Monmouth County in the American Revolution

Courtesy of John Schneider and the Historical Society of Highlands

Battle of Monmouth

1776 The British fleet arrives off Sandy Hook on June 29.

Sympathizers with the British cause, mainly from Monmouth County, flee to Sandy Hook through Highlands in large numbers to help the British built fortifications which were held for the rest of the Revolutionary War.

1777 The Battle of Navesink becomes the first battle in Monmouth County as 170 British troops attack Monmouth County militia post at the Esek Hartshorne house on February 13.

1778 The celebrated Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, between Sir Henry Clinton and General Washington, took place on June 28, in which, what at first seemed a defeat, was turned, by the courage and promptness of General Washington, to a victory. The night after the battle, and while the American army lay on their arms with the expectation of renewing the conflict in the morning, the British general stole away and gained the heights of Middletown and the sure protection of the guns of the British fleet, which was lying in Sandy Hook Bay. General Washington considered it fruitless to pursue them any further, and marched his army to the Hudson and took a strong position,which covered the important passes of the Highlands on that river. One week after the battle, as recorded in Clinton’s own narrative of the war, “the King’s army descended from the High (lands) of Navesink, where I caused them to encamp, and embarking in transports (off Horse Shoe Cove) were conveyed to their respective stations on Staten, York, and Long Islands.”

1781 The Loyalists stayed in control of Sandy Hook even after the war was ended by the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown on October 19. Eventually they sought refuge in New York City, which was still occupied by the British.

1782 Captain Joshua Huddy hanged on April 12 at Water Witch in Highlands.

1783 The American Revolution ends by the Treaty of Paris on September 3.

1783 Eleven sailors desert the British ship HMS Assistance. They reach the Highlands shoreline but are pursued by 14 men led by Lieut. Hamilton Douglas-Halyburton. All of them die in a snow storm and are buried in a common grave on Sandy Hook.

1787 New Jersey is the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

1790 President George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton go on fishing trip in the waters off Highlands in June.

1790 New Jersey is the first state to sign the Bill of Rights.

1790 Philip Freneau writes his poem “Navesink” focused on the Highland hills.