Revolutionary Damages
During the American Revolution, British and Hessian troops didn't just fight American soldiers; they also inflicted punishment on civilians. Read on to learn more. Note: for historical accuracy, the transcribed claims are copied verbatim, including racial language considered offensive today.
Quartering and Assault
|
A common practice in colonial America was "quartering," wherein civilians were forced to house British soldiers. This was a practice even before the Revolutionary War, when the British passed the "Quartering Act" of 1774 in retribution for growing rebellious activities across the colonies. And this practice only grew with the war.[1] According to Walter S. Grover, a former mil-owner at Grovers Mill in the early 1900s, his grandmother, Sarah Schwenger, was forced to provide housing for Hessian soldiers during the way, and feed them at her expense.[2] It's unknown how many others in the area were made to do this as well.
However, undoubtedly more heinous was an incident in the historic West Windsor community of Penns Neck: There was two of General Howes' light Horsemen Quartered at [Penns Neck] about two miles from [Princeton] Who Pretended to a Young Woman That they was Searching for Rebels, and had been Informed that some of them were [hidden] in the Barn and desired her to go with them and Show them ... And when they had got her there, one of them Laid hold on her Strangled her to Prevent her crying out while the other Villain Ravisht her, and when he had done, he Strangled her Again While the Other Brute Repeated the horrid crime Upon her again. She is a Farmers Daughter but her name with her Fathers must be kept [secret] to Avoid the Reproach above Mentioned."[3] |
An old farmhouse in Penns Neck.
|
Damage Claims
The British and Hessians also often burned buildings, killed livestock, stole household goods, and more. Below are just a few damage compensation claims from the West Windsor area, submitted to the colonial government during and after the war; their authors hoping to be reimbursed for what they lost. Click the images to enlarge each claim.
William Scudder
|
William Scudder owned the mills at the historic West Windsor/Plainsboro community of "Scudder's Mills." This was likely in retribution for his serving in the American army as a colonel.[4] Below is the text of his damage claim (pictured adjacent):
"1776, December 31: [Damage Claim] of William Scudder of Windsor:
"Benjamin Oppie, being sworn [sayeth] that he knew the mills of Col. William Scudder as mentioned in this inventory, and that he does adjudge the said mills was worth £1,100 to the best of his knowledge. - Sworn Oct. 19, 1782 by Nathaniel Hunt - Benjamin Oppie."[5] |
|
David Slayback
|
David lived in the historic "Dutch Neck" community, and his house still stands as one of West Windsor's oldest buildings! He claimed the following:
"1776, December 26 - Ditto of David Slayback:
David Slayback being sworn saith the above inventory is just & true and that he saw the Hessian troops in the service of the Enemy had in their possession the above mentioned creatures and that he hath not received any satisfaction for any one of them. - Sworn Oct. 15, 1782 before Joseph Olden - David Slayback."[6] |
|
Captain John Schenck
|
John Schenck lived in the Penns Neck area, and claimed the following:
"1776, December - Ditto of John Schenck of Windsor:
Capt. John Schenck being sworn, saith that the above inventory is just and true and that he was informed by Harmon Covenhoven's wife that the British troops and their (illegible) took and destroyed all the above mentioned clothing and from his knowledge and other (illegible) believe that said troops took and destroyed all the above (items) and that he hath not received any satisfaction therefore. - John Schenck. Sworn Oct. 19, 1782 by Joseph Olden."[7] |
|
Captain John Schenck
|
Garret Schenck also lived in the Penns Neck area, and claimed the following. Note how he requested compensation for one of his slaves:
"Between [December 3, 1776] and [January 20, 1777] - Ditto of John Schenck of Windsor, Penns Neck:
|
|
Bibliography
- “The Quartering Act: Igniting the Powder Keg of War.” American Battlefield Trust, May 1, 2020. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/quartering-act.
- “Grover's Mills.” Essay. In Old Princeton’s Neighbors. Princeton, NJ: Graphic Arts Press , 1939. Written by the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Writers’ Project.
- Collins, Varnum Lansing. A Brief Narrative of the Ravages of the British and Hessians at Princeton in 1776-1777: A Contemporary Account of the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. Princeton, New Jersey: Library of Princeton University, 1906.
- Scudder, William (Colonel). “Inventory of Damages to the Goods of William Scudder.” Windsor, Middlesex County: Scudder’s Mills, December 31, 1776. Found in the New Jersey State Archives - Revolutionary War Damage Claims, 1776-1783 - B : Middlesex. Pg. 235. Claim No. [1]
- Ibid.
- Slayback, David. “Inventory of Damages to the Goods of David Slayback.” Windsor, Middlesex County: Dutch Neck, December 26, 1776. Found in the New Jersey State Archives - Revolutionary War Damage Claims, 1776-1783 - B : Middlesex. Pg. 251. Claim No. [1]
- Schenck, John. “Inventory of Damages to the Goods of John Schenck.” Windsor, Middlesex County: Penns Neck December 1776. Found in the New Jersey State Archives - Revolutionary War Damage Claims, 1776-1783 - B : Middlesex. Pg. 232. Claim No. [1]
- Schenck, John. “Inventory of Damages to the Goods of Garret Schenck.” Windsor, Middlesex County: Penns Neck, Between Dec. 3, 1776 and Jan. 20, 1777. Found in the New Jersey State Archives - Revolutionary War Damage Claims, 1776-1783 - B : Middlesex. Pg. 251. Claim No. [1]
