrated one or a combination of the following qualities: a. Honesty b. Good judgment c. Leadership in the face of adversity or challenges d. Inclusivity e. Forward-thinking vision f. Problem-solving g. Ability to rise to the top through personal achievement and hard work 2. What was the impact of these qualities on the community, or the person/persons affected? Your Name Name of Nominee Upload File Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Your Email Nominee's School and Town SUBMIT Thanks for submitting! Want to Support this Fund? Click HERE and check the box that says "I would like to dedicate this donation." Check "In honor of" and place "MSW Award" in the notes field. Thank you for your generosity and support! Meg Sharp Walton is the Executive Director of the Monmouth County Historical Commission, and a museum professional for over 20 years. The qualities that Meg has demonstrated to the history community and those who have worked with her have inspired this award!

35. The Capture of the Betsy < Back October 1776 Previous Next

122 Heading 4 < Back About the Recipe Previous Next

49. Loyalist Refugees Go Into British Lines < Back January 1777 Previous Next

69. Monmouth's Presbyterians Lose Both of Their Ministers in Two Months < Back May 1777 Previous Next

91 Heading 4 < Back About the Recipe Previous Next

4. Committees Consider Three Loyalists < Back Committees Consider Three Loyalists One of the primary functions of the county and township committees was enforcing compliance with the Continental Association – a pledge to boycott British goods and resist British policies that infringed on the rights of Americans. In 1775, local leaders across the Thirteen Colonies who opposed the Continental Association faced punishments for doing so. In Monmouth County, it was the county and township committees that enforced the Continental Association. While documentation is uneven, it appears that, in early 1775, the committees of Monmouth County began to move against pro-British local leaders. There are three actions reported in the incomplete surviving committee documents, but the full number of actions taken against Loyalists by the committees is certainly higher. (For example, Samuel Osborne , who opposed the Continental Association, recorded that he was “frequently arraigned before the County Committee.” Henry Perrine wrote that he “was deemed an enemy to my country” by the County Committee for refusing to sign the Continental Association. Samuel Wright was summoned to appear before the County Committee and refused the summons. But these names do not appear in the incomplete surviving committee documents.) The Dover Township Committee (in present-day Ocean County) may have been the first to act. A document from the Dover Township committee records: Whereas Peter Woglom from Staten Island has lately come to this place and brought a quantity of India tea and exposed the same to sale…. in violation of the agreement and association of the Continental Congress lately held at Philadelphia; and as we, the Committee of Dover, having full proof of the fact above, are of the opinion that said Woglom ought to be shunned as a public enemy; therefore we advise every friend to his Country not to have any kind of dealings with him. At roughly the same time, the Monmouth County Committee, meeting in Freehold, considered the conduct of Elisha Lawrence , the county sheriff under the Royal Government. Lawrence would later admit that he had “exerted himself in his office” to influence a Grand Jury. The Committee declared that Lawrence’s conduct “has been deemed inimitable to the rights of America” and summoned Lawrence. He “did voluntarily appear in this chamber” and apparently repented for whatever offense he had given. “With readiness & freedom, [he did] sign the general association and afterwards gave this Committee full and ample satisfaction with regards to what had been alleged against him." The Committee unanimously concluded that Lawrence "is restored to their good opinion" and it encouraged the people to once again treat Lawrence with "friendship.” That friendship would not last—shortly after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Lawrence joined the British Army. He was commissioned the Lt. Colonel of the First Battalion of the New Jersey Volunteers , a Loyalist corps of the British Army. Finally, on April 5, 1775, the Freehold Township Committee considered the actions of Thomas Leonard . He was summoned to appear before the committee but refused to do so. Nonetheless, the committee heard evidence against Leonard and declared him "guilty of the breach of the Continental Association.” The Committee warned that “every friend of freedom ought immediately to break off all connection and dealings with him, and treat him as a foe to the rights of British America." Thomas Leonard was a vestryman at St. Peter's Church - at least until his refusal to support the Continental Association put him at odds with vestryman John Forman and the County Committee. Less than two weeks later, Leonard’s isolation fueled a conflict with John Forman . The two men were vestrymen charged with fundraising for the construction of St. Peter’s Church in Freehold. Leonard sent a letter to Forman claiming that Forman needed “to lay the state of the monies received & paid by you" for the church before Leonard. Forman apparently reneged on whatever agreement had previously been reached—probably because of Leonard’s status as an enemy of the committee and Continental Association. Leonard demanded a full accounting of Forman's collections for the church. Fifteen months later, Leonard became a major in the Loyalist New Jersey Volunteers. The activities of the committees in Freehold were noticed as far away as New York City. In April 1775, a pro-British newspaper, the Royal Gazette , blasted the committees in Freehold as “a snarling, pediculous litter of raccoons." But, in comparison to the mob activity in the cities, the activities of the Monmouth County committees were quite moderate. The committees conducted their affairs with due process and the selected punishment (ostracism) was non-violent. The moderation that guided the Monmouth County committees in 1775 would not last. By the later years of the Revolution, a faction of Monmouth County Whigs, centered in Freehold, embraced violent vigilantism under an extra-legal organization known as the Retaliators . Related Historical Sites : St. Peter’s Church Sources : Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Edward Carey Gardner Collection, Misc. Manuscripts; William Horner, This Old Monmouth of Ours (Freehold: Moreau Brothers, 1932) p 25; Proceedings of the Committees of Freehold and Shrewsbury, Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society, First Series, 1846, p 189; Peter Force, American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs (Washington, DC: U.S. Congress Clerk's Office, 1853), 5th Series, vol. 2, p 254; William Horner, This Old Monmouth of Ours (Freehold: Moreau Brothers, 1932) p 25; Monmouth County Historical Association, Vault, Shelf 4, box: St. Peter's Church of Freehold, folder: 1710-1823; Samuel Osborne’s Loyalist Claim, Rutgers University Library Special Collections, Great Britain Public Record Office, Loyalist Application Claims, D96, AO 13/110, reel 10; William Perrine’s Loyalist Claim, Rutgers University Special Collections, Great Britain Public Record Office, Loyalist Compensation Claims, D96, AO 13/19, reel 6 and AO 13/111, reel 10; Elisha Lawrence’s Loyalist Compensation Application, Great Britain, Public Record Office, Colonial Office, CO 5, v93, reel 4, #226 . 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58. Monmouth Baptists Reset Their Congregations < Back March 1777 Previous Next